I need to place an order ASAP. Any help is appreciated.

Ok, after looking through some builds, I’ve come up with a second build. Please critique. I’m looking to keep it at $1250 so I’m going to have to scrounge an old system here for a sound card and speakers, but I get some neat toys with this new one. The RAM looks to be compatible with the MB and the PSU looks to be able to power the whole thing.... am I right?

Also, how do I go about finding a copy of XP PRO for this new build to buy at a decent price at newegg? Can you link one?

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Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115029

ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131180

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20-145-590

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130071

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, TUV, CE, FCC, CCC, CB, C-tick – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817103941

Sony NEC Optiarc Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1615/B2s – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827101131

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148140

I don't know what you consider a decent price, but the cheapest I could find was ~$140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0+-+%24200

Ok, yeah. That was the cheapest I found too. : /

How does the system look overall? Would you change anything or are there any compatibility issues you can see?

Looks good to me

I think it might be prudent to wait for the 2900 pro 512 mb at this point... It can easily knock $100 off your purchase.

People still use ATI?

ATI should die out. Nvidia are just... better choices.

Sadly, I can't wait too much for new hardware. My current system is being taken by my wife for a workstation. I've always been an Nvidia fan anyways...

Thanks a ton for the system check. Good to know I still am able to put something together after being out of the business for a few years.

The 2900pro is out now and is about $100 cheaper than the 8800 640. There were benchmarks around the forums yesterday I saw.

OP: it's all good, go for it.

@Madrox: if AMD/ATI dies out today then nVidia's and Intel's prices next year will be very unpleasant. Careful what you wish for

LOL AMD wont die, ATI will most likely in time. Also AMD has made the only Quad core worth spending money on and has the only REAL 64bit. Like i said AMD wont die.

And if/ when ATI dies and the prices go up i wont have to buy a new card for a long time anyways... IMO

IM WISHING SO HARD IT HURTZZZZZZ!

If I switched the CPU in the OP for the Quad Core http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017 would there be anything else I'd need to update on my build? Maybe the PSU to a 650w, or would that matter? The MB in the OP looks like it will work, from what I'm seeing.

If it was me i would get a big power supply to last me for a few rebuilds, so its less parts to re-buy.

And most people might say you should be fine with a 550w but i will say get something bigger

Something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371010 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371011 should work then.

Can you verify please that the MB in the OP will work with that Quad Core? I *think* it will, from what I'm seeing.

You may also want to check out the CoolerMaster 690 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137 for a case, many have said they like it better than Antec 900. Up to you though. Also, if you want a great power supply, check this thing out: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] ode=373110 I gave you the zipzoomfly link since they're cheaper than Newegg right now. It pulls a lot more than 620 watts, just check out the reviews.

This SILVERSTONE DECATHLON DA650 at $145 with free shipping sounds very tempting IMO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817256021

Yes, P5K works with Q6600.

Edit: Avenger_K, your link doesn't work because of the final dot. Here's the fixed link:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] ode=373110

And yes, the Corsair 620HX at $127 with free shipping is a great deal, IMO the best choice we've seen in this thread. Nice find!!!

Ahh, sorry about that. Thanks for fixing it. It's the PSU that will most likely be put in my next build. And yes, the 2900Pro gets my vote too. Although I personally am waiting for that 2950XT, but the Pro will do fine if you're in a hurry.