New PC Build (Gaming)

[krolm]

It has been a long time since I bought a new computer. With games like crysis and world in conflict, I want to get back into pc gaming. Unfortunately, my lovely amd 2800xp+, geforce fx 5600 xt pc just doesn't cut it anymore.

I'm thinking about spending $1200-1500 on a new computer. I'm thinking about building it myself too. It would be my first one. I think I can do it. The guides and the people here are very helpful. If I feel I can't, I'll get someone to help me out.

Anyway, this is what I came up with on newegg. Is it good? Any advice? Does it matter which 8800GT I choose? I saw that the EVGA ones had slightly better benchmarks. But then I see that there's different EVGA 8800gt's with slight differences in pricing. Does it matter?

Here is my build
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W Power Supply

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

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

EVGA 512-P3-N802-A1 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black PATA Model SH-S202G

ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail
or
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD

It comes out to $1508.90 or so. Is there something I could add/remove to improve it, or lessen the cost without losing performance? Will the heatsinks fit in the case? the zalman one looks gigantic.

Thanks for the help!

 

[DSF]

Generally speaking looks pretty good. Your PSU is serious overkill though. You wouldn't need more than 500 watts, and probably less.

 

[krolm]

thanks ...any PSU in particular you would recommend?

 

[DSF]

If you want modular cables, the Corsair 520HX is a good choice. Quiet and stable. If you don't, look for something by a reputable manufacturer, such as Corsair, Seasonic or Antec in the 400-500 watt range. The Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU is $35 with free shipping after a mail-in-rebate at newegg.com right now.

 

[tank171]

If you can wait a month or two, the penryn will be coming out. That will be faster, cooler, and cheaper.

That is a big case, the cooler should fit fine.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

both your cpu cooler options use 92mm fans. i suggest looking into high-performing tower coolers utilizing 120mm fans such as tuniq tower or thermalright ultra-120 plus/extreme. they're both fairly quiet too....as long as you lower rpm speeds manually.

overall its a solid build and should play all games you listed at nice framerates.

curious, what resolution monitor will you be using?

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: tank171
If you can wait a month or two, the penryn will be coming out. That will be faster, cooler, and cheaper.

That is a big case, the cooler should fit fine.

Cheaper?

 

[krolm]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion

curious, what resolution monitor will you be using?

i'll be getting a 22" widescreen 1680 x 1050
looking at the samsung 2232gw

thanks for help so far guys

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: tank171
If you can wait a month or two, the penryn will be coming out. That will be faster, cooler, and cheaper.

That is a big case, the cooler should fit fine.

Except it will take much longer until the lower end penryn cores (read: less then 1000$) arrive.

DSF is correct aboutt he PSU, and his suggestions are also correct.

I would wait 1 week from today with the video card purchase. The 256MB GT seems to be almost the same as the 512MB except for absolute max settings on some newer games on 1920x1200 resolution only... Unless your monitor is 1920x1200 native then you could go with the 256MB version and some some money. And the new GTS comes out with double slot cooler and more SP. If it really sells for MSRP then it might be a good choice as well.

I personally do not trust Abit for reliability anymore. They seem to make powerful overclockers but with flaky reliability... gigabyte, MSI, and asus are the top ones in my book.
But it is really up to you.

Over all your build is very well thought out, and very well designed. You did well, have a cookie.