New build proposal- $1200-$1500 price range

[collinl]

I'd like to build a computer in the $1200-$1500 price range and would appreciate any advice on the components I've selected so far:


Case:
COOLERMASTER, Mystique 631 Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, 450W PSU, Aluminum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119107

PSU:
ANTEC, SmartPower 2.0 SP-500, 500W Power Supply, 24-pin ATX, SLI ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

MoBo:
ASUS, P5N-E SLI, LGA775, nForce 650i SLI, 1066MHz FSB, DDR2-800 8GB /4, PCIe x16 SLI /2, SATA RAID 5 /5, HDA, GbLAN, FW /2, ATX, Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...o.x=22&Go.y=30

CPU:
INTEL, Core™ 2 Duo E6600 Dual-Core, 2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 Cache, 65nm, 65W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...o.x=24&Go.y=31

HDD:
Maxtor Ultra Series Kits L01Y300 300GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144251

RAM:
CORSAIR, 2GB (2 x 1GB) XMS2 PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-12) SDRAM 240-pin DIMM, Non-ECC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...o.x=12&Go.y=40

Pri Optical:
NEC Black 18X DVD±R Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827152076

Video Card:
EVGA GeForce 7600GT 256-P2-N550 -T2 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130073

FDD:
MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16821104101

LAN:
LINKSYS WMP54G IEEE 802.11b/g, PCI 2.2 and 2.3 32bit PCI2.2 Wireless-G Adapter up to 54Mbps Data Rates WEP, WPA, CCX 2.0 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124115

OS:
MICROSOFT, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32-bit, OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Go.x=6&Go.y=38


I already own all of the components that aren't listed (monitor, etc.). I'm pretty much set on the CPU, but am open to suggestions on everything else. I'm especially concerned about the quality of particular component brands and models.

I'd also like to stay with SLI-compatible hardware as I'll probably upgrade to an additional video card sometime in the future.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech Collin. Your list is good but I have a few suggestions.

For SLI and Core 2 Duo, the best options are motherboards with the 680i chipset. So look at the P5N32-E from Asus.

Along with that, if you plan on SLI in the future, you'll need an SLI certified power supply. That Antec is fine for now, but if you want to be ready for later, check out Nvidia's list: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

Swap the hard drive for a Seagate 7200.10 SATA drive. They are strong performers and have a longer warranty.

DDR2-800 is only necessary if you plan to overclock. Otherwise it is overkill and you can use DDR2-667. Corsair is good though.

Your DVD Burner does not come with any burning software. LiteOn retail drives do.

We have been recommending that folks pick up XP with the Vista Upgrade Coupon. Vista is still new and you can use XP until Service Pack 1 for Vista comes out.

[LeftyAce]

SLI as a future upgrade feature = not so good. I planned to do exactly what you're doing; get one card now, and get a second one down the road. I've come to learn there are a few problems with the plan: you need an identical card (Same manufacturer, etc) and as the 7800 has gotten older, I can't find the one I have anymore (I just bought it last summer). Also, from what I understand 2 7800s in sli will get killed by 1 8800, just as a single 7800 killed 2 6800s in sli. So save the money you'd have to spend on an SLI ready powersupply and motherboard, and plan to upgrade the video card a little sooner.

[collinl]

Alaron,

Thanks for the advice....I've changed out my RAM, hard drive, and optical drive based on your recommendations.

Lefty,

You make an interesting point. I wasn't planning on adding another card anytime soon. I'm not that hard-core of a gamer....I only want a graphics card that will be able to keep up with the latest games for the next year or so. What do you think of this card in a non-SLI set-up:

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082

Also, is there a "recommended" motherboard for the 8800 series cards in a non-SLI system?

Finally, what video driver brands do you suggest. I've heard good things about eVGA....do you have any thoughts on XFX, BFT Tech, or ASUS?

Thanks again for the input from both of you.

[LeftyAce]

The recommended motherboard for a C2D setup with 1 video card is the Asus P5B. There are a couple different versions, each with different bells and whistles, so pick one that suits your needs.
The 8800 will play anything out there right now at high quality. From what I've heard, you need a 24 inch monitor at high resolution to start to see the benefit of having two of those cards.

My vid card is a BFG, but eVGA is highly recommended around here. Take a look at their "Step up" program; within 90 days of purchasing a video card from them, you can trade it in and get credit towards the purchase of a newer card. When more DX10 cards come out over the summer, it could be a very nice thing to have.

Have never used XFX or ASUS graphics cards myself, so I'll let others comment there.

[moodyblues100]

Originally Posted by Alaron Your DVD Burner does not come with any burning software. LiteOn retail drives do. We have been recommending that folks pick up XP with the Vista Upgrade Coupon. Vista is still new and you can use XP until Service Pack 1 for Vista comes out.

I read somewhere that the Nero software that comes with the retail drives is not yet compatible with Vista.

[blue60007]

I've always felt SLI is for folks who are serious hard core gamers that have a lot of money to burn. To really do it right it takes a lot of $$.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by blue60007 I've always felt SLI is for folks who are serious hard core gamers that have a lot of money to burn. To really do it right it takes a lot of $$.

You are right there Blue that is why I stay away from SLI and stick to one very powerful card.
I tried SLI with real high end cards at the time 2 x 7800 GTX made by Asus with an Asus motherboard but I kept running into bugs. I have never tried crossfire, not sure how much better that would be.
I doubt I will ever go back to dual cards.

[LeftyAce]

I read somewhere that the Nero software that comes with the retail drives is not yet compatible with Vista.

That and a host of other programs/drivers. That's why Alaron suggested getting XP with an upgrade coupon for Vista; wait for bugs to be worked out and more apps to become compatible. Vista doesn't add anything that you really must have immediately.