New computer suggestions please

[YZF600]

Hello. I know these questions get asked all the time, but I need some help. I am thinking of getting a new computer, mainly for gaming, word processing and web surfing, etc. I would appreciate some feedback on what I am thinking of putting together since I am by no means a computer expert. Would this system be overkill to run most games maxed out? Is there anything I can swap out to save money and still get good performance? Anyways, here is what I am thinking about:



PROCESSOR Intel® Core™2 Quad-Core Processor Q9550 at 2.83GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 12M Cache

POWER Cooler Master Real Power Pro nVidia-SLI Certified 1000Watt Power Supply

MB CORE LOGIC MSI X48 Platinum Intel X48 DDR3 w/1600MHz FSB & Gen 2 Crossfire

MEMORY 4GB Corsair TWIN3X2048-1333C9 CL9 X 2 DDR3 1333MHz Memory (4 X 1024MB)

VIDEO CARD CROSSFIRE SLOT 1 ATI Radeon HD4850 512MB DDR3 @625MHz w/PCI Express, DVI and TV Out

VIDEO CARD CROSSFIRE SLOT 2 ATI Radeon HD4850 512MB DDR3 @625MHz w/PCI Express, DVI and TV Out

OPTICAL DRIVE 1 ASUS Internal SATA 2014BLT 20X LIGHTSCRIBE DVD+/- RW + CDRW Rewritable Drive

OPTICAL DRIVE 2 ASUS Internal SATA 2014BLT 20X LIGHTSCRIBE DVD+/- RW + CDRW Rewritable Drive

SOUND Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Retail Edition

MONITOR Viewsonic VG2230WM 22" Widescreen 1680X1050 700:1 5ms LCD Monitor

SPEAKERS Altec Lansing V2421W 2.1 3-Channel Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer KEYBOARD Logitech G15 USB Gaming Keyboard w/LCD

OPERATING SYSTEM Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Professional Edition w/Original Disc

Thank you for taking time to read my post and help me.

 

[veg1992]

It seems you're buying this from a custom builder... I recommend you build it yourself... heres whats wrong with what you have:

Q9550 = overpriced at $513 right now... wait for the price drop or stick with a q6600 or q6700

PSU: Highly overboard... you could get away with a Corsair 650tx easily...

Board: consider an X48 alternative that doesn't use DDR3

RAM: (read above)

Optical Drive: you don't need two DVD-RW's, just get one DVD-RW, and one DVD-ROM

Sound Card: thats not a true X-Fi card, its just a rebranded Creative Live! Card

OS: Maybe consider Vista Home Premium 64bit, because your build is quite good, and can handle it

 

[Redmo0n]

Don't get a sound card unless your hooking up a big sound system, onboard sound is great, and will be fine for gaming, videos, music.

 

[YZF600]

Thank you guys for the advice so far. If I wanted to save a bit of money on the processor, which one would I be better off with?

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E8500 at 3.16GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 6M Cache or a Core 2 Quad Q9450 at 2.6GHz?

Is there any real difference between the E8500 and the E8400?

 

[veg1992]

Just 160mhz, and the e8500 has a 10x Mutliplier, but its not worth it in my opinion.

I wouldn't get the q9450 either, unless you have a really good board to overclock it. Due to it having a low 8x Multiplier, I say stick with a Q6600 instead.

 

[AP4LIFETN]

q9450 has a 8x multi, E8500 has a 9.5x multi, E8400 has a 9x multi, E8500 is 160mhz faster

 

[veg1992]

Ya I meant to say .16 ghz faster my bad..

8x Multiplier is still a pain to overclock with though (plus its low FSB Hole)

 

[YZF600]

Sorry to keep bothering you guys. I do appreciate the responses. I have another question. What is the difference between the

Core 2 Quad-Core Q6600 at 2.40 and the Core 2 Quad-Core Q9450 at 2.66. Is one of these better than the other?

Thanks again.

 

[AP4LIFETN]

Q6600 has a FSB of 1066, and a 9x multiplier...Q9450 has a FSB of 1333, and a 8x multiplier...Q9450 is about 10% faster clock per clock, that means a q9450 @ 3.0GHZ = 3.3GHz Q6600...

Majority of ppl on here recommend the q6600 because it has a higher multiplier and thus easier to overclock, however recently its overclockability has gone down as ppl have trouble getting past 3.2GHz...

Q9450 is also 45nm while Q6600 is 65nm...Q9450 = newer and better but $100 dollars more

 

[chunkylover510]

Go for the Q6600 youll be good