Not So expensive Office/Gaming Build

I'm trying to put together a not so expensive, work + casual gaming computer,
my friend uses photoshop & he is a web developer, here are some parts I have decided for so far -

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

2 x Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100265L Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD322HJ 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 2253LW High-gloss Black 21.6" 5ms (2ms GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 8000:1(1000:1) - LCD Monitors

I wanted to get a Asus p5q mobo, but I'm not sure which one will overclock a q9550 better. Suggestions welcome, coz this just a draft. Also I would be ocing the procy to around 3.6ghz, so would it do it on stock cooling, (prolly not) - so which cooler would be a good choice.

thanks guys!

Why not a dual core? After all speed still matters for 95% games out there. It will save a lot of dough. Just imagine how many pizzas $75 can buy


Some better monitors

1- Newegg.com - HP w2207h Black 22" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

2- Newegg.com - LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support - LCD Monitors

3- Newegg.com - LG L226WTQ-BF Black 22" 2ms GTG Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 3000:1 DCR with HDCP Support - LCD Monitors

4- Newegg.com - SAMSUNG T220 Rose-Black 22" 2ms GTG Touch of Color series Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20,000:1 - LCD Monitors (but it has a slightly wobbly stand)


When it comes to Quads, Biostar is not that good. Even for dual cores, these motherboards are making some splash. Get either one of these:

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Even P5Q pro is better than Tpower I45 as far as Quads are concerned.

Your friend's rig does not need 650TX. Get any good 450 to 500W PSU from Earthwatts series or Seasonic and that is more than enough.

4850 is better than 4830 for a 22" monitor.

just my two cents

+1 to robo.

infact wasn't the EA500 odd watts PSU from antec available for 50 odd usd? would do beautifully for your purpose.

why do you need a q9550 for a 'not so expensive office/gaming rig'?
imho even a e8400 is overkill for such a rig. an e7300 oc'ed to about 4/3.8G should do fabulously.

buy:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives or Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3320613AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support - LCD Monitors

rest looks perfect

ohh.. and get the GSkill Pi Blacks..

i think the OCZ 1000MHz OC's more with lesser volts

you think? linky please

the ocz's do 1G @ 2.1v

What, me robo?

something's wrong with me today

Thanks a lot for the input here guys, here is a more refined list, and I'm selling off my 22" to my friend, and myself gonna buy a 24" -26" lcd, I need some quick response for that. Please suggest some decent ones for $400-$600 range.

Thanks guys!

The V2400W from BenQ sounds pretty good.
Good replacement policy (in case of bad pixels).
1:1 pixel mapping
HDMI connection.

Should be about 400-425$ at the US BenQ online store. (After shipping)
[ Use 'thankyou10' code for a ten percent discount]