Critique this system setup?

Question

I'm building a new system and have been out of the loop for a few years as far as hardware quality and performance. I just need the guts as are below. The system doesn't have to be amazing, but I want to be able to push it with some heavy 3D games and Photoshopping now and then. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'd like to spend around a grand. Thank you!

Sony NEC Optiarc 18X DVD±R DVD Burner, SATA Model AWG170S-B2 - $65.98 for two

WD Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $139.98 for two

MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Over Clock Edition HDCP Video Card $168.99 for one

Crucial Ballistix 2GB PC2 6400 Dual Channel Kit - $114.99 for the 2gb

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - $184.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor BX80557E6600 - $222.90

Total $897.83. I'll also need to find a PSU and wireless network adapter.

Thanks again.

Thanks Jhurst747... I thought the memory was 800mhz. That is what I intend to use.

Answer 1

You're skimping on the video card and the memory. If you're wanting to invest in a system that will handle the gaming, then those are parts you can't neglect. You've budgeted for a very high end motherboard but without a better boost from the memory, you're going to be bottlenecking badly. Go with the 800MHz memory instead of 667. Also, just spend the extra 100 dollars and get an 8800. You're really taking a performance hit for that 100 dollars. Benchmarks don't lie.

Answer 2

never considered the will or progression in an i7 over an i5 quad laptop CPU, fantastically with video games. Little use of better than 4GB of reminiscence in any apps too. 16GB is absurd. SSD for gadget rigidity is nice and an ok length - you like storage drives too. SATA3, all waiting to attach on your MoBo .

Answer 3

thats a good system. that video card supports dx10 and hdcp for watching hd-dvd or blu-ray. that is plenty of memory. u pck out a good system