First time build

[Murph575]

Any thoughts one these parts for my first build? I'm trying to keep the price down around US$800.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Tomorrow

BUDGET RANGE: US$ 750- 850

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Multimedia (animation/ video editing), Gaming, Music, Internet, Movies

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS:
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$69.99
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
$74.99
EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$139.99
Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply
$59.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
$46.99
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
$114.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8200Only
$159.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
$109.99

 

[skora]

I'm sure this will get a few hot debates going, but before I'd pick the Q8200, I think I would spring the extra few bucks and get a Q6600 first OR look at an AMD Phenom II 920 or 940 system. I'd go the AMD route myself.

Do you plan to overclock?

AMD solution for the same price as the Q8200/UD3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.213790

If you don't like that one, there's loads of combos to choose from for the 940.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I gotta agree. Look into the AMD, Socket 775 is a dead technology, still good, but a dead end later down the line.

 

[skora]

Q: What monitor resolution do you have?

If you want to stretch your budget and future proof your rig for the next few years, this seems like a heck of a deal: $400 amir
AMD 945
Asus 790GX mobo
4 gigs Corsair DDR3 1600 Ram
1 tb Samsung Spinpoint HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.213770

Its more crossfire and not SLI, but if you trade the 9800GTX+ for this 4870 1gb for the same price after rebate, you'll have a better vid card and can add a second if you need more gaming guts down the line. You'd want to find a quality 600w PSU if you're considering that though too.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

 

[Murph575]

The monitor resolution is 1440 x 900.

 

[Murph575]

I am not sure whether or not I will try overclocking

 

[skora]

For that low of a resolution and for $40 less (if you need to free up some money if you do grab that combo,) the 4850 will do the same job as the 9800GTX+. A quality 550w PSU will be enough to crossfire another 4850 if you get a bigger monitor later. Or for the same, that 4870 will destroy anything you throw at it for some time.

At 3.0 Ghz, you don't need to, but these chips do very well on OC with an after market cooler. So if down the line you wanted to, add a better heatsink and should be able to run it over 3.5 with much problem.