the graphics card u picked is old technology. get either an 8800gt 512mb or a 8800gts 512mb. even with less memory, they perform much better.
as with the power supply, the corsair is a nice pick, it has a 1 rail design with plenty of amps, but it might be an investment to pay for more watts now as new technology tends to use more power than old technology.
* I'd go with a p35 based mobo, which you have selected. Others to consider are the Gigabyte DS3L/DS3R, Abit IP35/IP35 pro, Asus p5K se/p5k series of mobo's, so you can decide which one has the options that you want. They start around $100 and go up from there, depending on options that they have.
* I'd go with a 2x2 gb solution, like dagger suggested. Make sure you go with at least 800mHz DDR2 CAS 4 stuff (4-4-4-12 timings). This will allow you a FSB of at least 400 mHz, which is generally plenty for most OC'ing situations. Most quality DDR2 CAS 4 800mHz RAM will OC to about a 450mHz FSB = 900mHz DDR2 speeds.
* Probably one of the best CPU HSF coolers out there right now is the Xigmatek s1283. It's going for $37 shipped and outperforms about every other cooler out there, except the Thermalright Ultra 120 w/Scythe 120mm Fan.
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail Frosty's review of the Xigmatek s1283
If you don't like the Antec Sonata III case/PSU combo than the one you selected is fine. The PSU's that you selected are good quality ones and would be fine too, so don't fret too much over them.
Edit: fogot to mention that if your running Windows XP (32 bit) than 2 gb's is plenty to have. If your running on a 64 bit OS (XP/Vista) than the extra 2 gb's will be helpfull. The 32 bit OS's only see up to 3-3.5 gb's of memory, due to the OS's limitations. This isn't a big deal, but thougt I'd mention it.
on the subject of memory, dont listen to dagger, 2gigs is plenty of RAM even for vista. but sinces it cheap now, 3 or 4gb is not expensive, remember to get a 64-bit os if ur getting more than 3gb because of 32-bit os limitations that only let it allow it to address 4gb including ur video ram and other expansion cards that use memory.
oh, a bigger case makes it easier to build ur computer. bigger cases give u more room to work. trust me on this, i have a Antec P150 which is discontinued now. its difficult to build in it since my corsair tx750w psu doesnt have modular cables and the case is in general on the small side.
Also noticed you have the older (g80) based GPU. Please get the more recent version (g92), since it runs cooler and is also quite a bit faster. I'd go with at least a 9600gt/8800gt/8800gts (g92) 512mb versions, depending on which one you can afford.
Edit: fogot to mention that if your running Windows XP (32 bit) than 2 gb's is plenty to have. If your running on a 64 bit OS (XP/Vista) than the extra 2 gb's will be helpfull. The 32 bit OS's only see up to 3-3.5 gb's of memory, due to the OS's limitations. This isn't a big deal, but thougt I'd mention it.
I would like to eventually run Vista 64
I looked at everything else in your post and I am definitely considering the possibilities. Thank you!
I hope you realize that PNY from Buy.com has only one left, and it is used.Better check all for that.
I realized on that website that the PNY GPU was quite expensive, but I was only using that link to show what kind of GPU I was getting. I was only going to pay $190.00 for this card...for this price would you still suggest I buy a newer tech GPU?
Message edited by BoxcarRichard on 05-05-2008 at 11:49:47 AM
Also noticed you have the older (g80) based GPU. Please get the more recent version (g92), since it runs cooler and is also quite a bit faster. I'd go with at least a 9600gt/8800gt/8800gts (g92) 512mb versions, depending on which one you can afford.
If I drop that PNY 8800GTS 640mb ($190 from my source), I am willing to drop a bit more cash onto something more new.
I have a choice between: XFX Geforce 8800 GTS 512MB Alpha Dog Edition for $239
or
NEW PNY XLR8 GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB for $290
Ack. Which to go for!?
Message edited by BoxcarRichard on 05-05-2008 at 12:13:03 PM
