How does my first build look?

[Relyt]

Hey all, I am hopefully going to be building my first pc at the end of this month. Here are the parts. I would like to keep it under $800.

Drive: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106264

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

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

CPU: either E8400 or Q6600, I know, I know there are countless threads on this choice and I have read a ton of them, but I am still undecided

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

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

Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
**or**
HIS Hightech H487FN512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

The 4870 seems like the best choice seeing as it is only $15 more. I was debating going with the E8400 and using the money saved on an x38/48? Also, there is some 4-4-4-15 OCZ Reaper 4gb RAM for $3 extra and for the same price 4GB of GSkill 4-4-4-12 RAM, should I go with one of those instead? All advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I didn't forget the OS, I am getting Windows Vista Ultimate from campus ($20). Also, from what I understand case is largely preference so I didn't bother putting anything up. I will probably go for a nice case with good airflow that has free shipping when I'm ready to order.

 

[Why_Me]

Do you already have a case for this build and do you plan on running Crossfire ?

 

[MykC]

This is for gaming? If so...
When do you think you'll replace your CPU next?
What type of games do you play?
RTS games and simulation games have adopted multicore processors better than other genres of games, but with that said the future is in multicore cpus and the applications that take advantage of them.

The cost/performance benefit that you get from an E8400 vs a Q6600 now, will probably not outweight the future benefits that you will get from the Q6600. In addition the performance gains on the E8400 in today's applications won't be noticably outside a benchmarking enviroment. But, this has all been said and said better in other threads.

 

[aevm]

Looks good.

If in doubt, get the quad.

Get the HD 4870 if you can.

Check out the Antec 300.

Don't bother with x38/x48. The GA-EP45-UD3P can even do Crossfire just as well as those. The x48 is worth it only if you Crossfire HD 4870 X2 cards. For HD 4870 cards the P45 is just as good.

If you get the HD 4870 and you're interested in Crossfire, then upgrade to 750TX or PC Power & Cooling 750W, because then you'd get the 4 PCI-E connectors you need.

 

[raybob95]

For the E8400 and Q6600 dillemma: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/247649-28-e8400-q6600

Personally, I think that if you're a multitasker, you should go Q6600. If you only run a few single threaded programs at time, then go for the E8400.

But, the Q6600 is overclockable to almost 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler.

 

[Relyt]

Thanks all for the comments. I think I will definitely go for the HD 4870. My plans are not to Crossfire any time soon, if at all. In my wish list I've had the q6600, just though I would get a few more opinions. No, I do not have a case but yes my budget includes a lower end one. The Antec 900 is nice, I like the CF 690 as well. I had the Thermaltake v9 picked out until the price went up and free shipping was over.

 

[Relyt]

What about the RAM? I listed some other things at the bottom of the post?

 

[Why_Me]

For the E8400 and Q6600 dillemma: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/247649-28-e8400-q6600

Personally, I think that if you're a multitasker, you should go Q6600. If you only run a few single threaded programs at time, then go for the E8400.

But, the Q6600 is overclockable to almost 3.8Ghz with the stock cooler.

The Q6600 does 3.8 on stock cooling?

 

[Lee-m]

a freind of mine has a q6600, it gets very warm over 3Ghz on the stock cooler.

 

[raybob95]

My friend has a Q6600 on stock cooler, OC'd right now to 3.6, and gets up to 65C under load. At 3.8, it's only be like 70C, which the CPU can handle. I don't recommend it, but it can handle it.