As a recent stroke victim (typing one-handed but blessed to be sensible and regaining right side strength), I am going to reward myself by building a system, which I've not built for 5 years! I'm a wannabe semi-enthusiast with sensible ($1000-1400) tastes...

Problem: I can't remember every spec because my concentration span is shorter than it used to be. So, am I headed the right direction?

I want a near-quiet (heat pipe) PC that will perform. Price-performance and all that...

- Cooler Master Cosmo S 1100 (I love this case!!)
- Abit IP35 Pro or Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 (or P35 DS3L) or MSI Neo2 FR (or Platinum)
- CPU 6600 Quad (8 MB L2)
- Graphics Card 9600 GT (512 MB) or 8800 GT (256 MB)
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.1
- Crucial Ballistic (2 GB RAM)

What do you think? I'm open to your thoughts.

I really appreciate your contribution! You don't know how much a help it is.

Barry

You are also going to need a power supply, I'll suggest this one;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair-VX [...] 52646.html
Maybe one of these coolers;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233012

I'm thinkin' about the Abit IP35 Pro myself, so that's what I'll recomend. Hang in there buddy and let us know if there's anything we can do.

Summary of suggestions, details below:

Case: Cooler Master Cosmo S 1100 - $250
PSU: Corsair 550VX - $85 - $15MIR
Motherboard: Gigabyte P35-DS3L - $90
CPU: E8400 OEM - $200
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 - $37
HDD: WD 640GB - $130
Video Card: MSI 8800GTS 512MB - $230 - $30MIR
DVD/RW: LITE-ON SATA DVD/RW - $26
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800 - $61 - $25MIR
Total Cost: $1109 before shipping - $70 Mail in rebates

Details:
For that budget, you can get an excellent PC to play with. Top question, do you need anything beyond the box (monitor, keyboard, OS, etc..)?

Next important question, for what are you going to use this (gaming, video editing, etc..)?

My recommendations are going to be based on thinking that you only need the box and use will be gaming.
Go with a P35 chipset. I've heard good things about the ABit IP35 Pro, and I have the Gigabyte P35-DS3L. It is a very solid board.

I don't know much about the case you've chosen, but the Antec P182 is very good and very quiet. However it might be hard to work with if you have limited mobility. The case is heavy and big.

chuckm's suggestions for PSU and cooler are good. The Xigmatek is easy to install and works very well.

The RAM you've chosen is good.

For HDD, get the Seagate 7200.11 500GB or the WD 640GB drive. Both have plenty of room, are quiet, cool and perform very well.

For processor, the Q6600 is a decent choice. However, I would try and get a newer, 45nm processor (E8400 or Q9300). They will overclock better and use less power.

Your video card has a lot of room for variance. Get the 8800GT or 8800GTS 512MB. Both are powerful, and will handle lower resolution gaming like champs.

You should steer clear of any 256 MB video cards at this point... and like the guy above me said, try and find one of the newer Intel processors (E8400/Q9300)

You're being very realistic when you say you want a "near quiet" PC... people that demand total silence are making WAY too many compromises for those last few decibels.

Given your circumstances, perhaps something like this would help make gaming easier.

http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm

Hell, I want one!

Thank you, guys! Your feedback helps so much.

1) I need just the box - because I have re-usable stuff (monitor, keyboard, OS, etc.)
2) Ironically (I almost feel guilty!), I'm not a gamer. I want audio (serious sample work) and video rendering - multitasking, multitasking, multitasking!!

So, it looked like the Q6600 was a good choice. But I have to admit 45nm looks good... What do you think? And easy OC'ing IS pretty important to me, hence the motherboards with easy-but-comprehensive software. (And hardware control!)

On the case, good suggestion... ! the 182 is nice (and quiet - one of the quietest - and smaller). I just love the Cosmo, ever since it's MaximumPC KickASS award.

Thanks, guys!

Well, since you're into audio and video you should probably should be aiming for the Q6600 or one of the newer quads from Intel. Here's a good post on the topic of Q6600 vs. Q9300. Just glancing over the posts that group seems to be leaning towards the Q6600 if you're into overclocking.

http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpu [...] q9300.html

I agree with getting a quad. Also, if you're not going to be gaming, a much less expensive video card will work just as well for you.

Edit: Also, I would take the savings on video card and put the money towards more ram.

So, changes would be:
CPU: Q6600 OEM - $235
Video Card: HIS Radeon 3850 256MB - $130 - $10MIR
RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 - $105 - $25MIR

Wow! you guys are awesome!

I love the PS and Cooler suggestions! (I forgot I need those!!)

And the Quad sounds right - what's the next best Quad (moving up).

And thanks, litlrabi, on the Vid and RAM sugg! Is OCZ better? (What about Geil?)

I'm about to order! (Is NewEgg the best vendor!)

Thanks, Barry

Newegg is a great vendor, but you can get better deals on some items elsewhere (note the Corsair 550VX linked above is from Buy.com). Shop around.

OCZ is a top brand, and so is Geil, from what I've read. Crucial Ballistix is very reliable, as is the Corsair XMS line. If you're not pushing the absolute limits, any top end will do, so look at price.

Any better CPU? Any next move up from the Q6600?

And what's this about different FSB and GO on 6600? Someone said BE SURE to get....

Barry

Next CPU up would probably be a q9450. Couple that to a higher fsb mother board like the x38/x48 and you should be able to OC fairly well, at least that's what I'm hoping! (just bought one today)

Q9450 OEM - $300

Another thing to keep in mind: There is no such thing as a 100% silent computer. You absolutely need at least a little airflow, even with the best heatsinks. A good fan undervolted to 5-7v will likely be below any ambient noise though

If you are getting the Q9450.....
Don't get the Abit. It does not officially support the Q9450.
The DS3L officially supports it, but may not be able to OC it that far.
The Gigabytes one step above the DS3L officially support the Penryn Quads at a 1600FSB which means they should clock even a little further. It's important to get a good Mobo that can support very high FSB speeds if you are looking to OC the Penryn Quads.

I almost got the DS3R to OC by Q9450 which I bought from the Link above. However, I decided to resell it for a profit.

Great info on Q9450!

But does anyone have info on GO or what fsb I need to get on Q6600 (if I go that way)? Someone said to be sure to get it with a certain setting (as if there were different versions available)...

Thanks,
Barry