Final suggestions?

[Peelback79]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but this seems to be the most popular forum. Anyways, I've finally got everything all picked out. I'm going to order either Monday or Tueday. I'm actually spending less than what I budgeted so my question for everyone is: If I had an extra $100-$200 dollars, what part of this system would I upgrade? This rig is going to be my new gaming rig and I'd like it to last me two years. This will also be my first build so any hints and make sure you's are much appreciated.

Antec 900 case
850 PSU
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 Rev. 2
Q6600
G.Skillz DDR2 800 2x2
MSI 800GTS 512
HD
Lite On 16x DVD, 48x CD
Vista Home P 64bit
Hanns-G monitor

All said and done it's around $1650 shipped. Been saving for around 4 years so there's no point in getting too cheap now.
I've learned more about computers in a month reading these forums than I have in most of my life and I'd definetely like any final input from a lot of yous guys. A special thank you to those who helped me cheaply upgrade my current rig, but I'm afraid the bandaid is peeling off the crack in the *** and it's time to give it a proper burial. It's bad to the point where I'm only getting 10fps playing Mine Sweeper (exageration). Again, I thank all for any input. Oh, FedEx or UPS to ship? Any recomendations?

Edit: Ty darkxknight. Forgot that was a secure link!

 

[darkxknight]

we can't exactly see the cart you see...

 

[Cookie Monster]

Whats the exact budget? Because if i had this kind of money, i would be seeing alot of different components. For instance the 850W PSU will be swapped with a Corsair HX620W for quality and its cheaper as well. Why because you dont need such a PSU unless your running dual GPU setups like SLi or CF.

 

[sutahz]

Dont get the new (or old) 8800GTS, get a 8800GT
You can get 2x2GB of G.Skill DDR2-6400 for $85 (got to join their mailing list)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Memory-_-E0-_-20231122
Promo Code: EMC1213SYME01
I'd go X38 at this point as well, its PCI-E 2.0 and running hacked SLI drivers you'd get 8x for both cards, but that 8x 2.0, so same as 16x PCI-E 1.0.
====
edit:
I just did at ATItool 0.26 "Find max core/mem" of my evga 8800GT SuperClock (it was in stock, otherwise I'd gotten the base model for $30 less) and it only went from 650MHz core to 702MHz, and my memory went from 950 to 1074MHz (@1084 there are artifacts and the OS freezes). So.. IF, IF IF , the 8800GTS G92 can overclock well, then I can suggest it, but I dont know if it can or can not.
I haven't read up on it enough (concerning the new 700(?) series nVidia chipsets and the X48) but do those chipsets at least offer 1 IDE header? (as the P35 does). At work, the HP dc7700 has no IDE header, that much I know for fact. The point I'm getting at (the long way) is that if there's an IDE header, why not use it? A optical disk drive (ODD) and a file sharing hdd (or another ODD) does not need the bandwidth SATA has to offer (but yes, SATA cables are easier to deal with). So if the chipset you want offers PATA, and you have 1 or 2 of those drives, use em

 

[Pain999]

i would get a SATA DVD burner instead of the IDE. Not that it will be any faster, just that IDE ports are being phased out on newer motherboards. SATA cables are much nicer to work with too.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Pain999
i would get a SATA DVD burner instead of the IDE. Not that it will be any faster, just that IDE ports are being phased out on newer motherboards. SATA cables are much nicer to work with too.

I agree. Also, why not get a better monitor? This Samsung is faster, has a gorgeous picture, and has a better panel. Plus, it's only $60 more. Shoot, this one is only $40 more, and seems to be identical to the 940BX, except it doesn't have the height adjustment, and can't be turned sideways.

BTW, this power supply is way more than enough power for that system, and will outlast every other component in the system. Mine runs my Q6600 @ 3.2 Ghz, and my 8800GT just fine.

 

[Tempered81]

id upgrade that 19' 4x3 lcd to a 22" widescreen

 

[YabbyU]

Snatch that Antec 850w at Comp Usa $129.95 after rebates.....I think the quality 850w or higher is a smart move for future upgrades.....especially at that price.....fo sho.

 

[Pain999]

I did not even notice the 19" LCD. Trade the Q6600 for a cheaper chip if you have to, but definitely get a bigger / nicer monitor -> this is where you can actually see the difference!
20" or 22" widescreen at 1680x1050 is a minimum requirement these days.

you could also transfer some of the money away from the power supply which 850w is way overkill imo.

 

[Peelback79]

Old rig: $1650 shipped. After your thoughts: $1567.22

I was torn between the GTS (G92) and the 8800GT. But I won't be running anything higher than 1280X1024 which is the native rez of the Samsung LCD that Myocardia prescribed (I think it's worth it for the extra dough, thank you). Myocardia and Cookie both prescribed lower PSU's, and after I thought about it, I won't be dual wielding and GPU's and am going to stick with the one GPU solution so I went with the PC&P psu. A big thank you to Pain 999 for catching my miss-click. I selected an IDE cd/dvd drive instead of the Asus SATA cd drive I have selected now. Thank you all. I'm going to save the money you all spared me here and put it into my Nehalem fund. I could absolutely buy bigger and better, but with Nehalem practically here there's no sense in going to crazy. The only thing I'll replace in this rig is probable the GPU when the 9 series comes out.

A big thank you to all. Oh, one final question about monitors: The one I'm getting has a native rez of 1280X1024. So there's no point in setting my game to run any higher right?
Again thank you to all.

Revised rig:
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?
<b"><b">Item=N82E16811129021">Antec Gamer 900</a>
PC&P 610 Watt PSU
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2
G.Skillz 4gb DDR2 800 (2x2)
EVGA 8800GT
Wester Digital 320Gb HD
Asus SATA CD/DVD drive
Q6600
Windows Vista Premo 64 bit.
Samsung 19" LCD

EDIT:
Looked at monitors. Decided to upgrade a little further.
Going to go with this Samsung 22" instead. I'd heard the newer widescreens were having issues with rez's bouncing all over but a friend of mine has that one and it's working beautifully for him. Brings the price up to $1594 shipped. But that's only $27 more dollars, and I do deserve a widescreen. I've been good this year. Thank you all again.

 

[Tempered81]

um why get a 19" 4x3 samsung LCD, instead of a 22" 16x9 Widescreen Samsung LCD?