New build - feedback wanted

[Knecht]

In a few days I'll be ordering parts to build a new system (replacing a 4-year-old Barton system). I'll be doing some moderate gaming - WoW, CoD2, Medieval II Total War, etc. I don't expect this rig to run Oblivion or upcoming games with maximum eye candy, but I do want it to be as powerful as possible for $900 - $1000. I don't have a firm budget ceiling but I'm looking for maximum value for money.

A few questions before I list the parts:
1. Will P965 motherboards be compatible with Penryn? As best I understand they will be, and I was hoping to upgrade the processor sometime next year.
2. I know it's hypothetical, but assuming the answer to #1 is yes, please comment on whether you think the PSU I've selected will likely be sufficient to power next-year's graphics cards (I will never be using SLI or Crossfire) and a Penryn processor.

Monitor:
ViewEra V202D-B 20.1" LCD, $180 after rebate

Case:
Cooler Master Centurion 5, $50

PowerSupply:
OCZ StealthXStream 600W, $85 after rebate

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 (hopefully I get rev 3.3?), $120

Processor:
Core 2 Duo E4300 (I plan to up the FSB to 400 and hopefully OC to around 3ghz), $117

CPUCooling:
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro with Arctic Silver 5, $40

RAM:
2GB of Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, $70 after rebate

VideoCard:
BFG 7950GT 256MB, $140 after rebate and twenty dollar combo discount with the Crucial RAM

HDD:
Seagate Barracuda 320MB 7200RPM SATA, $75 (also plan to use a 60GB IDE HDD from my old computer)

CD/DVDdrive:
Sony NEC Optiarc DVD burner, $31

** Total cost: $910 ** (all parts from Newegg)

I will either use the onboard sound on my mobo or an old Soundblaster card that I have already. Speakers, keyboard, and mouse from my old rig. Any feedback or comments would be much appreciated.

 

[Blain]

Personally, I wouldn't go with an OCZ PS. I'd get an Enermax, Seasonic or maybe PC P&C.

The Gigabyte P35 MBs are looking really nice.

C2D E4300 is a good CPU to get you in the game on the cheap. You can always upgrade after end of July to a higher end model if you want.

Arctic Cooling... What's not to love about good cooling at a discount?

I'm not crazy about memory that's rated from the manufacturer, so much above the DDR2 voltage standard. But it is cheap.

The 7950GT isn't a power hog and the price is good.

The newer Seagates or WDs are fine. I really like a Raptor for the OS and bigger drive for storage. But it is what it is...

 

[Knecht]

Thanks for the response, Blain.

1. Do you recommend against an OCZ PS due to personal experience or reviews by hardware sites? I was under the impression that they were generally considered high (not highest, I know) quality.

2. Is it necessary to have a P35 mobo if you want to upgrade to a Penryn in the future? I was under the impression that older P965 would work with Penryn, as you can still get to and above 1333mhz FSB using BIOS, and that the only concrete difference was that P35 supports DDR3 RAM, though some boards (including Gigabyte's $130 board) only support DDR2. Please correct me if I'm wrong...

3. I'll look in to the Raptors... is the speed noticeably faster when you have your OS on a Raptor instead of a 7200 drive?

 

[jkasten]

Nice find on the monitor.

power supply is the same one I was looking at for my friend. It has 35.4A for the 12volt slit up into 4 rails.

For the mobo i would spend just a bit more and get this one. GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128050

your cpu cooling looks good if you want to over click your cpu to 3ghz. Mine is on a stock heatsink and i have a 250mm fan on the side to help out and i have my cpu at 3.15ghz.

ram looks good and you might be able to OC your ram to get even more out of your cpu.

Your ? #1:
N/A

Your ? #2:
the Penryn works on the P35 but not sure about the 965 and if it does It will most likely need a bios update which the manufacture may not do to sell their new boards. The P35 from what i've read on a few reviews on the p35 vs the 965 is that the p35 is a bit cooler, has better ram performance, and is more overclockable on some boards like the GA-P35-DS3R. Review on that board http://www.vr-zone.com/index.php?i=4966
the GA-P35C-DS3R supports both ddr2(4 dimms) + ddr3(2 dimms) but cost extra for it and is also on newegg.

Your ? #3:
Never had a raptor HDD before.

 

[Knecht]

Yeah, after reading a couple reviews, that P35 Gigabyte board looks like a very good idea. Cheers.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Blain
Personally, I wouldn't go with an OCZ PS. I'd get an Enermax, Seasonic or maybe PC P&C.

The Gigabyte P35 MBs are looking really nice.

C2D E4300 is a good CPU to get you in the game on the cheap. You can always upgrade after end of July to a higher end model if you want.

Arctic Cooling... What's not to love about good cooling at a discount?

I'm not crazy about memory that's rated from the manufacturer, so much above the DDR2 voltage standard. But it is cheap.

The 7950GT isn't a power hog and the price is good.

The newer Seagates or WDs are fine. I really like a Raptor for the OS and bigger drive for storage. But it is what it is...

:thumbsup:

 

[Knecht]

Rogue, can you also elaborate on why you wouldn't recommend an OCZ PS? Going by this, Newegg reviews, and other online reviews, the StealthXStream seems a fine choice...