new PC build - lookin for some feedback

[ognabor]

1. The comp will be used primarily for gaming - WoW and CS/HL2, mostly. I play all the time (duh, look at the games I play) and I want things to run smoothly. Also, I play in windowed mode (WoW, anyway) and simultaneously run iTunes, Trillian, and usually an IE window or two. So... "Multitasking", if you will. That's about it from a productivity standpoint.

2. Budget is $1k, but I don't need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, the usual peripherals. Just gonna reuse the ones that are on my current machine.

3. Buying from and shipping to the US.

4. As far as brand preference... The only thing I care about is the proc. I'd like to use an Intel proc this time around; my last couple machines were AMD, but I dig the Intel lineup at the moment.

5. As stated in the budget section: monitor, peripherals, etc. That's it.

6. I've read various threads, but I'm looking for specific system critique. Brands, etc. I'm not looking to save cash. I'd rather spend the full $1k and get a machine that can do more than my bare minimum, if such a thing is possible by tweaking where the money gets spent.

7. Overclocking isn't a concern. I might play with it; I might not.

Anyway, as to the parts I've picked out...

Antec Sonata III Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail

ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256EZ HD GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D7 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N10662GK - Retail

SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series SP2004C 200GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Pioneer 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-212DBK - OEM

total on newegg is $925... I could bump up the money in one or two places to reach the $1k peak, but I'm not sure where. Plus, there's shipping to consider. Anyway, it's been a while since I followed system build trends... Let me know what you think. Feel free to call me a n00b and tear the build apart.

 

[MarcVenice]

I'd get a 8800gts 320mb over the 8600gts. You could easily save 100$ on the cpu, and go with a e6750, since overclocking isn't a big concern, and you're not going to see much if ANY benefit from buying a qaudcore with the apps you use. The other stuff looks solid. The abit ip35 is still going for 70$ over at newegg, if that's the one you picked, good choice. I'd prolly get a bigger HD too, 200gb is full before you know it, and HD's are pretty cheap anyways. I love the t166 500gb spinpoint myself, quiet, cool and pretty fast. Smaller spinpoints aren't that good though, might be better of with a WD or Seagate 320gb instead.

 

[ognabor]

Thanks for the response... Those sound like logical points. I was pretty unsure about a lot of this build, except for the fact that I definitely want the 2gb of ram. The quad core was a total "ooh, shiny" reaction; if it won't do me any good, the money should probably go to graphics, like you said. As for the HD... I don't have objections to bumping it up to the 500 if it's a better drive functionally speaking... I wasn't as concerned about the size 'cause adding another HD to the comp would be easy as pie.

 

[Drexl]

I would get a better CPU cooler also, if only to keep it quieter. I've been very happy with the CoolerMaster Hyper TX, which is cheaper than the typically recommended ones that go for $40-50 or more. The Hyper TX2 (which replaces the HyperTX) can be had from Newegg for $11.99 after the $15 rebate.

I would also replace the case with a combo of an Antec Solo (which has no PSU) and a Corsair 520hx PSU (again, I have those and love them).

Edit: I just noticed that after the rebate the Sonata III is $100. For that price, it would be fine. The combo I mentioned would run you $150 or more.

 

[HOOfan 1]

If you aren't into serious overclocking, you can save by getting DDR2 800 PC6400 Memory too. The standard FSB clock of the Q6600 is 266Mhz (quad-pumped to 1066) so it has a bandwidth of ~8500 MB/sec. The Core 6X50 have FSB of 333Mhz (quad-pumped to 1333) with a bandwidth of ~10660 MB/sec. The DDR2 PC6400 memory running in Dual channel will have a memory bandwidth of ~12800. So either way as long as you run your DDR2 800 RAM in dual channel it is more than capable of feeding the FSB all it can handle.

 

[aigomorla]

your going to be very limited with the IP35-E.

It has no RAID, incase you ever want to drop it in, it has no 2nd PCI-E for ageia incase you want better physics in the game.

The only good thing about the IP35-E is that its a P35, a solid overclocker, and its dirt cheap.

I would recomend you put some more money and invest in a better board. Better board which i always recomend for quads and overclocking would be the Gigabyte P35-DS3P.

I dont know what antec PSU comes with that case as well. The sonata blows in cooling however. Your going to be limited in cooling, and also the amount of heat it will dump in your system isnt recomended. I would move onto something a bit better by pieceing it out.

The case i would look at for a budget would be the CM Centurion. You can find them usually for around 30-50 dollars. Check Mwave.com and Newegg.com Most of the time Mwave will be slightly cheaper for the higher demand stuff then newegg.

EVGA > MSI because EVGA has awesome CSR if and when you need it. Also they dont void your warrenty if you replace the stock sink. And Warrenty on most of there products comes with lifetime. That can mean a lot.

If your a gamer, i believe the 7950GT will pwn the 8600 series. Only drawback is the 7950 isnt DX10. But how many games can you think of that has DX10. And by the time it becomes manditory like DX9, do you honestly think you'll still have that rig?

As for ram, i dont like OCZ anymore. Some boards are very picky about it. I would like to recomend crucial ballastix PC6400. You should find them on rebate, and they wont be that much more expensive.

PSU: Look for the Antec NEO 550W. Or Corsiars 520HX.