First Time Builder - Need Help with Build

[jerman]

All,

This is my first build and I wouldn't consider myself very computer proficient, so want to make sure I am doing the right thing before I make the investment. Ideally, would like help with these questions:

1) Any conflicts or issues with the build?
2) Any suggestions for improvements?
3) Any areas which can be scaled back to cut costs?

Overall, looking for a decent gaming rig that can also handle multimedia functions.

Right now, with Windows added, I have a total of ~$1350. Thanks for your help!

Jer

Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=58

Rosewill RP550-2 ATX 2.01 550W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817182017

ASUS P5B-E Socket T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131070

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

eVGA 512-P2-N637-AR GeForce 7950GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130066

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

[rond36]

That case is almost the same as mine. but the link should be http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133154

Mine is the VA8003BWS (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=371331) and has a 240mm fan in the side but costs $50 more, other than that it is the same case.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/images/Enlarge_image/large/371331_B.jpghttp://www.zipzoomfly.com/images/Enlarge_image/large/371252_B.jpg

I have never used a Rosewill PSU but the specs don't look to bad for the price. I prefer Antec and Enermax PSUs, and I've heard Seasonic is very good but I have never had one.

My main PC has an Enermax Noisetaker II EG701AX VE(W) SFMA ATX12V Ver 2.2 600W Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194005) but it costs $100 more than the Rosewill. My other PC has the older version of the same PSU the Enermax Noisetaker I EG701AX VE 600W Power Supply (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=270366).

My daughter's PC has an old Antec PP412X 400W PSU that has been running 24/7 for 5 years :D

I think the MSI P965 NEO-F (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=249623) has a better slot layout than the Asus P5B-E and will allow more flexibility when installing PCI cards.

The MSI board has 2 PCI-E X1 slots under the video card slot so a two slot video card will not block any PCI slots. Even though you have chosen a one slot video card I suggest leaving the slot under the video card empty so that the video card's fan can get more air flow, and not have to draw air from between two expansion cards.

Everything else looks good.

[saphalline]

Hmmm... I rather prefer the slot layout of the Asus in the hopes that I won't have to contend with PCI expansion cards much longer. :p But that's just me being idealistic and expecting PCIe x1 cards to become more plentiful. ;) Even so, without a huge investment in PCI cards, I prefer to leave my PCIe options open. I vote for the Asus.

Other than that, I take issue only with the RAM. I don't like G.Skill - never seen a lot of good luck with them. Not as much as my other fav's for RAM, anyway. My "big 3 +1" are: Crucial/Micron, Corsair, Kingston, and Patriot (as the newbie). Also, unless you're going to be OC'ing that E6600 to the moon (unlikely) you won't need expensive DDR2-800 RAM. Standard DDR2-667 is more than enough.