new build help (cross posted--sorta--with computer help)

[normandyJack]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

In order of relevance...data intensive programming, photo editing, gaming,web

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

<=$1600

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Was AMD, nVidia fanboy. But thinking Intel and ATI are the better way to go these days. Prefer WD hard drives. Only ever had ASUS mobos.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

None, my current computer is being moved to my office.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes, yes I have. A lot of my component selection is based on what i read.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Default speeds...maybe a tiny bit of overclocking but not likely.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP


Components i've been looking at....

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q/BEBN
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
EDIMAX EW-7128G PCI Wireless Card
PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V Power Supply
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set Keyboard and Mouse

I'm also looking for some headphones w/ microphone in the 30-70 price range.


Thanks

 

[DSF]

Pretty good selection of parts overall.

No reason to pay for DDR2-1066 when DDR2-1000 will do just as well for you, and for less money. In fact, if you're pretty sure you aren't going to overclock, DDR2-800 is just fine. There's a nice Mushkin 2x2GB kit with a $25 rebate at Newegg.

That's a good price on a good power supply, but note that with an 80mm fan it won't be as quiet as some others in its class.

The Zalman cooler is overpriced for what you get. There are less expensive heat sinks that perform as well or better, like the Scythe Ninja, Sunbeam Tuniq Tower, or Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

I have this headphone/mic combo:
http://plantronics.com/north_a...5/cat1430032/audio-770

I like it, but it's the first headset I've used, so I have no real basis for comparison. My only complaint is that the mic arm has a hard time staying in the up position after a while. Also, the price on Plantronics' website is outrageous. You shouldn't pay more than $45 or so for it.

 

[normandyJack]

So perhaps

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail

is a better and quieter option for the PSU?

 

[Denithor]

...or this one:

OCZ StealthXStream 600W $54 AR

And the memory DSF mentioned:

mushkin 2x2GB DDR2-800 $76 AR (the sticks with the $25MIR are OOS)

Finally, if running the CPU stock why do you need an aftermarket hsf? The stock unit is designed to adequately cool the CPU at stock speeds...

 

[normandyJack]

cooler was really just an afterthought. Probably not necessary.

Are the stock fans with intel nice and quiet?