Seeking comments on planned new build

[djohn3853]

I'm planning a new build sometime in the next couple months. No big rush. Trying to space out the purchases to lessen the impact on my wallet.
What am i looking to spend? Hopefully no more than $800 to $900.

I do some gaming. I picked up FarCry 2, but my current rig cant play it. I've always like the fps like Doom, Half Life.
I also like to download and watch tv shows and just general web surfing.

I plan to oc, but nothing crazy. Air cooling only.

I recently got the 23" Acer monitor. Model H233H w/native res 1920 x 1080

I've ordered a Corsair 650w psu. Arriving this week from the egg.

I'm thinking of this:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128358

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102801

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231145

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136319

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116488

Tuniq Tower 120 Universal CPU Cooler 120mm Cooling Fan and Fan Controller/Heatsink - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835154001

Still up in the air is case & dvd burner.

plan to use on-board sound.

I welcome any and all comments.

 

[polarbear6]

WELL I HEARD SOME WHERE THAT A P2 TRI CORE BEATS THE E8x00 series
well i just do some research on this
these days games will be soon take advantage of a multi core processors
so as far as i know the dual core based games will only last another 2 years at max

SO dunno do some research and dont blame me if the tri core or quad core idea doesnt work

btwn a 4850 seems to be better than a 9800 gtx+(i said!! seems to be !!)

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: djohn3853
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

I don't know whether that drive is 1x500GB platter, or 2x250GB. Most likely, 2x250GB. You would get slightly better performance from the 640GB WD Blue 6400AAKS, or even better performance from the 640GB WD Black 6401AALS drive.

 

[djohn3853]

I've made the suggested switch on the hd. Others made the same suggestion. Thanks

Also, flip flopped on the vid card. Now 4870.

Switched to Gskill mem.

Added os & cpu cooler.