New Builder: tips appreciated.

[Zambra]

Hello everyone, after researching as much as I could and reading these forums about every day, I have come up with a list of items for my gaming build. I want this build to last me at least four years, and I think that this will allow me to play mmorpg's until then.

The only question I have is if everything will work together well (I don't plan on overclocking as this is above my skill at the moment and I will probably do this in a few years to keep up somewhat with advancing technology).

CPU: Core 2 Duo e8400 3.0 ghz http://www.tankguys.com/product_info.php?cPath=29_178&products_id=1788

I know this isn't newegg.com, but they are out of this chip always--is this website on-par or close to newegg for buying a chip?

GPU: EVGA 8800GT superclocked
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130319

MB: ASUS p5k-e
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813131225

Case: antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811129021

memory: Corsair 4gig(2x2)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820145184

hard drive: seagate barracuda 7200.11 500 mb
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822148288

cd/dvd: Lite-on (retail--should I get an oem)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827106072

os: windows vista 32 bit
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16832116202

psu: corsair 550w
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817139004

ok, my questions are: is that psu good enough to not fry anything of mine (have read some horror stories), and also, if there is any room to downgrade any of this without a drop in performance(a minimal drop such as I would not notice).

Also, for the monitor, I want to buy one from a retail store because of the option to return it if it has any dead pixels: I have found a cheap (239.99) 22 inch widescreen Hannspree at bestbuy (or an open item samsung synchmaster (299.99))--which would you guys suggest based on buying with a semi-budget.

[shadowpr]

Only thing I would drop down for a slight decrease in performance is the e8400 to a e6750. That should save you a few dollars, then get the Samsung monitor.

The rest looks great.

[Katreat]

ok, my questions are: is that psu good enough to not fry anything of mine (have read some horror stories), and also, if there is any room to downgrade any of this without a drop in performance(a minimal drop such as I would not notice).System looks good. I would not down grade anything. Corsair is a great brand of PSU and 550w will handle your current system. Now, for a gaming system to last four years in my experience the one upgrade that might be required is the GPU. For that reason I would personally up the PSU a bit, maybe to the Corsair 620 or 650 just so you wont have to do it later.

Also, for the monitor, I want to buy one from a retail store because of the option to return it if it has any dead pixels: I have found a cheap (239.99) 22 inch widescreen Hannspree at bestbuy (or an open item samsung synchmaster (299.99))--which would you guys suggest based on buying with a semi-budget.I persoanlly would shy away from open items unless it is on display in front of you and you can really check it out. I use a off brand 22in in my build (see signature) and have been very happy with it. Got it for around $220 and could not resist the low price. Most screens are made by a couple of companies and just re-branded anyway. Samsung makes great moitors which are feature rich so if you can find one cheap enough it is a very good brand to go with (but I would prefer it still in the box ;) ).

Kat

[perkster]

i notice you are going for 4gb of ram and a 32 bit operating system, if you want to utilise the full 4gb you should go 64 bit or just save money and go for 2gigs of ram. 2gigs is enough for most things anyway.

stick with retail DVD drive as you get nero with it and not much more expensive.

samsung ate great monitors though i hate the stands that come with them, but you can always but a better stand separately.

e8400 is great processor if you can get one and wont need overclocking to run fast! but always leaves option open for you later.

again you could save money and go for the 667mhz ram, but prob better keeping what you have selected, good to have CAS 5 on intel system