Could you check over a $1500 Gaming Build Parts List?

[Ocean]

I want a gaming build for approximately $1500, it should be able to last well into the future with the option to do some upgrades if necessary. I am completely new to building and grabbed most of the parts off the forums. I would love any input you guys can give me.

Parts
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz - $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Video Card: GeForce 8800GT 512MB - $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

RAM: Cosair 2GB - $89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145177

Mobo: Gigabyte P35C - $145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128048

HDD: Seagate 7200.11 500gb 32mb cache - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288&Tpk=Seagate%2b7200.11%2b500gb%2b32mb

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-S203B OEM - $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153

Case: Antec 900 - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2bnine%2bhundred

Power Supply: Corsair 650W - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=Corsair%2b650W

OS: Vista 32 bit Premium - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116202

Monitor: Samsung 226BW 22"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096
I am willing to spend some extra money here to get a really good 22" monitor, so if there are better ones out please tell me.

I already have a speaker, keyboard and mouse

Cost: exactly $1500 actually, but this can fluctuate some

Questions:
Is this the right type of RAM I should be getting?
The motherboard was a bit of a shot in the dark, any suggestions there?
If I am looking at long term usefulness in terms of gaming is vista the right choice? My thinking is that its kinks will get worked out and DX10 is worth the pain.
What do exactly do i need to have to purchase the upgrade version of Vista?

Thanks,
Brian

[RickyTick]

Welcome Brian.

That's an awesome build.

The only suggestion I would have is the video card. If you can, move up to the 8800GTS 512. If you want to stay with the GT then at least get the Akimbo version.

Otherwise, terrific.

[Jamie Nixx]

Good apart from the PSU, the TX series of Corsair PSU's are not built by Seasonic and are not as good as the HX series which are the same price.

Apart from that, terrific.

[Ocean]

Okay, just making sure this is what you guys were suggesting
Video Card: 8800GTS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130312

PSU: Jamie, you said the HX was the same price as the TX, but on newegg I could only find one that was 45$ more and only 620W. I am guessing I am missing something here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

Also do you guys know if the E8400s are going to come out of hiding again anytime soon?

[Jamie Nixx]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=corsair%2bpsu

[Ocean]

I was wondering if it be worth it to go with 3gb of RAM or upgrade what I have already chosen since it is so cheap now?
Also, I think a new model of the monitor just came out so I am switching up to it, correct me if I am making a mistake here.
New One http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268
Old One: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096
I am waiting until Friday for the shipment of E8400's to come in and then I will finally order all the parts!

[shyster]

Without actually seeing them in person it is hard to say which one is actually better, but it does appear that the "new" one has considerably better stats and a lower price to boot.

The fact that it has a wider viewing angle than the "old" one suggests that it is not one of the crappy panels either.

I would say go for the new one, but hopefully someone else will chim in who knows more about monitors.

[Ocean]

I was just about to order when they discontinued the mobo, so I would just like to make sure that this new one is good/compatible.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131188

[chunkylover53]

Quite a few people have had trouble with that mobo & cpu combination. Technically their compatible, and most have gotten it up and running, but it has given more than a few people fits. I have that mobo and it has never given me trouble, but I have a different chip.

[Ocean]

Okay, since i don't trust myself (i'm a newbie) I am switching to this board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232
Again please warn me if there are any problems I might run into.

The HDD has been changed to the deal RickyTick pointed out
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Also, do I need any cooling other than whats built into the Antec 900?

I really want to just click order right now and get to building

[RickyTick]

Why did you change from the Intel motherboard to that nvidia?

Are you planning on SLI down the road? Hope not.

Go back and check out the Intel P35 mobo's. You'll be happy you did.

That 640gb hard drive is the cat's meow at that price.

[Ocean]

Definitly not going SLI, I have heard your warnings loud and clear on the other posts ;) My bad on the switch to nvidia, I have gotten pretty confused with these motherboards ever since they deactivated the first one I was going to use, does this one hit the spot? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131196
If not please just throw out one that is compatible and somewhere near what I need.

[RickyTick]

That's a good choice.

Other good choices are the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, and the Abit IP35 Pro.

Here's some reading material that might help.
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/12747/1

[Ocean]

Hey guys, i just put everything together yesterday and it appears to be functioning perfectly (it even has played crysis on high settings :eek: )! Thanks for all the help, I would have been completely lost otherwise.

[RickyTick]

Hey, that's great news. List out your specs and do a little bragging. You deserve it. :)