Hi All,

I am trying to finish up my build and would like some critiques.

Recent Purchases

CPU
Q9450 - Got it for $250 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115042

CPU Cooler
Zalman 9700 Led- Got it for $49 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118019

OS
Vista Ultimate 64bit W/ free 150 GB HD -Got it for $169 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116215

Items Thinking Of Purchasing

Mobo
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard -(retails $149 -$30 for combo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131299

GPU
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 (Retails $199.99 - $5.00 - $30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121253

These two above items are on combo sale right now.. you get $30 off plus the gpu has $30 rebate. Sound like a decent deal for combo?
Any other type of Mobo I should consider? (I would rather not spend $200+ for mobo if I don't need to)

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($199.99 -$36.00 = $83.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

or
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ($126-$17 = $109 - $30 rebate = $79)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

or
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) ($137.99-$10 = $127.99 - $35 rebate = $92.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227289

Is this a good ram to choose? I am not sure what to get for ram. Options to pay a little more and get DDR2 800 or 8500.

And I need some sort of Lighstcribe DVD burner

Recycled Parts

Dell 2407 Widescreen Monitor

Antec P180


Raptor 74gb HD


500 GB HD backup

X-Fi Fatility Sound Card


I will be using my rig for gaming, photoshop, work related stuff, email, web browsing,etc..

Critique on!

Anything above DDR2800 is worth only for overclocking. Any major brand (Corsair, OCZ etc.) is OK.
As for the mobo, get a x38/48 instead of the p45.
You should also consider spending some $ on a good PSU. What do you currently have inside your P180?

and get the xigmatek rifle cooler 120 with ur build as its cheaper and performace is top-notch!!

Looks like a good build. Personally I've always used Corsair memory. But seems like most folks on Toms I see use OCZ lately. So it can't be to bad.

I agree on checking your PSU to make sure it's capable. Though probably anything like 480w or above would run you with a single GPU, but you might look into that more.

Currently I have a Enermax Noisetaker 2 600w power supply. I don't intend to upgrade it right now, since I think it should be sufficient.

galta,

You think the upgrade to x38/48 is worth the +/- $75-150?

If you have any plans of crossfireing in the future, x38/x48 will be worth it. If not and you plan to stick to one GPU the P5Q is a good choice.

@scottamc:
Yes, if you add a second video card. No, if you don't.
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/ [...] index.html

Read this thread too:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e-nice#bas

People already answered the question on x38/48.
The thing is, with such a nice cpu/gpu, it would be a shame to prevent some future CF because of some extra dolars.
Unless, of course, you're sure you won't need it.