upgrade options

[mykyi]

Currently building a new pc this is what i have so far, tell me what you think?

Antec true power 500w
Asus p5nsli
xfx 7800gt
Antec p180
20 gig maxtor (operating system)
120 gig seagate (other stuff)

I'm thinking about the conroe e6600 but i have no idea what kind of memory to get. I want to get at least 2 gig but I don't want to spend $250, any good cheap reliable ram?

I want this build to last at least 2-3 years, i don't plan on overclocking.

Also, Is it worth the extra money for the e6600? or is the e6400 sufficient .

I'll be doing lots of gaming and some photo and audio editing.

Thanks---YI

 

[engiNURD]

Since you won't be overclocking, just get the cheapest 2gb ddr2 533-800 kit you can find. Core2Duo doesnt benefit from faster ram as much as you'd think (unlike a64's). If the E6600 fits your budget, and since you wont be overclocking nor upgrading until a few years later, yes, the E6600 is worth the extra money.

Here's a newegg search for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...deValue=524:10501&PropertyCodeValue=524:16064

I'd go for these sticks:
$220-40 - pqi TURBO 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 PQI25400-2GDB ($40 MIR)
CPU Ratio // Memory Speed // Best Memory Timings // Voltage
4:3 // DDR2 400 // 3-2-2-5 // 2.0V ..... 1:1 // DDR2 533 // 3-2-2-7 // 2.0V
4:5 // DDR2 667 // 3-2-3-9 // 2.2V ..... 2:3 // DDR2 800 // 4-3-3-9 // 2.2V

Your computer is as fast as your slowest component. Don't waste your time with a 20GB HDD. Get a faster SATA300 drive, like the Seagate 7200.10 320GB for only $95. If thats out of your price range, the 160GB SATA300 drives go for $55:
$43 - HITACHI Deskstar 7K160 HDS721680PLA380 80GB 7200RPM SATA300 8MB Cache
$55 - WD Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 SATA300 8MB Cache
$70 - WD Caviar SE WD2500JS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 8MB Cache
$78 - WD Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$95 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200RPM SATA3G 16MB Cache