new build suggestions

[engineno9]

I have managed to build a couple systems so far. This is the latest...I haven't had a great deal of time to make this, so I really appreciate the feedback. I?ll be using XP home for the OS and using this for video editing and gaming goodness ?

I?m using a few parts from my old box but here?s the main stuff (any suggestions?) I?m a little worried if I have enough power. (And I?ve never configured SATA/RAID drives before?so we?ll see how that goes ? I do have an old floppy drive which I have read will be needed for that part?.)

2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0 GB/s Hard Drives

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory

Intel BOXD975XBX2KR ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

EVGA GeForce 8800 GT 512-P3-N801-AR Video Card

APEVIA ATX-AS520W-BK 520W ATX Power Supply

Thanks for any input!

 

[Dillybob]

Don't go with that motherboard....especially if you're going with Nvidia for graphics. I would reccomend the 780i SLI mobo.....or even the 750i if you're short on cash. If you must go with an intel chipset, go with an x38/48 board, and go with an ATI card for those chipsets.

You can get a better card than that.....maybe go with the 8800GTS (G92)....it's got more stream processors and better cooling, as well as a higher clock. Or, with the recent price drops, save for a GTX 260. If you go with an Intel Chipset, get the 4870 or 4850.

Also, what is your budget?

And, I know it sounds weird, but at this point, it may be worth going with vista 64-bit. That way you can get more RAM, and 64-bit plays games faster, probably due to the missing Legacy code. Vista works well with most programs now, and actually runs slightly smoother than XP as long as you've got 2gb or more RAM.

PS: You don't NEED a floppy drive for RAID unless that's the only way the drivers come packed with the mobo. You can use a CD, or, I've heard of people loading from USB Flash Drives.

 

[DSF]

I agree, don't use the BoxD. Not that it's a bad board, but it's old. However, I disagree with Dillybob that you need to use Nvidia cards with Nvidia motherboards and ATI cards with Intel motherboards. That only matters if you're looking to use two graphics cards, and it doesn't sound like you are.

As it happens however, I would recommend an ATI graphics card and Intel chipset motherboard because that's where your best bang for the buck is right now. ATI's HD4850 is the best card under $200, and you can't go wrong with a P35 or P45 motherboard when it comes to stability for a single-GPU computer.

I wouldn't trust an Apevia PSU, I've heard nothing but bad things about them. Get something from a quality manufacturer like Seasonic, Corsair (made by Seasonic), Antec's Earthwatts line, or similar.

For RAM, this kit is cheaper and just as fast:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731

I also wouldn't bother with RAID 0. The performance enhancement, especially with only two drives, just doesn't show up in the real world. It's not worth the trouble or the increased chance of lost data.

 

[engineno9]

Good info so far! My budget is under $1000. I've got an old case that I could still use...that would give me a little extra $ to use on other things.
As far as the power supply goes, I've been using it for about a year now so I feel fairly comfortable with it's reliability, but I don't know how much power I'd really need. I'm not planning on OC'ing anything. Just hoping for a good plug and play experience....
I'm definitely open to suggestions~

Thanks!