New build feedback

[Svaneyk]

I'm building this pc primarily for gaming and I'm looking for any compatibility/gear issues with this build. My original budget was $2k (just for the hardware) and currently I'm well under that with the components I've selected.

FYI I will not be overclocking

Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145098

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129&Tpk=cooler%2bmaster%2bmystique

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130080

Keyboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126179

Mouse: Recommendations?

A couple of further questions:

Do I need more than one optical drive? Should I get a burner and a ROM for playback?

A friend recommended that I get a smaller boot hard drive and a second larger for data storage, any comments?

Are there some tweaks to the components that will significantly boost the pc's performance even if it costs a bit more (I still have $700 wiggle room at the moment), like more or faster ram, a higher end mobo etc. I'm open to all suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[Cricket]

A couple of further questions:

Do I need more than one optical drive? Should I get a burner and a ROM for playback? That's up to you. Personally I don't see the need anymore since burners are so cheap.A friend recommended that I get a smaller boot hard drive and a second larger for data storage, any comments?That's actually a good idea. If the OS drives bites the dust all your data will be safe on the other HDD. But again, it's up to you. I would do it.Are there some tweaks to the components that will significantly boost the pc's performance even if it costs a bit more (I still have $700 wiggle room at the moment), like more or faster ram, a higher end mobo etc. I'm open to all suggestions.Since you're getting a 1333MHz FSB processor you might want to get DDR2 800 RAM instead. And if you can afford it, get the 8800GTX. Everything else looks fine.

:) Cricket

[noneoftheabove]

what operating system will you be running? that is a very expensive power supply which may not be needed if not overclocking. You may want to go ahead and get four gigs of ram and just use 3 if not using vista

[Svaneyk]

I'm sticking with Windows XP pro at this time.

I went with a higher end power supply mostly for a bit of future proofing. Think it's too much?

I also went with the 667 RAM as I read in these forums that 800 was overkill if you aren't overclocking, has that changed with the newer processors?

[Alaron]

Can't have too much on a PSU. Computers only use what they need. And the Corsair units are excellent, so stick with it.

The 667 would be a 1:1 sync with the 1333Mhz CPUs, so you're fine to use it. There is a bit of research that suggests running one step faster ram (800Mhz in this case) can be beneficial. Check the prices and go with the best of the two.

[Jimmy0]

The Logitech G5 is a nice mouse, I would get v2 of it if you can.

[Katreat]

Generally the same comments as above. Would recommend 800 ram just because the 6750 is FSB 1333 and they say to run faster ram than CPU. 667 was faster before they stepped up the FSB speed on the new processors.

I would stay with the 6750 at this time, you just dont get much of a speed increase jumping to the 6850 for another $80. You might look at the Q6600. Just a bit slower but more future proof. Right now games really dont take advantage of multipal cores, but that will change as quad cores become for common so having more cores will likely speed things up in the long run. Personally, I went with the 6750 and plan on a quad upgrade in the future if needed and after prices fall a bit.

Personally, I dont think the GTX is really worth the extra cost at this time, I did not even spring for the 640 because I just did not see the need. But my budget was a bit lower than yours so it is really a personal choice. The GTX will make your system more future proof, you will not need to upgrade as early. But for now, my computer is playing everything I have thrown at it on high settings on a 22 in wide screen with no problems. I would recommend staying where you are on video card until more competition hits and prices fall again. I am all about most bang for the buck and like to buy a step or two down from the top as long as it will do what I need. There is just a lot of price inflation at the top and the performace increase is not there to justify the price (IMO).

As for PSU i went with the 620 (see signature) and could not be happier. It is a very nice PSU. I could have probably went witht he 520 but figured the same as you, it fit in the budget so might as well be prepaired for the next video card upgrade now. I would rather put a little extra into something that will be useful for years than on something that will be out-dated before I get it installed.

As for mice I use a MX 518 and I love it. I got the 518 for a steal at a local store and could not be happeir. The G-5 is suppose to be a bit faster, but it was not on sell so I will have to wait to find out.

As for keyboard you might want to look at the G-11. Little brother to the G-15 without the little screen. Everyone I know with a G-15 cant get the screen to work anyway and the G-11 basically gives you every other feature for $20-30 less. They are both big keyboards so make sure you have the work area to support them.

Kat

[Svaneyk]

Great feedback, thanks for the further insights. Based on that I'll most likely go for the 800mhz ddr2 ram but stick with the current 6750 with the option to ug to a quad core down the road.

I'll have to investigate a bit further but I think I'll go with a small boot hdd and use the 320gig for data storage. I've never set up hard drives in raid (I know enough to be dangerous, lol) so back to some basic research for me.

I'll check out those mouse/keyboard option(s) as well and post the final build for one last gut check before I open the wallet.

Thanks

[Svaneyk]

I upgraded the memory to ddr2 800 and added 2 seagate 160gb HDD's for raid 0.

Please look at this one more time, in particular at the memory, to ensure I got the correct simms etc.

Thanks for all the help. You guys are great.

Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106072

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131180

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230 x 2 for raid 0

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140 x 1 for data storage

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129&Tpk=cooler%2bmaster%2bmystique

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130080

Keyboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126179

[Alaron]

That looks solid to me. My only thought is to skip RAID, its not worth the hassle. And with RAID0, you run the risk that if one drive dies, you lose the data on both.