Parts for new build, please help

[apittman]

Hi,
Please help me with this parts list for a first build.
I will use the computer for video/audio editing, photoshop, picture storage, fast ripping in Itunes, desktop publishing, sketchup, large database, internet, word, excel and some moderate gaming. I may try a modest overclock, but I’m not sure. I want the computer to be highly upgradeable. I’ll re-use my keyboard, monitor, mouse, speakers and XP. I chose parts based on excellent advice on this list and in Newegg’s posts. I posted a while back but decided to hold off for price drops. I’m a little over budget and was hoping to cut about $50 or so without losing much quality. I would also consider spending a little more if it made sense. I want the best price/performance bang for the buck. Is everything compatible?
Thanks for your help!


COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: CAC-T05-UW
Item #: N82E16811119068
$39.99 w/rebate
Is this compatible with my MB, PS etc.?

ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5K
Item #: N82E16813131180
$134.99
Will this work with the 6750 and my ram? Does it allow for upgrades? Is there a cheaper alternative?

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N615-TX
Item #: N82E16814130062
$74.99 w/rebate

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: EG495P-VE
Item #: N82E16817194009
$89.99
Is this a good PS? Is it enough if I add a hard drive?

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6750
Item #: N82E16819115029
$199.99
With the AMD prices so low now, is this still the best bang for the buck?

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail
Model #: VS2GBKIT667D2
Item #: N82E16820145098
$75.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140
$79.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail
Model #: LH-20A1L-06
Item #: N82E16827106072
$38.99

Total: $734.92

[Krazeee]

Only places I could see saving any bit of money would be on a Mobo, CPU and maybe a PSU...

FSP 450w PSU - $58...Cheaper PSUs are usually a no-no, but FSP is a great manufacturer, and I checked the available amps on the rails, and this will definately cover your needs.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33ghz - $175...Overclocking would void your warranty, but you could easily bring this up to the same speed as the e6750 if you really wanted to.

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $100...The only big difference you'll see here is that the ASUS has 2 PCI-E x16 slots...but since you're not a gamer, you'll probably only use 1, making the Gigabyte a great budget choice.

These three options would save you about $92 and still provide the power and performance you need.

[apittman]

Thanks Krazeee! I'll check out those options.

[RazR]

if you want a future proof system, go with the Asus P5K series motherboard

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by RazR if you want a future proof system, go with the Asus P5K series motherboard

Isn't that what he has listed in his first post?

Originally Posted by apittman ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Model #: P5K Item #: N82E16813131180 $134.99 Will this work with the 6750 and my ram? Does it allow for upgrades? Is there a cheaper alternative?

Cricket

[RazR]

i was just talking in general..

[drummerboy92]

If your doing some gaming you might want to consider a 8600gt instead of that 7600gt. It's only $25 more and it has DirectX10.

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

[apittman]

Thanks drummerboy92. That 8600gt looks like a good deal. Are there many DirectX10 games out now? Will the 8600gt play them decently?
Thanks again.

[drummerboy92]

To take advantage of DX10 you need Vista, but your future proofing yourself in case you do upgrade to Vista from XP later. Here is a list of new and upcoming games that take advantage of DX10.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ctX_10_support

Now, you don't have to have DX 10 for all of these games (you might for some of them) but it makes them look better. Also, here are some charts comparing the 7600gt to the 8600gt.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...=716&chart=318

[apittman]

Thanks again drummerboy92. It looks like the 8600gt has a significant performance edge. Probably will have to upgrade to Vista eventually.

[andper10]

I don't see why anyone would bother with the 450W PSU from FSP when their 400W actually has better specs (look at the max Amps on the rails): $37 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104952 . Is it really worth $20 for a 120mm fan? If you want to future proof more in the PSU department I would get this: $90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189006 or this (same price as your origional pick if you pay w/ a new google checkout account): http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-520w...203270716.html . Or if you really want to be future proofed, how about a PSU with quad 18A 12V rails: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189007

The E6550 isn't too much slower than the E6750, so I agree with Krazeee that you could get it if you need to save money. Chart: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_20...=873&chart=419 (the E6550 says E6650 for some reason, just ignore the typo)

I don't see a problem with getting the Gigabyte motherboard.

I too think the 8600GT would be a worthwile investment. It does get spanked by the X1950GT in DX9 games (Chart), but there will probably be a role reversal with DX10 games. Either one would be a good choice.
$115 - ATI X1950GT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102034
$115 - Nvidia 8600GT - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

Enjoy your build!

[Krazeee]

If I had the extra $50 or so, I'd definately spring for that Corsair PSU, very highly recommended 'round these parts. Like I said, cheaper PSUs are usually a no no, so if you're going to spend a bit more cash, it's probably a good idea to get yourself a good PSU that will provide the needed juice for future upgrades.

By the way, forgot to mention this before, but I have that same case and I love it. For $50, I don't think there is another case on the planet of equal value. Might have to play around with the front audio port wires to make sure they work properly. I tried plugging my headphones into them and they didn't work, though I'm 99% sure I plugged them into the mobo correctly. I have a headphone jack on my speakers though, so I never bothered fixing it.

[apittman]

Thanks andper10 and Krazee! I'll check out those psu's and video cards.

[apittman]

Thanks for the help everyone!
I think I'm going with the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - $100 MB to save money and the 8600GT for more bang for a little more bucks. That puts the build total at a slightly cheaper $726. I thought about a different PS (the $37 FSP was tempting) but wasn't sure. Thanks again everyone for your help!