Kindly review my build

[cmccomas]

I'm a software developer and a gamer. I want as fast a rig as I can get without spending unwisely (i.e. no 8800GTX in SLI like I'd really like).

I would like the ability to overclock, although that's not my primary goal. I want to be able to crank settings on games at 1680x1050 and not worry about framerates. I plan to add another 8800GTS in SLI once the price drops a bit.

System Here

Questions:
Am I missing anything?
(Getting a monitor separately, and have a mouse. Also already have CD/DVD burner and .750TB in external drives. Anything else missing?)

Am I making a configuration error on anything? (e.g. mismatched psu, mobo or RAM, etc)

Am I being stupid about anything?

 

[cprince]

You could use some case fans. Other than that, everything is awesome!

 

[jpeyton]

Sweet merciful Jesus, pick up a quality PSU for less money than the Rosewill unit.

Corsair 620HX

 

[yacoub]

shave $100 off by getting an E4400 instead of an E6600. They oc well to at least 3.0GHz. No reason to get a higher c2d right now.

 

[AliasX]

Looks good.

 

[cmccomas]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

@cprince - good call on the additional fans, hadn't thought about that.

@jpeyton - thanks for the input, what the Newegg wishlist won't show you (grr) is that they are offering a $30 off if you buy that psu + the vid card I'm getting, so it comes in closer to $115 (bout the same as the one you linked).

@yacoub, thanks for the OC advice (although I may be too chicken to take it!)

@AliasX - thanks for the confirmation. My first DIY build in probably 7 yrs so I'm a bit rusty.

Anyone else with helpful advice would be welcome.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I'd say ditch the raidmax case and get a real tower like the xclio a380 or the windtunnel.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Puffnstuff
I'd say ditch the raidmax case and get a real tower like the xclio a380 or the windtunnel.

Yea that case is godawful ugly.

 

[AndeeG]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Sweet merciful Jesus, pick up a quality PSU for less money than the Rosewill unit.

Corsair 620HX

I would go with the 520HX unless you really feel you need the extra watts, though I'm pretty sure that 520w will be plenty for SLI, a couple optical drives, and a few hard drives as well.

I would also definitely get a different keyboard - either the microsoft comfort curve 2000 or the logitech ultra x. The ultra x is pretty much just like a full size laptop keyboard. The comfort curve 2000 on the other hand feels like a cross between a laptop and standard style kb, but I believe it uses the standard key mechanism. I have and love them both.

 

[cmccomas]

Originally posted by: Puffnstuff
I'd say ditch the raidmax case and get a real tower like the xclio a380 or the windtunnel.

Dang, sweet cases, are they noisy? Looks like they'll sound like a hovercraft.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Actually those 250's don't make much noise at all for moving so much air. I love my windtunnel and would highly recommend it to anyone needing a case with room. I've got a few pics up here http://gphillips515.photosite.com/album1/ which illustrate just how much room is in it.

 

[cmccomas]

Thanks Puff, I updated my list with the a380.

 

[aatf510]

You really don't want to spend $155 on that a Rosewill PSU.

 

[cmccomas]

Originally posted by: toattett
You really don't want to spend $155 on that a Rosewill PSU.

Well, I agree, but why? Overkill? Too expensive? How about this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148028

 

[RayvinAzn]

Ditch the 150GB Raptor drive - you can pick up a decent 74GB for $140 after mail-in-rebates, and with another $70 you can get 320GB of storage space. The 74GB drive is more than enough for your operating system and games (and programs), and the storage drive is a great place to keep the files that you don't want to lose (music, pictures, movies) since 7200RPM drives are less prone to heat-related failure than 10k RPM drives.

I gave you my idea of your power supply in your other thread - this Rosewill one is not to be trusted either. Stable, efficient wattage over brute power is the best way to go - there are quite a few 500w power supplies that are likely going to deal with a heavy load better than anything built by Apevia or Rosewill.

A smaller point, I'd spend another $15 and pick up a SATA DVD RW drive instead of IDE. Nothing like keeping the IDE cables out of your case to reduce clutter (and therefore heat).

If you're going to be overclocking, spending a bit more on RAM might be a good idea as well. Pick some up from a trusted brand like Crucial, Corsair, or even Kingston, preferably one that uses Micron D9 chips. I lost my bookmark that used to have a list of all the known D9 RAM sticks from most manufacturers I'm afraid, but a little Google work and you should be able to find out.

Not a fan of that case either - but that's mostly your aesthetic taste, not mine.

Last but not least, you'll likely want some case fans (as was previously mentioned), as well as a new CPU cooler. Stock isn't a bad place to start, but to reach those higher speeds or keep noise down a bit, spending some money here will be well-spent.

 

[jkresh]

cmcomas, its not the overkill or the bling its that its not a name brand and probably not that well made (meaning I doubt it could work with a full 600watt load for any amount of time at the temps it will be in a case), and on the off chance that it can actualy handle that load at the 40-50c it will likley be running at I doubt it will be anywhere near as efficient as a corsair,seasonic,pc power and cooling, enermax...

 

[eggrolls]

Originally posted by: RayvinAzn
If you're going to be overclocking, spending a bit more on RAM might be a good idea as well. Pick some up from a trusted brand like Crucial, Corsair, or even Kingston, preferably one that uses Micron D9 chips. I lost my bookmark that used to have a list of all the known D9 RAM sticks from most manufacturers I'm afraid, but a little Google work and you should be able to find out.

perhaps this?

http://ramlist.infinityx.nl/ddr2/

 

[magreen]

Ditch the POS psu already! How many times do you have to be told?!! PSUs from non-trustworthy manufacturers will likely ruin your system. You could get a quality unit for less than your POS Rosewill or Apevia (even after your combo discount) that would power your system fine. You already have a few good suggestions above.

@RayvinAzn: Wtf? He's afraid to OC a 4400 to 3Ghz. What does he need better memory with D9s for? He's already getting DDR2 800 -- that'll take his E6600 up to 3.6.

 

[Blain]

Please post a list of your "build" since I cannot access the Newegg site.

 

[stevty2889]

Yes, please ditch the rosewill PSU, Rosewill is known for using low quality parts, and rating their PSU's at higher ratings than they can really sustain. Go with a good brand, Corsair, Seasonic, Enermax, but please don't trust your PC with that Rosewill crap.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Yes consider me to be another get a decent ps chime in. It's better to spend a little more now and get a good ps than to have all of your expensive new hardware getting fried by a power surge from the cheap ps when it goes out, sometimes they go with a bang and a flash with lots of smoke. If you do decided to run a cheap ps please keep a camcorder on it and post the film on youtube.

 

[cmccomas]

Thanks a ton guys, I think I took just about every bit of advice, and just placed my order. Huge help everyone, thanks again for your time and help.

 

[WhatTheSchmidt]

I would go for better keyboard personally, because I LOVE the media functions at the top and extra goodies on F buttons
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126178

not sure what kind of mouse you use but I love the back/forward buttons on my logitech as well.

You can get pc2 6400 ram for cheaper. 2GB Ballistix for $85 AR or 2GB G.Skill for $83. I think one of those 2 would be better route to go. The ballistix is from buy.com btw.