800 dollar build review

[harr89]

I was wondering if any of you can critique and review my build before I buy it. I was building this for a friend and it came out to about 806 dollars after shipping and tax. If there are better parts for the value please let me know before I make the purchase. Thanks in advance.

Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R Burner Black SATA Model AD-7200S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118012
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$25.99

Rosewill R5604-TBK 0.8mm Japanese Cold Rolled Steel Screw-less Dual 120mm Fans ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811147033
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant $64.99
$59.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148262
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $59.99

XFX PVT96GYDF4 GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150304
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate $139.99

Open Box: ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T
Item #: N82E16827135143R
Return Policy: Open Box Item Return Policy $15.99

Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371007
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant $89.99
$49.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231098
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy -$40.00 Instant $84.99
$44.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128337
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$89.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
$189.99

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail
Item #: N82E16835118003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

 

[ilovebarny]

ditch the 9600gt. this is a much better card and its only like ten dollers more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121217

and do you really need two dvd drives?

this ram is just as good if not better and its cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231


other than that every thing is ok. i would suggest getting the seagate 7200.11 hard drive but no big deal if you cant afford it.

 

[harrycat88]

I agree with ilovebarny, ditch the 9600gt and go for the HD3870 or spend $50.00 more and get the HD4850 for a boast in performance.
I would avoid a nvidia based video card because they're plagued with driver problems inside of VISTA.
Also, I would avoid the SONY DVD because they're over rated. I would get a Lite-on 20X DVD. I have had the same 16X lite-on DVD for over two years now with no problems and no coasters.
Don't buy that Zalman CPU cool, it's a piece of sh#t and you're just wasting your money.
My 2.4GHz Opteron idles at 92 degrees Fahrenheit with the Opteron stock cooler.
With the Zalman cooler, it idles at 95.9 Fahrenheit with an extra 80mm outside fan blowing directly on the top of the fins. If I didn't have the extra fan it would idle at 107 degrees.
I would get the very popular Freeze CPU Cooler instead. It's a lot cheaper and does a better job.

 

[outlw6669]

My 2.4GHz Opteron idles at 92 degrees Fahrenheit with the Opteron stock cooler.
With the Zalman cooler, it idles at 95.9 Fahrenheit with an extra 80mm outside fan blowing directly on the top of the fins. If I didn't have the extra fan it would idle at 107 degrees.

Ummmm......
Your doing it wrong.
There is nothing wrong with the Zalmin coolers other than the price.
I would recommend the AC Frezer 7 for $26.99.
It should give you better performance with a lower price tag.

Ditch the 9600GT and get a 4850 for as low as $169.99.
Way more power than the 9600GT especially if you turn the filters up.
8x AA is almost free in most situations now.

 

[foxhound009]

go for 4850 seriously!
and pick an x38 mobo...
(ddr3 won't be needed for some time)

 

[Why_Me]

Move up your FSB (Front Side Bus), to 9.5x333 =3.16GHz and your good to go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106 $52.99
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150070 $4.99
MASSCOOL FD12025S1L3/4 120mm Case Fan - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371019 $39.99
Antec Basiq BP500UB 500W ATX12V Version 2.01 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CB, CE, CSA, TUV, FCC - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052 $129.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001 $24.99 ($14.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)
XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $6.99
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130185 $96.99 ($81.99 after $15.00 Mail-In Rebate)
MSI P43 Neo3-F LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 $86.50 ($66.50 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate )
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130359 $159.99 ($139.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)
EVGA 512-P3-N800-TR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail EVGA dual slot cooling design technology

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262 $59.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&Tpk=mx-2 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

Total
$694.39
$629.39 w/mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204 $94.99
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Total
$789.38
$724.38 w/mail in rebates