Here's my proposed build - is it OK?

[fuzzoom]

I have done alot of research online and have chosen the components I want. I am most likely going to build a pc myself, with some help from my cousin. He is a gamer and has built his own pc. My proposed build is:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146699

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3179250&CatId=139

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

XFX GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150247

ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD Burner with LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106229

ZALMAN 750W Heatpipe-Cooled SLI Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379006

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B for System Builders 1 Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056

Xoxide X-Blade Extreme Case
http://www.xoxide.com/xblade2.html

I don't do any gaming. I do 3D models and scenes as a hobby. 3D is pretty demanding on the processor and memory. Any 64-bit OS is out because there are no 64-bit drivers for my printer and scanner (both very nice Canons).

[jlreich]

The Q6600 is getting long in the tooth. I would rather see you spend a little more cash and get a Q9300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043) with a 1333 FSB and 45nm tech. It will serve you better in the short term and in the long run.

For your needs I don't like the 750i board. You are not a gamer so you don't need SLI. Save some cash and have a look at this new P45 board (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345). It will support future CPU's, supports faster ram for future needs, supports 16MB ram, cost less, and is a better board IMHO.

For what you are going to use the machine for I would go ahead and get 4GB ram. DDR2-800 is really cheap ($86.50 for 4GB, $66.50 after MIR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184)) and 4GB will help out for the things you want to use the system for. I have a pair of those in my system now and thinking about getting another just because they are so cheap. :)

That is a good power supply but way overkill for your needs. A nice 550-650w will be more than enough and provide plenty of room for growth. Really 550w should be more than enough. Here is an excellent 610w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005) for a great price if you catch it while it is still on sale.

You don't really need the extra HSF for the CPU. The stock one should be adequate. You can get it if you want, but I usually say try the stock cooler first and then get a better one if needed. Unless you just like it, then have at it.

I haven't done the math but with the savings on the motherboard, cooler and power supply, add the more expensive CPU and more ram it should come out to around the same total price. For a system that is better and will last longer and have more room to upgrade in the future.

[fuzzoom]

jlreich,
Thank you for the suggestions. The motherboard, PSU and CPU sound you suggested sound good. I think I will go with those. My only worry is making sure all the components are compatible with each other. Unfortunately I can't have more than 2 GB of RAM. I would need a 64-bit OS for 4 GB, and I can't get 64-bit because there are no 64-bit drivers available for my Canon printer and scanner (I checked on Canon's website). I don't want Vista, so I have to stick with XP 32-bit for now. My cousin says that the DDR2 RAM is pretty good or fast or whatever, so I shouldn't need more than 2 GB.

[jlreich]

You don't need 64bit to have 4GB ram. XP 32bit will show up to 3.5GB, with the other .5GB being used by the OS. Yes some of it will go to waste, but like I said ram is so cheap...

There are some that report only seeing 2.8GB of the 4GB in XP 32bit, but with the P45 board (a brand new Intel chipset) and the Q9300 you shouldn't have a problem with seeing at least 3.25GB. I have two systems that have 4GB running a 32bit OS and one sees 3.5GB (XP, my desktop) and the other sees 3.25GB (vista laptop).

Other than being so cheap another reason I would recommend 4GB for you is because the types of programs you are more than likely running are ram hungry. My daughter who makes and edits movies and high resolution pictures in Photoshop has recently run in to a brick wall with only 2GB ram. I installed a third GB and she is still coming up short. Time for her to move to a 64bit OS so she can move up to 6 or 8GB. :(

I am guessing you won't be doing as hard core of stuff as she is doing, but more ram is good.

It's up to you, if you feel 2GB is plenty that's fine. You can always get more later if you find 2GB is not enough. ;)

[fuzzoom]

I'm really glad to hear that I can have 4GB of RAM on a 32-bit system. From some of the other message boards I have read, I had the impression that 2GB was the limit. The 3D programs I use are definitely RAM-hungry. I create 3D scenes with lots of objects, and complex lighting/texture effects. I need all the power I can get.

[jlreich]

Actually with running those types of programs you need ram more than most gamers do.

I also run vista 64bit on my machine and have seen ram usage only as high as 2.7GB running games. But my daughter would probably max out the 4GB if I were to let her use my machine for her work. Sorry though, I don't want to let her use my system. It would be one thing if it would take an hour or so, but she would need hours and hours to complete her work. Hmm, I don't know, I have been thinking of letting her use it while I am at work to finish this one project that she can't seem to get done on her machine...