First PC Build Spec

[punkindrublic]

I'm looking to build my first computer within the next couple of weeks. I've spent a while looking at components and i think I'm pretty much sorted, but would appreciate any input. I can't include links to the components as I'm a new member and don't have the rights, but everything can be found on either scan or overclockers. I'm really just looking to make sure everything will work together etc. I plan to run an nlite XP and use the system for music recording and light gaming.

Here is full spec as currently intended:

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 SLACR, Kentsfield Core, Socket 775, 2.40 GHz 1066MHz 8MB Cache
£119.72

Motherboard
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
£93.99

RAM
G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-8000C5 (2x2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ)
£68.14

Graphics Card
Gigabyte GeForce 8800 GT OC 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GV-NX88T512HP)
£82.24

Sound Card
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Professional
£79.99

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD6400AAKS)
£52.86

Case
NZXT Alpha Classic Series Silent Midi-Tower Case
£46.99

PSU
520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V, whisper quiet, 5 year warranty
£64.31

Cooling
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (H.D.T.) 120mm PWM Fan x3 Heat-pipe LGA775/K8/AM2 CPU Cooler Quad Core Ready
£22.27

Cooling Bracket
Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit Converts Ultra-90 and HR-01 for use on 775 Motherboards
£4.11

DVD±RW
Asus DRW-2014L1T 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM
£17.61

Floppy Disk Drive/Media Reader
Scythe Card Reader & Floppy Drive
£23.49

Keyboard
Saitek Eclipse 2 Illuminated Keyboard
£29.36

Mouse
Logitech MX 400 Laser Mouse, 1000dpi, PS2/USB 1.1/2.0, 5 Buttons, Black/Grey
£22.44

External Hard Drive
Western Digital MyBook Essential 2.0 500GB USB2.0 External Hard Drive (WDH1U5000E)
£64.61

Total Price £792.13

[staffsMike]

Looks very well researched and will all be fine together.

I'd personally swap the case to a coolermaster CM-690. Better cooling and has great cable management while remaining very quiet Cases are personal though and I'm sure yours will be fine.

I'd swap the gfx card to the 9800GT though, the newer model same price

Motherboard is too much though, should be nearer £80. Q6600 is £110 on scan today only. I'd give overclockers a miss on most of those components tbh.. Maybe get the RAM from them if you don't want corsair. But any PC6400 is more than enough for a Q6600 (even overclocked to 3.6GHz), you don't need PC8500 at all. Geil black dragon PC6400 is under £50 on OcUK so I would get that

[Powderhound]

I'd save £25 on the sound card and get the normal Xtreme Gamer and use the spare cash to got an ATI HD 4850. If you shop around you can get the P5Q-E for £95. Have a look at www.ebuyer.com .

[richieuk]

I'd save £25 on the sound card and get the normal Xtreme Gamer and use the spare cash to got an ATI HD 4850. If you sho around you can get the P5Q-E for £95. Have a look at www.ebuyer.com .

Seconded +1

[Flinny]

I build a very similar machine for a guy at work recently.

I went with a Zalman 600w PSU and Zalman CPU cooler. Very quiet machine. Not a bad board to install/configure either.

I did have problems with the Corsair TwinX DDR2 PC2-8500 2x2GB pack of ram I used though. The machine just wasn't stable at all. All solved by a Bios upgrade

[punkindrublic]

Cheers for the feedback folks. I'll be taking your ideas into close consideration and should be ordering the parts within the next week. I shall let you know how it goes

Edit: Just had a thought, will I be able to fit the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 cooler inside the NZXT Alpha? It is a pretty big heatsink afterall