Help me optimize this list (~$1000 PC)

[Nightshade]

Ok, time to spend my tax return. Here's what I've got so far:

Mobo:
ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $219.99

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail - $179.99

RAM:
Crucial 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail - $98.99

Vid Card:
PNY VCG88512GXPB G92 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 PureVideo HD Technology HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - $244.99

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive – OEM - $99.99

HSF:
ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - $45.99

PSU:
Thermaltake W0101RU ATX 12V 2.0 Version 550W Power Supply 115/ 230 V UL, CUL, TUV, and CE certification. – Retail - $95.99

Case:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail - $49.99

All items from Newegg, current total is $1081.92. This is going to be a ground-up, all-new PC to replace my aging POS.

edit: updated RAM, vid card, mobo

[shadd_]

EVGA 640-P2-N824-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail - $274.99

look for the newer g92 8800 series. either 8800gt or 8800gts. they both have less ram(512)but have improvements to the core. should be able to find cheaper ram too. no more than $100 for 2x2gb.

[JooKed]

I havn't been updated on the recent cards, but I'm going to assume the 9800GTX X2 isn't going to be cost effective, and the 8800GS 768mb still isnt as good as the 8800GTS

[SoM]

http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=M ... FzdCwsLDE=

[Scourge]

EVGA 640-P2-N824-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail - $274.99

look for the newer g92 8800 series. either 8800gt or 8800gts. they both have less ram(512)but have improvements to the core. should be able to find cheaper ram too. no more than $100 for 2x2gb.

Agreed. I have the 8800gt 512 and am quite satisfied with it.

[shadd_]

yeah the 8800gt is about ~$220 and faster than the 640gts. the newest gts(512)is faster yet and i think around $280.

with savings from switching ram/gpu you could upgrade to the e8400cpu.

something to consider with newer mobos. many have only 1 ide port.

[Nightshade]

I'm not concerned with the IDE ports, I'll be using SATA drives. Is there some other reason I should need one? I haven't built a PC in so long...
I think I will go with the vid card you suggested, and I'm changing to an ASUS P5E mobo for the PCIe 2.0 compatibility. Going to dig through Newegg a bit more, and I'll probably order everything on Monday.

[Nightshade]

Yes, this card I think:
PNY VCG88512GXPB G92 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 PureVideo HD Technology HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

$244.99

[Scourge]

Looks pretty sweet so far.

[shadd_]

I'm not concerned with the IDE ports, I'll be using SATA drives. Is there some other reason I should need one? I haven't built a PC in so long...

just thought i would mention the ide. in my case i had two older ide drives for storage and an ide dvd burner. ended up having to buy a new sata burner.

[AmIdYfReAk]

indeed, alot of mobo's will only have a single ATA channel, so 2 drives max.

i also went out and got a SATA-burner.

[Nightshade]

I have an IDE burner that will occupy the single port after I'm done moving over what I need to from the older IDE drives I have. I want to get an external 500Gb drive for backups, but it would be a royal pain right now. My oldest machine is USB1.0 and this POS is USB2.0 but won't properly recognize USB2.0 devices.

[Nightshade]

Looks pretty sweet so far.

Quite frankly the case is shit, but I've already busted my budget, w/o even including shipping. I'd like to get some more in the CPU department as well, but I can upgrade that later as prices come down.

[Scourge]

Looks pretty sweet so far.

Quite frankly the case is shit, but I've already busted my budget, w/o even including shipping. I'd like to get some more in the CPU department as well, but I can upgrade that later as prices come down.

Yes, and the case can easily be replaced later as well.

[Nightshade]

Ordered all of it, but I changed the HSF to a Thermaltake on a friend's recommendation. Grand total was $1,063 including 3 day UPS shipping for $33. WOOT!

[Scourge]

Nice. Enjoy.

[+JuggerNaut+]

Ordered all of it, but I changed the HSF to a Thermaltake on a friend's recommendation. Grand total was $1,063 including 3 day UPS shipping for $33. WOOT!

that's a good chunk of one of the GPT packages.

[Nightshade]

I know man, I know, but I haven't had a new PC in almost 5 years. Hadda do it.

[+JuggerNaut+]

you going with a GPT package, 3day'r or?

[Nightshade]

It's all up in the air atm, I have house stuff that needs to be taken care of first.

[+JuggerNaut+]

i hear ya. i'm gonna go with a 3 day' but not sure if i want to go general adm or not. i'd imagine there are grassy knolls and shit to sit, which would be great.

[Nightshade]

I'd love to do the full-on 3 day roll. I'd really like to meet some of the drivers, except Easter Island Head or Eyebrownando. They'll pretty much have to pry me off Schumacher's leg if I see him.

[Nightshade]

Ahhh, all my stuff is out on the truck for delivery today. I'll be building it at work tonight and installing 64-bit XP on it.

[+JuggerNaut+]

They'll pretty much have to pry me off Schumacher's leg if I see him.

make sure i'm off his leg before you do

[Nightshade]

Well hell, he's got two of them...