Building a Computer - your thoughts?

This is my first computer that I'm building, I used to get all my computers from Dell and I've had it with them. (Mostly because I lost some money off their stock). Anyways, I just wanted some second opinions on my build. I haven't bought any of it yet - I'm going to later on today, but if there's anything that may not be compatible or just isn't as good as a cheaper part - please help me out. :) (btw, I'm using Best Buy to get my memory and graphics card because i'm using my rewards cash and discounts and gift cards - yay)

Processor – Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

$248.99

Newegg Link

Operating System – Windows Vista Premium (System Builders)

$99.99

Newegg Link

Memory – CORSAIR Dominator 2GB

$225.00 (With included Best Buy 10% Discount)

Best Buy Link

Hard Drive – 500GB HDD 7200RPM Western Digital

$89.99

Newegg Link

DVD/CD Drive – LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ LightScribe

$32.99

Newegg Link

Video Card – nVidia 8800 GTS 512MB

$228.79 (With Best Buy 12% Discount)

Best Buy Link

Motherboard – NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard

$179.99

Newegg Link

Case – Cooler Master Cosmos 1000

$179.99

CompUSA Link

Power Supply – NeoPower 650W

$104.99

Newegg Link

here's memory that will match or have better performance than those dominators

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144

Maybe I'm missing something here but why not get the RAM at newegg and save the Best Buy points for something else. The exact same memory on newegg is $175 cheaper. I would also look at the Corsair series of PSU, something like this might be good.

The 680i is only a good choice if you plan to SLI in the future. The 780i is a much better choice as it gets rid of a lot of the problems of the 680i. Also if you do plan on using SLI in the future then you should get a larger PSU now, otherwise you'll have to upgrade that later on.

My local Fry's Electronic still has it's Q6600 on sale: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5101696

You can find better memory prices at NewEgg, even 4 GB modules for that price.

If you do happen to go for 4 GB modules, get a 64-bit edition of Vista with SP1.

If you're not SLI'ing, I strongly suggest checking out a P35 based chipset motherboard.

Why are you buying that RAM from best buy. Here's the same kit for 50 bucks post rebate off of newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820145043

Wowsers. Thanks for the heads up guys.

What about this memory, the Speed is DDR2 1142 which explains why it's more expensive, but would it be worth the price? Or should I go for the XMS series? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145169

Wowsers. Thanks for the heads up guys.

What about this memory, the Speed is DDR2 1142 which explains why it's more expensive, but would it be worth the price? Or should I go for the XMS series? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145169

Stevo_the_gamer

Whats with the insistence on spending so much on RAM? Seriously, anything over 120$ for 4 gigs is over priced. I still recommend the ram I linked to on the first page.

Just make sure most of the computer parts are made in one of the Asian countries. Asian's are shorter so when building computers their eyes are closer to the components which results in a higher quality product. Saw this on a commercial once so it must be true. It was quite funny. Not as funny as the one where these Asian thiefs with bad eye sight break into a bank. Not your everyday type of bank. Must be the good yogurt :)HeyDoYaThang

lmao

Whats with the insistence on spending so much on RAM? Seriously, anything over 120$ for 4 gigs is over priced. I still recommend the ram I linked to on the first page.

aveman1

Alright, I think I'm going to upgrade to the nForce 780i motherboard because of the 45nm support.

As for memory, I think I'm going with Aveman's help by getting the cheaper Corsair memory.

Alright, I think I'm going to upgrade to the nForce 780i motherboard because of the 45nm support.

As for memory, I think I'm going with Aveman's help by getting the cheaper Corsair memory.

Stevo_the_gamer

Id suggest you go with a 4gb setup since youll be running Vista. I would get something with lower latency like this . And make sure you get a 64-bit version of Vista like this one. , it should cost the same.

Alright, I think I'm going to upgrade to the nForce 780i motherboard because of the 45nm support.

As for memory, I think I'm going with Aveman's help by getting the cheaper Corsair memory.

Stevo_the_gamer

Good choice. Just make sure you get 2 of those kits, and send int he rebates for both. Total for both should be like 110$ post rebates. And those DIMMS are good stuff, D9 handpicked chips.

EDIT: I've been hearing latley the 750i EVGA board is performing better than the 780i. Odd, isn't it? Well, it's roughly 70$ cheaper if your intrested. Only difference is two less SATA ports, no 3 way SLI.