What do you think of this build?

A

alpha33385

New Member
Ok...so my budget is around $3500, but I'd prefer to spend roughly $3300 (so I have money for extras...better keyboard, mouse, etc.).

Here's the current build:

Processor: Intel E6850, 3.0GHz Dual Core - $285.90 at ZipZoomfly
Link

RAM: 2 x Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (a total of 4GB) - $122.98 for both, after 2 $50 rebates at Newegg
Link

I do want 4GB of ram since I'll be doing photo editing with Huge panorama picures

Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme - $299.99 at Newegg
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CD Drives 1 and 2: Lite-On 20x SATA DVD Burner w/ Lightscribe (1 retail, 1 OEM) - $75.88 for both at Newegg
Link for the retail, OEM is the same

Memory Card Reader/Floppy: SIIG JU-91RW12-S4 9-in-1 USB 2.0 Card Reader/Write + Floppy - $39.99 at Newegg
Link

Monitor # 1: HP w2408 24" 1920x1200 Monitor - $599.99 at Fry's
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Monitor # 2: HP w2207 22" 1680x1050 Monitor - $359.99 at Fry's
Fry's has the monitor's resolution wrong, by the way...I checked HP's website
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Power Supply: Ultra X3 1000w - $255.99 at ZipZoomfly
Link

Sound Card: Creative Labs X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion - $114.99 after $50 rebate at ZipZoomfly
Link

Speakers: Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 Surround - $84.99 after $40 rebate at Newegg
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CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9700 NT (110mm fan w/ Green LED's) - $59.99 at Newegg
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So here's where I'm not so sure about things... I've got a couple of options. I'll just say what the options are, then list the info for the stuff below.

Option 1: Case = Raptor X special edition by ClearComptuerCase, 150 GB Raptor X Hard Drive, Additional 500GB WD5000AAKS

Option 2: Mid-Tower by ClearPC, 500GB WD5000AAKS

The first case only has 3 fans, all 120mm; front, back, top. The second case would have 5 fans, 2 120mm in the front and back, 2 80mm on the side, and an 80mm on the top. I'm wondering if those 3 120mm fans would be enough cooling.

ClearPC MidTower Case - $157.95
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Raptor X Case - $129.95
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RaptorX Hard Drive - $169.99 after $30 Rebate at Newegg
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WD 500GB WD5000AAKS Hard Drive - $107.90 at ZipZoomfly
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As for the GPU, I'm going to start off with a single 8800GTS 640MB card, try some games out, then if I need to, add a second one in SLI.

GPU: XFX 8800GTS 640MB Factory Oc'ed to 580MHz core and 1800Mhz Memory - $369.99 after $40 rebate at newegg
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Let me know what you think...any help is appreciated!
 
If you get an EVGA 8800 GTS if you don't find you have enough power you can "step up" to an 8800GTX or Ultra by paying the difference between the one you have and the one you want.
 
Froboy7391_99 said:
If you get an EVGA 8800 GTS if you don't find you have enough power you can "step up" to an 8800GTX or Ultra by paying the difference between the one you have and the one you want.
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This will work only in the 90 days after buying the card, but still a great choice
 
Looks like a sick build... I would go with a GTX like people are saying... and I think raptor drives are overrated...
 
I would just get a 500gb WD if thats all the space you need... I really don't think you'll notice the difference in speed... its minimal
 
from a computer industry perspective, id stay away from WD and Maxtor drives. Hitachi makes some of the more reliable ones. Ditto for seagate...
 
cheburns said:
I have six western digital drives... none have ever given me a problem. So to each their own.
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that's great, but with over 5 years experience working at dell and seeing all the apollo failures and the ensuing corporate drama from that fiasco, i think i have a somewhat larger perspective than just six drives...but then again, im happy yours have worked just fine!

..im not mad atcha!
 
Well they all get great reviews on newegg too so I'm not the only one who likes them... but true I don't have your perspective. I've heard seagate is the best way to go these days tho
 
cheburns said:
Well they all get great reviews on newegg too so I'm not the only one who likes them... but true I don't have your perspective. I've heard seagate is the best way to go these days tho
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yeh, believe it or not but fujitsu continues to make great drives as well...not sure why maxtor/wd have always had higher failure rates :confused:
 
WD drives had problems with 1 model, they got sued over it and lost and had to do a massive recall. Since then, and before then, they have been the best drives going (not just my opinion)

Maxtor has always been trash.

Seagate makes some very good drives.

Dell rep huh? :eek: J/k

So, does Dell really use low cost junk and charge a premium for it? Just asking, since that is what every one says anyways.
 
paratwa said:
WD drives had problems with 1 model, they got sued over it and lost and had to do a massive recall. Since then, and before then, they have been the best drives going (not just my opinion)

Maxtor has always been trash.

Seagate makes some very good drives.

Dell rep huh? :eek: J/k

So, does Dell really use low cost junk and charge a premium for it? Just asking, since that is what every one says anyways.
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im not a dell rep and i havent worked there for two years now...i moved on to better things ;) they are/were like walmart, harrass their vendors into giving them products they want at prices they set with warranty/rebate conditions they set.
 
systek said:
im not a dell rep and i havent worked there for two years now...i moved on to better things ;) they are/were like walmart, harrass their vendors into giving them products they want at prices they set with warranty/rebate conditions they set.
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So it's what everyone thinks, Dell just installs the cheapest stuff they have laying around and sells it for high prices.
 
paratwa said:
So it's what everyone thinks, Dell just installs the cheapest stuff they have laying around and sells it for high prices.
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it's a little more complicated than that. as we all know, component prices are always changing, so they try to keep as little inventory on hand as possible. so yes, you may get a cheap maxtor drive when you buy it, but if it is replaced under warranty, you may get a hitachi drive of the same size or larger a few years down the road, or as soon as a week after having it in your home...u just never know.
 
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