Build For Friend, Need Recommendations

mrmark27

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Apr 15, 2007
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Was working on a config for a friend and was hoping to get some reviews/feedback on what I included. He was looking to put together a gaming/music system. He is very into his music and wanted the system to be good with audio. Would the built in sound card on the mobo suffice, or should he look for something extra? Anyway, heres what I put together for him, please let me know what you think and what could be reduced, what should be upgraded, what doesn't fit, etc. Thanks for the help!

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

ASUS P5E-VM HDMI LGA 775 Intel G35 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131237

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148274

Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

Here is a link to a newegg wishlist if this is easier to review
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=8290165
 
It looks good, but there is some room for improvement. That motherboard should go. I'm not sure if you had a reason for choosing a micro-ATX board with on-board graphics, but you'd be better off with a P45 chipset. Here's a few options:

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299 $129.99 - $15.00 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359&Tpk=ga-ep45-ud3r $119.99 - $15.00 MIR

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 $136.99 - $20.00 MIR

Intel chips aren't very affected by RAM speed. You'd be better off getting a quality DDR2 800 kit like these:

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $49.99 - $20.00 MIR

or

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209 $49.99

That video card is OK, but if you get a crossfire board you might want to check out the ATI 4850. It's a faster card and allows the option of crossfire in the future if you go with a crossfire motherboard.
 
I agree with shortstuff on the P45 board and the DDR2 800 RAM, both very sensible moves. I'd also think about going with an Antec 300 case instead of the 900 to save an extra $40-$45 depending on shipping costs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
The PC Power and Cooling 610w is going for $60 after rebate right now, a great buy and plenty for that system, even if crossfired at a later date.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
Also agree with shortstuff about a HD4850 instead of that 9800GT. Trying to get the budget down a bit because if your friend is a real audiophile he may not be happy with the onboard sound, research the Asus Xonar sound cards, I'd have him try onboard sound first, but try to keep a soundcard in the budget if he wants to upgrade it.
 

mrmark27

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Apr 15, 2007
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Thanks, I didn't notice that the mobo was a micro-atx, updated that with the Gigabyte UD3R, as well as switched the memory for some Corsair memory. Any recommendations for good sound cards?