Hi there, long time reader, first time poster.

I'm finally getting around to replacing my PIII-733 system (yes you read that right). Anyway, was inspired by the System Builder Marathon: Sub-$2000 PC article http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,1959.html and spent most of the day today coming up this this rig, coming in at just about 2K. I haven't build a new PC in over 7 years and would really appreciate any advice or comments, specifically regarding any incompatibilities you may see.

- I borrowed the case/CPU cooler from the 4K article, I liked it better:
CPU Cooler Swiftech H20-120 Compact Cooler Kit
Swiftech MCR220 2x120mm Radiator
Silverstone RADSUPPORT09
Swiftech Chrome 3/8-Inch Fittings, 2-pack
Swiftech Plastic Hose Clamps, 4-pack
2x Swiftech 3/8-Inch Neoprene Tubing Packs
2x Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120mm Fan
Case Silverstone Temjin TJ09BW
- I took the advice of those who commented on the article and switched to an x48 board and 2 4850's.
- I checked the memory in the approved list in the manual of the P5E Deluxe, and A-Data memory is there, however no 4GB packs are listed, only 512 and 1024 MB - do you think I will have any issues using the memory listed in the article?
- My overclocking knowledge is very limited, and may not even bother trying - in case I do want to though, does this MB/RAM/CPU combo look overclocking-friendly?
- I plan on using one drive for the system partition and the other three in a raid5.

OK - here is the rig - I found all parts on www.newegg.com except for a few, added in a bit later - I wanted to do this as if I was buying today so had to go elsewhere to find available parts:

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1 Antec NeoPower 650 Blue 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $109.99
1 SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5 $7.99
1 SILVERSTONE TJ09-BW Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $294.99
1 Silverstone SST-RADSUPPORT09 radiator Supporter $11.99
1 ASUS P5E Deluxe LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard $229.99
2 ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit $389.98
1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core $199.99
2 A-DATA Vitesta 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $169.98
4 Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0G $299.96
1 LITE-ON 20X DVD?R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black LH-20A1L-06 $31.99
1 Swiftech H20-120 COMPACT 120mm Liquid Cooling Kit $119.99
2 Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan $29.98
Shipping $48.00
Total: $1,944.82 from Newegg

Swiftech MCR220-QP Liquid Cooler Radiator $48.90 from EBay (includes shipping)

Swiftech Chrome 3/8-Inch Fittings, 2-pack $5.00
2x Swiftech Plastic Hose Clamps, 4-pack $4.00
2x Swiftech 3/8-Inch Neoprene Tubing Packs $25.98
Shipping $5.97
Total $40.95 Shipped from Swiftech

Grand total (all items shipped) $2034.67

What exactly are you using the computer for? Unless you perform large drive writes on a regular basis RAID will not help you. Most onboard RAID controllers suck for RAID 5.

If you don't do video editing or heavy Photoshop work you don't need 8GB of RAM either. Drop to 4GB. I don't really like A.Data but it is ok.

If you are not playing games at resolutions of over 1920x1200 you do not need to Crossfire your cards. Your money would be better spent buying one 4870 and saving $100 in the process.

Take that $100 you just saved and pick up a Q9450 instead. More L2 cache and it runs cooler due to being 45nm.

I woud dump the water cooling if you not going for a high OC.
Swap the q6600 for Q9450 the ram is a bit pricy mite go with some G.Skill
2x2gigs 8500 for 89.00. Mite want to look at the P45 MoBo.

don't get the p45 mobo for crossfire... just read a thread on it... terrible for CF... x48 is much better

Under 1920x1200 on the 4850 it is ok. Otherwise you are correct. X38/X48.

Um... I'm calling into question your 650 watt power supply. With a quad core cpu, crossfire, and 4 hardrives, i really don't think 650 watts is going to do you justice. You might want to go for a more powerful power supply. I'd say at least 800 watts.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2758 or http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=3406 oem only real difference is the cache and the price. cpu
for graphics card you might want to wait for 4870x2. it would be around 450-550 but scale very well.
I also have to question the power suply at least 800.
go with the x48

Water Cooling is overrated, top air coolers [~$50 - $75] beat ~$150 water cooling kits like yours. Read some reviews on it.

PSU wattage is just marketing. A tri sli system will break 600 watts no much else. All that higher wattage PSUs gives you is more cables - so just make sure it has enough cables.
May be look at the PC Power and Cooling 750W Silencer or the Corsair HX620W.

Also, watercooling is a bit of a waste of money if your not Overclocking - unless you are going for a silent machine. Save your money and stick with air.

Thank you all for your replies, I've made some (what I think are good) changes based on your thoughts - one of which is upgrading from the Q6600 to the Q9450. I am having some trouble selecting memory and just posted a question in the memory forum http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] d-help#bas - any help would be greatly appreciated.

Neither of your choices.

Get this stuff:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231148