PC build so far. Feedback please!!!

My budget is going to try to be around $1000 without monitor. Here are the parts I have chosen so far:

Processor:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $199.99

Case:Antec Nine Hundred with this fan $119.99+14.99

RAM:OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB DDR2 $69.99 (after rebate) Is this brand okay or is there a different one I should go for instead?

DVD Drive:ASUS Burner w/ Lightscribe $32.99

PSU:Corsair 550W $79.99 (after rebate) Is this going to be a good enough brand and enough watts?

GPU:ASUS HD4850 $164.99 (after rebate)

Mobo:ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $129.99 (combo deal with GPU)

CPU cooler:Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 $31.99

HDD: I already bought the Seagate Barracuda 750 GB 7200.11 HDD. $119.99

OS:Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit $99.99 (couldn't get my academic discount for Ultimate :()

The total comes to $1,096.40. Am I forgetting anything? Are there any parts that will be bottlenecking my system? Basically, I just want ANY feedback for this build, as it's my first one. Please help!

Also, what would a good monitor be for this setup? I don't to get too pricey, but I don't want to skimp here either. Thanks for all your help!

My budget is going to try to be around $1000 without monitor. Here are the parts I have chosen so far:

Processor:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 $199.99

Case:Antec Nine Hundred $119.99

RAM:CORSAIR 2 x 2GB DDR2 $66.50 (after rebate) Is this brand okay or is there a different one I should go for instead?

DVD Drive:ASUS Burner w/ Lightscribe $32.99

PSU:Corsair 550W $79.99 (after rebate) Is this going to be a good enough brand and enough watts?

GPU:Decisions, decisions. I decided to go for a single card with no intention of CF or SLI in the future. I'm thinking the 4850. What about this one? Apparently this one has a 3 year warranty and software for fan control? Or is there another card I should choose instead?

Mobo:I don't know. I'm thinking a P35/P45. Would someone be able to give me some actual choices? I don't want to skimp here and bottleneck my system.

CPU cooler: What is a good cooler for my processor?

HDD:I already bought the Seagate Barracuda 750 GB 7200.11 HDD. $119.99

OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit $20 (academic discount)

The total comes to $839.44 not including the Mobo or cooler. Am I forgetting anything? Are there any parts that will be bottlenecking my system? Basically, I just want ANY feedback for this build, as it's my first one. Please help!

Also, what would a good monitor be for this setup? I don't to get too pricey, but I don't want to skimp here either. Thanks for all your help!

Frantz22

Get this mobo and this cooler if you want to overclock

If you're going single card, i would either look at getting whatever card you want in a double slot version or just buy an aftermarket VGA cooler. My .02sonicsurfer

That sounds like a good idea since I hear the 4850 runs hot. Could you point me to a double slot version of that card or a VGA cooler? I searched a bit, but didn't even know where to begin. Would I need to change my mobo if I did this?

Also, I updated my CPU cooler and Mobo. How do those look?

You should be ok with the 4850 stock cooling considering two things:

A future driver update should let you turn up it's fan speed. Or so I think that's what I understand from other people's post.

You've got an Antec 900. Just remember you will want an additonal fan for the side panel (the only unoccupied fan slot in the case). Like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209011

You should be ok with the 4850 stock cooling considering two things:

A future driver update should let you turn up it's fan speed. Or so I think that's what I understand from other people's post.

You've got an Antec 900. Just remember you will want an additonal fan for the side panel (the only unoccupied fan slot in the case). Like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835209011

WDT-BlackKat

Thanks for that. I was a little sketch on getting a double slot card. I am for sure picking up one of those fans as well. Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks for the advice. I've read around and am not too worried about the GPU temp. I will buy an aftermarket VGA cooler if I see that it gets too hot.

So the only questions I have left are on the RAM, the Mobo, and the GPU. For the GPU and RAM, I'm just wondering on the brand. Did I choose good brands for the 2 selections? For the mobo, I would just like more opinions on it. Should I get that mobo or is there a different one you suggest? And what about a monitor?

can anyone help me with these questions? sorry to ask again, i would just like to get the best bang for my buck.

I'd get the P5Q Pro; it's basically the same board, but with better heatsinks. I can't imagine the heatsinks on the P5Q getting you all that far in your overclocking attempts.

For the video card, I'll echo what others are saying and recommend a HD 4850. The performance that it delivers is great for the price. Also, if you get the ASUS version, you can get a combo deal with the P5Q Pro for an extra $30 off.

I'd go with this OCZ RAM. The Newegg reviews indicate that it should do well with overclocking.

I'd get the P5Q Pro; it's basically the same board, but with better heatsinks. I can't imagine the heatsinks on the P5Q getting you all that far in your overclocking attempts.

For the video card, I'll echo what others are saying and recommend a HD 4850. The performance that it delivers is great for the price.

I'd go with this OCZ RAM. The Newegg reviews indicate that it should do well with overclocking.

kodex1717

Could you get me a link for that mobo? Any thanks for the RAM advice, but that's only 2GB and I'm looking for 4GB any other suggestions? Thanks!

What about this RAM? And is this the mobo you're referring to?Frantz22

I dont think thats a "RAM" tho the Motherboard is good.

I like that ram but this one is the one for me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227276

For the GPU and RAM, I'm just wondering on the brand.

Frantz22

For the GPU, you did well in choosing the Asus brand. It's now 165$ including the MIR. Use the software that comes with it to control the fan speed, you won't need to buy an aftermarket cooler. Read the comments on newegg, some people have their card's temp at 45-50 C idle and 60 C on load.