What do you guys think of this build?

Hey guys, I have a few questions. I basically want to build something that will be the best bang for my buck. Something for about $1000

some specific questions.

1) how does the Core 2 Quad core Q9300 compare to the Q6600? I read Q6600 overclocks better. Is overclocking more for PC gamers? Im not one, I am a console gamer. I mostly want this as a multimedia PC and one for everyday tasks. Plus a little vid conversion.

OK...Assuming I use the Q9300 (OEM) (if it is in fact better) how does this build look?



LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM


$28.99




COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail


$84.99




CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail

$99.99





GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Retail


$129.99



ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

$31.99



*

MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail


ATARI Gift - The Witcher PC Game - OEM

$224.99

Subtotal: $600.94


SEAGATE ST3500320AS 500GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Hard Drive Bulk $84.99



Intel® Core 2 Quad Processor Q9300 OE $200

OCZ Technology
Gold 2GB PC-6400 DDR2 Memory Kit (Two 1GB DDR2-800 Memory Modules) (Combo deal with the processor)


SHIPPING OPTION $6.98
TOTAL (pre-tax) $256.97



Grand Total: 942.90


I might add a LCD Monitor: don't know which yet...


please any thoughts or commnets. I mostly took the $1000 dollar build. Any other recommendations are appreciated.


I was told XIGMATEK coolers are better than the one I listed.

is theXIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail a better buy?

Also...I was told the Evga video cards have a lifetime warranty. Would this be a bette choice than the one I listed?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Also I was told I should get a pair of 2 GB mem sticks instead of the pair of 1 Gigs. What do you think?

 

I would keep your bucks in your pocket by not getting a quad for what you want to do. A dual core is great to do video conversions, when I was converting on a single core, I had to run it before I went to sleep or at least not use the rig as even simple browsing was as slow as molasses.

Once I plopped in a modest X2 3800+ (dual core AMD), I wouldn't even know that video converting was going on. Since you mentioned Intel, get a Core 2 Duo instead.

A quad is nice, I'm looking to get one too but it's because I want it, not because I need it. As to you're overclocking question, why would you ever risk blowing a great chip like that? (Ace is most likely to kill me for saying that.LOL)

That's my $0.02, if you have the bucks then go for it, you won't be disappointed with either chip. It's kind of overkill for what you want to do though it would be a killer gaming rig, especially with a second 8800GT.

 

BTW, there's a Vista Media Center beta 1 out right now on Connect, you may want to wait a bit. I can't get it but it does have a few enhancements from what I've read so far. I hope this isn't NDA stuff.