Hardware Building a new PC?

[unr]

I am currently considering getting a new PC. Two years ago I did a mistake by getting a crappy (but cheap!) unbranded laptop, so this time I would like to get as much feedback as possible before making any serious purchases.

Here's what I am currently thinking of getting from local shops:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (1066MHz,8MB,Kentsfield,95W,S775) box 372$
MSI G33M-FI, Conroe, Quadcore, Intel G33/FSB1333/4xDUAL DDR2-800/PCI-Ex16/PCI-Ex1/2xPCI/IDE/ATA/4x SATA2/2xeSATA/8ch audio/G-LAN/2x1394/ATX 110$
2x A-DATA DDR2 2GB DDR800 86$
SAMSUNG DVD-/+RW (20x8x8x DVD+RW/ 20x8x6x DVD-RW ) Black, SATA Bulk, double layer + Nero SW 32$
Samsung 500GB 7200rpm 16MB cache SATA2 NCQ 140$
Codegen ATX-604AL-CA-USB/Audio/LCD (black) + ATX400W (12cm/silent) V2.03 P4 PFC CE PSU 54$
Asus PCI-E Geforce 8800GT/512MB DDR3/PCI-E/Engine 600MHz/Memory 1.8Ghz/256bit/2560 x 1600/2 xDVI/DVI to VGA/HDTV/TV-out/S-Video to Composite/Power Cable/3D Game: Company of Heroes ? Opposing Fronts 360$
Total: 1154$

EDIT:
I want a fairly powerful machine that I could use for next 2-4 years.
Is quad core worth it? Should I get a dual core and save some money instead?
How's a-data in terms of RAM quality? A buddy of mine recommended them.
Is 400W PSU good enough for quad core CPU?
Any suggestions for GPU? I prefer nVidia.

Also, are there any trusty EU-based webshops that sell quality hardware?

 

[philco1]

I am currently considering getting a new PC. Two years ago I did a mistake by getting a crappy (but cheap!) unbranded laptop, so this time I would like to get as much feedback as possible before making any serious purchases.

Here's what I am currently thinking of getting from local shops:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (1066MHz,8MB,Kentsfield,95W,S775) box 372$
MSI G33M-FI, Conroe, Quadcore, Intel G33/FSB1333/4xDUAL DDR2-800/PCI-Ex16/PCI-Ex1/2xPCI/IDE/ATA/4x SATA2/2xeSATA/8ch audio/G-LAN/2x1394/ATX 110$
2x A-DATA DDR2 2GB DDR800 86$
SAMSUNG DVD-/+RW (20x8x8x DVD+RW/ 20x8x6x DVD-RW ) Black, SATA Bulk, double layer + Nero SW 32$
Samsung 500GB 7200rpm 16MB cache SATA2 NCQ 140$
Codegen ATX-604AL-CA-USB/Audio/LCD (black) + ATX400W (12cm/silent) V2.03 P4 PFC CE PSUÂ 54$
Asus PCI-E Geforce 8800GT/512MB DDR3/PCI-E/Engine 600MHz/Memory 1.8Ghz/256bit/2560 x 1600/2 xDVI/DVI to VGA/HDTV/TV-out/S-Video to Composite/Power Cable/3D Game: Company of Heroes ? Opposing Fronts 360$
Total: 1154$

EDIT:
I want a fairly powerful machine that I could use for next 2-4 years.
Is quad core worth it? Should I get a dual core and save some money instead?
How's a-data in terms of RAM quality? A buddy of mine recommended them.
Is 400W PSU good enough for quad core CPU?
Any suggestions for GPU? I prefer nVidia.

Also, are there any trusty EU-based webshops that sell quality hardware?

Ok first off Quad core is definitely worth it however I'd wait till late January to build your pc as the new Quad core chips (45 nm process) will be coming out and you will be able to OC those things like a crazy man.

I dont like a-data RAM at all, you are better off with OCZ

I would go with a Higher PSU if you intend to upgrade later on.

As for the GPU, that all boils down to what games you will be playing. BTW what case are you intending to get? And do you have a Monitor?

I am building a new PC, here is my current build:

Mobo: An Asus P5E3 Deluxe mobo
CPU: New 45 nm process chip, prob the Intel Q9450
Vid Card: VD BFG NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800GTS 512MB 128 SP G92 PCIE2.0 -BFGE88512GTSE
Ram: OCZ DDR3 1066, a 2 gig kit (platinum edition) or possibly ReaperX (Only go 2-3 gig if you are using 32 bit Vista and go 4 gig if you are using 64bit Vista)
EDIT: As for Ram I forgot that I decided to use DDR2 as you will only see real performance increase only if you purchase really expensive DDR3 RAM.
HD: 1 Western Digital Raptor (150 GB)
1 external Seagate 500 GB USB2.0 external (Or internal, just preference)
PW Supply: A Corsair HX series PSU (the 620 W model)
Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 225MS - 5ms 700:1 300 cd/m2

 

[unr]

Thanks for suggestions, philco1.

Ok first off Quad core is definitely worth it however I'd wait till late January to build your pc as the new Quad core chips (45 nm process) will be coming out and you will be able to OC those things like a crazy man.

Any word on price tag?
Probably won't see these new CPUs here in Lithuania til february - march, don't know if it's really worth the wait?

I dont like a-data RAM at all, you are better off with OCZ

It's hard to find OCZ memory here. A-Data is probably cheap not without a reason, so I might consider getting Kingstons.

As for the GPU, that all boils down to what games you will be playing.

I don't play a lot of games on PC, but if I'm getting a new machine, I want it to be completely future-proof. It would be a shame if I ever wanted to run some piece of software and GPU would be the only drawback.

BTW what case are you intending to get?

I had picked a pretty cool Codegen one, but I'll probably keep looking.

And do you have a Monitor?

No, not yet. Can't decide if I should get a widescreen TV and use it as a monitor or get a monitor with HDMI/DVI.

Btw. Where are you intending to purchase your parts, you will find that if you are smart about this you will reasonably save about $300.

A local shop. I know it's overpriced, but if I would buy parts separately online, shipping/taxes would cost me even more.