New gaming build ($1500)

[nightmares_0]

Hi everyone

I built my first computer two years ago and it was a great learning experience and a success in general (thanks to this forum). But, it has had its fair share of issues and I think I want to start from scratch rather than upgrading it. I'm looking to do a gaming build (I plan to get Starcraft 2 and Spore, and right now I'm playing Counter-Strike: Source and Call of Duty 4). My budget is around $1500 right now but it is flexible. I'm going to be running two LCDs (22 and 24 inches) with DVI connections only. I'm leaving for school on August 25, so I don't really want to/have time to wait for any new parts to come out. I'm thinking right now that I'm going to buy 64-bit Vista, and I'm also open to any recommendations about the case (I would like anything with a side window and a side panel that's easy to remove). I'm not planning to overclock anything right now as I have no experience. Anyways, because I'm not really hardware savvy, I'm considering following the $1400 build from the system builder marathon article from a month ago: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-graphic-performance,1959.html
Is there anything you would change a month after the article's release? I'm open to any and all recommendations.

edit --- I posted new specs below (see my first reply)

Here's the specs from the article (I'll probably be using a different case):

Thanks for any comments

 

[omicron_15]

If your comp is mainly for gaming then I think the C2D are still a better value then Quad cores. I would swith the Q6600 for a Q8500 (~$200) or Q8400(~$180), the H20-120 is expensive, I would switch it for a xigmatek 1283 (~$30). I think ati has the better value that will be stronger for future games then the current nvidia fair, I would suggest a x48(~$200) mobo with one 4870 (~$280) and then you could upgrade into CF 4870's at a later date.

 

[evongugg]

You might want to change the video cards.
If you go for 2 4850s, get a X48 motherboard.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,1987-4.html

 

[bdollar]

I know i am a broken record. said this on other "new build" posts:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=caviar%2bwd6400aaks

10 bucks more is all ($20 if you double up, if you need that much space? I would go with 1). Worth it, not just larger size but someone said it has PMR which is an upgrade to the 500gb.

 

[bdollar]

btw agree with C2d for gaming and 4850 or 4870 (if you can afford, which i think would fit in budget) then you can crossfire if you want later.

 

[nightmares_0]

Thanks for the quick replies. Since you guys know more than me, I'm revising my build to the following:
Please make any changes or comments that you want

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Cooler:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail - $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I'm really not sure about the motherboard. Please give me any better ideas for my system than this one.
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $224.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336&Tpk=Gigabyte+-+GA-X48-DS4

I feel like I'm not spending enough here xD
RAM:
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211188

I figure I'll get one 4870 now and leave myself the option to add another in later?
Graphics Card:
SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail - $284.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102748

Hard Drive (as recommended by bdollar):
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=caviar+wd6400aaks

Power Supply:
FSP Group FX600-GLN V2.2/EPS12V 600W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, TUV, UL, FCC - Retail - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104014&Tpk=fsp+group+fx600-gln

DVD-RW:
Sony NEC Optiarc 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 Burner - OEM - $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118012

I'm going to be using the following fatal1ty headphones: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826158051
Do you think a sound card would make much difference? Which would you recommend?

Also, I'm still taking any recommendations for a case (preferably under $100 and good looking).

Thanks again

 

[bdollar]

looking good. if you have more money for ram someone on another thread suggested something that sounded pretty cool. you get 8gb of ram and then disable the page file caching in vista (this is assuming you are getting 64 bit since 32 bit will only read 3.2gb ram). then vista isn't accessing your hard drive for the page file cache it is using the additional ram. sounds like that increases performance. food for thought.

i think the x48 is a good mother board and leaves you open to crossfire in the future.

i wouldn't recommend a sound card. may want to get other opinions but just haven't heard much good especially for what they cost. seems like the integrated has improved quite a bit. but see what others say. probably better to spend that money on other stuff (the more ram suggestion, blu ray drive, or a gaming hard drive, you could probably get a velociraptor for the price of a high end sound card)

 

[nightmares_0]

Thanks for your time bdollar

I'll post the rest of my questions in more specific forums

 

[spidy]

is that going to be enough power? if you are thinking about crossfire in the future you might want a bigger PSU.

 

[nightmares_0]

I was actually going to ask that question, do you think I should go to 750W or even higher? If so which psu would you recommend?

I was thinking this Corsair 750W for $120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[nightmares_0]

bump for PSU opinions (I'm going to order my parts in a few hours)