Hi guys. My computer is over 5 years old and am building a new computer from scratch. I use the computer for gaming, music, and hobby video editing. I would like a critique of my build parts because while I used to be very knowledgeable about computer hardware, I am not so much anymore, and this is my first Intel PC build in about 15 years.
My goal is an upper-midrange gaming PC with great performance/value avoiding any and all premium pricing schemes. My budget is about $1000. I will not be upgrading all peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, headphones, etc.). I will be using as my OS drive a 74GB WD Raptor from my current build. I will also be putting in my X-Fi to see if it solves static problems, if not, I'll likely get an Asus Xonar DX1 or StereoX.
All of this will be purchased through Newegg. I have the entire thing in a Wish List if there is some easier way of posting it. I'm going to do it by hand for now. I will list my thoughts for each component in italics. OS will be Vista 32bit (probably Home Premium).
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
The choice seemed to be between the Q6600 and the E8400. I chose the Q6600 because it is more future proof and I don't plan on upgrading within the next 2 years, and CPU is rarely a bottleneck with games. Furthermore, I have the expectation that this 2.4 ghz processor can be overclocked to 3 ghz fairly easily. Can this be done with stock cooling? If not, can you recommend cooling components to buy from Newegg that are cheap?
Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
I chose this as a performance motherboard on a budget. It can support 1333 FSB and does not have features I don't need. It seems to have a good reputation. I will have 3 SATA devices at build time, leaving 1 more for a spare HDD, and I will have plenty of PCI-E and PCI cards. I plan to eventually get a PCI-E soundcard but that's about it.
RAM
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail
Memory is absurdly cheap right now. I concluded that DDR3 is not worth it, both from an actual increase and from a price perspective, and won't be until the Nehalem? I decided that DDR2 800 low latency ram was the best DDR2 to get because I can overclock the FSB to 333 to attain 3 ghz without hitting the 400 mhz limit of the RAM. Is this correct? I want to try to do 1:1 as I thought that was most stable for Intels. I know that Vista will only see like 3.2 GB of it but seems silly not to buy 4 GB when it is so cheap.
PSU
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
This one I need more help on. I have no idea what a good PSU is for what I need. I know that a future soundcard I want to buy has a floppy disk power connector so I might need a molex adapter for that if PSU's don't have that anymore. If this is not a good deal can someone recommend a decent brand PSU that is good value?
GPU
EVGA 512-P3-N875-AR GeForce 9800 GTX KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
I wanted to spend a good chunk of money here as I recognize that GPU's are the biggest impact on game performance. I want to avoid premium pricing which is the 9800GT so the 9800GTX seemed like a logical choice. I wanted a one card solution as I play games in 1280 x 1024 and want SLI/Crossfire for added hassle and heat. EVGA seemed like a good deal, the card is pre-overclocked.
Storage Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3750640AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
I picked this drive solely on the basis of price. It was the cheapest 750GB drive. I am only using it for storage as I have a 74 GB raptor for OS and programs. Thoughts?
Optical
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-215DBK - OEM
Cheap, good reviews, name brand.
Case
LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
I have a Praetorian case right now that is pretty dented. I think Lian Li's look nicer and a slightly smaller one would be nice like this one. I am wondering whether with my components and mobo there will be enough room and good airflow? Are there additional fans I should buy?
Thank you very much for the help. Please let me know if you need more info if I left something out.
My goal is an upper-midrange gaming PC with great performance/value avoiding any and all premium pricing schemes. My budget is about $1000. I will not be upgrading all peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, headphones, etc.). I will be using as my OS drive a 74GB WD Raptor from my current build. I will also be putting in my X-Fi to see if it solves static problems, if not, I'll likely get an Asus Xonar DX1 or StereoX.
All of this will be purchased through Newegg. I have the entire thing in a Wish List if there is some easier way of posting it. I'm going to do it by hand for now. I will list my thoughts for each component in italics. OS will be Vista 32bit (probably Home Premium).
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
The choice seemed to be between the Q6600 and the E8400. I chose the Q6600 because it is more future proof and I don't plan on upgrading within the next 2 years, and CPU is rarely a bottleneck with games. Furthermore, I have the expectation that this 2.4 ghz processor can be overclocked to 3 ghz fairly easily. Can this be done with stock cooling? If not, can you recommend cooling components to buy from Newegg that are cheap?
Mobo
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
I chose this as a performance motherboard on a budget. It can support 1333 FSB and does not have features I don't need. It seems to have a good reputation. I will have 3 SATA devices at build time, leaving 1 more for a spare HDD, and I will have plenty of PCI-E and PCI cards. I plan to eventually get a PCI-E soundcard but that's about it.
RAM
OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail
Memory is absurdly cheap right now. I concluded that DDR3 is not worth it, both from an actual increase and from a price perspective, and won't be until the Nehalem? I decided that DDR2 800 low latency ram was the best DDR2 to get because I can overclock the FSB to 333 to attain 3 ghz without hitting the 400 mhz limit of the RAM. Is this correct? I want to try to do 1:1 as I thought that was most stable for Intels. I know that Vista will only see like 3.2 GB of it but seems silly not to buy 4 GB when it is so cheap.
PSU
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
This one I need more help on. I have no idea what a good PSU is for what I need. I know that a future soundcard I want to buy has a floppy disk power connector so I might need a molex adapter for that if PSU's don't have that anymore. If this is not a good deal can someone recommend a decent brand PSU that is good value?
GPU
EVGA 512-P3-N875-AR GeForce 9800 GTX KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
I wanted to spend a good chunk of money here as I recognize that GPU's are the biggest impact on game performance. I want to avoid premium pricing which is the 9800GT so the 9800GTX seemed like a logical choice. I wanted a one card solution as I play games in 1280 x 1024 and want SLI/Crossfire for added hassle and heat. EVGA seemed like a good deal, the card is pre-overclocked.
Storage Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3750640AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
I picked this drive solely on the basis of price. It was the cheapest 750GB drive. I am only using it for storage as I have a 74 GB raptor for OS and programs. Thoughts?
Optical
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-215DBK - OEM
Cheap, good reviews, name brand.
Case
LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
I have a Praetorian case right now that is pretty dented. I think Lian Li's look nicer and a slightly smaller one would be nice like this one. I am wondering whether with my components and mobo there will be enough room and good airflow? Are there additional fans I should buy?
Thank you very much for the help. Please let me know if you need more info if I left something out.