Opinion for System

[erad89145]

I am planning on building a system. This is what I am planning to buy for it. I am already a little beyond my budget, so I only need suggestions that are cheaper to slightly more expensive ($10 max).

Thanks in Advance! Here it is (copy and pasted from Tiger Direct)

M452-2686 :: MSI P35 Neo2-FR Motherboard - Intel P35, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express, CrossFire Ready, Gigabit LAN, USB 2.0, eSATA, RAID (3.65 lbs) $119.00

CP1-DUO-E8400 :: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400 - 3.0GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Wolfdale, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan (0.85 lbs) $199.00

E145-9600 :: EVGA GeForce 9600 GT Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV (1.7 lbs) $149.00

C13-2022 :: Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P. Memory (2 x 1024) (0.2 lbs) $58.99

L12-1134 OEM :: Lite-On LH-20A1L-06 SuperAllwrite OEM Lightscribe DVD Burner - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x24x CD-R/RW, Black, SATA, No Software (2.15 lbs) $29.99

TC3J-2341 :: Apevia Black/Black X-Plorer ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Fan Controller, Front USB and Firewire Port, PowerUp 800-Watt PSU (21.25 lbs) $119.00

Total Price: $678.94

One thing I hope to do in the not too distant future is to put in another GeForce 9600GT. I could do that with this build, right?

Also, I already have a 250 GB IDE HD from my old computer.

Suggestions, feedback, concerns, anything I did not include (already have XP for the OS).

 

[groo]

no, that is not an SLI board.

if you want to spend another $100 in the not too distant future, spend another $50 now. and get a 4850 or a 9800gtx

 

[erad89145]

Groo,

The Mobo is crossfire ready. Does that mean I have to use ATI cards instead of Nvidia? If that is the case, I can always switch to an ATI Radeon 3870.

 

[aevm]

That Mobo is just pretending to be Crossfire ready. The P35 chipset is no good for Crossfire. Get a HD 4850 card.

Check Newegg too, you might get better prices. For example you could get a GA-EP43-DS3L from Newegg for $100, and combine it with a HD 4850. It won't have RAID or eSATA but it has a PCI-E 2.0 slot. Also, I saw at Newegg some Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 kit for $80 - better deal than that 2x1GB for $60.

 

[groo]

^ he has it right.

newegg has historicaly better prices than Tiger.

I also think you should get a cheaper dual core (like sub $100), and upgrade to a quad down the road.