Building a new computer

[Offbeat]

This will be my first build. It's a graduation/Christmas present for myself, and my budget is around $1500 not including monitor, mouse, keyboard etc.

I'll be doing some video editing, but this computer is mostly for gaming, mainly World of Warcraft. I know the game itself isn't graphic intensive, but I would like to get the smoothest frames possible while Frapsing at high settings. I'm not sure which piece of hardware Fraps utilizes; a good CPU, memory, a fast HDD, or a combination of all of them.

I do plan on overclocking.

I have a OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU from my old computer that I can use, but I thought that I might want a modular PSU, because of the clutter. I'm not sure what I'm doing as far as that goes. I have windows XP; I'm not sure if I should give Vista a try or not.

So far, this is what's on my list. If I haven't said anything about the piece of hardware, I still need it. (DVD-ROM, HDD, Case, etc.)

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - G0 stepping
-ABIT IP35 Pro
-EVGA 8800GT 512MB - can't seem to find in stock
-2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800

All suggestions and advice are very appreciated.

 

[RoBo]

DVD: Anything SATA really, Dual Layer is the norm.
HDD: Seagate 7200.10 of you desired capacity.
CASE: Personal choice here.

XP vs Vista

If you get the rig after Vista SP1 is released then go for it, otherwise I would choose XP.

Although you might be able to use a Vista Key for a XP install, food for thought.

 

[Offbeat]

So Fraps doesn't make use of a faster HDD? or what.

And I'm seeing bad things about Crucial, so that brand on my list may change.

 

[Dangman]

Dunno. Haven't used FRAPs that much. But if I were to venture a guess, it's most likely CPU and videocard dependent.

Also, if you want a modular PSU, I recommend any of these PSUs:
Corsair HX520 520W PSU - $104
Corsair HX620 620W PSU - $144

And FYI, that GameXStream PSU that you have has out of spec ripple or voltage fluctuations at high loads that can damage your parts over time. Though you may not reach those high loads with your PC, so it may be ok for your new system. However, I do recommend getting any of the Corsair PSU I listed to rule out any potential problems.

Also, since you're overclocking, I recommend getting this HSF combo to cool down that Q6600:
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3

Though if you want maximum air cooling, I recommend this HSF combo as well:
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57 & Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

Also, get that Ballistix RAM right NOW from buy.com for $60:
http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-bal...-240-pin-ddr2-memory/q/loc/101/202541818.html

Most of the problems with Crucial Ballistix RAM was with the DDR version IIRC. The DDR2 version is very reliable.

 

[Offbeat]

Okay, so an update on my list.

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - G0 stepping - $273.00
-ABIT IP35 Pro - $179.50
-EVGA 8800GT 512MB - can't seem to find in stock - $289.99
-2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 - $59.90
-LIAN LI PC-V1000BPlus II - $219.99
-Corsair 620HX - $143.90
-Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57
-ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $18.99
-SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA - $29.00
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB - $69.99

Total: $1341.26

Maybe I'll get another 2GB of Ballistix; I don't need to hit that $1500 budget, I'll save my parents some money. lol

 

[Markdek]

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - G0 stepping - $273.00
>E6750 (to hold you over till Penryn)
-ABIT IP35 Pro - $179.50
>Asus P5K Deluxe (a stable overclocker; low vdroop; if you're going to spend $180+)

-EVGA 8800GT 512MB - can't seem to find in stock - $289.99
-2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800 - $59.90
-LIAN LI PC-V1000BPlus II - $219.99
-Corsair 620HX - $143.90
-Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57
-ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive - $18.99
-SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA - $29.00
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB - $69.99

Total: $1341.26

ALL ELSE looks pretty good.

H@ll, your original list looks good.

 

[Offbeat]

>E6750 (to hold you over till Penryn)

E6750 could be a possibility. I'm not so sure I'll get a Penryn so quickly, I havn't read much about them. Am I going to need a new motherboard, or do they use the LGA775 socket?

 

[Dangman]

They use the LGA775 socket and any mobo with the P35, X48, G33, G35, 680i, or 850i chipsets will support Penryn CPUs. '

Also, as for your plan to get 4 x 1GB Ballistix RAM: Don't. Well at least do a little more research in the Memory and/or Overclocking subforums for more info. It seems that overclocking with 4 RAM modules with some motherboards and even entire chipsets can either limit your OC or make an OC unstable. So do a little more research and see if the Ip35 Pro can OC with 4 x 1GB sticks with a Q6600.

Oh and you should get a fan for that Ultra 120 Extreme to cool your CPU even better:
Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

 

[engiNURD]

Looks good. If you don't plan on upgrading the CPU so soon, then just stick with the Q6600. And, if you were planning on upgrading it so soon, you might as well go cheaper and get the E4500 for $120 or the E2160 for $80 instead.