This is my computer so far....what do we think

gramgram88

n00b
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Jul 7, 2008
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So far this is what ive come up with

Case: Cooler Master 690
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
Video Card: XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported
Power Supply: XION XON-630P12N 630W ATX12V Power Supply 115/ 230 V RoHS, UL, CE, CB, CSA, FCC, TUV, Demko, Nemko, SEMCO
Fan: ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

I am having trouble picking a motherboard. Can anyone help me with this?

Also what does everyone think of this combination? What is wrong? What do i need?

This is getting a bit expensive and I was wondering if anyone can help me get less/equal performance while saving me some money. I just want to use the computer to design websites.

Thank you.
 
Drop the PSU. It's not a good choice. Spend the extra $5 for this better quality PSU:
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $60

Drop the Zalman HSF. There are MUCH better HSF for the price:
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37 & Retention Bracket - $7
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm HSF - $50
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3

Drop the video card. For just $10 more, you can get double the gaming performance of that 8600GT card:
ASUS EN9600GSO GeForce 9600 GSO 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $100

Though will you actually be gaming on this system?

Some motherboard recommendations:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $90
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $150
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $185
Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 Intel X48 Motherboard - $225

Just to help you out: Everyone of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you don't need more than 6 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, and high overclocks, then get the DS3R. If you like the DS3R but need 8 SATA ports, want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup or don't need a second gigabit port, get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38.
 
just for design websites? I think we can help save a significant amount of money. Do you really need a quad core cpu?
 
I am just going to be using the computer for designing websites. I guess I really don't need a quad processor but I have heard how ridiculously fast the computer is and how many programs can be run at one time.

What are your recommendations to help save me some money?

I honestly don't know what to get. I have been going off of recommendations and revies, but since I will not be gaming I figured I can cut down on a few things.
 
For just designing websites, I recommend this:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 CPU - $130
Gigabyte GA-G33M-S2L Intel G33 mATX Motherboard - $95
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $62
Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU - $60
Antec 300 ATX Case - $60
----
Total: $452 plus tax and shipping.

The motherboard has onboard video so no need for a video card. If you can afford it, I recommend bumping up to 4GB of RAM just for the extra oomph:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $84

Though I highly recommend getting a prebuilt. From www.gotapex.com:
$499: Inspiron 530 mini desktop with 2.4Ghz Core 2 Quad Q6600, 3GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500GB HD, 16x DVD+/-RW, and Windows Vista Premium, expiring 7/17/08. DELL INSPIRON 530 DESKTOP DEAL

That's a pretty awesome deal on a PC and will be more than enough for web design.
 
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thanks man that looks good!

i already have the cooler master 690.

what should i do about fans and powersupply?
 
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