Help with new build

[Qweez]

I need some help, havent built a computer in a few years and havent really kept up with technology. The main use of the computer will be some minor gaming, video production and ripping my blu ray collection. Things i know i want is a quad core, prolly the Q9550, i want ddr3 even though i will probably populate it with ddr2 until the ddr3 prices become a little more affordable. I will be putting in a blu ray writer, most likely the LG GGW-H20L unless someone recommends something better.

I really need some help with a mainboard and video card, for video i was thinking the nvidia geforce gtx 260 but am totally open for suggestions. The main board

Must haves

Decent on-board sound system
Sata2 3GBps
Giga ethernet
PCI-e 2.0 x16

Would be nice to have.
IR for remote control
Raid

Since ive been outta the loop for awhile I am totally open for suggestions, id like to keep the build around 2K and i know the case and blu ray player will run me about $400-$500 and the 2-1tb hard drives will run me another $260 so that leaves me about $ 1,300-$1400 for everything else.

BTW: Thats without the monitor, I don't need a new monitor.

 

[kamkal]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296
ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
148.99

CPU
you could go for a q6600 instead and OC, save some $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
189.99

CPU COOLER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233005
with this bracket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
this will allow you to OC well


as for mem, you cannot populate a ddr2 slot with ddr3
you could get a board that has both types of slots, ddr2 and ddr3, but they are flaky

ddr3 performance isnt really worth the extra cost right now

get this mem
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211282
a-data vitesta 69.99 2x2GB

the mobo has sata2 and giga enet, and pcie 2.0 x16 etc etc

that should be a good base

as for a gfx card, gtx 260 competes with 4870, so depending on price and availability, you could get either

as for a case
Antec 900, Cooler Master 690, Antec P182 are nice choices

The Cooler Master Cosmos is huge and will give you more space for hdds and what not but more pricey

hope this helps

 

[Qweez]

Thanks Kamkal, I will start looking at the different options, I thought i read somewhere that most boards can accept ddr2 240 pin in lieu of the 240 ddr3? I will see if i can find the link, although i may have misread what they were saying. Not being up very much on the video stuff is the gtx 260 a good option? or should i be looking at the geforce 9 series? or even ATI?

 

[kamkal]

i'd avoid the 9 series unless they can be had for a good price

the 9 series are basically rebranded 8 series except the 9800 GX2 which is two 9800's on one card

the GTX260 and gtx280 are diff architecture from the 8/9 series

really just depends on how much gaming you're going to be doing and how much you want to spend, a good bang for buck card right now is the ati 4850

check out the vga charts for more info on cards
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,30.html

naw you cant interchange ddr3 with ddr2
a chipset such as the p35 or p45 has the ability to handle both types but the board only comes with one type of slot usually, and if it comes with both ddr2 and ddr3 slots you can only use one type at a time

ddr3 imho is a total rip right now hehe especially when you can get 4gb of ddr2 ram for 70 bucks lol

 

[kamkal]

in regards to video decoding (h.264 vc-1) i think right now the ati cards have the edge when compared to nvidia

 

[Qweez]

in regards to video decoding (h.264 vc-1) i think right now the ati cards have the edge when compared to nvidia

Well thats a very important detail for me because i intend on doing quite a bit of that.

Thanks for the link. I will check it out