new build..opinions please

[LDawg]

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail

APEVIA X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KSRTL 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail

EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Dual-Core E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E2160 - Retail


Now I know the processor is a bit weak, but the plan is to wait it out 6 to 12 months and buy quad at that time. Seems like that one is good for the price. I'm hoping a year from now I can put 600 or 700 bucks into it and upgrade to more ram, better graphics card, and a new processor. Does this all look compatible? Should be nice upgrade from my XP2000, correct?

Thanks in advance. This site was very helpful in helping me with my last build. Thanks again

[Devastator]

All looks good to me:

Is this build for gaming?

Ram: you don't need the 800 you could have the 667 if your not going to overclock.
Processor: I would say at least boost upto the E4400 with the 2mb cache if you can.
Graphics Card: Is OK but surely best to get a decent one now instead of upgrade later? Perhaps an 8800GTS or 8600?
Hard Drive: It's not that much more to get the 320GB version, easily all the space you'll ever need.

Edit: With the mobo if your not going to go SLI then why not go for the P5K with the P35 chipset, its the best bag for the buck at the minute and means you could change the stuff above easily..

[blue60007]

I second the P5K recommendation - 1) Intel works best on Intel chipsets; 2) It'll likely be the most future proof - there'll likely be new CPU's out 6-12 months from now

Also note that if you want more than 2 gigs of RAM, you'll need a 64-bit OS (either XP or Vista; Vista 64-bit is probably the best option). 32-bit XP and Vista are limited to around 3 gigs of RAM.

[LDawg]

No, not too much gaming. The PS3 should hold me for a little while. Of course there will be 1 or 2 games that I'll have to get over the course of this year, but I dont have a problem turning down some settings to make them run smooth.
I would like some more opinions on the motherboards please. Although I dont plan on doing SLI right now, I am building this for a temp machine being mine is about dead, with upgrading it in mind a few months down the road. So I figured the SLI option was good if I plan on doing it. But if the p5k is that much better, obviously I will go that route.
One other thing. Will I be able to install the same XP home retail on my new build that I'm currently using on my dying PC?
Thanks very much for all the help.

[drummerboy92]

Most people on this forum don't recommend going sli, because having one new card is better than two old ones. It can save you some money down the road if you buy another 7600gt, but the performance gain for the money isn't very good, and even two of those cards couldnt compare to an 8800.

I back the P5K. More future proof.

You might want to look into this 8600gts OCed for around $150 if you plan to play a few games in the future:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127284

Western Digital HDDs are nice, but I have heard that Seagates are better. Right now the 320GB are the best bang for the buck:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140

If the XP is the retail version, then yes.

[LDawg]

Ok, I have switched the motherboard, and HDD

ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

All good?

Decided to keep the processor and graphics on the cheap being I will upgrade in the not too distant future.

Any last minute opinions before I pull the trigger tonight and order?
Thanks for the help!