Critique my first build

[Hot Pie]

Hey. New member here. I'm building my first gaming computer and I was wondering if you guys could critique my choices.

CPU

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...819115130#spec

Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...813128358#spec

Video Card

EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...VGA-_-14130434

Case

LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112099

RAM

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

CD/DVD Drive

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW etc etc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106291

Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

I already have a monitor (running at 1400 x 900 or somewhere around that) and keyboard and mouse. I plan on upgrading the monitor when I have more money but I'm not sure when that will be.

Since I'm new to this I'd like any and all advice. Is any of this overkill? Is there another component that is a little more expensive but has more bang for the buck? Is there anything else I need? etc

I was a bit conflicted with the video card and the power supply. I couldn't decide between the GTX 260 and the GTX 260 Core 216, but I went for the 216 figuring a $5 increase wasn't too much to pay for a little bit of a performance increase. Perhaps both cards are overkill, you can tell me.

Also, I was considering getting the Antec EA650 650W PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015) because it's cheaper and has a good combo deal with an Antec case, but I really had my heart set on the Lian Li case and I decided to go for the Corsair because it seems like a better product for only $9 extra with the mail-in rebate. You can tell me if I'm crazy.

Thanks a lot for the help.

[Khalil]

You are spending way too much money on the CPU yet you are skimping on the video card.
Gaming is all about the video card.
I would go for an E8400 or E8500 CPU and get a better video card like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130480 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103076

[Hot Pie]

Alright, I'll get the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130480 instead of the GTX 260. What's the advantage the e8500 over the 8400?

Thanks for the advice, do you have any more?

[Khalil]

Just that it is a bit quicker. I doubt you will notice it as you play games.

[flanzig1]

the 8500 is a bit faster than the 8400 but the 8400 looks to be the better bang for the buck.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by Hot Pie Alright, I'll get the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130480 instead of the GTX 260. What's the advantage the e8500 over the 8400? Thanks for the advice, do you have any more?

E8500 gives you an extra .5 multi which is only going to make a difference when it comes to some overclocks. And very little difference in most cases.
Performance-wise they are pretty much the same.
Get which ever costs less when you order.

[glc]

If you are not going to be overclocking, 1066 ram is overkill, all you need is 800. The Corsair PSU is a great choice, but an Antec EA is not a bad choice either.

[Hot Pie]

Ok, so I'm changing my graphics card, CPU to the e8400, and the RAM to 800.

I will also be ordering Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit.


Is there any other advice you guys have before I buy everything?

Thanks a lot.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by Hot Pie Ok, so I'm changing my graphics card, CPU to the e8400, and the RAM to 800. I will also be ordering Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit. Is there any other advice you guys have before I buy everything? Thanks a lot.

Looks like you are set.
Call us if you need us.
Good luck!

[Hot Pie]

Thanks a lot, everyone.

While we're on the subject, when do you think Quad Core will be good for gaming?

[LeftyAce]

Um...once they start releasing games utilizing all 4 cores? :-P

But seriously, games are only starting to make use of 2 cores...I'd give it a couple years before the majority of games will benefit from 4 cores. Remember, since quad cores are only found on very high end machines at this point, it isn't worth a whole lot of effort to get a game running on all 4 cores...most customers won't benefit anyway.