Decisions, decisions.........please help with build

[MikeFL]

First I'd like to thank you in advance for offering to critique and offer suggestions and recommendations to my build.

Time for me to get with the times and upgrade my computer. I'm a slight gamer that would like a build that won't be considered ancient 2 years from now but I'm undecided and need suggestions with a few things. I plan to spend around $1100 give or take $100. I think the only salvagable items from my current system will be my two 74GB Raptors (RAID) and my DVD/CD RW drive. Newegg will more than likely be my retailer of choice and I don't plan to SLI or overclock (I'm not very tech savvy) so please take these things into consideration. Here goes what I have so far:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail ($196.99)

Reason for this is because I'd eventually like to get a 45nm quad core once they come out, but I'm fine with C2D for the meantime.

Motherboard:
ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($134.99)
OR
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail ($129.99)

Both of these seem to suit my needs as far as upgrading to 45nm quad core in the future. Which would be the best decision of the two? Or is there another motherboard that would be recommended over either of these?

Memory:
Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail ($96.99 - $40MIR = $56.99)
OR
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail ($103.99 - $38MIR = $65.99)

Both seem pretty reputable to me. Just looking for the best recommendation here.

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply ($169.99 - $30MIR = $139.99)
OR
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply ($119.99 - $20MIR = $99.99)

I'm leaning towards the 520HX, but I don't want to have to upgrade a couple years down the line if 520watts won't be sufficient any longer. Is it worth the $40 to get the 620HX or does anybody forsee me never having to go any higher than 520watts.

Graphics card:
XFX PVT80GTHF4 GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail ($379.99 - $40MIR = $339.99)

I use a Samsung 22" widescreen monitor with a 1680 x 1050 resolution. I've read it's better to get a 640MB card over a 320MB if I plan on gaming at higher resolutions. Is this true? If so I might go down to a 320MB. Is XFX a reputable and quality brand?

Case:
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail (129.99)

Alot of people seem happy with this case, so it sounds good to me.


Anything I am missing or any compatibility issues that anybody can see? Once again I thank you for taking the time to read this post and I am open to any recommendations and/or suggestions you may have!

 

[sprucebr1]

I'd say this build looks good. The video card is good if you plan on using high resolutions (> 1440x900). A lot of people would suggest the Q6600 for the CPU, seeing as how it be more "future proof". I would say that the E6750 is a good choice though. Oh and for the PSU, the 520watt should be enough. but I'm not sure if you need the extra power. As for the motherboard, either one is good (P35), I personally have the GA-p35-d3sl, though you are using RAID, so either of those would work. good luck

 

[aevm]

Keeping in mind that you want this build to last a few years, I'd say get the 620HX, even if the 520HX will do for the current parts. WIth the 620HX you have a better chance to be able to upgrade the video card later without needing a new PSU.

I'd recommend the Q6600 instead of the E6750, but only if you do any of the following:
- video encoding, database work, programming work, Photoshop, Crysis

I'd pick the GA-P35-DS3R and Crucial Ballistix. Not really important, the other choices are fine too.

Yes, the 640 MB video card makes sense at your resolution. XFX (and eVGA and BFG) have great reputations.

Antec 900 - have you SEEN it? Yuck, too many lights. It's a great case, excellent cooling, but TBH I'd very much prefer a P182 because (a) it's quieter and (b) it looks more serious and (c) no flashy lights to annoy when watching movies. Of course, if you like the 900's looks go for it.

 

[Guest]

Raid 0... yuck. Complete waste imo.

I have the Nine Hundred, great case though I'm not a big fan of the lights. I'm thinking of just disconnecting the leds, that should solve that problem.

 

[aevm]

LOL, I totally missed that obvious solution :lol: :lol: :lol:

Hey, Raptors in RAID sounds good. I'd like to try it some day. Have you tried it and didn't like it???

 

[MikeFL]

I currently have an Aspire Navigator case with blue LEDs all over so I don't imagine the LEDs on the 900 bothering me too much. Like Deuce said I can just have them unplugged.

Thanks aevm.......I think I will go with the 620HX power supply now. I think it's worth the $40 now so my next upgrade won't have to include another PSU.

I see alot of people picking the Gigabyte over ASUS motherboards? Any reason for that? I thought ASUS was supposedly one of the top brands.

 

[ch0b0]

since you are going to upgrade the cpu once the 45nm comes out, why don't you get a e21x0 for the time being? with some overclocking you should be able to do all you want until the 45nm come out. save $100 bucks for the 45nm quads.

note: I know you don't want to oc, but i never oc'ed before until my last build, a week ago. It isn't as hard as it seems. I oc'ed my e2160 to 3.0ghz on the DS3L

 

[MikeFL]

Does anybody see any bottlenecking in my system anywhere? I plan on using 2 Raptor drives in RAID 0. The transfer rates on the Raptors are 1.5gb/sec compared to the SATA300 which are 3gb/sec and I don't want the transfer rates to effect game play or any other computer functions.

Also I see the Gigabyte mobo supports 1066mhz memory. Is the upgrade over 800mhz memory significant enough to justify buying the faster memory or is the difference neglible?

 

[aevm]

Go for it. The worst thing that can happen is that you'll spend another $200 later to get a 750 GB SATA 2 disk.

You've already got the Raptors anyway. Give them a chance, they might be just fine.