System configuration advice is appreciated

[theoneyak]

Greetings computer hardware gurus. I would like some friendly advice or criticism on my build here.

My objectives with the system are for gaming, However I am not interested in overclocking. My computer building habits are such that I tend to build a system and
play it until it goes belly up on me(typically 4 years for what ever reason).
I would like this system to roughly do the same.
my budget is around 1200 to 1500(absolute max) and I would rather see the lower end of the spectrum.

If there is other choices out there from what you see here that you would reccomend I would appreciate it.

Edit: Apologies, I realized that I hadn't met all of the criteria set by the sticky on a thread like this.

So: I prefer nvidia over ATI(since the begining, maaany years ago)
Components I still have that work: my monitor and input peripherals.
I have been a AMD devotee for the last many years or so(ever since intel tried their big brother crap though I admit I wasn't the most "informed" on the situation), but the performance gap is pretty compelling. Would like to stay AMD, but the price performance is most important right now, and even more, is upgradability. I would like my choices now to allow me to update my system in the future without fear of "oh no, I can't buy a processor for this board" type of scenario.

Oh yeah, I am intending to purchase my parts from within the US.
Though if someone can reccomend a good etailer that isn't in CA, I would like to avoid the sales tax.
Ok, I think that settled all that. -End edit. Thanks.

Here is my shopping cart from newegg that I cut and pasted here.

Case: I read a review that talked about this case quite highly and its relatively inexpensive. I like its styling and fits the bill. Any good alternatives within the price range(I'd like to keep my case under 150 if possible)
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119137
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$79.99


I saw a lot of great remarks on this ram. There is another set that I am considering from newegg, its a special edition with blue LEDs(for those who are aware of it).
My one concern here is that I looked on the website of the motherboard manufacturer and I wasn't able to find any information on supported ram modules.. Can someone please send me in the right direction or tell me whether this is a good choice?
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146565
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$47.00 Mail-in Rebate
$109.99
1

Saw a LOT of great feedback about this board. I guess my only question is that the IP35 is much cheaper.. since I'm not OCing, and have no plans for RAID, is this board still worth it over the "vanilla"? I want good stock performance and durability and stability.
I had considered an AM2, but finally settled on the intel platform(though one of my more conspiracy theorist friends is trying to convince me that intel has a built in feature where they can access your system and deactivate it if they want to... anyone shed some light on that?)
ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813127030
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$184.99


Considered WD's caviar SE and Seagate Barracuda, this drive had much better user review %'s. Any comments out there?
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822152052
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$10.00 Instant
$119.99
$109.99
1

PSU: So, I am convinced that it was my PSU that utterly fried out my last computer.(power button worked intermittently.. and then I smelled burning and EVERYTHING attached to my mobo was fried... everything. Yes, I had a good surge protector.)
I know PSUs are one of the "forgotten" components.. So I want good quality and good longevity with low risk of killing my whole investment one day.
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139002
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$20.00 Instant
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$189.99
$169.99
1

Well, I'm tossing it up between this one and the 340mb ram version . Mainly because its cheaper and does everything I want it to do and reasonably future proof(at least for a little while) I don't expect to game at extremely high resolutions.
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130071
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Add item to Cart Add this item to your cart
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$379.99
$369.99
1

Processor: well, good middle ground for performance and cash ratio. I am digging it.
* Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115029
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Add combo to Cart Add this combo to your cart

$194.99

So,, what do you guys think.

Any and all feedback good or bad would be helpful.
I'm still tossing it up a little on the platform, read the reviews and know where the performance "crown" lies right now, but what do you guys think about what's going to happen. will the mobo have a reasonable upgrade path? Will AM2 be a better choice for the future?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mervin338]

I have absolutely no serious problems with any of the components you've picked theoneyak. Cooler Master has fabulous computer cases and I've built systems around them. But there are a few things you should ask yourself before you get that case. 1) how many hard drives are you going to put in that case? 2) is your case going to be on the floor, or on your desk?

If your case is going on the floor then you might want to get a case with top mounted USB ports (as that case has). If it's going on your desk, don't get a case with top mounted USB ports because it's annoying having to reach up to find them.

If you're not going to be buying lots of hard drives then you're not going to need a case with all that internal hard drive space. In which case this computer case would be a better option. I've used this case for some of the builds I've done and it's great. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119106

However, I also really like the case that you've chosen, and I'm only pointing out things to help you save money in the event that you've chosen components with features you don't really need. If money isn't really an issue, and if you're going to put your computer on the floor and not on your desk then you've chosen the right case.

Crucial makes top notch RAM to be sure. I'm a G.Skill guy myself, but the truth of the matter is that the computer hardware industry is very competitive these days and all the major manufactures make good RAM. I have an abit IP35 Pro and I can assure you that it's a great board. The Uguru software that comes with all abit boards make them worth their weight in gold. Though if you're not into RAID or overclocking you're going to be paying for a lot of features that you're not going to need.

I've also built systems with the E6750 processor and I personally think it's the best processor for the money IF you're going to overclock. Though you might want to get the Q6600 instead because it's more future proof and sooner or later that quad core technology will come in handy!

I have a Spin Point 400gig drive as well, and I like it. I bought it because I was interested in testing out new waters and because PC World was raving about Samsung's new drives. Western Digital cavier drives tend to perform better than either Seagate or Samsung, so they should be a contender for anyone putting together a gaming system.

The power supply you've chosen is great. Nice to see you didn't shortchange yourself with this important component. I don't think anyone will argue with your choice there. However, you're paying a lot more for that psu because it has modular cables. If you can live without being able to remove the cables from the psu that you're not using you can save yourself at least $50. OCZ makes great power supplies, their 600w power supply is only $109 before rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341001

Either one of those video cards would be fine. If you're looking to save money get the 320bit card.