1K challenge... advice on new build needed

[tjgmarantz]

My upgrade cycle has gone a little something like this: 486/66, pentium 133, celeron 300a, amd900, amd 1.4ghz to the current athlon 64 3000. I am ready to move away from my long loved AGP also and so I am looking to upgrade. Problem is, I haven't kept up with hardware very well in the past couple of years. My rig will be used for gaming(rF, HL2, CS:S mostly), encoding/decoding video, media server capable of handling HD content(mkv etc...). My buget is 1K CAD(no newegg for this poor bastard). Parts listed below are the parts I need. I've got the dvd drive, mouse, keyboard, floppy(you can pry it out of my cold dead hands!). I don't plan on overclocking much of anything.

Big questions are the mobo and vid card. Should I go PCIe2.0? From looking at prices, mobo's that are 2.0 are quite up there, is there a slightly lower priced 2.0 mobo? I don't need bells and whistles, I don't do RAID. I picked the Q6600 because of the price/performance ratio. I don't need the best of the best, I need the best bang for the buck, well maybe a bit more. (had a 9800pro, have an x1950pro, I like bang for buck).

So yeah, where have I hampered myself, what should I consider, gimme what you got guys and girls. I will be checking other online and B&M sources so pricing shown is not too too important, it's more to show what I was looking at. I'll be scouring ncix, tigerdirect, pccanada, oemexpress, microbytes and B&M stores when the time comes.

So far, I've come up with the following:

Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3404049&CatId=3412
OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2x2048MB)

Hard Drive
http://oemexpress.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=HDDWDC-WD5000KS&eq=
500GB WDC

CPU
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2905631&CatId=2758
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor BX80562Q6600 - 2.40GHz, 8MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Kentsfield, Quad-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan

MOBO
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3038920&CatId=3355
Intel DP35DPM Motherboard - Intel Socket 775, ATX Motherboard, Audio, PCI Express, Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, USB 2.0 & Firewire, Serial ATA, RAID

VIDEO CARD
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3581357&CatId=1826
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card

CASE/PS
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2448862&CatId=1846
Ultra Grid ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB, Audio Ports and Ultra XVS-Series 700-Watt Power Supply

I appreciate any help that I could get and if you suggest a different route, please say why so I can know where you are coming from.

Thanks!

edit1: fixed broken links, sorry about that

 

[aevm]

Good RAM and CPU and video card. Make sure your CPU is retail (not OEM), so you don't have to buy a cooler. Aftermarket coolers are not required if you don't overclock.

Bad hard disk. I have that kind, and also WD7500AAKS. The WD7500AAKS is MUCH faster, thanks to a new technology (PMR). WD6400AKS is even faster.

Don't forget to check out NCIX too. They do price-matching. If you're not in BC you only have to pay 5% GST, no PST.

Your links are broken. You need to use the URL icon (looks like a chain link) so they work.

Is this the mobo you picked?
Intel DP35DPM, $129
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3038920&CatId=3355
I don't like it. Only 2 RAM slots and only 6 SATA ports. For $10 more you can have one of the best P35 boards:
GA-EP35-DS3R, $139, 4 RAM slots, 8 SATA ports
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27874&vpn=GA-EP35-DS3R&manufacture=Gigabyte


Case/PSU. Here's your link again but fixed:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2448862&CatId=1846
$183 buys you a decent case and PSU there.

On the other hand, I'd rather have this combination:
Corsair 650TX, $90, CM 690 case $78
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&vpn=CMPSU-650TX&manufacture=CORSAIR
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26048&vpn=RC-690-KKN1&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

 

[tjgmarantz]

aevm, thank you very much for fixing those link... i r b nub it seems at linking. I'll fix the first links hehe. Thanks for input though, really appreciated.

Anyone else with comments?

 

[aevm]

Hey, it's not your fault. This forum's GUI keeps changing and each time they get one or two things wrong. That part about the URL icon is silly, I hope they fix it.

Are you in Ottawa by any chance? If you are, check this site too:
http://www.shoprbc.com/ca/shop/configurator.php?cgid=6
Some of the best prices in town, price-matching, no shipping charges because you just pick them up yourself.

 

[tjgmarantz]

Montreal but I got to Ottawa a few times a year for pesticides LOL

I'll check them out!

 

[xpherex]

i wouldn't take a p35 chipset better w8 or take a cheap one... x38/x48 could be a waste of money if you are not planing with CF in the future.

 

[tjgmarantz]

Oh yeah, you say bad hard disk and recommend the WD7500AAKS or the WD6400AKS.

If I only need 500GB, this is the equivalent right?

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2795126&CatId=2459

Any other suggestions from anyone? I'm thinking this weekend might be the weekend I give other people my money for these parts

 

[aevm]

It's not equivalent, it's much slower. That 500GB disk was made a long time ago, and they didn't have the perpendicular magnetic recording technology yet.

Rather than paying $90 for the WD5000AAKS, you should get this 500GB disk with PMR:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27144&promoid=1034

It's normally $100 at NCIX but you get it for $82 because I included the promoid here. I got it because I'm on their junk mail list.

Edit: if you buy anything from NCIX this weekend, try adding &promoid=1034 to the query string in the URL box. You may get lucky and find other things that become cheaper.

 

[tjgmarantz]

Now I gotcha. I couldn't understand why the anti 500gb sentiment

And big up on the promocode thing, that might just push me over the edge

Again, many thanks

 

[tjgmarantz]

Just about final, here are the parts and the last point that I would love some direction on, the motherboard selection.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27144&promoid=1034
$81.98

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 EPP Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26701&promoid=1034
$80.99 including $15 MIR

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22211&promoid=1034
$228.98

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS 670MHZ 512MB 1.94GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27900&promoid=1034
$214.99 including $30 MIR

Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26414&promoid=1034
$89.99 including $20 MIR

Coolermaster CM 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case 5X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB Sound Firewire & eSATA
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26048&promoid=1034
$77.95

Total is $840 pre-rebates and $790 post-rebates.

Lastly, the part I am not sure about.

Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29705&promoid=1034
$92.98

Gigabyte EP35-DS3R ATX LGA775 P35 1600OC FSB DDR2 1200OC 1PCI-E16 SATA RAID Sound GLAN Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27874&promoid=1034
$138.69

RAID capability is not important at all. The DS3R has 2 more USB ports(6 is plenty in my case) and apart from that I do not see a difference. Am I missing something or is the DS3L really only "crippled" in this way(RAID and 2 fewer USB ports)?

With the DS3L, I am actually under what I was expecting. Let's say I wanted another 75 or 100 of goodness, what woudl you recommend?

Thanks for the input on all the system

 

[tjgmarantz]

Order placed:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache Ncq Hard Drive
$79.88

Corsair XMS2 DHX TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX 4GB DDR2 2X2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN Memory Kit
$131.25 - $20.00 CAD Mail in Rebate

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
$218.88

Corsair TX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
$91.35

Coolermaster CM 690 Mid Tower Black ATX Case 5X5.25 5X3.5INT No PS Front USB Sound Firewire & eSATA
$70.20

Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L ATX LGA775 P35 1333FSB 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 3PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard
$90.25

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS KO 678MHZ 512MB 1.94GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card
$276.79 - $30.00 CAD Mail in Rebate

Thanks for the help along the way!

 

[aevm]

The DS3R has 8 SATA ports (as in, 6 hard disks and 2 burners), while the DS3L has only 4. TBH that's the only difference I consider serious.

Check out the aBit IP35 Pro and GA-EX38-DS4. They cost more than the DS3L but have a ton more features. The question is, do you need the extra features or are you just wasting money. You decide. Both have two PCI-E x16 slots i.e you can have two cards i.e. 3 or 4 monitors. Both come with 4 cables and have FireWire and eSATA. The X38 is better for Crossfire (you don't care, with your nVidia card).

If you remain with the DS3L, and you really want to spend the rest of the cash, upgrade to Q6700 or add a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 cooler and overclock. Or do both, if you can.

 

[tjgmarantz]

I placed the order as above and with the extra money, got some audiofx headphones(the 50$ model, not the 70$ model) and it's gotten me started on saving up for a flatscreen monitor(22" or 24"). Went for Canada Direct, cheaper than NCIX and free shipping. Thanks for the help these past few days