Parts List Check

[christiand]

Hey here is the final parts list for my build. I already have an OS. Please tell me if you have any suggestions or if anything is bad, this will be my first build.

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106073
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$41.99
$36.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136074
-$5.00 Instant
$79.99
$74.99

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130082
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$279.99

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
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$128.00

ASUS P5B-Plus LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131177
$134.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115003
$222.90

-combo with power-Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371002

-$50.00 Combo
$40.00 Mail-in Rebate
$239.98
$189.98
Subtotal: $1,097.84


Does all that look good? All of it is from newegg.com. Also, is it worth saving a 100$ to just get the 8600gts video card by EVGA? All I really play now is counter strike source and will be wanting to get World in Conflict when it comes out. Thanks for the help.

[Alaron]

Looks solid to me. My only suggestion is to swap for the retail dvd burner because it will come with Nero software. The OEM does not.

I'd stick with the 8800GTS, as it will pay dividends a bit longer. Unless the budget is tight, then the 8600 is still a fine choice.

[christiand]

Alright, thanks for the help.

[Tecumseh]

Hey, christiand ...

That's very nice hardware list. It shows you have already put a good deal of thought into the project. If I were to build a new system it would be very close to what you are assembling. I can't answer your question on video cards as I am not a gamer, but both are good cards and I have used both in the past. Good luck!

[marine63]

if i recall a 8800gts 320 will be worth it. i believe ive read this on a review on either 8800gts or 8600 anyways go wit the 8800gts its good performance and will last u for awhile but if ur on a budget then get the 8600 but if u want value and something that will last then go wit the 8800gts
btw are u overclocking this? then u dont need 800 speed ram just the 677 get the corsair valueselect 677 2x1gb kit
i also would build a similar computer except i would get the 677 ram get a cheaper case and cheaper power supply get a seagate hdd get a xfx 8800gts 320mb 580 clock speed and 1800 or something memory clock

[perkster]

yeah the seagate 320GB is better value than the WD one.

[christiand]

Hey thanks for all the help. I changed out the western digital hdd for the seagate one in the list. I got the seagate hdd with the static strap combo because a lot of the posts say you should get one. The seagate one is only $5 more. Also, I decided to get the 800 speed corsair ram instead of the 677 because there is a big rebate on it, so it is only 3 dollars more than the 677.

Just one question: Is it better to get a wireless adapter for internet or is it a lot more reliable to just use a wire. And does anyone have a suggestion for a good wireless card?

Thanks again

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by christiand Just one question: Is it better to get a wireless adapter for internet or is it a lot more reliable to just use a wire.

I prefer wired to wireless...I get 100mbps with wire but would only get 50mbps with wireless. And I don't have to worry about securing the wireless signal. I have 3 computers wired to my Linksys router so I had to deal with routing the wires to each computer but it didn't bother me.

Originally Posted by christiand And does anyone have a suggestion for a good wireless card?

Try to get the same brand as your wireless router.

Cricket

[Tecumseh]

Originally Posted by Cricket I prefer wired to wireless...I get 100mbps with wire but would only get 50mbps with wireless. And I don't have to worry about securing the wireless signal. I have 3 computers wired to my Linksys router so I had to deal with routing the wires to each computer but it didn't bother me.Try to get the same brand as your wireless router. Cricket

I agree with Cricket. Use a CAT5 ethernet cable ... faster and more secure.

[Katreat]

Wireless is sweet if you are working on a lap top or turely need a computer in a room that would be hard to run wire too, but wire is both faster and more secure. If you have lap tops in the house then get a wireless router for them but just wire your gaming machine in directly, you will enjoy faster more reliable service.

Kat

[Jordanp1]

Originally Posted by Tecumseh I agree with Cricket. Use a CAT5 ethernet cable ... faster and more secure.

You should definitely be using at least CAT5e cable; I'd recommend spending the extra couple of bucks for CAT6. You won't notice a difference now but you may upgrade your connection someday and wish you had run CAT6 to begin with.

[christiand]

Hey, thanks for the info about the ethernet cable. I've been looking around the ASUS website to try to find out if the onboard ethernet supports the CAT6 cable. I see in the picture of the board that there is a built in plug, but can't seem to find on their website anything about what it supports. Does anyone know if the onboard ethernet supports the CAT6 cable?

Also, is it better to get the P5K asus board with the p35 chipset? I realize that everyone says that the P5B has the proven reliability, but I'm hesitant to get the older P5B board.

Thanks again.

[Katreat]

It is kind of a trade off. The B is a bit older but very stable. It is tried and tested and you know exactly what you are getting. The new K hopefully kept all that stability and just added good stuff but only time will tell. I am going to try the K on my next build, I have a lot of faith in asus boards. If you where planning on playing around with OCing then I would probably feel more comfortable staying with the tried and tested B because it has proven to be such a good board.

Kat

[Tecumseh]

Originally Posted by christiand Hey, thanks for the info about the ethernet cable. I've been looking around the ASUS website to try to find out if the onboard ethernet supports the CAT6 cable. I see in the picture of the board that there is a built in plug, but can't seem to find on their website anything about what it supports. Does anyone know if the onboard ethernet supports the CAT6 cable? Thanks again.

That Asus board is Intel based and will support a CAT6 ethernet.