Final Product..?

[ckaz]

Ok everybody, the amount of work that has gone into choosing these parts is enormous for me, seeing as though I started with next to no knowledge on the matter. I was practically ready to hit the order button of ncix.com, but I thought even after all of the forums I have been asking, one more opinion could never hurt. Now this guy is a computer expert so I guess I have to acknowledge his opinion but truly, I think he might be wrong. Among other things, he told me that a few of my components were obsolete. I was shocked to hear this, so I responded right away asking which ones, and he hasn't responded back. As you can see I'm getting anxious..
I am going to post my specs and I would ask you guys to tell me which of these components are 'obsolete' and which I should stick with. I am on a $1500 budget, but I like quality and value. This computer will be very all around but here are my preferences. Fast, long-lasting, great video quality, good sound quality (avoiding a sounds card for now because of budget), very quiet.
Another thing I must ask is if, based on my components I should be adding any extra peripherals (extra heatsink, etc.)

Speakers: Logitech X-540 5.1

Mouse/Keyboard: OCZ alchemy series elixir, microsoft wireless notebook optical mouse

Case: Coolermaster cm690 mid-tower

Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 640GB

Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts 650W

Vid Card: XFX Radeon HD 4870 XXX

Mobo: Gigabyte EP45-UD3R

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400

RAM: G-Skill PC2 8500 4GB (2 x 2GB)

DVD drive: Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE

Monitor: Asus VH222H 21.5" Widescreen

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit + Microsoft Home and Student 2007
.
If you are going to mention price, ask me what price I am getting the individual component for because I was able to work up some pretty sick deals. Once again, what I want to know is whether any of these are out of date to the point of crap. Remember, $1500 budget, value and quality, fast, long-usage , quiet, great video quality, good sound quality. Work with me here people, I will appreciate all of the advice/recommendations I can get.

 

[hunter315]

Can you link to each part? The core2duo series is not obsolete, far from it, but it is at the end of its life, intel will no longer be making chipsets that support it or new CPUs, they are selling off their current stock to make way for the new i5 line.

Have you considered an AMD build? You could probably get a 945x4 in there, but definitely a 720x3. Do you intend to overclock at all? If so then you need an aftermarket heatsink.

 

[ckaz]

Ok everybody, the amount of work that has gone into choosing these parts is enormous for me, seeing as though I started with next to no knowledge on the matter. I was practically ready to hit the order button of ncix.com, but I thought even after all of the forums I have been asking, one more opinion could never hurt. Now this guy is a computer expert so I guess I have to acknowledge his opinion but truly, I think he might be wrong. Among other things, he told me that a few of my components were obsolete. I was shocked to hear this, so I responded right away asking which ones, and he hasn't responded back. As you can see I'm getting anxious..
I am going to post my specs and I would ask you guys to tell me which of these components are 'obsolete' and which I should stick with. I am on a $1500 budget, but I like quality and value. This computer will be very all around but here are my preferences. Fast, long-lasting, great video quality, good sound quality (avoiding a sounds card for now because of budget), very quiet.
Another thing I must ask is if, based on my components I should be adding any extra peripherals (extra heatsink, etc.)

Speakers: Logitech X-540 5.1 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21092

Mouse/Keyboard: OCZ alchemy series elixir, microsoft wireless notebook optical mouse http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37040 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=32857&promoid=1069

Case: Coolermaster cm690 mid-tower http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26048

Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 640GB http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34286&promoid=1015

Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts 650W http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=30037&vpn=EA650&manufacture=Antec

Mobo: Gigabyte EP45-UD3R http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=34004

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=27784&promoid=1015

RAM: G-Skill PC2 8500 4GB (2 x 2GB) http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=28306&vpn=F2%2D8500CL5D%2D4GBPK&manufacture=G%2ESkill&promoid=1015

DVD drive: Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=41501&vpn=SH%2DS223B%2FBEBE&manufacture=Samsung

Monitor: Asus VH222H 21.5" Widescreen http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=39133&vpn=VH222H&manufacture=ASUS

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit + Microsoft Home and Student 2007
.
If you are going to mention price, ask me what price I am getting the individual component for because I was able to work up some pretty sick deals. Once again, what I want to know is whether any of these are out of date to the point of crap. Remember, $1500 budget, value and quality, fast, long-usage , quiet, great video quality, good sound quality. Work with me here people, I will appreciate all of the advice/recommendations I can get.

 

[ckaz]

Ok if someone would like to tell me how to post a link then I will. I go to the link thing, and copy and past the url into the box where it says internal link. What am I doing wrong? As for some of your points, I have a response.
Firstly, should I upgrade to quad core? I will be sticking with intel I think. I have been debating this in my mind over and over. I don't want my processor to be finished so soon! It seems like duo core is getting left in the past, or we are at least verging on the era. The only thing that has been holding me back is the price! Its now time I address it and decide. Is it worth the money?
As for your question about overclocking, yes I can see it in my future to be honest. Everywhere I read there are people recommending it, and apparently its not as hard as it seems. I would, but thats what I'm worried about. If you could recommend a good online guide to overclocking, then yes, I think I would. How much are these after-market heatsinks?

 

[hunter315]

Put something in between the ] and [, the URL tags also arent necessary as it treats anything beginning with http:// as a link.

You are getting one of the editions of windows 7 with the free upgrade coupon to windows 7 right?

 

[ckaz]

ok, the links are up, thnx for the help. Yes, my vista is coming with the upgrade coupon