New build - Any Suggestions for Improvement?

[lostprophet]

It has been quite some time since I have built a computer (My current PC has an Athlon 64 and a 7900 GT!), and I finally decide to replace my laptop with a new desktop. My top price range is £1500, but I would like to spend lessif possible. I have been chopping and changign a list of components for a week now, and I finally think I have narrowed it down to what I want but I would like some input from you guys, if there is anything you think I can get better value for money from.

I want to use the computer for coding, web-devloping, image editing and gaming, and there a few provisos.

a) I need Vista Ultimate, I need to use virtual PC and I would like to retain the media functionality. I have picked 64-bit for the wider memory address
b) I need a good quality mouse, keyboard and monitor. I will be using this computer for a minimum of 9 hours a day, 5 days a week, so I want it to be comfertable.
c) I don't want to buy components on overclocking potential, I have had some very expensive mishaps with overclocking and would like to leave things as factory as possible.

With that in mind, here are the components I have chosen (all prices are UK, inc VAT):

Motherboard: Asus Maximus II Formula - £182.11
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 - £206.79
RAM: OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz (x2 for 8GB in total) - £136.28
GPU: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 - £182.11
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar T7K500 320GB SATA-II (16MB cache) (x2 for 640GB in RAID 0) - £68.12
Case & PSU: Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case (Gun Metal Black) / Antec Quattro 850W PSU - £211.48
Optical: Samsung SH-S203P/BEBN - £16.44
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-Bit - £117.49
Monitor: Samsung SM-223BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - £176.24
Keyboard: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - £32.89
Mouse: Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer 3.0 Optical Mouse - £21.14

for a grand total of £1,351.09. Now considering that delivery will be £30, that leaves me with about £180 to play with, but I would like to keep the cost roughly the same. Any suggestions will be welcomed

 

[Zenthar]

Unless you plan on using CrossFire now or as an upgrade path (IMO, not worth it as an upgrade path), the MB and PSU are probably overkill.

You could get a good Asus P5Q (they have many, find one which has the features you want) for about half the price of the Formula II.

For PSU, if you rule-out CrossFire, you can probably make with a good brand 550-600W.

If you don't want to overclock, DDR2-1066 isn't needed, get "regular" DDR2-800.

 

[lostprophet]

Unless you plan on using CrossFire now or as an upgrade path (IMO, not worth it as an upgrade path), the MB and PSU are probably overkill.

You could get a good Asus P5Q (they have many, find one which has the features you want) for about half the price of the Formula II.

For PSU, if you rule-out CrossFire, you can probably make with a good brand 550-600W.

If you don't want to overclock, DDR2-1066 isn't needed, get "regular" DDR2-800.

I did consider getting 2 4850's instead of 1 4870, I would probably go for the ASUS Maximus (with the P45) if I stay with the single slot. I couldn't find the PQ5 much cheaper to be honest, and I have heard the formula and the maximus are good boards. It is also worth mentioning I am waiting to hear how much the 4870x2's are gonna cost, as I may get one of those instead (hence high PSU and motherboard)

I thought the PSU was overkill too, but it was a case/psu bundle and it's a nice, sturdy, quite case. I might look into gettign the case and a seperate PSU, but again I don't want to totally rule out crossfire.

As for the memory, I will see if it worth saving money on the lower speed memory, although I would have thought the faster the better.

Thanks for the tips !

 

[WR2]

As for the memory, I will see if it worth saving money on the lower speed memory, although I would have thought the faster the better.

It's true that the faster memory is better.
It's also true that a 4870X2 and DDR2 800 will be much faster in gaming than 4870 and DDR2 1066.

To help you get the 4870X2 on your budget you'll need to trim some "fat" like the 1066 RAM, 850W PSU, expensive motherboard, finding a less expensive case, etc. Or else just up your budget and get it all.

Otherwise Zenthar gave you good advice. For the 4870X2 look at a 600W-650W PSU.

 

[lostprophet]

It's true that the faster memory is better.
It's also true that a 4870X2 and DDR2 800 will be much faster in gaming than 4870 and DDR2 1066.

To help you get the 4870X2 on your budget you'll need to trim some "fat" like the 1066 RAM, 850W PSU, expensive motherboard, finding a less expensive case, etc. Or else just up your budget and get it all.

Otherwise Zenthar gave you good advice. For the 4870X2 look at a 600W-650W PSU.

After havign a discussion about the graphics cars, I think I'm gonna go with the 4850 in CF anyways, I'm only gaming on a 22" monitor so I think the 4870x2 would be a little overkill and that way I don't have to trim any fat and I can get all the bits I wanted. Plus if I get the higher wattage PSU and the fast memory, if I decide to up to a 4870x2 at a later date then I can and my components will be up to par. I think the faster memory will give me better performance in the 3D modelling and image editing anyways, but thanks for your advice!