Spec check/advice

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Based this around one of OcUK pre-builts as I'm trying to cut costs a little

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
Abit IX38 QuadGT Intel X38 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Platinum Series DDR2
Powercolor ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
OCZ StealthXStream 600w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Power Supply
Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer 7.1 Sound Card - Retail
Samsung SM-206BW 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black
Saitek Eclipse 2 Illuminated Keyboard
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)

Total - £970inc VAT

Currently own a laptop hence the need for moniter/keyboard etc

Ideally I'd still like to shave a few ££ off the price. Originally had the 9800X2 on there but opted for the 4870 as it was advertised as the most powerful. I know I could go for the 4850, but I'd like this to last a good few years cause I'm cheap :p

So if you can help shave a few £ that would be great :D also add anything I might have missed out.
 
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shaffaaf27's options look very solid.

Only thing I'd change from his list is the ram to G.Skill but that's just simply down to personal preference.

The Samsung Spinpoints are very quiet drives, getting the OEM version of the Q6600 means you can get a better heatsink and the Tuniq Tower is fantastic for it's price.

Only thing missing is the soundcard, but then you've got to ask yourself... do you really need one? Onboard chips have got very good in the last year or two... they obviously can't compete with high-end soundcards but they've come on a fair bit.
 
Sound card I'm not too bothered about for the time being. I can always buy one next payday if I feel the need.

I know a guy that worked on the 280 gfx card, he said with the new driver release coming soon the 280 is going to blow everything out of the water. Seems a little over priced to me though.

I'm looking to hook my PS3 up to the monitor as well. My TV really doesn't do it justice at the minute.
 
After a little thinking and a few calculations I figured to go a little more extreme.

Q6600 - I'll overclock to 3GHz like everyone else
Abit IX38 QuadGT Intel X38
Point of View GeForce 280
GeIL Black Dragon 2x2GB 800MHz DDR2
Samsung Spinpoint F1 500GB
Tuniq Tower
OcUK Value 24"
Antec Nine Hundred
Corsair TX 650 ATX2.2
Vista Prem 64bit

Not too worried about a soundcard, I mainly use headphones anyway. Basically modified shaffaaf27's suggestion.

Unsure on the PoV 280. It's the cheapest of the lot, but seems pretty much the same as the more expensive options.

Is the Abit MOBO worth the extra few ££? or is the Asus more then good enough? Would be looking to add another 280 in a few months.

I've never actually built a rig before so any input on extras required would be great.
 
with intel chipsets (x38/x48/p45) only crossfire is a viabel option. and the p45s are clocking much better than the x38/x48s, so if you are going down the nividia route, you cannot SLI, therefore go for P45 if i were you.
 
What about waiting 2 weeks for new E8400/E8500 with E0 stepping ? ;-). I guess you're all about games and I would pick those instead of q6600 anytime.

Also I would go with a 4850 for this X38 mobo, and then if you decide that you need more power ( which im obviously 100% sure you wont need soon - trust me ) then you just add another one and xfire them.

Too many ppl around go for all the new shiney and expensive stuff while mostly they dont need it. It's fun to see ppl that gamed on old 1650XT for 3yrs on 1280x1024 and then they tell you they want 4870 because 4850 is too slow :/.

If you're getting x38 mobo then obviously just pick 4850 and im sure you will be happy with it, then if not , just add second one, thats the best option performance/price atm.

Or you can swap the single 4850 for 4870x2 later. No point buying 4870 just because you might need it in a half year or year time.
 
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