Need opinions on this build

[Gonzo317]

I need some opinions on the system that I am thinking about building. I haven't built a system for several year. I have done a fair amount of research, but I want to make sure this is going to fit together well. I am shooting for a system around $1000. The system will be used for some gaming and homework(wife is doing Grad-school).

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Motherboard & hard Drive combo
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299


Memory
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144

Video Card
PNY VCG88512GXEB-FLB GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133232


Video
ASUS VW222U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236028

Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Two more things;
Is there any problem with using my PATA DVD drive with this system? I was just given a new drive a couple of months ago and hate to buy another new one.

And, is the audio quality on the Asus board any good?

Thanks in advance

 

[jpdykes]

Comments:

- Try an E8500 it shouldn't be much more. ($189)

- 8800 is outdated tech you will want at least an ATi 4850 if possible ($180)

- Good choice on MB

- DDR2-1066 isn't needed unless you are planning big overclocking. Go for 4GB of DDR2-800 in 2x2Gb sticks. Mushkin, Corsair, Geil, OCZ.

- 4Gb if you have Vista 64bit.

- Try a Corsair 750TX if the budget allows ($100). It will give you good flexability to add a second ATi card later if your gaming outdoes the 4850. Also will support Intel i7, so you can keep it for at least the next build.

The copy of Vista might send you slightly over the budget, but you should end up around $1000ish.

Audio quality should be fine for home and low end recording use. General recommendation is to buy a sound card after trying the onboard first - because you may decide you don't need the sound card (and save some money).

The Asus board will support PATA, although the data transfer rates aren't as good as new SATA drives and you will be giving away performance. WD 640Gb SATA is available for $85.

Jeremy

 

[iicsus]

^ +1

 

[jpdykes]

Smokebudsdaily, can you put in a separate post for your system as it is quite different to that of Gonzo's. Otherwise we are all going to get very confused trying to work out which posts apply to which system!

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[Gonzo317]

Thanks for the responses. I am planning on running XP for a while longer. I really don't want to change the OS on my wife right now.



Does anyone know anything about this Video card? It looks like a good deal, but I couldn't find a whole lot of info on it.

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

Thanks again,
Brad

 

[smokebudsdaily]

.

 

[dirtmountain]

Excellent card, great cooling, good price. jpdykes had excellent advice

 

[Gonzo317]

Thanks for the comments.

I went up to the E8500 and added the Sapphire card. I also added an Arctic Cooler because I have seen a lot of comments that the stock heat sink on the E8500 is really weak.

 

[jpdykes]

Stock heat sink will be fine so long as you aren't attempting an overclock. If you prefer a cooler recommendations are:

- Xigmatek S1283 with retention bracket
- OCZ Vendetta
- Artic Freezer Pro 7

Did you go for a bigger power supply to allow for a bit of growth later?

Jeremy

 

[Gonzo317]

Yes, I did go ahead and get the 750w. It actually was only $89, if I can remember to send in the rebate that is.