My Computer Build =|

[Irwin Z]

Yeah, I was planning on building a PC pretty soon. I'm hoping to be an Avid gamer pretty soon. Possibly, althought not highly likely. I just want a good, all around, powerful PC. Please rate these specs :]

CPU - ($259.99)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Item#:N82E16819115037
I don't know if it really is worth it. Are 45nm CPUs c2d future-proof?

DVD - ($29.99)
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X 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 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
Item#:N82E16827151153

CASE -
Which of the following three should I get?
Option 1 [Cheap] - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($49.99)
Option 2 [Average] - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($79.99)
Option 3 - [Favorite] - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail ($119.99)

RAM - ($88.00)
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX - Retail

HDD - ($79.99)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM

LCD MONITOR -
Bought One

VIDEO CARD - ($174.99)
MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Should I buy this when the 9800 comes out? Or will the wait be unnecessary?

MOTHERBOARD -
Should I get P5K? If so, which one?

PSU - ($99.99)
With the ABOVE specs, would the following PS be reasonable?
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

[Katreat]

Build looks good. Case is a personaly thing, you should be able to get the 900 for under $100 if you watch the sells, they drop to around $95 or so every couple of months. The other two cases you list will work fine so it is just how much you want to spend.

If you can swing it in your budget I would recommend the 8800 GT for video. The 9600 is a nice upgrade from the older 8600 but still a notch down from the 8800 series. If you go with EVGA you will have the 90 day trade in option if the new 9800 comes out with great stats.

I used the base P5K on my last build. I think the P5K-E is the most highly recommended, it has a better sound chip and a few other nice features for not that much higher cost.

That PSU would work fine and have a bit of headroom for future upgrades, its on sell I think also.

I would switch to a Lite-On burner, and if you buy retail you get NERO for about $3 more than OEM. Quite a few posts lately questioning Samsung burner quality.

Kat

[Irwin Z]

Originally Posted by Katreat Build looks good. Case is a personaly thing, you should be able to get the 900 for under $100 if you watch the sells, they drop to around $95 or so every couple of months. The other two cases you list will work fine so it is just how much you want to spend. If you can swing it in your budget I would recommend the 8800 GT for video. The 9600 is a nice upgrade from the older 8600 but still a notch down from the 8800 series. If you go with EVGA you will have the 90 day trade in option if the new 9800 comes out with great stats. I used the base P5K on my last build. I think the P5K-E is the most highly recommended, it has a better sound chip and a few other nice features for not that much higher cost. That PSU would work fine and have a bit of headroom for future upgrades, its on sell I think also. I would switch to a Lite-On burner, and if you buy retail you get NERO for about $3 more than OEM. Quite a few posts lately questioning Samsung burner quality. Kat

Would you suggest the Wi-Fi edition for the P5K-E? I'm going to HAVE to use Wifi. Also, there is only 1 ethernet port. WHat I do is that I use my computer as a "middle-factor" in my connection from my X360 to my router. Instead of using a Wi-Fi Adapter, I connect the ethernet cord from my 360 to my computer. Will I be needing 2 ethernet ports for this comp?

[Irwin Z]

I've actually decided that I may want to use this mobo to it's greatest capability. Will This RAM do fine?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

I'm somewhat confused between DDR2 800 and DDR2 1066. What's the difference?

[shadowpr]

Get the second one you linked to. No need to the other one unless you plan on overclocking your ram and giving it more voltage. Plus it's cheaper.

The only real reason to get ddr2-1066 is if you're going to overclock your processor. If not, then ddr2-800 would be fine.

[Irwin Z]

Haha thanks. I guess I'll just get G-Skill. I was trying to find the cheapest, yet effective RAM. :]

Here's my list so far. Do you guys think I'm set?

Video Card A: 8800GT - $249.99+
EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 512-P3-N802-AR
Item #: N82E16814130319

Video Card B:9600GT – $179.99+
EVGA 512-P3-N862-AR GeForce 9600GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 512-P3-N862-AR
Item #: N82E16814130328

CPU: Intel Core2Duo 45nm - $259.99+
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Model #: BX80570E8400
Item #: N82E16819115037

Motherboard - $149.99+
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5K-E/WIFI-AP
Item #: N82E16813131196

Hard Drive - $149.99+
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3750330AS
Item #: N82E16822148298

Case - $119.99+
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: Nine Hundred
Item #: N82E16811129021

Power Supply - $99.99+
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-550VX
Item #: N82E16817139004

Memory (Ram) - $79.99+
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Model #: F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
Item #: N82E16820231122

[shadowpr]

Just pick one of those video cards, and you're set.

Oh yeah, don't forget the dvd drive, or Operating system.

I assume you have keyboard and mouse too.

[Irwin Z]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Just pick one of those video cards, and you're set. Oh yeah, don't forget the dvd drive, or Operating system. I assume you have keyboard and mouse too.

LoL haha, of course. ^_^ I already got the DVD and OS at Fry's.

Should I just wait until the 8800GT gets cheaper before I take initiative and buy it?

[shadowpr]

That's your call. If in you're in no rush, then wait and see what happens.

If you don't think it will go down that much, or don't feel like waiting for that, then get it now.

[Irwin Z]

Alright, thanks for the tips.

[Devastator]

May aswell get the E8200, I don't think the performance is really that difference and you could overclock it to 3.00GHz.. would save a bit of cash for the 8800GT fund.