First build. . . how did I do?

[FooteNasty]

So I finished my first build and ordered everything today. It was obviously my first time attempting anything like this. Hopefully it all works out. How did I do? My budget was $1200 and I went over by a little over $100 or so. I was a little dissapointed in the price but overall think I will be happy once its built.

Case: NZXT Apollo - $80 ($60 w/ MIB)
CPU: Intel Q6600 - $220
CPU Cooler: ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 - $44
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB - $260 ($230 w/ MIB)
Motherboard: DFI INFINITY P965-S - $80
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM - $95
Memory: OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $96 ($66 w/ MIB)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12 II SS-500GB ATX12V / EPS12V 500W - $86
Disk Drive: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - $30
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium - $95
Monitor: Acer 19" X193W - $120

With shipping, taxes, etc the total came to $1,254.20. How did I do and will any upgrades be necessary in say the next 6 months or so? Thanks in advance. . .

 

[sciggy]

Seems like a pretty solid build except for the Motherboard. I would have gone with at least a P35 chipset. What is going to be the primary use? Any of the things that I would change, would all be personal preference and not something that is wrong with your build.

What color did you get your case? I got the same one in "orange" even though its more of a bronze color.

 

[Zorg]

Agreed, go with a P35 and get a free OC to 3G/1333Mhz, it's well worth the extra cash.

 

[FooteNasty]

What color did you get your case? I got the same one in "orange" even though its more of a bronze color.

I got the black one. I was half tempted to get the blue one but I figured with getting blue LED's eventually it will look better with the black.

 

[Zorg]

I just realized that you already ordered. Don't you think it's a little late to ask opinions?

 

[kad]

Motherboard: DFI INFINITY P965-S - $80
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12 II SS-500GB ATX12V / EPS12V 500W - $86

I believe you failed in these 2 parts
X48 mobo is the latest and best
550W PSU is the minimum required for 1Q6600 Proc+4G Ram in 2 dimms+2 HDD+2 Drives+1 Graphic Card+1 Sound/Ethernet Card+4 Cooling Fans

 

[FooteNasty]

I just realized that you already ordered. Don't you think it's a little late to ask opinions?

As I said before yes it's too late to make any changes. But I may be willing to make a necessary upgrade or two in the next few months.

 

[Zorg]

Too bad you didn't post yesterday. Good luck with it.

 

[miffy]

Personally I would have got a P35 and probably not gone with and save money on the Graphics card by looking at an ATI option of the GT, a GTS seems overkill on a 19" display... but that's just me, its your rig, you enjoy it.

 

[houstonserenity]

Hi, do not mean to pile on here but a P35 MoBo is the best option for budget builds gigabyte make a nice one for 90.00 or so. If there were a return policy, I would look into that.

 

[outlw6669]

While I do agree that you would have been better off with a P35, people seem to forget just how good of an overclocker the P965 chipset is. Even a low end P965 should be able to reach 400Mhz on the FSB. That is good enough to take you to 3.6Ghz, assuming your CPU is up to it. Please correct me if I am wrong but I am prety sure that it also supports 45nm CPU's (after you OC the FSB to 333).

P965 => P35 was not much of an evolutionary jump.

I would stick with the P965 until it fails or you decide to upgrade to Intel's next generation (which will require everyone to purchase a new Mb). That is unless you have a good return policy where you purchased it from and don't mind waiting another few weeks.