Build finished, opinions?

[Chris01]

Hey guys,

Finally got my build figured out after a few long nights of research, reading up, etc. Now, I'll be using this PC mainly for gaming, and I'd like to be able to play the current titles that are out now with minimal lag. I do watch a lot of movies on my PC as well. I like to multitask a lot, as in play a game, surf web, or listen to music etc at the same time so I'd liketo be able to do this with ease. Please give any suggestions as to if a certain component is lacking or perhaps too overkill, although I'd like to have parts that will be relevant for a while atleast. There are some parts I haven't chosen out yet as I need a little guidance, they are noted below. I checked a lot for compatibility between parts and I'm pretty sure it's all good. If anyone could give me a tthumbs up on if they are all compatible that'd be great.

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz with 4MB Cache
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8655&SID=

CPU Heatsink/Fan - Intel Retail Heatsink/Fan

Thermal Compound - Arctic Silver 5 High Density Silver Thermal Compound, 3.5g
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=4173&SID=

Motherboard - Asus Commando DualDDR2 800, SupremeFX 7.1 Audio, Dual GB Lan, Dual PCI-E x16/x4
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9774&SID=

Memory - Corsair 2GB XMS2-5400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8743&SID=

Case - Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer Case
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9164&SID=

Power Supply - OCZ 600W GameXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8186&SID=

Hard Drive 1 - Seagate 250GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8183&SID=

Hard Drive 2 - Seagate 250GB Barracuda 7200.10 SATA II w/ NCQ, 16MB Cache
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8183&SID=

Optical Drive 1 - Asus DRW-1814BLT 18x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW w/Lightscribe, SATA
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9873&SID=

**Monitor - Need help on choosing here. Is there any major difference between these two, one being widescreen the other a digital LCD, or is it just a personal preference of if you want the widescreen or not and what screen resolution you prefer?
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8853&SID=
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9720&SID=

Video Card - eVGA e-Geforce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9217&SID=

Keyboard/Mouse - Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 710 Laser
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9109&SID=

Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/SP2B OEM
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=8751&SID=

**Router - Bit confused on what to choose here, I see wireless and then a hub type router where the PCs just plug in. My network setup will
be one PC upstairs, one on the floor below. I am using cable internet. Do these wireless routers mean that they are to be used with wireless internet
or that the computers connect to the network through the router without any cables involved?


Thanks for any help guys, appreciate any advice.

[perkster]

with the router, get a wireless router that supports cable/ethernet internet connection.

I have cable with virgin media, my modem from them plugs via network cable into my Blekin router, i then have 1 PC that is connected to router via network cable (room for 3 more) and I have one with a USB dongle at other end of the house that connects wirelessly to the router with a password.

hope that explains the router question. you can have them all wireless or all connected or mixture of both without any hassel.

[Alaron]

You don't need the Gold Extreme RAM. That is just marketing hype to up the price. The Corsair is fine.

Either of those power supplies would work. We recommend the Corsair 520HX for systems that use the 8800 series video cards. http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...ctID=9812&SID=

For the monitor, yes the widescreen or standard screen is a personal preference. Both of those are good monitors specs-wise. If you don't have a feeling either way, head down to a store and look at display models.

The rest of your list looks good.

[Cricket]

You don't need Arctic Silver thermal compound if you're using the retail heatsink...it has a thermal pad on the bottom already. If you remove this and use the Arctic Silver you'll void your 3 year warranty on the CPU.

And why are you getting a Seagate 7200.9 hard drive? Why not get two 7200.10s?

The OCZ power supply should work out well.

Go with the widescreen LG LCD monitor. You'll enjoy the added viewing area.

Cricket

[Chris01]

Perkster, thanks that did answer the router question, I'll go with the wireless probably. There should be no issues with the PC on the bottom floor connecting right? The second PC will pretty much be directly below the main PC on the second floor, signal goes through walls etc with no problems?

Alaron, thanks for the RAM clarification, was leaning towards the Corsair, but now I'll get it for sure. Any reason you suggested the modular power supply instead Alaron, or should I go with the OCZ as Cricket said? Not sure in the difference between the two. They both can support my video card and everything else though right?

Cricket, I had read about not putting compound on if a thermal pad was already there, just didn't realize that the retail heatsink had one. Thanks for pointing that out, saves $10. I just went with the 7200.9 because it was the only speed for the 160GB, as I didn't think I'd need two 250GB drives, but I suppose I could just get two of these, as it's only about $15 more than the 160GB.

I was considering the widescreen as it looked like a nice display, but then I read about native resolution and that you should only stay at the one resolution of 1440x900. Just that the monitor I'm on now I've always used 1280x1024 which that digital LCD is so thought I might prefer that one as I wouldn't be used to the 1440x900. Still think the widescreen is a better choice?

Thanks for the help so far guys.

edit: Unsure about the power supply now. The video card says at the bottom - Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amp Amps.) I'm probably reading it wrong but under output for both the OCZ and the Corsair they list:
+12V1: 18A
+12V2: 18A
+12V3: 18A
+12V4: 18A
Can I still use the video card with this then even though it says an output on 18A but the minimum power supply recommended for the card is a 12Volt current rating of 26 amps? I'm probably missing something here, if someone can explain please.

[Alaron]

Either the Corsair or OCZ would be fine. Since the price is the same, choose your favorite.

You can add up the individual 12V rails. So you have a total of 72A to use, more then enough for a 26A draw on the video card.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Chris01 I was considering the widescreen as it looked like a nice display, but then I read about native resolution and that you should only stay at the one resolution of 1440x900. Just that the monitor I'm on now I've always used 1280x1024 which that digital LCD is so thought I might prefer that one as I wouldn't be used to the 1440x900. Still think the widescreen is a better choice?

It's more a matter of personal choice...if you don't think you could get used to 1440 X 900 then go ahead and get the standard LCD monitor by BenQ. I think BenQ LCD monitors are okay.

Cricket

[Chris01]

Alright, thanks.

Looking more into routers I've found that I'm lost again. My setup will be the main PC upstairs which I want directly connected to the router and then the second PC on the floor below connected to the internet through the network. I'd like to do it wireless. I see things like a Wireless Access Point and Wireless PCI adapters. Do I need both of these, a router and an adapter for the PC downstairs? If someone can suggest what exactly I'll need to set this network up, it'd be good.

Thanks!

[flanzig1]

You can get wireless routers that also have ethernet ports on it. And for the PC downstairs, you need a PCI wireless card preferablely from the same maker as the wireless device.

[Chris01]

Alright then. I've got another question though. I've got my PC at the moment using a cable modem, and I've got another cable modem laying around. Is it possible to just connect both PC's to their own individual modem, no networking involved?

edit: Thinking over this more, this doesn't sound like it'd be possible as you're not sharing the connection, you're getting 2 individual ones. Anyways, if anyone can suggest a good wireless router with ethernet ports and a wireless adapter card it'd help me out.