I'm building my dream PC...

[akirablaid]

I'm finally gettin' down to investing in all the parts I need to build my custom, dream PC. Here are the specs I'm looking at:

CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Quad-Core Processor (Socket AM2+, 1800mhz bus) $170 Motherboard:Gigabyte MA790X-DS4 Motherboard ($140) GFX: XFX GeForce 9800 GTX Video Card ($200) RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tracer Dual Channel 2048MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB) ($90) HDD1: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM ($75) HDD2: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM ($75) Power: OCZ 700-Watt PSU ($130) Case: Nemesis Elite Crafted Series Mid-Tower - Black ($80) Drive 1: Philips SPD2415BD SuperAlwrite Internal Drive DVD ($25) Drive 2: Philips SPD2415BD SuperAlwrite Internal Drive DVD ($25)

I want some input from professionals. This PC will be used primarily for web design and gaming.
First, I want to be sure that all these parts will be compatible, and there's nothing I've overlooked. I'm also willing to make an additional investment, if it's worth it for better part; and I'd like to know if any of this is unnecessarily costly.
Any thoughts?

[cantputt04]

This may be the 50th time I've said this on these forums (is anyone else keeping count?) but I would personally suggest, instead of the GeForce 9800 GTX, you should buy an ATI Radeon HD 4850. It costs quite a bit less while offering around 10% higher performance. It's also DirectX 10.1 compatible but that doesn't make much difference. After rebates it's 160, which is the best deal you're likely to find.

And that's my take on it all

[vtfanmv5]

I'd go with the 4850, too.

For the HDDs - I'd go with Seagates 500GB 32MB Cache Drives - $85/ea
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

For the RAM, I would go with 2x2GB of either G.SKILL or Corsair 800 RAM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

[The_Wiseman]

Tech report's review of the 320gb platter Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM seems to show it equalling or beating the 7200.11 Barracuda and Spinpoint F1 in most the tests. Might consider it, as well. I was pretty surprised that the 32mb cache wasn't helping more than it did.. They might be more future proof, though?

[akirablaid]

Thanks for the advice guys, those are al good suggestions.

[phigdon]

[QUOTE=The_Wiseman;1366995]Tech report's review of the 320gb platter Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM seems to show it equaling or beating the 7200.11 Barracuda and Spinpoint F1 in most the tests. QUOTE]

I like the seagate and have one myself and I have nothing against WD, but why would you spend a few extra bucks to get less capacity and an 'equal' drive?

[12twelve12]

[QUOTE=phigdon;1367040]

Originally Posted by The_Wiseman Tech report's review of the 320gb platter Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM seems to show it equaling or beating the 7200.11 Barracuda and Spinpoint F1 in most the tests. QUOTE] I like the seagate and have one myself and I have nothing against WD, but why would you spend a few extra bucks to get less capacity and an 'equal' drive?

Seagate 500GB 7200.11 $85
Seagate 750GB 7200.11 $130

WD6400AAKS 640GB $90

Not sure where your getting "few extra bucks to get less capacity". He said 320GB platter, not 320GB drive. The WD6400AAKS has 2x 320GB platters equaling 640GB capacity as opposed to 3 or 4 smaller sized platters the other drives have. I have done about a week of research into drives for my new build and after reading several reviews/benchmarks the WD 640GB pretty much stomps on the 7200.11. The only non-raptor drive that equals it is the Samsung Spinpoint F1 series.

[akirablaid]

Agreed, WD has he best value in this bracket.
I'm thinking of installing a second GFX card for dual GPUs. Right now I'm looking at the
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...709&CatId=3670
Is it a good idea to just double up on this card? Or is there a better value? Within $250-$350, what cards would you suggest?
I can switch the motherboard out for compatibility.

[vtfanmv5]

Originally Posted by akirablaid Agreed, WD has he best value in this bracket. I'm thinking of installing a second GFX card for dual GPUs. Right now I'm looking at the http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...709&CatId=3670 Is it a good idea to just double up on this card? Or is there a better value? Within $250-$350, what cards would you suggest? I can switch the motherboard out for compatibility.

That's a good choice for crossfiring, there's nothing that would outperform them in the sub-$400 range.