Hey, what do you think about this?

[mborges]

Hi all,

What do you think about this build?

Intel E6750 Core 2 Duo $204.00 2.66GHz 4MB Cache 1333 FSB
EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR $209.00 GeForce 8600GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP $229.00
Crucial Ballistix $220.00 4GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C5 800MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS $160.00 2 ea 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM E616A3T $18.99 ASUS 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM
LITE-ON Black 20X LH-20A1S $34.99 DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD
MITSUMI card reader w/ FD FA404M BLK $18.99 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive
Hauppauge WINTV401 $69.99 PCI Interface TV/FM Tuner Card
SYBA CL-U2CR-FD102 $12.99 USB 2.0 Card Reader
Corsair 520HX $105.00
MS Vista Home Premium 32 bit $139.99
Total $1521.00

I don't have a case picked out and I will be using my old monitor.

It's going to be a general home computer/ home theater. I will also be editing video; but probably not HD video. USA

I am not sure about 4 gigs of RAM. In a 32 bit system, I understand that only 3.25 gigs are used and the last two sticks will not run in dual mode--Is this true? Right now, I'm not super excited about Vista; but while I am building a new computer, this would probably be the time to get it. I am also unsure about this motherboard--I have read lots of reviews w/ bad experiences; but they also sound like a bios update is all it needs. Anybody able to make this board work?

So any comments would, be helpfull. This is my first build.

Thanks a ton,

Mark

 

[nick1985]

Whats the computer to be used for?

 

[LightningRider]

The only things I would change are:

HDD: Get a Western Digital 500GB for around $100 (with deals), they are better performers than the Seagates and also run cooler and quieter.

Motherboard: Overkill. It's a good board, but you don't need that much I don't think, especially if you are not OC'ing. Go for a regular ASUS P5K (runs a little hot if OC'ing, but I guess you're not), or Gigabyte DS3R (no firewire on this though) or Gigabyte DS3P (has firewire and a few extra goodies).

If you get a cheaper motherboard you could perhaps afford to go with the Q6600 Quad core.

Video Card: You can get the 256MB version of that card for much less with sales ($110-$150). Again this would let you put more money towards the Quad core if you want that (I think it would be good for this computer)

Vista: I'd get the 64bit unless some specific program that you use for video editing doesn't work with the 64 bit edition. Otherwise you won't be able to make use of your 4GB of RAM (will only be able to address 3GB). It saves you from upgrading it later again too. You can get Vista 64 OEM for around $120. Also, the driver issues and such are a lot better than they were. Especially with all new hardware you shouldn't have trouble finding drivers if that's what you are worried about.

That's what I would get in your situation, but again check to make sure the software you use works on Vista 64 (I bet it does).

 

[Markbnj]

Title is too generic, and overall the post could use more vertical whitespace.

Oh, the computer?

 

[mborges]

Yes LR, you are probably right, I won't be over clocking.

I have added the Q6600, P5K-E/WiFi, WD Caviar SE16 HD and Vista 64 bit--I still need to do some software research.

• Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad 2.40GHz 8MB Cache 1066 FSB $279.00
  EVGA GeForce 8600GTS 512MB $170
  ASUS P5K-E/WiFi-AP $165.00
  Crucial Ballistix DDR2 PC2-6400C5 800MHz, 4x1GB $220.00
  Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 2 ea $180
  ASUS 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM $18.99
  LITE-ON 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM $34.99
  MITSUMI card reader w/ FD $18.99
  Hauppauge PCI Interface TV/FM Tuner Card WINTV401 $69.99
  SYBA USB 2.0 Card Reader $12.99
  Corsair 520HX PS $105.00
  Vista Home Premium, 64 bit $111
  Total $1510.00

So same price....better system?

W/ Vista off loading MPEG encoding to the 8600GTS graphics card, will the 256 MB graphics card memory be taxed?

 

[LightningRider]

I really do not think you will notice a difference with the memory in the video card. 256MB should be plenty for Vista and watching movies. But if you feel better going with the 512MB that is your decision, I mean it certainly doesn't hurt.

That seems to be a fair price for it so maybe you should get it. If you aren't gaming though I really don't think it will make a difference.

Oh, one thing, while you're doing your software research, find out how well that TV tuner runs in Vista 64 and how their software and driver support is.

 

[mborges]

Thanks!

Mark