Ok Guys,Here are the specs on my new proposed system from my computer guy.I know I should go 4GB ram.Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Ron1 INTEL CPU CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 2.40GHZ FSB1066MHZ 8M LGA775 DG33TLM 1 INTEL MB BOXDG33TLM 1333FSB DR2 800 AUD+LAN RAID 6 SATA SUPPORT FOR INTEL QUAD-CORE PROCESSORS AND INTEL VIIV PROCESSOR TECHNOLOGY INTEL HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO SUBSYSTEM IN THE FOLLOWING CONFIGURATION: - 8-CHANNEL (7.1) AUDIO SUBSYSTEM WITH FIVE ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUTS AND ONE OPTICAL S/PDIF DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT USING THE SIGMATEL 7250B 1 ENLIGHT 72500AZB 7BAY ATX MID-TWR 300W 8CM 2-USB FRONT W/CABLE AMD P4 HT BLACK1 CARD READER 13 IN 11 WESTERN DIGITAL 160 GB SATA 3 YEAR WARRANTY HARD DRIVE 0708 1GB DDR2 667 PC5300 MEMEORY S1078263 DVD+R / DVD+RW / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R9/ DVD-R9/DVD-ROM / CD-R/ CD-RW / CD-ROM COMBINATION DRIVE DOUBLE LAYER DVD+/- R9 RECORDING FUNCTIONMICROSOFT XP PROFESSIONAL ( RECOMMENDED BY SYSTEM BUILDERS ) 1 NVIDIA 8800 GT 512 mb

You don't need 4GB RAM if you're opting for XP Pro but I would recommend 2GB and also 800MHz (RAM is relatively cheap at the moment)I wouldn't recommend that Case & PSU..go for separates and get a branded 500W+ PSU (PCP&C, Thermaltake, OCZ or Hiper)RegardsJim

If you plan on holding onto that rig for awhile, I'd be loking at a different MB too. A non-intel branded P35 from the likes of Gigabyte, Asus, Abit or the others - looks like you have a G33, but hard to tell exactly what componants you're getting. JMHO Regards, Kendall#1: [email protected]/Coolermaster HyperTX2 Gigabyte P35-DS3L 4GB Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC6400 Seagate 250GB 7200.10 SATA2 Gigabyte X800XT -Cat 6.12's CH Yoke/Pedals/Saitek Throttle Dual Monitor: Dell 2405/1905 #2: Dell 8400 3.2 H.T. 3GB PC4200 Diamond Xtreme/Logitech X-530's

How much are you planning on spending?You've opted for a good processor and graphics card..but the other components are not really matched to it..far better to get a balanced system with all component complementing each other.RegardsJim

This is going to come out about 1100.00.I'm not looking to nickel and dime but I don't have a comparison on what balanced components will cost.I've found out that sometimes a little more investment gives a lot more value.I will pass on your advice.Thanks,Ron

Yes, get a 500-ish watt power supply or so would do fine. 300 is a little light.If you plan to overclock, there is a version of the Q6600 cpu that you will want to buy, and I don't think that Q6600 you list is that version of cpu. If you don't plan to overclock then it doesn't matter.In fact in general, I believe that when building, if you're building for a person who is not going to do anything but surf the web and run a few apps, then average-level hardware will suit them fine. No need to spend the money on higher-line components. BUT, in our case of FS, FS typically performs a little better on the higher-line hardware.Take for example the Intel motherboard you list there. It is perfectly fine, but it's not a primo board. There are other boards that will give you a little more performance in FS and a little more headroom if you want to overclock. A lot of shops will build with an Intel motherboard because it is generally thought to be (and generally is) "guaranteed stable" with an Intel processor.RhettAMD 3700+ (@2585 mhz), eVGA 7800GT 256 (Guru3D 93.71), ASUS A8N-E, PC Power 510 SLI, 2gb Corsair XMS 3-3-3-8 (1T), WD 150 gig 10000rpm Raptor, WD 250gig 7200rpm SATA2, Seagate 120gb 5400 rpm external HD, CoolerMaster Praetorian

This'll get you started (got a friend that's snapping one together right now). https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishLi....asp?ID=7162186Voodoo's version: http://www.voodoopc.com/transactions/qksum...7f-853739527532O/C the Q6600/GO quad to 3.6ghz and a little ol' ~ $1200 newegg rig will crush that $8K Voodoo. Yep, it's magic.

For $1100 you could build a really good system based on the Q6600 and 8800GT. Individual components would cost:Case $60PSU $60MB $100CPU $300RAM $80GPU $300HD $80DVD $30XP $90TOTAL $1100RegardsJim

Please give me a suggestion on Newegg ready built machine.Thanks,Ron

>Please give me a suggestion on Newegg ready built>machine.Thanks,RonOK I've looked at those Newegg ready builts and none of them 'grabs' me. In your price range I'd want to match up a Q6600 with a 8800GT or 8800GTS which they don't offer. No experience of recent AMD processors or of the 8600 cards so cannot recommend.RegardsJim

Thanks for taking the time.At least that's what my guy is proposing too.Ron

If you were in the UK this is what I'd recommend:http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?PC-1111RegardsJim

Thanks for that.I am emailing the specs to my guy for comparison.Ron

Of particular not is the size of the Hard-Drive(s), the RAM speed and the PSU rating. Also the Motherboard is an SLi capable one (you may want to upgrade to Dual cards in the future)The components (incl WinXP) for that system could easily be sourced from Newegg for $1100...so expect to be quoted about $1300!!RegardsJim