PC Build Opinions Wanted

[PetersCreek]

Well, we're only a couple of months away from receiving our dividend checks and I've started planning on building a new PC. I'm looking to build a decent-but-not-state-of-the-art PC but I don't keep up with the latest and greatest trends anymore. Intended uses are: Photoshop (power user), modest gaming, and general office/home/internet use. I'd appreciate hearing from the real hardware heads on my first pass:

ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #5Q-E
Item #:N82E16813131296

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
Model #:BX80562Q6600
Item #:N82E16819115017

ZALMAN 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
Model #:CNPS9500 AT
Item #:N82E16835118003

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Model #DC24G8500ELKR2
Item #:N82E16820220314
(buying 2 for 8GB total)

SAPPHIRE Toxic Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Model #:100225TXSR
Item #:N82E16814102732

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Model #:WD6400AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136218
(2 of these)

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA
Model #VR-215DBK
Item #:N82E16827129020

COOLER MASTER Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:RC-690-KKN1-GP
Item #:N82E16811119137

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 650W ATX Form Factor 12V V2.3 / SSI Standard EPS 12V V2.91 Power Supply
Model #:RS-650-ACAA-A1
Item #:N82E16817171023

 

[Fox]

I built my latest in December, modifying the "Bang for the Buck" PC posted by ExtremeTech.com. These guys are always a good place to start when looking for a build that has compatible hardware. It is simple to modify their list, just check with the manufacturer for compatibility issues.

Your list looks pretty solid, but I am not familiar with all of the parts you show. I would suggest the GeForce GT 8800 for a video card. It is sweet! I went with a Gigabyte board and a Q6850 duo core rather than a quad. I used the stock Intel cooling fan, but added an additional 120mm fan to the case. I do some heavy gaming from time-to-time, but not online Crossfire or SLI, just FPS stuff. My PC runs very cool. I have the Samsung monitor they show on the current build and it is exceptional. I did not want Vista and stuck with XP. If you do this, be aware that there is an undocumented bug in the NTFS.sys file, which will corrupt your SATA drives. It is easy to fix, but a bitch to find the patch. I have the patch should you ever need it. I have been extremely pleased with my current build, and really like the Antec Sonata case

 

[joshua]

I would get a motherboard that uses FB-DIMM slots instead of traditional DIMM ones. They seem to perform well and can handle faster ram better.

I personally am so tired of putting together machines between home and work that I would just get something like a Dell. The one we have at work has a really nice case. 4 SATA ports on the motherboard, real video card, cable management, drive trays that pop out easily. They even stored the extra screws on the back of the face plate for when you need them. I was rather impressed when we opened it up to pop in a RAM upgrade and 150GB Raptor drive for the OS