First pc build, need help...

[M5vii]

Hey, I'm new here and, looking to build a gaming system, as well as my school work full time pc. My budget is $1750 and I want to use the latest technologies. What parts should I use? Lately I have done some research and I think I this is a pretty good setup, what do you guys think?


Mobo:
I69-2121 :: Intel D975XBXLKR Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / Gigabit LAN / S/PDIF / USB 2.0 & Firewire / Serial ATA / RAID

Video:
XFX PVT71JYHE9 GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP ExTreme Edition Video Card

HD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Audio:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS SB0350 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - OEM

Memory:
Crucial Technology 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6700 - Retail

Case:
LIAN LI PC-65 USB B2 Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Power Supply:
Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail

I have my 19" monitor as well as keyboard, mouse and my DVDRW drives which will be recycled. I plan to have Ethernet what is a decent card out there? I plan also to use the Vista as the OS, but its not out yet can I put XP Pro then upgrade or should I wait?

[Staren]

I would change the Power Supply for sure. PCI-E video cards are quite power hungry and that Thermaltake is a bit boarderline. The PSU is not somewhere to skimp on. Something like this:

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103932

or even this for some breathing room.

OCZ GameXStream ATX12V 600W Power Supply – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341001

I would also think about maybe dropping the CPU down to the 6600. It's a better price vs. power ratio.

[Mr.Ferrari]

1. Im not a fan of XFX branded cards. They had some serious quality control issues a while back. I would stick to Evga or BFG Tech.

2. I highly suggest you look into the Seagate 7200.10 series, they are a whole lot faster without too much of a price difference.

3. The audigy zs is a VERY old card. I mean if your gonna get a soundcard I would mind as well spend a few extra bucks and get the right one. I suggest you consider a Creative X-Fi. If not you might wanna just stick to onboard as there wont be all that much a difference.

4. This is the powersupply I suggest-This will power your setup and then some for a very reasonable price:
Silverstone ST50EF $87.50

5. What exact crucial memory model?

[Staren]

Mr.Ferrari,

Wow, when did Silverstone drop into the quality mid-range PSU market? I guess I haven't checked them out for awhile. Last I checked they had the great quiet PSUs, but the higher priced units was pretty much their entire line. That model you linked to doesn't have the quad 12v rails of the higher priced power supplies, but it matches the Antecs of the same price, and the cooling layout is sure to be better.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Silverstone did have a majority in the high end market. There "ZF" branded model's are actually server powersupplys modified for the enthusiast market.

The powersupplys with the EF or F branding are pretty new, they are just what you said, quality mid range.

But they use awesome quailty internals and have very high efficiency. I would easily pick them over the antec or fsp range in the same price.

But the fsp 600w is a very very nice psu, I really like the quad rails due to the better balance of power distribution versus dual rail psus.

Either would be awesome choices.

However if you want ultimate silence, the brand leading in this currently is Seasonic.

[glc]

Consider saving some bucks and get an Asus P5B. If you have a specific reason for wanting a 975X chipset, look at the Asus P5W DH. I'd upgrade to DDR2-800 XMS ram for best performance. All boards these days have onboard Ethernet, you don't need a card.

If you are concerned about Vista and DX 10, why not get a $100 entry level card now or defer your build till the DX 10 cards are out?