Building a new pc, could use some comments

[bbqsauced]

In about two weeks, I'm looking to purchase a new pc which I'll build myself. I've only built one other before, and it was a very low quality system, but I think I can handle everything for the most part.

Anyhow, this is what I'm lookin at:

CPU: Intel C2D E6600 - $222.90
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 - $114.99
Memory: Patriot 2x 1GB DDR2 800 - $118.99($73.99)
Case: Raidmax Smilodon w/ 500w power supply - $89.99($69.99)
Monitor: Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" - $199.99($169.99)
HD: Seagate Barracuda 320gb - 79.99
Graphics Card: Kind of unsure in this area, since the 8800GTS is out of my price range. Here is what I was looking at:
XFX GeForce 7900GS 256MB - $169.99($129.99)
Sapphire Radeon X1950PRO 512MB - $179.99

Media: LITE-ON Black with LightScribe Technology - $31.99

Those are the basics I guess. As for the keyboard and mouse, I'll probably pick something from Logitech, I don't know if I want to spend money on the G5 mouse or G11 keyboard though. Same goes with speakers.

My big areas of question are the graphics card, and possibly the memory, since I know nothing about timings or whatever. I've also never overclocked, but with this combo I hear it's very doable. I can probably figure out how to do it, I'll just have to play it safe.

Anyhow, should I consider buying an aftermarket cooler, such as the Big Typhoon? And can anyone give any estimates on the performance I could get out of this gaming wise? (Ex: Oblivion on max, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[maroon1]

Change the CPU and motherboard to these

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Newegg.com - MSI P35 Neo-F LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Or this motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And for the video card, the performance difference between 7900GS and X1950pro is not too big, I would get 7900GS since it is about $50 cheaper

I would get this one because it has higher clock speed than XFX 7900GS and cheaper
Newegg.com - Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2-OC GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

 

[Nagasama]

you wont max out oblivion with a single 7900gs, i dont think. but, i dont know...i dont have that game. with two, and that cpu oc'd a little, i would say you will be able to use maximum settings with pretty much everything out today. i play every game i own turned up full tilt with mine.
i suggest a high end 8 series card, if you want that kind of performance without sli.
listen to maroon, he knows c2d builds, and also quite a bit more about graphics solutions than myself.

 

[Static_11]

Mouse- MX518
Keyboard - Saitek Eclipse



awesome set up , the mouse is logitech too. this set up is awesome, i love it.

Oh, and the saitek is like 20-30 bucks cheaper than the logitech keyboard.

 

[bbqsauced]

Change the CPU and motherboard to these

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Newegg.com - MSI P35 Neo-F LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Or this motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And for the video card, the performance difference between 7900GS and X1950pro is not too big, I would get 7900GS since it is about $50 cheaper

I would get this one because it has higher clock speed than XFX 7900GS and cheaper
Newegg.com - Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2-OC GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail

Do you have any info on that Asus mobo? I might pick that one up instead of my previous choice, but I haven't heard anything about it.

Mouse- MX518
Keyboard - Saitek Eclipse



awesome set up , the mouse is logitech too. this set up is awesome, i love it.

Oh, and the saitek is like 20-30 bucks cheaper than the logitech keyboard.

I'm definitely aiming for the MX518. Still not sure about the keyboard, but the Eclipse is definitely among the choices.

 

[Invisible]

the G11 is better than the eclipse...
i personally think the g15 is the best keyboard out there but its $63

 

[bbqsauced]

the G11 is better than the eclipse...
i personally think the g15 is the best keyboard out there but its $63

I might get the G15, but like I said, I'm not too worried about input devices. I'd like to get some more info on that Asus board, or maybe any other recommendations for a board paired with the E6550. (It's cheaper.)