New PC Build - What do you think?

[opulent]

Hey everyone,
I am building a new machine from the ground up and thought I would post what I decided on, and see what my tech buddies think.
1 thing different is I am in Canada and buying everything from Canada vendors that way I don't have to wait for those impossibly long border delays.
Of course if you suggest something much better I can't get here for the same price I may risk that dang border.

Ok here it goes, (Canadian Prices)
$260 CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor - Retail 3yr warranty
$157 MotherBoard - ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$160 RAM 4GB - Patriot Signature Line 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL5 240PIN Memory Dual Channel DIMM Kit
$300AR Video Card - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
$126 Power Supply - SEASONIC S12 550W SLI/CF SSI ATX Power Supply (550HT-F3BLR)
$130 Hard Drive1 - Western Digital Raptor 36Gb - 10000rpm - 16Mb Cache - SATA Hard Drive - WD360ADFD (OEM)
$83 Hard Drive 2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$39 CASE - COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$4 Fan - Yate Loon D12SL-12 120MM Quiet Cooling Fan 1350RPM 47CFM 28DB 3PIN & 4PIN Sleeve Bearing Oem
$6 Fan - Yate Loon D12BL-12 120MM Quiet Cooling Fan 1200RPM 45CFM 24DB 3PIN & 4PIN Ball Bearing Oem
$24 Heat Sink - ARCTIC-COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Intel CPU Cooler - Retail (Intel Approved)
$36 DVD/RW - Samsung SH-S183A Black SATA DVD+-RW 18X6X16 DL 8X INT OEM W/ SW - No Software
$160 OS - Windows Vista Home Prem 64-bit DSP OEM DVD
OR $95 OS - Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2 OEM Version

Total $1425 + $185 tax + $90 shipping = $1700.
Original Budget $1500 (darn tax) lol

I do plan to overclock this a bit, but since I am not very experienced we will see what happens.
I play games 1st, 2nd I work, 3rd watch movies.
My monitor is 21" Dell Ultrascan p1110 - Planning in the next 6 to 8 months upgrading to a 37" LCD min Resolution: 1920 x 1080.

 

[xitshsif]

Looks alright to me. My only concerns are:

1) Possibly waiting for price drops on the Core 2 Duos, or getting a quad core for the same price
2) Is the raptor really a necessity?

 

[Dahak]

Nice, im getting something similar once the quad core intel chip comes down in price

 

[opulent]

Ya I have been thinking of the price drops on the CPU as well, and also I suspect the Video Cards might have a bit of a drop in a month or two - Complete speculation on my part hehe or is it hope.

But I have wanted to build a system since January, and then there was the april drops now the July drops, and if I wait till then something else will be dropping like the video cards - I am starting to get the feeling I could put it off forever.

Getting impatient - want to play lol

Thanks for the input and listening to me prattle.

Edit. -- As for the Raptor, no it isn't needed, but I have to have it. If you know what I mean.

 

[Crittias]

Originally posted by: opulentI suspect the Video Cards might have a bit of a drop in a month or two - Complete speculation on my part hehe or is it hope.

It might not be complete speculation: http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=5049

 

[Roguestar]

Be brave, go for Vista. Aren't you bored of XP Home by now?

FWIW, I've had no trouble whatsoever with getting drivers on Vista x64.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Looks good to me. You could get closer to your budget by dropping to a lower CPU and overclocking. I know you mentioned that you planned to do some slight oc'ing and that you aren't very experienced... but there are a lot of folks here to help you get the most out of your new chip. That and losing the raptor will get you to your budget, I think.

But, if you're completely happy with the amount you're spending, I might even recommend still going to a lower CPU that still overclocks well, losing the raptor, and going for the GTS 640 instead. When you get that Westy, and run at 1920x1080 with AA/AF, the extra horsepower should come in handy.

But, either way, the build looks good. And, I agree with you, you could wait a little longer for the price cuts, but it will seem like you're ALWAYS waiting.

 

[theYipster]

Get Vista x64 since you're getting 4 gigs of RAM (which requires a 64-bit version of Windows in order to use it all.) Despite what people have said about the 32-bit versions, Vista x-64 is a more mature, stable, and supported platform than XP-64, which was always an odd (and lonely) duck.

Otherwise looks good.

Mark.

 

[KermitM42]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
Be brave, go for Vista. Aren't you bored of XP Home by now?

FWIW, I've had no trouble whatsoever with getting drivers on Vista x64.

ditto.
its crazy how loathesome people are over vista.
the only issue i had was that my 2Wire usb wireless reciever didnt have driver support.
*shrug* big whoop

 

[opulent]

Thats Great everyone,
Thanks bunches for the input.

I have decided to go with the Vista 64, your right I am a bit bored of XP and will have to deal with vista eventually.

I really wanted to go with 640 video card, but in canada its just to expensive with some minor rebates like $20 or $30 dollars and not often (unlike the states, you guys get some hot deal wow) so will be sticking with the 320.

I am happy with what I am spending even though it is a $200 over original expectations because I have the money now, and with the amount of time I use my computer its more then worth it.

Maybe my next system I won't be so spooked about overclocking and be able to go for the lower CPU, for the peace of mind its worth the extra money.

I will be buying everything tonight.

Thanks gang, your the best.