Plz Critique New Build for Me

[dohati]

Hi, I've been out of the loop for about 3 years now and have decided to take the plunge again with a new build. I've been browsing the forums for the last few weeks trying to get some pointers. This will be my second computer that I've built but again, its been 3 years since I've really gotten into the guts of a computer.

I use my computer mainly for gaming but I don't play too many FPS. More RTS, adventure, and MMORP games. Photo/video editing on the side. Will not use SLI. Also all the regular email, word processing, music stuff.

I saw on the main page here that Intel just slashed prices on some of their CPU's so any chance of a price drop on my CPU? Should I wait to try and save some money? I'm trying to keep the build at around $1000 and I already have a screen, mouse, and keyboard. Some version of Windows (64? 32? version?) will probably be purchased but will not be included in the $1000.

As you can tell, this list was influenced by forum posts.

ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131295
$129.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037
$164.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186134
$26.99

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814121253
$174.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ Retail
Item #: N82E16820231145
$67.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822152100
$99.99

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151173
$26.99

PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817703005
$109.99

NZXT HUSH Black SECC Steel/ Aluminum/ Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811146035
$89.99

Total $891.91

Prices shown reflect current sales, discounts, and rebates being offered.

Everything compatible? Any suggestions/improvements is much appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

[Proximon]

It's not a bad build at all. I would change a few things, and you can find them at my current parts list here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-what-parts-choose

Specifically RAM, case, and PSU.

The vanilla P5Q is kinda meh. I would upgrade or downgrade from my list.

 

[dirtmountain]

To me it makes more sense to get the Asus P5QPRO right now, it's $5 more before rebate and $10 less after rebate. You might not want the option to crossfire your graphic card now, but it won't hurt to have the option open for the future. It also has the combo deal for a Corsair 750w power supply that would drop the 750w to $79 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

That's 2 upgrades, that actually cost you $10 less after rebates.
Since you're buying the NZXT Hush case it looks like quiet operation is important. The Sunbeam Core Contact CPU cooler runs very quiet with the fan turned to low (includes a fan control) and even in quiet settings outcools the Arctic Freezer Pro and is substantially quieter.
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2271
it runs $26 after rebate, but $9 shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004

Hard to beat this RAM DDR2 800 1.8v JEDEC standard at $50 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

The Western Digital 640GB SATA hard drive $75 is fast, good size and $25 less
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Quiet cases are great, but often sacrifice cooling to reduce noise. A graphic card that vents it's heat out the back can usually help keep temps down. The HIS ICQ is the one at newegg that has it and is $172 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244
Almost to the pricepoint where a HD4870 might be a good choice at $209 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125225

Just some ideas, your build looked good as it was. Good luck.

 

[thrak]

Nice looking build. I'm with dirtmountain on his recommendations. Especially on the ram. I'm running 8 gigs of that mushkin ram in my rig. 5-4-4-12 at 1.8v is hard to beat. it overclocks great if you're into that stuff also.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Another +1 for dirtmountain's suggestions.

 

[x_2fast4u_x]

Double post Sorry
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[x_2fast4u_x]

Dirt said it all, well most of it, I would say, out with the E8400 in with the Q6600, the extra cores will come in handy while video/photo editing, as well as overall performance, also its only about $20 more AND the Q6600 can OC circles around the E8400...for beyond the factory 3ghz of the E8400.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2643933


Hope this helps. If ya need help while building just message me ill respond ASAP. =)

P.S. good luck, little know fact, RTS's use an equivalent of AI(artificial intelligence) to run all the characters which pulls substantially on the CPU, as well as physics becoming a HUGE part of the gaming equation, these are the reasons i say upgrade your CPU to a quad core beast.

 

[dohati]

Hmm, first off, thank you everyone who replied for the suggestions. I've made some changes, namely in the MB, hard drive, and video card which I've listed below.

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131299
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136218
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814121272
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

I just read the last post and am wondering, how hard is it to overclock? There are a ton of forum posts about it but I haven't had the time to really go through them. I only had time to browse a few sites but it seems complicated.

I know nothing about OCing so would it be safer/better for me to buy the E8400 or get the Q6600. Would all the parts still work together if I switched to the Q6600? Newegg has both the retail and OEM version of the Q6600 and after a little bit of reading it seams they are the same except for packaging and warranty. Since I'm getting an after-market CPU cooler, I'm thinking OEM if I go Q6600 (couldn't find OEM for E8400 on Newegg).

A quick question about OEM, since they have no packaging, would they be returns/refurbished items? For example someone buys a CPU and they return it for whatever reason, is the chip then sold as OEM?

This computer will probably be used for a few of years unless something breaks in it so I do want something that is more "future proof."

I probably am going with Vista Home Premium and based on what I read about OEM, will go with an OEM version of it. Thanks for all help so far!

 

[Proximon]

You'll be able to push that CPU to 3.6 easily, with almost no knowledge. The ASUS board will make it simple enough. The Q6600 might take a bit more work, and I would get a Xigmatek cooler for that. (It's in the parts list I linked earlier.)

OEM will be new unless it says otherwise.