Anything wrong/missing in this build? C2Q

[XTC]

So here it is, if I left out any important details I'm sure you guys will find it and ask

1) What will you be doing with this PC?
All the general stuff like web surfing, email, MS office etc. But the main focus will be on Photohop, a little bit with Premier, and some web dev. But Photoshop is the #1. Gaming is also of interest but isn't the top priority, not much time for games these days.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Started with a $1000 goal with hopes that it would stay under $1500. Right now I'm in the mid $1200's range without an OS, so I'm fairly on target and I'd like to keep the hardware right around the $1200 I'm at now.

3) Where do you live?
Washington state

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?
Everything except the parts listed below that are being reused.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
Dell 19" analog LCD (non-widescreen), keyboard, mouse, speakers and all my existing network equip. The monitor will be a near future upgrade, but ATM it's going to have to do.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not, I don't want to completely rule it out, but it's not too important, if it OC's decently then I'm happy, I don't need to have it cranked way up.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
19" 4:3 Dell. Will be upgraded sometime soon

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as I get everything figured out.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard?
RAID would be the one thing that I would really like to keep as an option, I'm borderline thinking of adding another drive to this build and doing a mirroring setup.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
The OS is my sticking point, I can't decide if I want XP 64 or if I should just get Vista 64. All my past experiences with Vista have ended in frusteration. My thought is that if I'm going to be frusterated and have to fiddle around with an OS I might as well just install the Windows 7 beta and not have to pay for something that I have to tinker with. Has Vista come along enough to be worth my money?

Here's the Hardware list, first a link to a Newegg wishlist if that's easier...
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=10653106

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBPK - Retail

Antec Signature SG850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3LR LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

NZXT HUSH Black SECC Steel/ Aluminum/ Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

I chose a case that says it's made to be extra quiet which I would appreciate, but I don't want to build a system that's going to run hot because I insulated it with noise dampening material which this case comes with.

I was originally going to build an i7 based system but it seems like it just costs too much more based on what I tried to put together, but if you guys can come up with a solution that will put me in the same horsepower range with an i7 I'm certainly open to that as well.

 

[BikePilot]

imho its not really worth going with DDR3 on a socket 775 board. The EP45-UD3P or Asus P5Q-E with DDR2 should work out pretty much the same in terms of performance and would save you a lot of $$. I'd probably up it to 8gb for good measure as the ram is quite inexpensive.

The PSU you've listed is a great one but quite a bit more than you need for that system. A corsair HX620 would be more than enough (or if you don't need modular the TX650 would save you even more $$).

 

[SixtyWattMan]

I agree with everything BikePilot said. If you plan on doing crossfire keep the Antec 850, that's actually a half decent price for it and it's a really great power supply. Pretty much any other ATI company is better than Sapphire though so I would suggest buying from a different manufacterer.

Try ASUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121291
or if you can pony up the money get XFX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150339

 

[Dangman]

I concur with BikePilot and SixtyWattMan: Ditch the DDR3 RAM setup since C2D based systems do not take advantage of DDR3 RAM. Go with any of those mobos instead:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Motherboard - $135

RAM wise, I recommend this set:
G.Skill F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 1000 RAM - $50

The PSU is a little overkill (in terms of price) as BikePilot noted. I recommend these other PSUs instead:
PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W PSU - $100
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $120
Corsair 850TX 850W PSU - $140

OS wise, I recommend trying out the Windows 7 beta. While 7 isn't as well supported as Vista, consider that Win7 is free until July 1, 2009, which by that time there should be more info about the actual release date for Windows 7 OR a release candidate of Windows 7. So personally, I recommend using the Windows 7 beta until August 1 and then decide whether to go with Vista or continue to wait for Windows 7.

If Windows 7 beta does not turn out well for you, at least all it cost you was a DVD. Maybe lost data if you didn't keep backups.

Oh and I highly recommend going through this thread if you go with Windows 7 to get an idea of what apps and hardware do or do no work with Windows 7:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1383603