need your final aproval on my first build

[pinde]

building pc might be more time consuming and headache causing process than i thought. it's my first try to build pc which i'll use mostly for gaming, ocassional dvd, word processsing and web. so i've read tons of reviews and guides (mostly anandtech) and got pretty decent idea what i want. but then, it seams the more articles i read more confused i become. i have budget of $2300, thats including lcd monitor. however i am willing to spend extra $200-$300 to change anything that needs to be changed. it is quite a bit of money, so i don't want to make any mistakes. i am sure that these forums include pretty knowledgable users. therefore, i am turning to you for a help on final decision.

here is my plan:

Case:
ThermalTake dream tower

CPU:
3500+ Winchester 90nm 939 socket

Mobo:
Gigabyte K8NXP-SLI nForce 4 (when it comes out)

RAM:
2X512 crucial ballistix ddr pc-3200 cas-2

HD:
74gb raptor for windows and apps
250gb 7200rpm for storage

Optical:
nec 16X Double Layer ND-3500A

GPU:
XFX GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E

PSU:
Antec 480W TrueBlue

Monitor:
ViewSonic VP912B 19" 16ms

no soundcard: do i need one?

thanks guys.

 

[blurredvision]

Looks good to me, although I'm no authority in the subject. You have VERY nice parts, which will net you a VERY nice and fast comp. Enjoy it

 

[Geforcer]

IMO if you plan on using a RAID-0 as you have said above, and intend on storing data (downloaded files, important doc's, etc etc), you might want to look into getting an extra storage drive that isn't using RAID. If you store any files on the 2 Raptor's and your OS get's corrupted, you'll lose Everything. Other than that, looks like a very nice system

 

[phantomracoon]

are u OCing?

 

[pinde]

no oc for now. maybe a litle bit just have to figure out how to do overclocing yet )

btw i am changing raid of 74gb raptors to 1 74gb raptor for windows and apps and 7200rpm 250gb for storage. thaks for reply.

 

[rcomo]

I would keep the 939 but scale back the PCI-E adn stick to AGP/PCI. In 1 1/2-2 years (when you would look to upgrade again) both machines will depreciate the same, and you could save yourself some cash and gain a little performance in the meantime.

 

[aixenv]

very nice system; very similar to the one im building, give us pictures when it's built!

 

[pinde]

the reason i chose pci-e and SLI mobo is that in future i will be able to add another 6800gt as SLI will allow it. thus, i'll keep up with the games for another 6-12 months. however, after a year there might be dual core processors in the market, and new generation gpu's. it will be hard to resist to change the whole setup then.... isn't a pickle... ))

 

[biostud]

I think I would wait until Creative Labs releases a sound card for PCIe before buying one, otherwise a very nice build.

 

[pinde]

well.. for my needs and ears i think on board sound should be enough.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: pinde
well.. for my needs and ears i think on board sound should be enough.

I dunno buddy, I used to think that too, but even a very inexpensive upgrade, like a $30 Sound Blaster Live 5.1, can make a HUGE difference if you have good speakers.