Processor
Intel Pentium D 820 2.8GHz Dual Core - already have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213

Motherboard
Intel D 945PSN Dual Core LGA 775 Motherboard - already have, but open to other options
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Retail-Intel-D-945Psn-Dual-Core-LGA-775-Motherboard_W0QQitemZ6829472650QQcategoryZ1244QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Memory
mushkin Enhanced Performance 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 667 $70 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146438
or
GeIL DDR 2 Series 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 667 $92
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144807
or
?

Video Card
XFX PVT43PUDS7 Geforce 6600 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card $117
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150123

Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS - already have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102162

Hard Drive
Maxtor MaXLine III 7L250S0 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 - 16MB Cache, 5YR Warranty $104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144185

Case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119068

Power Supply
Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W Power Supply $30 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

This PC will be used for basic office tasks, dvd burning, and light gaming (light enough that I think a 6600 will do fine). I picked the XFX because it has 2 DVI outs which would be nice since the system will have two digital capable monitors hooked up to it. I could hook up one analog so I guess its not a huge deal...open to other options there.

I'm trying to do this system on the cheaper side. The power supply (which I know is not good to cheap out on) got great reviews and is quiet so I thought it was a good choice. The case seems to have great airflow and I kinda like the fan mounted right in front of the hdd. For the Hard Drive I could do a 74GB Raptor for another $30 and use a cheap IDE drive for storage, but I wonder if the speed advantage of the Raptor vs the Maxtor is that noticeable...
I have no idea what memory to use, could use some help there. Thanks for any ideas.

[Edited on December 14, 2005 at 1:03 AM. Reason : ]

12/14/2005 12:47:15 AM

whats bad about cheaping out a power supply?

i dont get how one 400watt one would be any worse than another 400 watt one that cost like 30 more

not trying to threadcrap, just dont understand it(cause you are not the first i've heard say that)

12/14/2005 12:49:59 AM

I will sell you an x800 pro 256mb pcie with vivo that will run circles around that 6600 for $95. the cooling solution on it is kinda ghetto but it works. you can get a stock replacement for <$22 (difference between the cost in my card and the one you're looking at) and have it shipped free with all that other stuff

edit: the reason low quality psu's are bad is because of quality control. you don't want to run outside +/-1.5% of spec voltage. also, most shitty psu's don't handle load very well due to low amps on the 12v rail.

[Edited on December 14, 2005 at 1:50 AM. Reason : d]

12/14/2005 1:47:38 AM

I'd be very wary of that Thermaltake PSU.

I didn't find a single review for one on any acknowledged site. The price being that low just screams crap. Maybe it'll be the next Fortron, but somehow I doubt it.

12/14/2005 3:19:14 AM

I had a thermaltake silent power 480w, it was a pretty good psu for the money, but eventually one of the fans failed. I use an ocz modstream now (~$100)

12/14/2005 10:14:30 AM

I wouldnt paying a bit more for a good PS, but would like to stay out of the $100 range

12/14/2005 1:23:38 PM

mushkin memory (same performance but cheaper)

i would get a mobo that supports raid 0 for two 7200rpm SATA Hard Drives (faster than 1 raptor)

12/14/2005 7:42:51 PM

bttt

12/14/2005 10:29:16 PM

so I've pretty much decided on the 6600GT for the graphics card, I flirted with the X800 but it sounds like the 6600GT is a little better than that.


anyone have any opinions on the hard drive? I like the warranty, but am curious if there are any better performing drives out there (except the raptor)

12/15/2005 7:33:34 AM

I'd stay away from that Thermaltake as well. You are better off with an OCZ (expensive), Antec (ok), or Fortron Source (cheap). My Fortron Source 500W Blue Storm is the best power supply I've met. One fan. Very quiet and very good.

As far as the memory goes, both should do pretty well. Just try and find someone who has already used that type of memory and that mobo so that you're sure they are compatible.

12/15/2005 10:17:15 AM

^ so you like Fortron Source more than thermaltake?

12/15/2005 5:02:46 PM

did you get the Intel RetailEdge bundle too?

12/15/2005 5:18:46 PM

So is this your secondary computer?

If so I don't think the raptor would really be needed, the performance increase wouldn't be worth it.

12/15/2005 5:21:19 PM

^^ kind of

^ no this will be my primary computer. and silence is golden with me, so i'm shying away from the raptor.

12/15/2005 5:25:44 PM

Actually I have 2 raided 74gb's and they are fairly quiet......to me. But if you don't game a lot or care about a slightly faster boot time, go with the regular 7200rpm. You get more GB's for your $$.

12/15/2005 5:34:44 PM

yeah boot time doesnt concern me, actual day to day app to app performance does.

12/15/2005 5:50:05 PM

You would see more of a performance increase with more ram and better processor.

12/15/2005 5:52:05 PM

yes I prefer Fortron Source over Thermaltake. Thermaltake is loud in my experience. And I agree with just getting a 7200 rpm SATA II hard drive. Better bang for your buck. Seagate is my recommendation based on warranty and silence of operation.

12/16/2005 2:35:34 AM

yeah thats what im planning on, anything better than that maxtor in the 7200rpm department?

12/16/2005 8:55:55 AM

^

12/20/2005 5:46:23 PM

I would stay away from the Maxtor HDD and go with either Seagate or WD. At work 8/10 of our hard drives that have failed are Maxtor brand. I've had 4 of them go bad in the last month. All were less than 2 years old.

12/23/2005 2:15:17 PM

I would say get a 6800NU over that 6600GT. The 6600GT runs on 8 pipes and 4 shaders. The memory is also 128bit. All of this is old technology. The 6800NU runs on 12 pipes and 5 shaders with 256bit memory. Just a thought.

12/23/2005 2:59:16 PM