Please post if anything won't work, you can make it more powerful by decreasing the price or only raising it about $100, maybe $200 if it is really worth it or if I need to add some cooling.
One last thing should I replace the CPU for a Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6850 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115028) or is the Quad core better at 2.4GHz (link and more info above)
A very solid build, i'd do a couple of things a bit differently, but that's more personal preference than anything else.
P45 mobo since rumor has it that the P43 may be a bit limited in overclocking.
Gigabyte-EP-45-DS3L $108 so +$9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128347 GPU to a HD4850- a bit better performance than the 9800GTX and -$40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125224 CPU to a E8400, the Q6600 is a fine choice though, but the E8400 is faster in some applications (most games), it really depends what you're doing with it. - $20
So save you $51 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037
Message edited by dirtmountain on 07-05-2008 at 07:20:53 AM
Thank you dirtmountain, I will make the purchase some time tomorrow, the fifth of July 2008, but will check back before then and make a post saying I have made the purchase. So if any one else has any more comments that would further help me please do so.
Dont forget that only the 64 bit version of windows supports 4 gb or more ram so if you intend to use that much ram, get the 64 bit version of windows, not the 32 you specified. Also, I would personally recomend going with the core 2 duo instead of the quad core as many applications still cannot take advantage of four cores. From my experience, a faster dual core will beat a quad core in most circumstances. Personally I prefer XP over Vista but that is obviously a personal preferance more then a suggestion, just have found it consistently runs better. Not sure if i would go with the 9800 over an 8800 for a similar price, I've heard mixed reviews. Might be worth it to pitch the extra money to get one of the new GTX 260 cards instead, from everything I've read the 9800 just isn't worth the extra cash for what little improvement you get over the 8800's. GTX 260 is obviously the newer technology and has better stats pretty much all around. Unless you're going to 3 way SLi your rig I would go with an 8800 series card or GTX 260 instead. Depending on what application you are going to be using your rig for primarily, would also make a difference; ATI cards tend to do better with video, especially in the HD video category (Blue-ray, etc) but seeing as you're not planning on building with a blueray drive, I doubt that is your intent. Nvidia will blow ATI out of the water bar none though when it comes to gaming. Just some things to keep in mind.
Depending on what kind of expandibility you are looking to retain for the future, you may want to up your PSU to something closer to 700 watts instead of 550. Although unlikely that you will ever approach near that much power consumption, it's always useful to have the extra headroom, something I would highly suggest. If you are looking to overclock your CPU I would most certainly recomend an aftermarket cooler. I have used the Zallman 9500a with great success which is also compatable with most any platform and wont set you back all that much, just 'round $60. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118223 Well worth the money though.
Other advantage of the dual core over the quad core is the FSB speed matches that of the mother board you picked out, providing you with greater peace of mind that it will indeed work properly. The memory you picked also doesn't match the recomended speed with the mobo you selected so I would be careful on that front as well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231184 Although slightly more expensive, that GSkill memory will provide you with slightly better preformance and reliability.
Otherwise, all looks good. Let us know how your build fairs!
