Need a little help with my build

[essif]

Hi, I've been messing around with this build the last few days, and would like some comments before I order.
I will mainly use my computer for gaming.


CPU
Athlon64 X2 6400+, 3.2GHz, 2x1MB Cache, 0.09 Micron, Dual Core, Socket AM2, BOX

I've chosen the AMD becouse it seems do best within mu budget, for the same money I can get a Core 2 Duo (Conroe) Model E6750 or Core 2 Duo (Wolfdale) Model E8200, and the 6400+ seemed the better choise.
I would also like to know how much noise the AMD box-cooler makes?


Mother board
Asus - M3A32-MVP/DELUXE, AMD 790FX, GLAN, 8 Channel Surround Audio, SATAII RAID, eSATA, Firewire, Quad PCI-Express VGA (ATI CrossFireX Support), Passive Cooled Northbridge, Dual Channel DDR2-800/1066, Socket AM2+ (Supports AM2)

I'm a bit lost on the motherboard, I was told I was better of buying a AM2+ board for upgrade ability, and was recommended Asus.


Graphics card:
Asus - EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M, GeForce 8800GT, 512MB GDDR3, Dual DVI, TV-Out, HDTV, HDCP Ready, PCI-Express, Retail


Ram
2x Corsair - 2048 MB DDR2, PC6400, DDR800 - CM2X2048-6400C5


Harddisc
WD - 750 GB ? SATAII-300 (Fluid) ? 7200 RPM / 16MB cache ? WD Caviar SE16 - Support Perpendicular Magnetic Recording


PSU
Xilence - Gaming Edition, 700W, Low-Noise, 13cm REDWING Fan, ca. 18dBa


DVD
Pioneer - DVR-215DBK, DVD±RWx20, DVD±R DLx10, SATA, Internal, Dual Layer, 2MB, SATA, Black, Bulk

I don't have a DVD writer, so though I'd buy one while I was at it


Operative system
Windows Vista Home Premium, 64 Bit, OEM - UK


Any advice will be highly appreciated

 

[tjpark1111]

intel's the way to go right now...

 

[chinaman1472]

The E8200 blows the 6400+ out of the water. It's by far the better choice. Snag a Gigabyte P35-DS3L or Abit IP35-E to go with it.

Get a Seasonic, Antec, or Corsair for a Power Supply, something in the 500 watt range. Quality brand > excessive power.

 

[buck]

I concur with the intel route, also the Abit Ip35-e is a great mobo on the cheap.

 

[joex444]

For the same money, a Wolfdale is a superior processor. I've had two successful builds with Gigabyte motherboards for Core 2 Duo. I took my E4300 (1.8GHz) all the way to 2.96GHz on a Gigabyte 965-DQ6, and that's running 6GB of RAM @ 980MHz. Anything more and I'd have to up the voltage past 1.375v, and the RAM is good until 1010MHz, after that it won't POST.

You can get almost no headroom out of that 6400+, especially with the 90nm process. It's a very very hot CPU, and the stock cooler is just going to spin at full noise all day.

Not sure where you were thinking about ordering from, since you're in the UK, so I'm not sure what prices are like.

I'd go with a Gigabyte P35 motherboard. The exact model? Depends on your needs. Doesn't look like you care about RAID, so something with a good looking chipset cooling solution, and enough slots is all you really should be concerned with. That's probably the P35-DS3(L). Abit makes some good boards now -- they used to in the late 90s but really sucked a couple years ago. They've made a comeback and are something I would consider getting. Asus still makes good boards.

It sounds like you have a low budget, but the AMD is not the best way to go. Trust me, I own AMD stock, I would love to tell you to buy their CPU, but it's just not a good move