Advice for my first build, please.

[glenngjp]

I wasn't sure about posting this after seeing how many of these you guys get every day, but I'm planning on dishing out ~$1000, and, ya' know, this'll be my first build, and better safe than sorry. After lots of reading and research, I've come to the following parts:

Motherboard: ASRock X48TurboTwins-WiFi LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157129

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Video Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

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

Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

DVD Burner: SAMSUNG Black... SATA DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Basic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116200

Additional Fans: Two Antec 120mm Case Fans (in the front)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209005

Like most people, I am concerned with price, performance, and upgrade-ability. In the following months I would like to add a second HD 4850 and switch to ddr3, but beyond that, I don't want to do any major upgrades for the next two to three years.

I'd like to be sure that everything here is compatible, and I'd appreciate any suggestions of better parts (while staying in the current price range) that I may have missed.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention, this will be for gaming and occasionally Adobe Photoshop CS3/Flash CS3.

As far as overclocking goes, I'm sorta afraid of it, but I'd like to try it this time around - mildly.

 

[Zenthar]

■What will your gaming resolution be (native LCD resolution)? This is generally the decisive factor in going SLI/Crossfire or not; a single 4870 card could be more suited for you needs.
■Even for SLI/CrossFire, a P&C 610W would be enough.
■IMO, it will not be worth it to switch to DDR3 until you upgrade to a Nehalem (or AMD's next offer).
■Have you considered the Asus P5Q Pro motherboard? Crossfire only supported in x8x8 mode, but the benches I've seen show very little performance loss (<2%).

 

[glenngjp]

-I have a 1280x960 monitor.
-I thought PSU was a very nice one, and it can combo with the G.SKILL 4GB DDR2 for an extra $30 off, but I'll look for a better deal with a lower watt PSU.
-The DDR3 thing, I don't really know, I wasn't planning on getting a Nehalem at launch, or probably even a year after launch, unless I'm overestimating the price and underestimating the upgrade.
-$60 off the the motherboard is very appealing, but I really liked the choice to go to DDR3 in the future, if it actually is a good idea. Then again, there is also the P45 ASrock(I read it might not POST on DDR2 for some reason, though).
EDIT: I just read some benchmarks on a P45 vs an X48 Crossfiring 4850's, http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1472/7/intel_p45_vs_x48_crossfire_performance/index.html. That seems a lil more than 2% performance loss.

 

[Zenthar]

At that resolution, going SLI/CrossFire is complete waste; the difference starts to be seen only above 1680x1050, a single 4850 will be enough, if you want overhead, get a 4870.

The PSU is a very nice one, that is why I suggested another one of the same brand. The 610W is 30$ less (compensating for the combo deal), but you get to choose your memory. I suggest you look for CAS4 memory, it doesn't cost more much more and it's better.

If you really want DDR3 support, take a look at the GA-EP45C-DS3R, it's just like the GA-EP45-DS3R, but with both DDR2/DDR3 support, but still much cheaper than X48.

 

[Zenthar]

EDIT: I just read some benchmarks on a P45 vs an X48 Crossfiring 4850's, http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1472/7/intel_p45_vs_x48_crossfire_performance/index.html. That seems a lil more than 2% performance loss.

These benches are much different than the ones I previously saw, I stand corrected.

 

[zenmaster]

These benches are much different than the ones I previously saw, I stand corrected.

I looked at a few reviews in regards to performance.
I found that some of the reviews used cards slower than the 4850 and therefore did not see the loss.

However, for your build I would forgo worring about Crossfire or getting a X48 Mobo.

#1 - Get a nice P45 and save $100
#2 - Save $25 with this PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
#3 - Use the $125 to Upgrade to a HD4870.
#4 - Keep an Eye on Frys.Com for the Q9300 or Q9400 which is replacing it. They just had it on sale for $180 and if you are not going to do a heavy OC, it will run be faster clock for clock and run cooler.

(Note: If you are going to OC, you will need an after market CPU Cooler. Also consider getting a Memory Card Reader. They are nice for working with cameras, etc...)

 

[glenngjp]

Oh, I didn't see that before, the PSU thing. Thank you!
Now, the crossfire thing - it'd be a waste at my resolution, even later on down the line, even setting my resolution to 1600x1200? I don't know much about monitors and resolutions.

 

[glenngjp]

Alright, I guess the p45 with a 4870 is a fine idea, thank you.
Would a Antec 500w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940 be alright ? It'd combo with the case, but does 500w drop me too low?
EDIT: Never mind on the PSU, the one Zenmaster rec'd is a better deal.

 

[zenmaster]

Yes, The Antec 500w is perfectly fine.

I did not mention that since it would not do CF if you really did want to do that, but the Corsair could CF two 4850s.

Edit: Not the Antec you listed, but the Antec Earthwatts 500w is now on sale for $59.99 w/o rebate and is a very good deal as well.

 

[Shadow703793]

Imo, don't go for that board. Most boards that run DDR2 and DDR3 has some issues. Get this instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317