Critique this new system, please [thanks, system ordered]

[skace]

Update: It's been ordered, feel free to comment but I won't be able to make any more changes to the parts list. I bought the video cards direct from EVGA, the rest from newegg except for a seperate keyboard that I bought direct from icepadz. I may post more information on the keyboard if it doesn't end up being an embarrassing waste of money / gimmick. Thanks.

PS. First Intel system since the Celeron 300a, wow.

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With the release of the 8800GT and supposed low memory prices, I thought now was time to upgrade my aging system. So I put together a theoretical dream machine just to see how much it cost and went somewhere higher than what I expected. Help me critique the system, am I wasting a lot of money on specific parts or is this really what I should be expecting to pay. Any comments appreciated.

Function: Gaming
Budget: N/A
Country: US
Brand Preference: nVidia, I guess
Overclocking: Not sure yet

Already Own:
Monitor: 3007FPW-HC
HDD: 74GB Raptor
Mouse: Logitech G7
Keyboard: IBM-M
Speakers: Sirocco Crossfires
Soundcard: Xi-Fi (may not re-use)

New:
Case: Antec P182 Gun Metal Black ($149.99)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT ($149.99)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 ($299.99)
HSF: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme ($64.99)
Motherboard: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 nForce 680i SLI ($239.99)
Ram Kit #1: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 ($184.99)
Ram Kit #2: Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 ($184.99)
HDD #1: Western Digital Raptor 74GB ($0) [OS Partition]
HDD #2: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB ($189.99) [Games Partition]
HDD #3: Western Digital Caviar GP 1TB ($279.99) [Online Backup Partition]
CD: LITE-ON Black 20X DVD ($37.99)
Video Card #1: EVGA GeForce 8800GT SC 512MB ($279.99)
Video Card #2: EVGA GeForce 8800GT SC 512MB ($279.99)

Thanks!

Also, any thoughts on heating issues would be good too.

 

[PurdueRy]

Are you seriously getting 8GB of ram? That's WAYYYY overkill.

Other than that look at the Corsair 750...I believe its around the same cost as the Seasonic you have selected.

My other recommendation as always...Shop around. I guarantee you could take a significant amount of money off you bill by looking at ZZF(esp. for cases), clubit and mwave.

 

[skace]

I'm not sure what I am getting yet, I just wanted to see what this kind of system would land me at price wise. Thanks for the recommendations, I'd forgotten about ZZF and I'm going to quote the same system there and see what it costs.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: skace
I'm not sure what I am getting yet, I just wanted to see what this kind of system would land me at price wise. Thanks for the recommendations, I'd forgotten about ZZF and I'm going to quote the same system there and see what it costs.

I am not saying to price it entirely at one site....just shop around and buy where it is cheapest. Make sure to factor in shipping charges but often the price differences offset that.

When I purchased parts to make my brother a computer we bought from about 4-5 different sites.

 

[Psymon]

Yeah, don't buy it all from NewEgg. I ended up purchasing my components from 3 different sites and saved money.

The powersupply of 750W is a bit overkill as well as 8gigs of Ram.

You don't need 8GB of RAM, not even for intensive desktop work currently, as 4GB will serve you just fine. Also, you can't read more than 4GB (utilize 3.2) in any 32-bit operating system because of architectural limits. I suggest just getting one of those kits for now.

I also suggest researching other PSU solutions and make sure you get the proper amps and rails that you need. I use and can recommend the Corsair 620HX, but the 520HX works just as well and you'll save some money. I don't even need 620watts.

 

[Dragoen]

Maybe we can share aspirin, I'm researching a new rig atm too. You can save $30, Mwave has the Q6600 for $269. Also on the 8800 GT, seems to be out of stock everywhere and most retailers are boosting price above the $299 you can get it for, from eVGA. Not sure if the extra $ for SSC model is worth it, but thats the one I want too. I agree that 8gb ram is a bit much - you can get 4gb Crucibal Ballistix for $110 at Newegg after MIR. Did you look at XFX 680i SLI boards - maybe save some $ there too.

good luck, nice rig

 

[MarcVenice]

I wouldn't go SLI. Buy a p35 mobo, for nearly half the money, then buy a 8800gts when it comes out on december the third. That alone will save you 200-250$. Drop 1 ram kit, another 180$ saved. The p182 can be had for 120$ AR I think at newegg. Corsair 620hx, it's a Seasonic OEM, great qaulity, modular. Can be had for roughly 100$ AR. The sweetspot for gb/$ is around 500gb HD's. Rather buy 3 of those then a single 1tb drive.

My 2 cents, good luck with your rig.

 

[skace]

Thanks guys! Unfortunately, I didn't think anyone else would weigh in, so I pulled the trigger.

I did step down from the SSC's to the SC's because of the overclock on them. Surprised that Corsair is a Seasonic OEM, didn't know that. Oh well, I'm planning to have plenty of room in the case for extra Seasonic cables and I have a roll of tiewraps so it shouldn't be too big of a deal.

This is going to be the one system I will have significant buyer's remorse over, but after building budget systems for over 10 years I felt I needed to make a ridiculous purchase. I've always been curious about SLi but never had the ability to pull it off.

 

[Jaguar07]

1. 3.5G is the limit for RAM for a 32 bit OS. You'd have to use Windows XP 64 bit or Vista 64 bit editions.

2. I personally use and prefer a different Antec case, but it's just a preference thing. I like the:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...129027&Tpk=Titan%2b650


So either go 2G on the RAM or get Vista Ultimate 64 bit and be prepared to wait EONs for any games to come out. I run a few 32 bit games on the 64 bit Ultimate but most don't work very well yet. America's Army runs nicely.