New Intel Build

[srh240]

Well my current system is quickly getting obsolete for the new games. I am not a hardcore gamer but when I do play I like to have the best quality graphics and little slowdown. I would like to keep it below $1500 after freight, but can exceed if necessary. I do NOT need a monitor.

Current System:
AMD Athlon XP 2100+ 1.7 ghz
Geforce FX 5500 (LOL)
200 gb Western Digital (Not enough)
512mb ram (LOL)

Yes, it is pretty old. It was my first and only AMD build (I have built approx 8 budget PC's, but no higher tier gaming systems like now)

What I got picked out so far:

Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX Mid tower case
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811119068
Hiper HPU-4B580 580W P/S (Is modular ok?)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817128001
ASUS P5W DH Deluxe WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975x Intel Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131025
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 ghz
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115003
G.Skil 2GB (2GB X1) DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231121

EVGA 640-P2 N821 AR Geforce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E x16
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130071
or
BFG Tech 8800GTS 640MB PCI-E x16
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143092

Hitatchi Deskstar E7k500 , 500 GB 7200 rpm SATA 3.0 Gb/s OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822147007
LITE-ON 20X DVD-R burner, lightscribe (backup data and mass distribituion of DVD's
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106073
Lite-on combo 16X Dvd rom 52X CD-r (fast cd burning)
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106058
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme gamer 7.1 channels PCI interface sound card
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16829102006
Thermaltake CL 92 mm enter cpui cooler
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16835106085

Questions:

1. Modular PSU, your thoughts?
2. ASUS mobo, stable board? Heard about their customer service now but wasnt dissapointed in the past, how are the boards holding up now?
3. I now notice that price will be dropping for the Core Duos, after sale would the upgrade from 6600 to the 6700 be worthwhile, or should I pocket the difference after sale and manually overclock later when needed?
4. I wish someone other than Lite-On made SATA drives. Had bad experience with a lite-on burner literally shattering my disk from overspin. No noise from a PC has ever scared me so badly.
5. I will probably place an order with newegg sometime next month, don't have the patience to wait for Q3 price drop for quad core. Will I realize I shot myself in the foot because the core duos are obsolete for gaming next year?


NOTE By Mass DVD Distribution, I mean massive scale copying of information documentarys approved for distribution, not copyrighted Movie DVD's)
If interested visit www.infowars.com and look at the DVD's for sale or watch them on google video for free

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by srh240 Questions: 1. Modular PSU, your thoughts?

I'd avoid them.

Originally Posted by srh240 2. ASUS mobo, stable board?

Yes, very stable.

Originally Posted by srh240 how are the boards holding up now?

They're one of the best motherboard manufacturer's in the business and as far as I know their motherboards are first rate. Don't hear about many problems with them.

Originally Posted by srh240 3. I now notice that price will be dropping for the Core Duos, after sale would the upgrade from 6600 to the 6700 be worthwhile,

I don't think the performance difference between the two is that dramatic. I'd stick with the E6600.

Originally Posted by srh240 or should I pocket the difference after sale and manually overclock later when needed?

That's totally up to you.

Originally Posted by srh240 4. I wish someone other than Lite-On made SATA drives. Had bad experience with a lite-on burner literally shattering my disk from overspin. No noise from a PC has ever scared me so badly.

The problem was more likely the CD and not the drive. I've installed dozens of Lite-On CD and DVD burners and haven't had any problems with any of them.

Originally Posted by srh240 5. I will probably place an order with newegg sometime next month, don't have the patience to wait for Q3 price drop for quad core. Will I realize I shot myself in the foot because the core duos are obsolete for gaming next year?

I doubt that will happen. I really see no need for Quad Core processors for home use right now.

Cricket

[LeftyAce]

I disagree with Cricket on the powersupply. The Corsair 520HX, which has modular cabling, is a great unit. Just finished a build with one two weeks ago, and it's running like a champ, plus there's no unnecessary cabling hanging around in the case.

I'd agree on the other points though. Asus motherboards have been great in my experience; same with lite-on drives.

[chuck4456]

that RAM is only a 2gb stick. You need a matched pair 2x1gb. Actually, if you're not a hard core gamer, there's a lot of overkill in your list. All you need is an ASUS P5B. Video card-wise, you'll do fine with EVGA's 8800GTS 320mb version. Modular Cabling is a fad. RAM-wise, all you need is 2gb CORSAIR VALUE SELECT PC5300. That saves more money too. SEAGATE 7200.10 is the way to go with hard drives.

[freakitchen]

A modular power supply is fine if you choose a top quality unit - the Hiper 580w isn't the greatest. Go for LeftyAce's suggestion:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001

[glc]

If you plan on overclocking, you should get PC2-6400 (DDR2-800) ram.