Please critique my future gaming computer

[hsfnewbie]

Hello everyone, I am planning on building a new computer in the fall. I figured if I started looking up the parts right now, I wouldn't need to do as much research later on and can simply modify this list.

CPU:
- E8400 3.0 ghz
Reason: seems to be the best bargain

CPU cooler:
- Xigmatek HDT-S1283

Mobo(?):
1) Abit IP45 Pro (if it ever comes out)
2) Asus P5Q Deluxe

Memory:
- G.SKILL 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2-1066

Video card:
- EVGA GTX 260 Superclocked

PSU(?):
1) Enermax Modu82+ 625 W
2) Corsair 620HX
Reason: Read that the Enermax Modu82+ was quieter than the Corsair. Also has 3x25A on the 12V rails, but the Corsair has 3x18A rails. Not sure if it makes a difference since I won't be SLI'ing my card

For the rest of the setup, my case will be the Silverstone TJ-09. Probably will buy WD 150gb raptor for the OS+apps and use a WD Green 750GB for storage. Will use a cheap DVD burner and Audigy 2 platinum. AM also thinking of getting the Kaze fan bay. I will also have Scythe Kaze SFF21F case fans all over the place. Will be OCing mildly.

Total including case: ~$1700 incl tax+shipping

What do you guys think?

 

[DSF]

Several things on this list are probably going to change by the time fall rolls around. In general it's a good list, but there are just too many variables when you're planning a computer build 2-3 months ahead of time.

For what it's worth, I don't know how you get much quieter than the Corsair 620, I'd be interested to read where that comparison was made. (The other thing to note is that PSU noise is partly a function of load.)

For mild overclocking DDR2-1066 is an unnecessary expense. DDR2-800 will let you get up to 3.6GHz on that chip, and DDR2-1000 has all the headroom you need if you want to push things farther.

 

[CALiFORNiA DREAMiN]

the e8500 is only about $15 more than the e8400 and it has a 9.5x multiplier instead of 9x, so it'll probably overclock more & easily
get a mounting bracket for the xigmatek cooler
go with the asus p5q pro to save $70-$80, unless you really need the features of the deluxe version
visiontek radeon 4870 for the video card
corsair 620w is fine

 

[hsfnewbie]

Here's the review for the Enermax PSU: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article806-page1.html

Anyhow, I figure the DDR2-1066 is slightly cheaper than the DDR2-800 which is why I thought about going for that. The one reason I didn't look at the P5Q Pro is because I read that big tower sinks may have a problem being installed. I compared the 4870 to the GTX 260 and i know the 4870 is a better card especially the latest batch. I've had Radeon cards before and I have vowed to never own one again. But like DSF says, this is a tentative build and may change in the next coming month(s).

 

[Roguestar]

Buy the WD 640 for OS+apps instead of wasting your cash on the Raptor - the performance increase it way out of proportion to the price hike. And then just get another WD 640 for storage. It's a hella good drive.

 

[DSF]

Anyhow, I figure the DDR2-1066 is slightly cheaper than the DDR2-800 which is why I thought about going for that.

Where are you buying? The only G.Skill DDR2-1066 I see on Newegg is more expensive than DDR2-800.

Thanks for the PSU link btw.

 

[hsfnewbie]

i slipped.. i meant slightly more expensive.. haha not cheaper. It's at 109.99 right now (after $40 IR).

As far as the WD Raptor, i thought access time would mean a lot. But it seems you're right in that the new WD 640 (w/ 2 320 GB platters) has a much faster transfer rate. It's just that the access time is doubled that of the Raptor. I saw a few benchmarks, and it seems the raptor still is faster overall. If i went with the WD 640, i would probably not get the 2nd hard drive (which would save about $200 or so). The only reason I was planning on getting the raptor was just for running apps.

 

[DSF]

The $20 extra expense just isn't going to manifest itself in terms of performance over DDR2-1000. If you're sure you aren't going to go past 3.6GHz, then DDR2-800 is as cheap as $50-60 for 4GB and offers much better value than DDR2-1066.