(Big) Buying a high end gaming computer... does this look alright?

Question

Samsung 226BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 2ms, 700:1(DC 3000:1) Contrast Ratio, WSXGA+ 1680 x 1050, Gloss Black, DVI 280$


evga 8800 gt 512mb
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=512-P3-N802-A1
*gpu review says shaders and texture rate is better than higher end cards
290x2 = 580$


motherboard
EVGA 680i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013
260$

or the
ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - Retail
300$
*people are not too crazy about the setup of the asus


ram:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147+1052420643+1052308477+1395428464&name=High+Performance+or+Gaming+Memory

DDR2 4gigs

OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Micron D7 Chip Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N10662GK - Retail
140$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178
or

CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC

cpu
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail 280$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

any other ideas on the core? or with the motherboard combo?
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html this is what i used for benchamarks

not sure what to cool it with.
Rosewill RCX-Z4 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail 40$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200015

case
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
45$

power supply
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-850-EMBA ATX12V / EPS12V 850W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171017
200$

Thermaltake W0131RU ATX12V / EPS12V 850W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153043

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145043
Corsair ram link

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2881203&CatId=2775
monitor

Any general feedback, experiences, links about howto build a computer, or problems I should look into feel free to post!

Answer 1

The monitor doesn't really matter, many people still suggest CRT's. But, I bought a LCD TV, I can't really tell what's the difference, but for the color quality and the richness. LCD TV's are cheaper and you get more bang for your buck.

I would go with the EVGA motherboard. I love it and my friends love it.

It's your pick on the RAM, go cheap or trust the brand.

Suggestions on completing your build:
- 500 - 650 watt power supply
- ATX form factor case
- XP for now and wait for Vista when SP2 comes out. Vista only recognize more RAM and can use more ReadyBoost RAM.

When you get everything together and make sure the motherboard fits or the case can be mod to fit it. I used studs that lifted the motherboard, so that none of the underside of the motherboard touched the case. I know everyone doesn't have a static wrist band, so I placed one of hands on the metal parts, so I won't fry any of the components.

Answer 2

Awww, come on, you are making us very envious with that awesome set up.
Just a few comments:
1. That set up deserves this cooler:
http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2943&p=3
2. If you will use 32bit OS, 4Gb RAM is wasteful. About 750Mb will just go to the memory hole that is literally invisible to the OS.
3. For wow factor, consider this:
http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/015/Conpane4.html

Answer 3

Its totally cool.
U should go for the Asus mobo for use with Core 2 Quad
I would recommend you get Corsair RAM

Answer 4

Yes this look very good
especially because of the graphics card, which is a very good card for games and the 4 GBs of Ram that you'll have.

Answer 5

and choose a room with no carpets on the floor, and buy the strap its only like 5.00 better safe than sorry

Answer 6

in case you may, build your individual laptop, it's going to be plenty extra low value. in case you basically choose for to purchase one, i could purchase the HP a6350z and choose the cautioned configuation versioin. it is going to be adequate.