Final gaming spec - ok?

[HummuH1]

After weeks of deliberation, I'm going to have a stab at my first "self build". An expensive experiment if it all goes wrong, but who cares!

The spec I've chosen is as follows:

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk

Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU

Asus DRW-1814BLT 18x18 DVD±RW Serial ATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter

OcUK GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

Intel Core 2 Quad LGA775 Q6600 GO SLACR 2.40GHz Retail / Abit IP35 Pro / 2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500C5 DDR2 Dual Channel Kit, ThermalRight SI-128 Cooler - Bundle

Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB ST3500630AS SATA-II 16MB Cache

Total cost is £1,044 inc. VAT. I don't intend to overclock straight away, I'm getting a cooler just in case I tinker at a later date.

Any comments? Do you think that a relative noob can peice all this together?

Cheers.

 

[mp260767]

things to have a look at :

swap the ip35 pro for the ip35.

the ballistix 8500 for the 6400.

vista : maybe think of going for the 64bit version.

hard disk: check the western digital AAKS 500gb drive, supposed to be very quiet and very quick.

wouldnt bother getting the cooler straight away unless you intend to fit it at the time of the build.

you should be fine,just take you're time give yourself as much room and light as possible.

 

[HummuH1]

Cheers mp,

My technical knowledge is poor so please bear with me:

things to have a look at :

swap the ip35 pro for the ip35.

the ballistix 8500 for the 6400.

Why?

Only reason I'm going for the above was because of the bundle, which seemed good. I'd quite like to install an uprated cooler at day 1, simply to avoid doing it at a later date.

I've thought about going down the 64-bit route and whilst I know drivers are getting better, I'm going to stick with 32-bit Vista in the meantime.

Saving £/p here and there is not so much an issue. I just want to build (and understand how its all put together!) a pc that will get me through the next couple of years worth of games. So, having a good stock/base system is more important, as I may not OC later.

Ta.

 

[mp260767]

memory 8500-6400:
unless you're going to overclock the system a lot can't see a need for the 8500 (1066mhz) memory.

ip35 over ip35pro:
only reason is i cant see anything obvious that accounts for the difference in price that is worthwhile, apologies if it is something obvious and i've missed it.

may be worth a check in the motherboard forum.

cooler wise the tuniq tower 120 is said to be pretty good so may be worth a look.

as an update i cant see a reason to go vista 32 over xp home/pro.

have a look around and make posts for any kit you think you might have problems with 64 bit drivers for and see how u stand.