How's this new RIG look and what more could I do?

I want to spend around $850 to $900 ($900 max) on a new gaming rig. Here is what I have so far, but I still have a little head room. Does anyone see any changes that would be beneficial? Thanks for the advice.

CPU: C2Q Q6600 2.4 Ghz (I'll OC this)

GPU: ATI 4850 512 MB - I am worried about this because I hook my computer up to my 720p LCD TV and want the right resolution. When I had an ATI 1900GT, the software wouldn't allow that resolution and it turned out horrible. Then I got an 8800GT and the NVIDIA control panel did it with one button click. ANyone have this and tried to hook it up to a TV with success?

Mobo: AsRock P45TS - I want a P45 (people have told me) and I NEED the digital optical out (I use this as my media center, hooked up DVI to HDMI to my LCD TV and digital optical to my surround sound system)

RAM: G.Skill 2x2 GB DDR2 1000 Mhz RAM - Sick of using Crucial, as it has nothing but sucked for me - G.Skill is supposed to be good

Case: RAIDMAX Tornado

CPU cooler: Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro - have had these in the past, great cooler

HDD: Seagate 1 TB 7200 RPM - I work at Seagate so I better buy one

DVD Burner: LG 20x DVD Burner - Was gonna go Blu-Ray, but I download movies at this point in my life, and will wait

PSU: Antec True Power 650 Watt - Good reviews and comes in a bundle with the CPU for $50 off

The total comes to $817 after shipping with $30 rebate its $787 so that leaves me about $75-$100 if you think I could improve something more. I am moving from what I have in the sig to this, so not a huge change.

That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.Sordidus

P5Q Pro doesn't have a digital optical out - it only has a digital coaxial out

With that extra $100 get a 4870. You wont regret it.beefdog

That raises the price a touch too much ($120). That would be on the top end of my budget, but I will think about it. I am still hesitant about the ATI interface

That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.Sordidus

A lot of reviews show a Q6600 at 3.6 GHz > e8400 at 4.2 Ghz....so I think I am good. And it is the Q6600, not the Q6700, I don't know what you are talking about

[QUOTE="Sordidus"]That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.seabiscuit8686

P5Q Pro doesn't have a digital optical out - it only has a digital coaxial out

P5Q-E then...

Which would be better: Q6600 or Q9300 - The 9300 is $75 moreseabiscuit8686

Q9300

[QUOTE="Sordidus"]That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.seabiscuit8686

A lot of reviews show a Q6600 at 3.6 GHz > e8400 at 4.2 Ghz....so I think I am good. And it is the Q6600, not the Q6700, I don't know what you are talking about

You posted: "CPU: C2Q Q6600 2.6 Ghz (I'll OC this)" 2.6Ghz it's the Q6700, that's why I said that, but I see you already edited...

If you already have an 8800, why not use that? Or are you still using that in another rig?mathwizard13

I built the rig in my sig for $675 6 months ago and am selling it on monday for $750 and replacing it with this

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]

[QUOTE="Sordidus"]That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.Sordidus

A lot of reviews show a Q6600 at 3.6 GHz > e8400 at 4.2 Ghz....so I think I am good. And it is the Q6600, not the Q6700, I don't know what you are talking about

You posted: "CPU: C2Q Q6600 2.6 Ghz (I'll OC this)" 2.6Ghz it's the Q6700, that's why I said that, but I see you already edited...

Yeah, I saw that and edited it after I asked what you meant

[QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]

[QUOTE="Sordidus"]That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.Sordidus

P5Q Pro doesn't have a digital optical out - it only has a digital coaxial out

P5Q-E then...

Alright, well I guess the options are:

Switch mobo with Asus P5Q-E ---> $100 more

Switch CPU Q6600 to Q9300 -----> $75 more

Or switch GPU 4850 to 4870 -----> $110 more

Which would be beneficial, or what else could I do.

Thanks for all the help so far

[QUOTE="Sordidus"][QUOTE="seabiscuit8686"]

[QUOTE="Sordidus"]That CPU isn't a Q6600 but a Q6700, but I would go with a E8400/8500 even if you'll overclock. Change that MoBo with an Asus P5Q Pro.seabiscuit8686

P5Q Pro doesn't have a digital optical out - it only has a digital coaxial out

P5Q-E then...

Alright, well I guess the options are:

Switch mobo with Asus P5Q-E ---> $100 more

Switch CPU Q6600 to Q9300 -----> $75 more

Or switch GPU 4850 to 4870 -----> $110 more

Which would be beneficial, or what else could I do.

Thanks for all the help so far

Well, if you have to choose, switch the GPU or the MoBo and go with the Q6600.

Well I did state in the first post that my budget is about $850 and if I did them all, well I would be at well over $1000.

Id switch the gpu...switching the cpu or mobo isn't really give you any more gaming performance.beefdog

are you kidding me... of course switching the CPU will give more performance.

[QUOTE="beefdog"]Id switch the gpu...switching the cpu or mobo isn't really give you any more gaming performance.simardbrad

are you kidding me... of course switching the CPU will give more performance.

If you play at 1024x768. Anything higher than that wont see much of a difference.

[QUOTE="simardbrad"]

[QUOTE="beefdog"]Id switch the gpu...switching the cpu or mobo isn't really give you any more gaming performance.beefdog

are you kidding me... of course switching the CPU will give more performance.

If you play at 1024x768. Anything higher than that wont see much of a difference.

I play at 1680 x 1050 (22 inch LCD moniter)

I think I might just leave it how it is. I don't see much benefit in upgrading some of these other parts, and upgrading from a 4850 to a 4870 is too expensive.

Thanks for the feedback though

I think I might just leave it how it is. I don't see much benefit in upgrading some of these other parts, and upgrading from a 4850 to a 4870 is too expensive.

Thanks for the feedback though

seabiscuit8686

I agree with you....The components you selected seem to fit really well for the Price/Performance budget you set for yourself....I almost bought an AsRock x48 board for my new build this past month. The only reason I went with a Gigabyte MB was the AsRock(love that name) was out of stock at the time, or I would have gone with that. There were a lot of very solid reviews from people that took a chance and purchased from that company and were pleasantly surprised by AsRock quality and performance.....If that mobo fits your needs, I say go for it.....One drawback I do see is if you decide to go crossfire, I believe it has only one PCIe expansion slot. ....But other than that the CPU, GPU, MB combo looks nice (if a quad is not a concern or must have for you), then I suggest a C2D e8400 or 8500).....good luck.

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