Advice with new build

[Guest]

As the title says, I'm getting ready to build a new system. I was hoping to get some advice/pointers on the components I've selected and any possible issues, along with some recommendations. I used to build systems pretty frequently, but it's now been around 5 years minimum and so I could really use any recommendations you guys could offer.

I'm planning on using this as my home desktop - so, aside from the normal stuff, we'll be doing some light photo/video editing, and I want a decent gaming machine. I basically play lord of the rings online and COD4, but I want the capability to play all the newer stuff at reasonable rates without going overboard on the budget.

(Also, for my job I run some custom resource heavy applications from home occasionally now to save myself a commute into the office - but the specs below will satisfy those needs.)

Couple of things - Of course I'm planning on OC'ing the processor. And I wanted SLI capability as I'll probably

Here are the components I've selected at this point that I wanted thoughts on:


ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - 134.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition 72.00 on newegg with coupon

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel 66.50

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-650-ACAA-A1 650W ATX Form Factor 12V V2.3 / SSI Standard EPS 12V V2.91 Power Supply 99.99

EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail 139.99

ZALMAN CNPS 9500 AM2 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail 51.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 79.99 AR

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - 59.99
(dont need a bigger hd, I've got a large external storage device for video/pic storage).


I'd like to stay under $1000 - I didn't include the sound card, artic silver, etc. in the above list.

I'll be running a 64-bit win based os - likely vista home premium at this point.

Thanks for any help,

 

[shadowduck]

Step 1) Drop AMD
Step 2) If you insist on AMD drop that really old chipset motherboard.

Under $1000 eh? No problem!

1- NO NO NO on SLI! It is a waste of money unless you like a free room heater and a large power bill. SLI is even a dumber idea with 9600. The 2xx series card will be out soon and one card will care of you. SLI is not needed unless you monitor has a resolution of over 1920x1200, and based on this system being $1k, I will assume yours does not qualify.

Now then:
Around $1000 build:

Mid-Range Build: ~ $1,000 Currently: $991.91 shipped before $20 and $10 MIRs.
CPU: Intel Core2Duo E8400
Motherboard: MSI P45 Neo-F
RAM: G.Skill 4GB DDR2-800 4-4-4-12
Hard Drive: 500GB Segate SATA II 32MB cache
Optical Drive: Samsung 20X DVD burner SATA
Case:Antec P182 (do the combo to save $50 with the CPU)
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling 610W
OS: Windows Vista Home Prem
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N800-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (for the trade-up program)
Arctic Cooling MX-2 compound

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help...

Will drop the SLI completely. Thought it might be a good idea for future expansion at first, but your point is well taken.

Considering dropping AMD completely - if I do decide to stick with the AMD, any advice on a better motherboard?

 

[shadowduck]

Yeah this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131289