First Time Builder....

[Shockme]

Hello,

Was looking for how to test a new PC and stumbled upon this site. Thought I would post the build I am ordering this week and get comments and suggestions.

Case/Motherboard/PSU - Intel 975XBX2KR Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard with an ATX Mid-Tower Case and a 700 Watt Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...69-2145%20GRID

Processor - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor HH80562PH0568M - 2.40GHz, 8MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Kentsfield, Quad-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=CP2-DUO-Q6600

Processor Cooling - Masscool 8WA741 / Socket 775 / Copper Core/Heatpipes / CPU Cooling Fan
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&sku=S457-1116

Video - BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC / 768MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5&sku=B52-8014

Memory - Corsair DHX XMS2 Dominator Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800Mhz Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0&sku=C13-8022

OS - Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit DSP

I have about about a terabyte of SATA drives on my current machine that I will transfer. Also have an xFi extreme Music I will transfer to new system along with optical drives. Running a Viewsonic VX924 extreme 19"LCD 3MS response.

I think that covers everything. Thanks

[Cricket]

First thing I would suggest is don't buy your parts from TigerDirect, they're the worst place to buy your computer parts from. Most of us here buy from Newegg.

Cricket

[Katreat]

I have not heard a lot of good about buying from Tiger direct. Especially their combo deals which seem to be put together with items that are not selling on their own. If you live in Canada, check out NCIX which I hear is a very reputable store with fair pricing. If you live in the US stick with Newegg.

Have not heard of XVS PSUs but Ultra is on the bad list so if XVS is just what Ultra calls their PSUs I would stay away from them. Check out list here:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

You don’t say if you plan on OC or not. If not OC’ing then the stock cooler that comes with a retail box CPU is fine. You only need aftermarket coolers if you are planning on some heavy OC’ing.

Have not heard much about that MB so cant say if it is good or bad. Generally most here recommend an Asus P5K-E as a good base board for an Intel build. It uses the newer P35 Intel chipset which I think is a better performer. But you might wait for others who know something about that board to post.

On principal I would suggest you look at either a 8800 GT 512 or GTS 512 (the new ones with the G92 GPU). There performance is just a tad under the GTX and they are substantially less money. You are paying a very big premium for very little increase in performance with the GTX.

Kat

[piasabird]

I dont really care for this case and motherboard. I think you can get a newer motherboard with the Intel P35 Chipset and a case with a better power supply for around the same or better price. Tiger Direct is one site I would not recommend you get your motherboard and other components from. When I tried to check out with the case they added $20.00 in Illinois Tax and Shipping for a total of 346.25. Make sure you compare the Tax and the shipping in the price. Also be skeptical of power supplies in some of these kits.

You could get something like this, but you might need a slightly better power supply:

Power Supply 650 watt:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005
Abit IP35-e
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813127031
Case Xion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811208020

I like this case but you may not. It looks pretty good and has a huge 140mm side panel fan and a clear side panel window. All Three of these have rebates. If you need a larger power supply, that may mean you want to look at other power supplies. Some of the larger power supplies are a bit pricey. 650 watts may be just about right.

As an example a 750 watt power supply has a premium price.

This is an example at around $179.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Some other people may have other suggestions. I have seen this case and it looks nice.

[piasabird]

I did not like the stock cooler on my Q6600. It can be a bit hard to push that darn thing on there. You might consider a cooler that has a back plate on it if you get an after market cooler.