Building for the first time in a long time

[discodanman45]

I am sooo out of the loop, it is not funny. I know socket 478 set-ups inside and out. However, this LGA 775 is what people use today

Here is my components that I am thinking of buying. Help would be appreciated.

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $149
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131196

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $289
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130325

FSP Group FX700-GLN ATX12V V2.2/EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail $119
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817104015

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail $255
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115017

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail $90
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231122

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA-150 Hard Drive - OEM $170
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822136012

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM $160
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822136131

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM $34
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827151154

Let me know what you think. What parts would you change if you had a choice. Thanks

[shadowpr]

Nice build.

Only thing I would definately change is the samsung drive. The most recommended here is the lite-on dvd burner. Sata and retail so you get nero with it.

Also look at the newer Seagate drives with 32mb of cache. The 7200.11 series.

Other then that, you could keep everything. If you want to save some money, you could not get the raptor, and just get a Seagate with more cache. You probably would notice the difference in speed. You could also save some money by getting the 8800gt which performs just slightly under the gts you chose.

Don't forget a case or operating system if you're not going to re-use your old ones.

[Katreat]

Shadow covered all the points I would have made. The GTS is a very nice vid card, it just has a hard time taking the sweet spot because the GT is almost as good for less money. Either direction you go you will have a great card.

I persoanlly dont like raptors. First, from my experience they are load. I am not talking about being able to hear them, I am talking about people in other rooms asking what is going on with your computer. Maybe the ones I have been around are a bad example but I have read many reviews with the same comment. Secondly, the size/cost ration sucks. You get very few GB for your money. Third, now that the new 16 and 32 mb cache 7200 drives have closed the gap in speed substatially (check out TomsHardware HD tables) their speed advantage is shrinking.

Shadow comments that you probably would notice the difference in speed. From all that I have read this is generally not the case. If you bench mark your computer you will see a difference but it will be generally un-noticable in gaming situations.

Kat

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by Katreat Shadow comments that you probably would notice the difference in speed. From all that I have read this is generally not the case. If you bench mark your computer you will see a difference but it will be generally un-noticable in gaming situations. Kat

I don't proof read. I meant to say wouldn't notice a difference.


Thanks for catching that one.

[discodanman45]

Here is my take two. I took the considerations for the hard drive and video card to save a few bucks without hurting the quality of the build.

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $149
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131196

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $230
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130318

FSP Group FX700-GLN ATX12V V2.2/EPS12V 700W Power Supply - Retail $119
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817104015

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail $255
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115017

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail $90
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231122

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM $170
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148298

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail $34
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827106072

I already have my case, two 21.6 inch Samsung monitors, and I am a teacher so I get free software including OS.

My two questions are the RAM and PSU, would you recommend anything different.

[shadowpr]

Both the ram and power supply are good. If I was going to change them, it would only be to lower the price.

Check out this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 I like both brands, but this is cheaper after rebate.

You could also lower the power of the psu and save a few dollars.

I think this corsair 550 would work: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

If not, here is a fsp 600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104014

[discodanman45]

The Corsair RAM looks like a great deal, but I am starting to hate mail in rebates. The 700 W PSU is only $10 more, so I think it may be a good thing to have if I ever do SLI. I am about to buy this set-up and get my fiance very upset with me

By the way, do you think the quad core cpu is worth the extra cash over the dual core? I am not worried about saving every penny I can, so if a component is more expensive I have no problem springing for it. This computer is where I spend hours a day writing lesson plans, inserting grades, doing video editing, etc... Maybe even taking a break and playing some video games

[shadowpr]

It depends on what you use the computer for. The more multitasking you do, the better the quad will serve you. If you don't do that much multitasking, or play more video games, then most will say go with a faster dual core.

Some will also say that by getting a quad, you are a little more future proof then those with a dual.

[discodanman45]

This is exactly what I plan on using my computer for

I am editing DVD's and other video files for use in my classes, not illegal
I plan on starting astrophotography again which involves subtracting flats and noise from images and also stacking them. This involves thousands of images over 10 megs each.
MS Office
I like to play some video games

I also don't plan on overclocking my machine since I can't afford data corruption. This machine is primarily for work, but also for play.

If I had $300 max to spend on a cpu, what would be my best option without overclocking? I know that the 6600 quad core is a great OC cpu, but for a work machine I do not want to go that route. I am about to buy the parts, so any more suggestions would be helpful!

[shadowpr]

If doing a lot of editing, I would think the quad would be better.

[discodanman45]

Just sent my order! I used zipzoomfly, all their prices were much less and I have liked their customer service in the past. Everything with shipping turned out to be under $1200 with shipping and tax. Plus I have $100 in rebates and included a game, Lost Planet, I will never play I am ready to use my computer in my signature as a server or hook it up to the HDTV in my living room. It has served me well for many years, but I think this will be a huge upgrade. Thanks for the suggestions!

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP Intel Core 2 Duo (Desktop) Socket 775 1333MHz PC2-8500 (DDR2-1066) ATX Motherboard Retail

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR Geforce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Video Card Retail

Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX Twin2X Dual-Channel Memory Kits with DHX Technology Retail

Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply Retail

SEAGATE ST3750330AS 750GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive Bulk

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor 2.4GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 8MB cache Retail

LITEON LH-20A1L-06 20X SATA DVD Burner Black DVD±RW Retail

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 and Comfort Optical Mouse 3000 Value Pack OEM