-Z-

Hello all,
As the subject line suggests, I am working to build my first system and just wanted another set of eyes to look over this before I start buying parts.
The system will be a replacement for a family general use system with some graphics-intensive gaming. Nothing cutting edge, but enough to bog down my current system. Budget is roughly $1200. Went shopping around newegg and here is what I was able to come up with.
Here goes:
CPU- Conroe 2.66 gHz Core2 Duo E6750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029

Motherboard- XFX MB-N780-ISH9 780i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150252

RAM- 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227199

PSU- OCZ StealthXStream 600w ATX12V / EPS12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

Video- XFX GeForce 8800GT 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150252

Case- Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133132

Optical Drive- Samsung 22x DVD burner SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151171

HDD-250GB Seagate barracuda 7200 rpm SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

Some of the questions I have about components:
-If I am getting a retail CPU, will it have a heatsink and thermal compound with it? Is it worth getting an "aftermarket" thermal compound?
-How can I check into compatibility between the mobo and RAM?
-Is a 600W PSU enough to cover this system?

I really don't know much about cases, but the one above had decent reviews on newegg. I am concerned about the amount of noise the system puts out, since my current rig sounds somehting like a 747 when it gets to working hard. If anyone has any better recommendations for cases in a similar price range, I am all ears.
Like I mentioned before, this is my first time taking a stab at this. Let me know if any of this looks strangely matched.

Thank you for looking this over and for any advice you are willing to provide!

Unospazmatic

"If I am getting a retail CPU, will it have a heatsink and thermal compound with it? Is it worth getting an "aftermarket" thermal compound?"

Depends on if the cpu or mobo come with any thermal compund. They usually do but sometimes they either leaked or aren't in there.

"How can I check into compatibility between the mobo and RAM?"

I personally like corsair ram so go here to see if your mobo is compatible.

"Is a 600W PSU enough to cover this system?"

If it is a good psu then yes, 600 is enough. The problem is that with newer vid cards and cpus you have a lot of amperage use on the 12v rail. Basically just look at the amps of the rails(there will be three that ultimately are all you need to focus on; the 3.3v, the 5v and the 12v rails). Basically with that setup you want 25-30 amps on your 3.3v and 5v and 40+ amps on your 12v.

If I can find the link to the psu I plan on using I will link it. It will provide ample power and you will be "future proofing" in case you wish to upgrade something else later.


Found the link http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSMC05E.htm

That psu is 750w with 24amps on the 3.3v rail, 28 on the 5v and 60 on the 12v rail. It may be a bit overkill in some areas but for $107 bucks how can you beat it?

P.S. ty Linderman for suggesting that psu, that thing is sexy ^_^


Edit: Also, if I were you I would go with a full tower instead of a mid tower as it gives you more room and better cooling. Just looking through newegg I found this case which comes with two huge fans and is bigger than the case you have plus it is the same price.

-Z-

Uno,
Thanks for the information on the case and good find on that PSU. I think I will go with those parts you recommended.

Much appreciated.

-z-

wrench97

Before you get that 7xx chipset board check this thread http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion...hp?t65855.html

And Google "Nvidia 7xx chipsets"

__________________

-Z-

wrench,
Thanks for the heads up, definately worth knowing.
I don't know too much about motherboards, I just found that one compatible with my other components and it had a good set of reviews.
What manufacturers / characteristics should I be looking for in the motherboard other than component compatibility? Anyone have any preferences they want to throw out there?

Thanks again for any help or advice.

wrench97

Are you looking to SLI or use a single card?

__________________

-Z-

I was planning on running a single card to start out. I had the SLI there to leave room for a future upgrade. For what I do on the system, I believe that a single 8800GT should be more than enough.

linderman

I wouldnt bother with SLI especially wouldnt bother with any of those buggy 680,750, 780, 790 chipsets they can be a major headache

stick with the Intel P35 chipset its older, but has all the muscle of the more expensive and newer released X38, X48, P45 chipsets

I would suggest you look at Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R

or

Asus P5K-E

as for the cpu ...... pay the extra $10.00 and go with the Intel E8400 is much better choice and much faster than the E6750

__________________



If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

wrench97

Check out the P35-P45 chipsets Gigabyte or asus You can't SlI them but it's starting to look like ATI wants back in the game with the 4870 card or you could in the future use Nvidia X2 Card GA-EP35-DS3R or DS3L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128086

__________________

-Z-

linderman,
Thanks for the advice on the processor. I didn't even see the E8400 when I was first looking. Good upgrade for not a lot of money.

Thanks to all for any advice provided!

-Z-

Ok,
Here is the new update on the system, what I am still concerned about is the motherboard. This is where I am at on components:
CPU- Wolfdale E8400
Video- XFX 9800GTX
PSU- Corsair 750W
RAM- Corsair Dominator DDR2 1066 (2 x 2GB)

Am I short-changing myself with this motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295

Getting to the boundaries of the budget, and I really don't want to skimp on this part. A semi-gaming rig, will be running Crysis and some other graphics-intense programs, but nothing that needs to be hardcore. Not looking to do any SLI stuff.
I can back off the video card and the RAM can obviously change to accomodate a different mobo. Just want to check and see if I am badly mismatched on my components.

I would like to stick with a P35/P45 chipset (does P35 accomodate PCI 2.0 x 16 ?). Looking for confirmation if this board can hack it, or if I should be looking for something else.
Any suggestions are welcome.

wrench97

No the P5Q is a good board The P5Q Pro gives you 2 x16 slots for crossfire and the P5Q e adds eSata and s/Pdif support.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131295

__________________

wrench97

P35 & X38 Are Pcie 1.x board but the cards out now and the foreseeable future run just fine in the 1.x slots with the Intel chip sets.

__________________

-Z-

Wrench,
Appreciate the quick reply and all the help with this.
Time to go ahead and dive into this thing!

wrench97

Like the man said press the buy button and let us know how it goes.

__________________