New Gaming Computer- Thought/Suggestions?

[Sectick]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for?
-This will be a gaming computer. I plan on playing games such as Crysis, Age of Conan, Oblivion, and anything new that catches my eye.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-My ideal budget would be around $1,100 - $1,300 USD.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-U.S.A.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
-I prefer nVidia and Intel.

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

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

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-Maybe down the road to extend its life a little bit.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
- Within the next month, but if something big is coming out or dropping in price I have no problems waiting a little.

A little more detail:
I would like a good gaming rig that is top notch for its time within my budget. If there is something coming out within the next 2 months that is a major advancement I have no problems waiting, as long as it keeps my budget in that range. I just don't want to build this computer and be asking myself why I didn't wait a month.

The System:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
Cooling Fan: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
GPU: EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB
Motherboard: ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX
HD: Seagate Barracuda ES.2 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard - OEM
DVD/CD Combo: Samsung IDE Combo Drive
PS: Rosewill RX750-S-B 750W Power Supply
Case: Rosewill R5604

That pretty much what I had in mind. I punched this in newegg a couple of days ago and with some combos I got it for around $1,100.

One thing though, I would consider doing SLI in the future. Any suggestions on a good MB that supports SLI and won't kill my budget?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DSF]

750W is considerably more power than you need. You might consider spending less money to get a lower wattage but higher quality unit. No reason to buy an IDE drive now, you may as well go SATA and get rid of the ribbon cable clutter. Also, in a purely gaming computer an E8400 would probably be more desirable than a Q6600.

 

[Urtho]

Originally posted by: Sectick
One thing though, I would consider doing SLI in the future. Any suggestions on a good MB that supports SLI and won't kill my budget?

I've never tried SLI or Crossfire myself, but everything I've read says that you either do it right from the start for maximum performance no matter the cost or you don't ever do it at all. The "buy one now and buy another to stay current in 18 months" plan never seems to work out well. There will always be a faster single card/slot solution available at or near the time you feel the need to upgrade your video sub-system.

Just buy the fastest single card you can afford now and in 18-24 months when you feel it's starting to show it's age upgrade to the latest and greatest single card at that time.

 

[Sectick]

Originally posted by: DSF
750W is considerably more power than you need. You might consider spending less money to get a lower wattage but higher quality unit. No reason to buy an IDE drive now, you may as well go SATA and get rid of the ribbon cable clutter. Also, in a purely gaming computer an E8400 would probably be more desirable than a Q6600.

I heard some horror stories of installing Windows from SATA drives. Any truth to these? I'm still a noob to the computer building scene (only built one before), I was familiar with IDE so thats what I went with.

If SATA is easy to instal an OS from then I have no issues with it.

On the PS what wattage would you recommend? Any specific models?

 

[Urtho]

Originally posted by: Sectick
I heard some horror stories of installing Windows from SATA drives. Any truth to these? I'm still a noob to the computer building scene (only built one before), I was familiar with IDE so thats what I went with.

You don't mention what OS you're planning on using. The original version of XP required the use of special drivers on install via a floppy drive so that SATA drives were recognized. The infamous "Press F6 now to install special drivers" prompt. XP SP1 and later do not require this step as the disc recongnized SATA drives natively. Any flavor of Vista should have no issues with SATA drives.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Sectick
I heard some horror stories of installing Windows from SATA drives. Any truth to these?

Not if you do it right. XP SP1 or Vista include SATA drivers on the OS disk and as long as you haven't been messing with drive settings in the BIOS you should be grand.

Edit: SP1 not SP2

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Sectick

On the PS what wattage would you recommend? Any specific models?

Something in the 450-500W range. Some people go a little bit higher just to be on the safe side for future expansions.

Popular choices are the Antec Earthwatts series, Corsair HX series, Corsair VX series, Seasonic models, and some OCZ and Coolermaster units. Those are all pretty good units. (Although some OCZ and Coolermaster models aren't as good as others.)