First Computer Build- Some insight please!

[Hitikiro]

Hi guys and gals! First off this is my first post and my first computer build so please give me slack . I've done my part of research and now I just want some insight on the computer components that I've selected to build my first rig. I am planning on doing some mild overclocking (3.0-3.2 ghz) so please do take that into consideration. The price cuts are around the corner, ie. July/Sept., so I am willing to wait to get a majority of my parts then. Here is a list of the parts I've chosen:

Processor
E6420- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13Ghz 4MB L2 Cache
E6550- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz 4MB L2 Cache

The pricing of the new E6x50 processors are going to be 40% cheaper on release plus I heard that O/Cing one of these bad boys do not require a great increase in Vcore.

MOBO

I am deciding to go with a P35 mobo.
Gigabyte GA-P35c-DS3R
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
** What is the difference between these two mobo besides the DDR2/3 compatabilities on the "C" version?
RAM
Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
( Already Bought' em)

HSF
Thermalright ULTRA-120 Extreme 6 Heatpipe Cooler LGA775 Heatsink *Fan Not Included*

Extra Fans
2 x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120MM Cooling Fan 1600RPM 28.0DBA 63.7CFM FDB

Case
Antec Sonata III Black ATX 16IN Mid Tower Quiet Case 3X5.25 2X3.5 4X3.5IN 500W Air Duct 120MM Fan

PSU
Antec Earthwatts 500 watts ( stock)

GPU

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS 500MHZ 320MB 1.6GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV HDCP DIRECTX10 Video

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive

Update: Decided to save up for a better GPU. Narrowed down two P35 mobos. Need to decide which processor to go with.

[Gav]

The most valuable comment I can make to you is buy the ram NOW, don't wait.

More info here.

NCIX FORUMS - IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MEMORY PRICIN...

I would pickup the ram right away and wait for the price drops on the cpu's.

[Hitikiro]

Originally Posted by Gav

The most valuable comment I can make to you is buy the ram NOW, don't wait.

More info here.

NCIX FORUMS - IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MEMORY PRICIN...

I would pickup the ram right away and wait for the price drops on the cpu's.

LOL, I was on MSN talking to my friend about whether I should purchase them today....and unfortunately I pulled the trigger!! They were down to 9 left so I decided to just buy it.

[sswilson]

Thanks for the heads up!!!! (I just got my 1066 Ballistix in the mail yesterday... :) ).

We all had a pretty good idea that this was coming when the manufacturers announced production cuts.

Before folks get all hot and heavy on the manufacturers... have a look at what prices were 6 months ago.

This isn't really price gouging, just a return to normal pricing. (It has been fun while it lasted though.... :) ).

[sswilson]

As far as the build goes......

Are you absolutely sold on the nvidia vid card?

Have a look at the benchmarks to verify for yourself, but I think you'll find that the 1950pro is really the way to go for a mid-range DX9 vid card.

Should be around the same price as the 7900GS.

[cujo]

for mobo get the p5k hands down. as for the case, the antec 900 is much nicer and you don't really need the psu from the sonata 3.

i also agree with the vid card suggestion above.

[BALISTX]

Originally Posted by Gav

The most valuable comment I can make to you is buy the ram NOW, don't wait.

More info here.

NCIX FORUMS - IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MEMORY PRICIN...

I would pickup the ram right away and wait for the price drops on the cpu's.

Thanks for the heads up, just ordered my memory 1GB OCZ EL Plats PC-3200 before it goes up anymore. Not bad at $111.00

[Hitikiro]

Well I just read about the E6550 which are coming out in July and the do look promising... now I'm contemplating whether if I should ditch the E6420 and go to the E6550.

[Hitikiro]

Ok, so I've revised my build:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 1333FSB LGA775
July 22nd :D
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=ANTEC

Corsair HX520 CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX Triple 12V 40A Continuous 24PIN ATX Modular 120MM Power Supply
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=CORSAIR

Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500 DDR2 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...L%20TECHNOLOGY

ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP ATX LGA775 P35 DDR2 1333FSB 2PCI-E16 3PCI 2PCI-E1 SATA2 Sound Motherboard
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=ASUS

Thermalright ULTRA-120 Extreme 6 Heatpipe Cooler LGA775 Heatsink *Fan Not Included*
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e=THERMALRIGHT

EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTS 500MHZ 640MB 1.6GHZ GDDR3 Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

3 x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120MM Cooling Fan 1600RPM 28.0DBA 63.7CFM FDB
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...facture=Scythe

LG GSA-H62L Black SATA DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL 10X Lightscribe OEM DVD Writer W/ SW
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...%20Electronics

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB SATA2 3GB/S 7200RPM 16MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Seagate

How does this build fair so far?
Would a DS3R or Abit IP35 Pro be other good choices for a MOBO?

[sswilson]

I'll be going SATA CDRom for my next purchase as well.
That said, check around the forums for the mobo you chose and ensure it plays nice when trying to boot off of a SATA CDRom. Some boards have needed a bios upgrade to enable full funtionality with SATA CDRoms.

Other than that, looks pretty good. I was a bit concerned when seeing a 520W PSU, but if it can indeed put out 40A it should be fine.