Criticise this computer...

[Goober]

[EDIT: This post's components will be upgraded]

Through rigorous posting i have decided to build a computer... This is the following structure i am thinking of constructing. (my budget is around US$2000, i'm an aussie but American prices are better)

[Sorry if you have seen a similar post before, i put it under the wrong section]

CPU [+$308]
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail

Motherboard [+146]
ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

RAM [+$180]
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Video Card [+$370]
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Hard Drive [+$85]
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Would going with x2 Hard Drives increases computer performance, if so under what circumstances.

Optical Drive [+$32]
PHILIPS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 8X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE interface (ATAPI) 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write - Retail
Newegg.com - PHILIPS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 8X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE interface (ATAPI) 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with 12X DVD-RAM Write - Retail

Power Supply [+$129]
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

Case [+$50]
I personally don't like the recommended Antec 900, and don't want a full tower so i'm thinking:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Speakers [Already owned]
Sony noise cancelling headphones, MDR-NC50

Mouse [+$25]
Logitech MX310 930928-0403 Black&White 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse - Retail
Newegg.com - Logitech MX310 930928-0403 Black&White 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse - Retail

Operating System [Already Owned]
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 - Retail
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 - Retail

Keyboard
Anybody know of any simple keyboards (non-wireless) that may be backlit?

WIFI
Anybody have any ideas on a good wireless card? Sadly i don't have lan cable access to my internet.

Monitor
I'm thinking around 19" to 21" (and obviously LCD). Any exceptional Monitors to look out for?

Sound Card [+80]
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Subtotal: $1405
That leaves a remainding $300 - $450 to spend on a keyboard, screen, and a WIFI card?

[Sora]

Motherboard- P5B-E
Newegg.com - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Ram- G.skill HZ (do NOT get your current ram)
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

with only a 19-21 inch monitor you would need the 640mb version of the GTS. The 320 will offer you the same performance right here
Newegg.com - EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Or just go all the way with an 8800GTX. I don't suggest the 640mb version with that small of a monitor though

PSU- Do not get that Hiper..instead get one of these. This PSU is plenty enough for any single card out there right now.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

OS: Stick with XP 32-bit and don't buy a new one...just use an old CD key.

Mouse: MX-518 over a 310....but the 310 is very good too

Sound card: X-FI Extremegamer

Case: I prefer the Antec Nine Hundred as a mid tower or the Gigabyte Aurora for $140 as it's a Full sized tower.

I think I got most of the stuff..

[Goober]

Thanks Sora for the response, i made a few changes (see above)

Will the WIFI card be a separate purchase or are they integrated with the motherboard?

[Sora]

The P5B has a model with Wifi built in...i dunno if it's exactly what you are looking for but I know it says Wifi on it lol.

here it is
Newegg.com - ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Like I said if it's not what your looking for get a P5B-E and add a 40 buck wifi card or so is all...they have the PCI-E x4 cards which are really good.

I'm so glad you did not go with that case as honestly The Centurion 5 is amazing...i would have suggested it but I figured since you had a 130 case you didint wanna go that low but excellent choice. If you are going with that why not get the one with the side panel for the same price? I love my side panel to show off haha.
Newegg.com - ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail


Your build is now excellent I think

[Goober]

The side panel looks cool, but from what i have read about the 8800GTS cards i probably need the extra vents. Plus, i only see the front of it below my desk, so no worries.

[Sora]

You may even want this one as it has dual 120mm fans

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

a 120mm intake at the same price. I actually have never heard it recommended though...hrrrm

[Goober]

With the

Motherboard [+146]
ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - ASUS P5B-E LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

What exactly does the
Northbridge: Intel P965 (and the)
Southbridge: Intel ICH8R do?

[ThirdLeft152]

the n/s bridges are basically the brains, they control the various objects in connected to your motherboard, such as SATA/IDE drives and graphics cards. i guess its what controls the actual connection between all the parts in your pc.

that is a very good motherboard, you should have no problems with it. if i had planned to go with a single GPU solution (not that i have one, but i planned on doing so) in the beginning i would have gotten that exact motherboard. its overclockin' ability is phenomenal, and is very stable.

for the keyboard you could look at..
Newegg.com - Saitek PZ08A 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys 4 Function Keys + Programmable command pad Function Keys USB Wired Standard Gamers' Keyboard - Retail or
Newegg.com - Saitek PZ30AU Black 104 Normal Keys 4 Function Keys USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
both are very nice and back-lit, and not to expensive when comparing others.

for the monitor i would suggest
Newegg.com - SCEPTRE X20WG-1080P Black 20.1" 5ms(GTG) 1080P HDCP supported Windows Vista Certified DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
im fixing to pick up one myself..

and as Sora suggested wifi, just pick up the card that fits your price range, they're all about the same in performance. and the reviews are right for the most part..