New Computer-Final Check

[Katreat]

OK, I have incorporated all of the suggestions made and this is my final system. Please give it a look over and see if there needs to be any changes before ordering parts.

New Computer

COOLER MASTER Mystique 631Black Aluminum – Retail $89.99
ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) – Retail $134.99
SAPPHIRE Radeon X1950XT 256MB – Retail $249.99
SILVERSTONE 500W Power Supply – Retail $87.50
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz – Retail $309.99
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) (PC2 5400) - Retail $239.00
ALPS Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive – OEM $5.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM – OEM $94.99
LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner – Retail $35.99
LITE-ON Black DVD-ROM Drive – Retail $18.99
Microsoft Windows XP Home – OEM $89.99

Total $1,357.41 at newegg before rebates, shipping, and taxes

One final thought. I am actually about $150 under budget, so is there anything at all that you think I should add or upgrade with this system. I have put aside $1500 for this computer so I dont mind spending it if there are a few small changes that will make it even better.

Thank you

Katreat

[bd1886]

Maybe an external backup drive.(If you don't have one.) Your build sure sounds sweet! Enjoy!

[Mr.Ferrari]

Looks great.

[Panama Red]

What do you plan to use for a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers? Might want to upgrade one with that extra cash.

[Katreat]

What do you plan to use for a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers? Might want to upgrade one with that extra cash.
I looked at that option, but both my keyboard and mouse are only about a year old and I really like their feel. Monitor was replaced this summer and although I would love to move up to a Dell 24” widescreen that would take a bit more cash that I want to spend.

My original thought was that I would spend more on the video card. But I believe the X1950XT will handle anything I am currently playing and the next step up is pretty big ($150-$250). So my new strategy is to wait for more DirectX 10 cards to hit the market and plan on this as my first big upgrade a year or two down the road.

So, if this strategy is sound, the one upgrade I am still considering is to the PSU. Looking down the road a couple of years, when DirectX 10 cards become the standard, what do you experts think will be the power requirements for a single card set-up? Like if I decided to buy a 8800 GTX (or equivalent) down the road as an upgrade will a 500 watt power supply handle it. The system will still be single card so I don’t have to worry about SLI power, but should I upgrade to 600w, 650w, 700w, etc now. What do you recommend and could you recommend a few good PSUs at these larger sizes if needed.

[newbuilder14]

Looks awesome to me.. and yes, that video card is great. For the power supply, this one looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817139002

Oh wait, also, I would suggest you upgrade your memory to DDR2 800 just in case you want to overclock to great limits - the PC5400 will still overclock anyway, though.

[Katreat]

Looks awesome to me.. and yes, that video card is great. For the power supply, this one looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817139002

Oh wait, also, I would suggest you upgrade your memory to DDR2 800 just in case you want to overclock to great limits - the PC5400 will still overclock anyway, though.
I know practically nothing about modular cables. Do they just give you the same connection cables that are found pre-connected to a traditional PSU and you only plug in the ones you need? Also, I take it that your best guess is that somewhere around 600 to 650 watts will handle the next generation of video cards as long as you are not running SLI?

As for over-clocking I doubt I will ever consider it. I think when the time comes that I need things to run faster I would rather spend the money to up-grade. I actually did build my first gaming computer (with massive help from our IT specialist at work) because it was fun. I am still very much an amateur when it comes to understanding the workings of a computer so I will stick to stock parts and manufacture warranties. Is there any other advantage to the 800 ram? Will it make the system run noticeably faster or better without overclocking?

[flanzig1]

Modular cable PSUs are great to for making a case look tidy, but you do have that many more mechanical connections that can go bad.
Since no OCing, the DD2 667 will be fine. The 800 ram helps with an expanded range when OCing.
Who knows what will come after the Nvidea 8800 and the power needs. Get what you need for the present build.

[newbuilder14]

I personally think that Corsair will power an 8800 with no problems - it is a Seasonic, very high quality.

[Katreat]

Thanks to everyone for the help, you guys are great :)

[chuck4456]

You can get the 650 watt SeaSonic for the same price and have a SeaSonic.