Please Check my Build

[rushtodeath]

I am trying to build a computer for under 1500 that can give me the most gaming performance possible for the money. While I have built a PC before (its about 5 years old and still chuggin along!) I still may not be 100% sure if the things I have picked out will be compatible with one another. Also, you may offer any suggestions if you would like - I am trying to build the most balanced system possible and I still might have messed up.

So without further ado:

AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition 2.5 Ghz Quad Core
ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe Mobo
ASUS Radeon HD4850
G-Skill 4GB DDR 1066
Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200 RPM X 2 (will be in Raid 0)
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V
CoolerMaster Cosmos
ZALMAN CNPS9700
ASUS VW222U LCD Monitor
Windows Vista 64 Bit

Do you think it was a bad idea to go AMD/ATi? I didn't think I could get the same performance for the cost.

 

[Dangman]

Got some questions:

- Will you be overclocking?
- What features do you need in a motherboard?
- Which Seagate 320GB drives will you be buying? The 7200.11 or 7200.10? and how much for each?
- Which edition of Vista will you be buying?

I won't comment on the AMD setup until the above questions are answered. Till then though, some other parts criticism:

Ditch the Zalman. Overpriced for the cooling performance it provides. I recommend these significantly better HSF:
OCZ OCZTVEND2 Vendetta 2 120 Rifle HSF - $35
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37 & Retention Bracket - $7
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm HSF - $50

 

[brons2]

Most gaming performance for $1500? I think you can do much, much better than this.

For starters:
Intel E8400
Some variant of the Asus P5Q
Maybe step down to DDR2-800?
4870

...unless you really want AMD for other reasons, then it's a fine choice.

 

[HardwareGuru]

Hehe, I will make a comment on that AMD Phenom 9850, don't go with this cpu whether you do O/C or not. At stock speed, a Q6600 will still overall beat that Phenom 9850 at a cheaper cost. O/C the Q6600 then it is over. The PC Power & Cooling is a good PSU but, for similar specs but, at a cheaper cost, you can get the Corsair TX750 at a better deal than that PC Power & Cooling PSU.

 

[Dangman]

Another comment: For a $1500 budget, you could definitely fit in the HD4870.

 

[HardwareGuru]

I wouldn't bother spending more money on 2 x 320gig drives for a RAID 0 setup, save some money and just get 1 x WD 640 gig WD6400AAKS drive. Plus, the WD 640 gig is fast. As Danny and Brons2 mentioned earlier, you can step it up to a HD4870 with your budget. With a tweak to your OP setup, I not surprised you can up your 22" ASUS LCD to a 24" LCD also.