Review the Parts i Chose for my New Rig Please

Hello all i haven't had much time to really go in depth with my research like i normally do but heres what i want to put together.
I just want a stable STOCK computer for gaming. I am NOT OCing i just dont have the time anymore.

I am 100% open to suggestions.

If anyone sees any blaring problems with this rig please let me know

INTEL Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz FSB1333MHz 4M LGA775 Retail BX80557E6750 Processor Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005522

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128059

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145034

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130071

Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110

I currently have an Antec True Power 480 PSU and was wondering if it could power this rig or should i just get the Corsair i have listed above?

I chose the mobo because it was cheap i dont plan on using SLI or RAID or any External Device apart from USB stuff and its the new P35 chipset any other suggestion about a different mobo in the same price range is welcome.

Thanks in Advance
Eddie

Trade that e6600 for a 6750 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029 Save a ~20.00 and get a better board.

Spend that savings on the DS3-R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050 as it has solid state caps and if you ever decide you want RAID, it's there. It's also got an e-sata option. It's also got better onboard audio I think. It's got more SATA connectors. I see the reviews say it has solid state caps, but I'm not so sure about that. Either way, you'll be happy.

The ram is fine, I prefer the Crucials at 2.00 more. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

Nothing wrong with the vid card.

As for the PSU, I went with the Corsair HX620, it's 169.99 with a MIR. They have the HX520 model http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001 for 124.99. In testing, the Corsairs did AWSOME on all tests with great efficiency, WELL withing ATX specs, and didn't have any...er...can't remember the term...but it's also modular. I LOVE my HX620.

If you notice this bares a striking resemblence to my sig, it is! I did MANY MANY hours of research. I haven't built mine yet, though am using the UPS. I'm waiting on my Q6600...payment processing issues...eh, I hate banks.

I hope this helps...and if you ever decide to, you can take this setup to 3-3.2 GHZ perfectly stable with and aftermarket HSF.

The MB and RAM recommendations I made I strongly suggest. Better board and the CPU is a new G0 stepping that produces less heat.

Very informative response... thank you very much
I only spent a day researching this which isnt much time for me at least and well it shows...
Its a good thing i havent ordered yet since i was going to get a

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe
2.4GHz @ 1066 for $230

When i should of gotten the

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe
2.66GHz @ 1333 for $212

And i actually was going to get the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R but for $35 more i just don't know if its worth it since

1) I will not OC
2) I already have an Audigy 2 soundcard
3) I will not use raid (already had my fun with this way back)

However i may just give in to the better mobo before i pull the trigger

As for the memory i am sure you have a reason for recommending the Crucial but they seem to be identical except the Corsair uses a lower voltage and is $20 cheaper


Both PSU are actually the same price when you include the shipping and the rebates etc..

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

or

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817341002

I just noticed that the Corsair has detachable cables which is a definite plus and i know that a Corsair 520 Watt PSU is better than a generic 700 Watt PSU but the question is is OCZ GameXStream generic or a good name i just dont know now.

HardOCP seems to be praising the new Corsair PSU
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMwMSwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

While ExtremeOverclocking.com reviewed the OCZ
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/OCZ_GameXStream_700W_1.html

Im a big HardOCP follower so i might just go for the Corsair but i dont know now


Just a side not for Vagabond102 if you havent ordered your stuff yet you may want to give this a thought
Get the
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $95
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100 $115
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $67

This will save you
$35 on the Motherboard
$55 on the PSU
$20 on the Ram
---------------
$110 Saved that you can use to upgrade your vidcard

Even if you wanted to keep the motherboard your still saving $75 which is the difference in price between the 512 and 320 Meg version of the 8800GTS
Just food for thought

Thanks in Advance
Eddie

Heh, no problem for the post. I've already ordered my parts and have them all except the CPU...for some reason my card was declined at TG, but the funds were still put on hold by my bank. I always love having 300 bucks sitting out in lala land. (need to get me a real credit card, I just don't trust myself)

I want the raid, however, as I'm going to run a Matrix setup at some point. I have an old original SB Live! Value, so I could use the upgrade, though, suprisingly, the Live has treated me very well.

I plan on overclocking this Q6600 to 3.2-3.4 on air, and running 3-5 drives and an OC, I want the little extra headroom for power.

The ram really was a tossup, but after reading a lot, people have had extremely good luck with the Ballistix. Since you aren't going to OC, (and even if you were) the XMS2's will be just fine.

I can find it now offhand, but I'm pretty sure I read something about the caps on the L version MB not being as high quality, but may be wrong.

The only thing I purchased that I have some regret is the case, not because the build quality or anything, it's an AWESOME case, love it, but it's the 80mm fan version and I really need the 120mm fans, but it should do for now.

Both are excellent systems for the price. My past experience has been negative regarding always trying to save a couple bucks, so this time I decided to make a compromise...not completely high end cutting edge, but not bargain barrel either. Guess we'll see how it goes!

I had to cut my budget off at some point, so yeah, I skimpped on the GFX card. I won't be running higher then 1280x1024 and from reading, this card will perform just as well as the 640mb version at those resolutions and below.

I'm a poor may, but I'm being offered a new job that will fix all my financial problems. (IT Manager at a fortune 500 company) If this goes through, I'll probly give this system to the other half and build me a monster, or wait until Penryn or Neha-whateveritis comes out.

Some or perhaps most prefer to order from newegg only. I have nothing against that as newegg has great CS and fast shipping.
But if you want to save a little more money, but possibly slower shipping depending where you live, you can get the :

DS3L here

520hx here or 620hx here.

One other thing to consider is if the 4 sata ports are enough for you on the DS3L.
I'll echo what vagabond said about the Corsair Psu's; solid, efficient, quiet, modular,
and 5 yr warranty.

Thanks for the Advice...
Ill get the Proc and PSU from Zipzoomfly since i really should not have a problem with those and DOA is very unlikely with those components

The rest will be from newegg though since those have a higher likely hood of DOA and newegg has an advanced RMA program which is 2x as fast as their competitors...

Well thanks again Vagabond102 i ended up with the CPU, MOBO, and PSU (620) you recommended

Thank you ffzen for the zipzoomfly suggestion made getting the 620 easier..

BTW... More food for thought..i always thought these boards should have a recommended systems guide for different budgets... that way everyone doesnt have to do the same research... maybe you guys could list a few Systems that are put together and people could vote on them like a 1K system and a 1.5K system with just the main Mobo, Proc, RAM, Vid Card, PSU, Soundcard, ... the case and dvd drive can be left up to the user.. just a thought

Eddie

Did you get the 320mb GTS? THere's really not THAT much performance increase for almost $100 of difference, and its virtually the same at lower resolutions so the 320mb is a better choice.

Thank you for the input UnrealAlex
The main reason i am choosing the higher memory version is because
I currently have a 24" widescreen from Dell that has a native resolution of 1920 X 1200 and i read on some reviews that the extra ram on the vid card is important if you plan on gaming at high resolutions

Can someone please tell me if this is a valid point because if not i would be more than happy to get the vid card with less ram

Thanks in Advance
Eddie

Cytomax said:

Well thanks again Vagabond102 i ended up with the CPU, MOBO, and PSU (620) you recommended

<snip>

BTW... More food for thought..i always thought these boards should have a recommended systems guide for different budgets... that way everyone doesnt have to do the same research... maybe you guys could list a few Systems that are put together and people could vote on them like a 1K system and a 1.5K system with just the main Mobo, Proc, RAM, Vid Card, PSU, Soundcard, ... the case and dvd drive can be left up to the user.. just a thought

Eddie

Click to expand...

No problem whatsoever!

It's real difficult to make system building guides for several reasons...everyone has their different requirements for what they want and need, and the ever evolving and changing hardware environment. Whoever decided to do this would have to update constantly. Also, there is always contention as to what is best for what budget and different places have different pricing.

I always recommend people do their own research, be it just asking the questions or reading reviews and user feedback. This helps people become familiar with how computers work if they don't already know, or become more familiar with current hardware offerings and how they work. Like me, I'm a computer tech responsible for over 2500 production desktops, but they are 3-10 years behind what is current...so just by researching I brought myself up to speed and now have a mostly full understanding of what is current and even brought myself up on what's coming. (Penry, P38 chipset, nehalem, etc)

Of course, some don't have the want to learn it nor the time, that I can understand too. And then, some don't have time to read a windbag post like mine tend to be!

As for your vid card question, you are correct. The extra ram is essential for resolutions above 1280x1024. I've got a now older NEC multisync FE950 that I'm still in love with. (That, and I don't think I've quite depreciated the $500 price tag it cost me!)

That PSU is fine- you might look at the Seasonic 550. About the same price and great efficiency.