Please critique & check compatibility

[paJAMbla]

Open Box: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3250620AS
Item #: N82E16822148144R

SAMSUNG 941BW Black 19" 4 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

XFX PVT71JYPE7 GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Extreme Edition HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT71JYPE7
Item #: N82E16814150199

ASUS P5N-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5N-E SLI
Item #: N82E16813131142

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145034
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4

POSSIBLE: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600 (Do I need it????) I just want something fast.

I don't know if I need dual core. Its just for personal use...gaming (BF2), processing, internet, cd burning, creating DVD's from my videos, etc. I have no need to run more than one application at one time. Any thoughts?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by paJAMbla Open Box: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #: ST3250620AS Item #: N82E16822148144R

I'd stay away from an open box component...it's a component that was sold but returned and put back on the shelf.

Originally Posted by paJAMbla ASUS P5N-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Model #: P5N-E SLI Item #: N82E16813131142

Do you plan to run two video cards in SLi mode? If not, you really don't need this motherboard.

Originally Posted by paJAMbla CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail Item #: N82E16820145034 Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400C4

You may want to get the CAS 5 DDR 2 RAM instead of the CAS 4...I've heard people have stability issue with the CAS 4 RAM.

Originally Posted by paJAMbla POSSIBLE: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail Model #: BX80557E6600 (Do I need it????) I just want something fast.

All of the C2D processors are very good performers...many here are very happy with their E6300. Just get the one that fits into your budget the best.

Originally Posted by paJAMbla I don't know if I need dual core. Its just for personal use...gaming (BF2), processing, internet, cd burning, creating DVD's from my videos, etc. I have no need to run more than one application at one time. Any thoughts?

Almost all the current high performance processors are Dual Core now and since you want a fast processor it only makes sense to go with the C2D CPUs as they're the best performers on the market right now. And having a Dual Core processor just gives you more options in the future.

Cricket

[paJAMbla]

Cricket, thank you. You are always incredibly helpful to such a non-tech, rookie computer builder like myself. I'm working on number 3 and want to step it up a bit. I assume this set-up will be great with games like BF2?

I had read a comment you made to another poster about "open box" after I posted my list. I already have changed it on my saved Newegg cart.

And yes, I want to be able to add another video card in the future. My only concern is that particular video card may not be available. What then?

Thanks again!

[newbuilder14]

That is an awesome monitor - I have the same one.

[paJAMbla]

Any input welcome. I am getting SLI so can add 2nd video card in future. Computer will be used for gaming (eg. BF 2, etc.), burning CD's, burning my home video's on to DVD, internet, son's homework (powerpoint, etc.). I have listed XP Media but would Home be fine for me? Thank you in advance for any thoughts, advice, etc.


Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115003

ASUS P5N-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131142

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001

APEVIA X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144151

SAMSUNG 941BW Black 19" 4 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001088

XFX PVT71JYPE7 GeForce 7950GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Extreme Edition HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150199

LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SHD-16P1S - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106027

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-06 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106046

Logitech 967688-0403 Black USB RF Wireless Standard MX 3200 Laser Desktop Mouse Included - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126007

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS Platinum 70SB035000003 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102163

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2b w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116171

[Cricket]

You really should have continued this in your other thread.

Cricket

[newbuilder14]

Agree 100% with Cricket.

Everything looks good, but I'd get an eVGA 7950gt and drop the sound card unless you are sure you need it. I also cannot comment on that motherboard - I suppose it is like the 680i which I recommend but you'd have to wait for someone to confirm that.

I don't really recommend Windows XP MCE personally, I've heard bad things about it including some minor instability. XP Home Edition would be ideal for you - I think Professional is overkill though it is very stable, safe, and full of useful features to some users.

[paJAMbla]

I'm sorry. I was thinking that I was just throwing that out there in relation to a psu. This was sort of a final list. Should I move it over??? Can they close this one?

If not, I'd sure appreciate your feedback Cricket. One of the things I forgot to do was change the memory from CAS 4 to CAS 5.

Newbuilder I selected that video card because it has a 30 dollar rebate and I put an XFX in my current computer and I've been happy with it. If you have any reason I should choose EVGA over XFX I certainly would consider it.

In regard to the sound card....I thought in case we watched a movie, for high end games, and my son likes to listen to his music. I didn't think onboard sound would be all that great. True?

[newbuilder14]

The XFX is still a very good card.

The onboard sound is plenty for most people... but if you/your son are really into games, movies, and music I'd recommend an X-Fi card from SoundBlaster.

[paJAMbla]

The onboard sound is plenty for most people... but if you/your son are really into games, movies, and music I'd recommend an X-Fi card from SoundBlaster.

Its mostly for music. The wife makes my son use headphones for games most of the time and we probably wouldn't watch movies very often. We are use to decent sound on our Dell and I couldn't pass on that sound card with a $100 rebate and overall 5 eggs out of 156 reviews on Newegg.

How 'bout my overall hardware compatibility? I'm right about at my budget (approx. 2000) but I'd spend a little more if anyone thinks I could do some tweaking to improve performance and stay close to that budget.

Thanks again.

[Alaron]

Combined the threads for you. Please keep them together in the future. Thanks.

[Cricket]

Your new selection of parts looks good to me.

Cricket

[paJAMbla]

Thanks for the input. Now I have a couple of other questions and concerns:

I read a couple of issues about the ASUS P5N-E SLI that makes me a little nervous. Is there anyone that has had experience with this particular motherboard? Is there anyone who can recommend an intel, SLI board that they really like for around the price of the P5N-E?

Also, I appreciate your input Cricket about the Core 2 processors, but, if we want a really fast, good gaming computer, would it be better to buy a cheaper but faster single core? Tell me what it means or what the difference is between, say, 3.4 single core and 2.4 Core 2? Isn't the only advantage of Core 2 that you can utilize two applications at one time but you give up speed that you get in working with one application (or game)with a 3.4 single core? (I know someone is rolling there eyes right now...and I'm sorry...if you can point me to a link or thread that explains this I'd appreciate it).

Thanks everybody. This has been so much fun building my first computers and learning from ppl on this site. I will never buy another computer off the shelf!

[newbuilder14]

At the current moment, no single core processor you find on the market right now will even come close to the performance of the Core 2 Duo E6600 you have selected. I noticed a huge leap from my 3ghz P4 to my 1.8ghz e6300. I strongly suggest against going with a single core for gaming nowadays - the future will be dual cores and quad cores and even some games can play better with dual cores.

As for the motherboard, the nVidia chipsets are still not the best choice for Intel processors honestly. I would much rather have an Intel chipset myself such as the P965.

[paJAMbla]

Thanks Newbuilder. Do you have an intel SLI motherboard in mind with that chipset? All the best boards with SLI seem to be for AMD.

[newbuilder14]

The only dual video card solution Intel chipsets offer is Crossfire, using two ATI cards. Honestly, if you want maximum stability I would just use an Intel chipset with a single ATI video card. DX10 is rolling out and those cards are PLENTY powerful enough for gaming. My best recommendation to you would be the Asus P5B Deluxe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131028 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131045 (no WiFi).

[paJAMbla]

Great! Some very helpful stuff. My last question (well..probly not) is related to buying the parts. This will be a computer for my son as an 8th grade graduation present/ reward for the straight A's he WILL get at the end of the school year. My question is, should I wait to buy components at the end of May in case prices go down, or should I go ahead and start buying them piece by piece as good deals pop up on Newegg. For example, the sound card listed above had a $100 rebate.....and I missed that opportunity as of Jan 1st. The Samsung monitor had a good rebate and free shipping so I went ahead and bought it. I also missed a good rebate on that video card. Sure hate to miss those good rebates.....

[glc]

Buy all of them at the time you plan to build. There will be other deals then and anything you buy now will likely be cheaper or obsolete by then anyway. This is WAY too early to plan a May build.

[paJAMbla]

Okay...thanks glc