Help Me Design My First Build

[MacDaddyGator]

Computer will be used for photo and video editing as well as some gaming, watching and recording TV and general use.

I would really love any suggestions you may have, especially any compatibility issues. I have never built a computer before, so I am worried about making stupid mistakes.

Intel Core 2 Quad QX6600 2.4GHz Processor $280.00
GIGABYTE P-35 DS3P $149.99
4GB DDRII Patriot 800MHzMemory (2X2) $219.99
150GB SATA WD Raptor 10,000rpm RAID 0 Strip $164.99
150GB SATA WD Raptor 10,000rpm RAID 0 Strip $164.99
1x 500GB SATA-II Western Digital $109.99
Nvidia 8800GTS 320MB PCIx Video Card $259.99
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit $199.99
Lite On Black 20X DVD SATA $32.99
Corsair 520W Power Supply $114.99
Mouse Logitech G5 $45.95
Case Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS $149.99

Do I need a CPU Cooler?

Monitor Suggestions? Want 22 or 24 inch non-glossy

Need TV Capture with DVR and Remote?

Keyboard?

Speakers?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[phucng_10]

Everything looks fine! Going with 2 WD 750GB and Raid 0 it would be the same as the 2 Raptors because the WD 750GB is nearly the same speed as the Raptors. CPU cooler would be recommended for the Q6600. I would suggest you to get the Tuniq Tower 120 from SVC.com since it's pretty cheap there. Uh oh! I also forgot about the RAM! Instead of those RAM's that you have posted up there, you can get the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800.

 

[Nick]

looks good remember a 64bot version of windows so you can use that 4GB RAM

 

[MacDaddyGator]

I also forgot about the RAM! Instead of those RAM's that you have posted up there, you can get the Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800.

Are you suggesting this memory for $359? Is it worth the extra money?

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX - Retail
Cas Latency: 5
Features: with DHX Technology
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 5-5-5-18
Model #: TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX
Item #: N82E16820145176
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

 

[b1gapl]

No it's the 2 x 1GB kit, with a CAS of 4.
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

 

[veg1992]

Are you suggesting this memory for $359? Is it worth the extra money?

CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX - Retail
Cas Latency: 5
Features: with DHX Technology
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 5-5-5-18
Model #: TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX
Item #: N82E16820145176
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

thats Corsairs ur looking at... he said 2gb Crucial Kit, look at b1gapl's post, and the price is still nice

 

[MacDaddyGator]

My bad. The only problem with the Crucial Kit is that it is 1MB sticks. I need two 2MB sticks. I want to keep the 2 other memory slots open for future expansion of RAM. Is the benefit of the Crucial Kit that it works great with overclocking, and the Patriot memory doesn't?

 

[Ronnie]

you mean 1GB stick
and i would suggest just getting 2GB instead of 4, it will be more then enough for games and then later you can add 2 more gigs when its necessary
yes that means you will be capped at 4x1GB sticks but that will be enough, by the time more then 4gb of ram will be used DDR3 will be mainstream

 

[MacDaddyGator]

I have been planning on using 4GB of RAM, because I want to be able to photo and video edit. It is my understanding that Photoshop will use 4GB of RAM. The extra cost is only about $100, so it seems like a good trade off.

 

[Ronnie]

if your going to use 4gb of ram then get 2 gskill 2x1gb ddr2 800 kits for 90 bucks each, and you will have 4gb in dual channel for 180 bucks