New Desktop

I am about to build a new desktop for my younger brother for christmas, and its been a while since I built my own, so I have a few questions. I also have a setup in mind (and am posting it as follows):

1) I know a lot of hardware does like other brands etc, but don't know where to look to check, so can anyone link a good hardware 'compatibility' (for the pieces that just don't like working with other brands etc) site, or let me know which parts are going to cause problems if any?

2) Do any pieces of the setup seem like overkill or not quite up to snuff (im not sure on the power supply for one)?

3) Is there anything I left out or that isnt needed? (the cpu fan was my only concern of not needed, since my current cpu's stock quad-core stock fan hasn't had one problem with temp.)

4) Any other general advice would be great. Thank in advance.

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
ASUS EN9600GT/HTDI/512M GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply -
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPI
ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

 

Looks pretty good. A few tips though:
* The PSU is way too powerful for that system. You can save money by buying a 500W PSU.
* Buy 800MHz DDR2 for half the price. All CPUs will be bottlenecks to 1066MHz RAM (except Core i7), so really no point in buying that.
* Your buying one of the most expensive mainboards when other components are mediocre. That doesnt really make sense. Get a P45/43/31 board instead and save $150.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, ok, downgraded the three you mentioned to:

Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Saving ~$170 with those, anything new problems or does everything check out now?

 

It's better now. The PSU seems crappy though with efficiency 72% and about 400W coming from 12V rails. This should be much better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

 

Well, given price, since
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152036

My first selection was overkill at 730W, but only $85, and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Is $98 for 550W, why shouldn't I just get the 730W? It wouldn't hurt the system would it? Just run slightly warmer which shouldn't be a problem given my airflow?

 

You are right, I didnt notice the price difference.

Notice though, that PSUs can have major performance differences. For example the Corsair outputs nearly 500W from the 12V rail, while the other 500W had only 400W coming from them and also a bad effeiciency-%.
The 700W PSU is incredibly cheap and usually these have drawbacks such as unstable current/ripple which can cause performance failures and possibly damage the mainboard/other components. I would pay a little extra for a good quality PSU, but it's of course a matter of taste.

 

Thanks again for the help. I'll be ordering this system in a day or so, checking on some daily deals at Newegg. Thanks for the quick and useful help, and I'll keep checking back here in case anything changes.

 

For what its worth, my Tagan PSU was high quality but at a resonable price. Its 500watt and currently powering C2D, 4g RAM and two 360 SATA Drives.

 

OK, went to order recently and a few of the parts had JUST been put onto discontinued, so I had to rework a few options. New spec, which will be ordered about 12-15 hours from now at the latest is:


Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F
XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Basically upgraded teh video card from 9600 to 9800GT, Got a stronger, more efficient PSU (usually more expensive but its at a 50% sale ATM), and reworked jsut a couple of the discontinued pieces (i think it was the HDD and something else)

Anyone see any conflicts, wastes (besides the PSU being a bit overkill), or parts that are lacking?

 

since your buying an aftermarket cpu cooler (good decision) get the q6600 that doesn't come with a cooler- its $10 cheaper and still has free shipping. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018

 

oh, and try the sound on the motherboard before you decide to buy a seperate sound card, you'll probably find it sufficient.