Critique my new build

[DAG]

Hi,

I'm about to order this:

INTEL, Core™ 2 Duo E6600 Dual-Core, 2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB L2 Cache, 65nm, 65W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
SERVICE, Do Not Overclock
ASUS, P5N32-E SLI Plus, LGA775, nForce 650i SLI, 1333MHz FSB, DDR2-800 8GB /4, PCIe x16 SLI /3, SATA 3Gb/s RAID 1/5, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW, ATX, Retail
CORSAIR, 2GB (2 x 1GB) XMS2 PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-12) SDRAM 240-pin DIMM, Non-ECC
eVGA, e-GeForce 7950GT KO Superclocked 600MHz, 512MB DDR3 1450MHz, PCIe x16, 2x DVI, HDTV/S-Video/Composite Out, Retail
WESTERN DIGITAL, 150GB WD Raptor®, SATA 150MB/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
WESTERN DIGITAL, 500GB WD Caviar® SE16, SATA II 300MB/s, 7200-RPM, 16MB cache
RAID, No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
MITSUMI, Black Internal 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
LITE-ON, LH-20A1H Black/White 20x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ LightScribe, EIDE/ATAPI, Retail
LIAN LI, V Cool PC-V1000BplusII W Black Mid-Tower Case w/ Window, ATX, No PSU, Aluminum
SEASONIC, M12 SS-700HM Power Supply, 700W, 24-pin ATX EPS12V, Dual +12V, SLI Certified
CUSTOM WIRING, Standard Wiring
MICROSOFT, Windows XP Professional Edition SP2b w/ Free Upgrade Coupon for Vista, OEM
GAMING PC, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)
SERVICE, Standard Shipping (UPS, DHL, or Fedex)

for $2328 + shipping

What would you change, if anything? I know this motherboard supports 1333 mhz FSB and can accept core 2 quad processors, so I am planning to upgrade that much later this year or next year to whatever next generation of quad core when/if bus speeds are 1333 mhz. And I'm going with the 7950 GT with plans to upgrade next year. I didn't add any CPU cooler beyond stock cooling, wasn't sure how neccessary that'd be with this setup? I am not really a hardcore gamer, but I am looking forward to Command and Conquer 3. Also, I don't plan to overclock, so I didn't think I'd need RAM with better timings- without overclocking, there wouldn't really be a noticeable performance increase with something like 4-4-4-12 RAM, would there?

 

[Sora]

This is a premade computer isnt it? If it was a piece by piece build I would suggest so many different things but since it's a prebuild I guess it's decent enough. Still it just seems like soooo much for what you are getting. For 2382 I could fit an 8800GTX in there easy and stuff. It's amazing how much cheaper and better it is when you build your own.

 

[DAG]

It's from http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_configurator.asp?PRID=7022 sort of like what monarch was before they bit the dust. You can pick from a long list of components for each thing.

Not interested in building it myself, I just want something that works and performs how I want it to, and that price even with shipping is still within my budget.

What would you suggest I change though?

 

[Ronnie]

yes build your own
saves you money and you get better parts

 

[DAG]

I really am not interested in building my own, or arguing it Thanks.

Just looking for advice here on part selection.

 

[Sora]

Thats just really expensive for what your getting...2300 and only a 7950GT???? I can fit an 8800GTX in a build around 1800 easily...I'd say look elsewhere.


That whole build...was it put together by your selection or already picked out? 700w is overkill usually for SLI 8800GTX..let alone a single 7950GT. Also for that mmuch money you would expect a really good 680i or 975 mobo but the one selected is only around 135...I don't see how that costs so much. Is that like CAD or something?

 

[DAG]

I've decided where to buy it, they have awesome resellerratings.com stats, and the money is not really an issue.
It will be a tax deduction, and I don't want to have to hassle with putting it together myself and hoping it works.

Besides the graphics card, what else would you change? Like I said, I am not a hardcore gamer. I play a few games a year, Command and Conquer 3 will be one of them.

 

[DAG]

To respond to your edit...no, I picked those parts myself. I just wanted some guidance if you think there is something else you'd change.

I went with 700W so I have some room for upgrading in the future, to quad cores and possibly an 8800 series GPU or R600.

 

[Sora]

Ok but you can build it from places like cyberpowerpc.com where you pick out the parts and they put it together is what I meant. I'm sorry that's just really sick to see those parts put together for around 800 more than they should be. It's not a bad build but expensive.

Aside from the card as that's not really the fastest out there, I would change to G.Skill ram as the XMS2 line of memory is really disappointing. The Mobo is a very good motherboard and overclocks well, awesome.

The case is good but I prefer a case like the Antec Nine Hundred which looks sick and performs excellent also. That case is well build but I think overpriced and is really plain....


EDIT: Also raptors aren't worth the performance. Just get two of the seagate 7200.10 and you will see very similar performance for around 200 cheaper.

In respond to your post I guess 700w is nice but a seasonic 700w is so expensive also...I just see a lot of wasted money man sorry I recommend builds on here to people looking to get the best bang for their buck and here you are telling me money isn't a problem. This may be true your right but I can just make things so much more powerful for that same price it pains me lol. It's tough for me to do this heh.

 

[DAG]

Specifically, do the timings on the RAM matter if I don't plan to overclock (will I notice any diff between 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-12), and do I need to upgrade from the stock cooling to something like a Scythe Mine?