Been out of loop - Spec Check & advice please!

[InQ]

I've been out of the desktop loop for around 2 years now (Opteron 146 o/c was my last desktop!) and i've had just a Dell laptop for around 18 months.
This has served me well until now were i feel the latest games are not running to great...an upgrade is in order!
Now a new laptop with the mobile 8800GT is gonna be circa £1500 so a new desktop is again on the agenda.

I've specced the following without really looking at to many reviews, i need everything bar a mouse after selling my whole desktop setup:-

OK some questions...

1. I assume the memory speed is fine for this system, i have no plans to overclock. PC5400 DDR2 is stock stuff for this CPU?

2. I assume the 500W EarthWatts PSU is up to the task, i have read its a rebranded Seasonic model so that should = goodness?! I have gone for this as the price of the Sonata 3 is good and the case size is a bit smaller than most other ATX cases.

3. Is the Asus P5K-E Wifi a solid board? I have always bought Asus in the past as they have been, in my eyes, about the best out there consistently...is this still the case? i also need a wifi adapter to connect to my router in another room, does this Asus wifi adapter work well?

4. A 22" screen is about the max size i can get as i'm planning on a small 75cm x 75cm desk, speakers either side, sub and case underneath. The LG seems to get good reviews from websites and buyers alike, price is good and it has DVI...seems a winner in my book?

I am also open to a different spec if people want to suggest something superior? Budget is around the £800 mark from O/C though truth be told i can get it for ~£50 less all in local to me!

TIA for any help.

 

[semi-pro waster]

1. The memory is fine but given the prices I'd go with PC6400, it will only cost a couple of pounds more and it at least gives you the option of overclocking if you change your mind.

2. The PSU is easily sufficient.

3. The motherboard is a decent enough choice, I don't know how good the Wifi is but the motherboard itself is solid.

4. I'd suggest checking the monitors sub-forum but for what it is worth I've got an old LG tft and it is fantastic.

I'd consider getting a Q6600 instead of the E6750, the price difference is relatively small and since you don't seem a frequent upgrader it could be worth the extra.

 

[InQ]

Thanks.

Upgrading wise i try to do it once a year in general, been a bit longer this time cus i couldnt upgrade the laptop.

PS is the Q6600 a lot faster than the E6750? does XP utiliser the quad core fully?

 

[semi-pro waster]

It depends on what you are doing, the Q6600 is slower per core but it does clock well and if the application is optimised for multiple cores then obviously it becomes a lot quicker. Windows should utilise the cores properly but if necessary you can always assign tasks to specific cores so you could be rendering on one core say but browsing the internet on another and listening to music on the third etc etc.