Building the New PC Questions

[trte066]

After reading the first mobo thread think I've got the basics, hoping for a few more experienced opinions.

Here's my setup, watchin UPS hourly.
GIGABYTE GA-8N-SLI Pro Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce4 SLI
Intel Pentium 4 640 Prescott 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T
GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
2 SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Thermaltake Tsunami VA3000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
SeaSonic S12-500 ATX12V 500W
eVGA Geforce 6800GS 256MB GDDR3 PCIE x16
MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal 8 in 1

1. Static Electricity - barefoot sitting on the power supply - got it.
2. install memory and cpu on mobo
3. hsf - what do you use after removing the sticky - where can I get it???
4. psu last
5. sticky tape and tie wraps - what kind of tape???
6. cd of stuff for install

Questions:
Anyone have problems with RAM compatibility, think this setup OK?
Should I use XP 64?
Plan to use SATA Raid - which one should I use, Raid0, Raid 1 , or Raid 0+1 and what order in the install process.
So first I update mobo bios, what other bios, GPU, are there separate nvidia bios?
Know any good links for further research?

 

[godlyatheist]

well, what do you use it for? gaming or multimedia?

the Sli mobo is overkill because you only have one video card.

well, if you game, i would suggest switch over to AMD athlon 64. The P4 640 is not a cheap CPU for the performance in gaming you get.

If you multimedia, stick with the intel. Or if you have cash to spare get a dual-core.

where can you get the hsf? is that what you are asking? Well both amd and intel's retail box cou come with one.

for raid stuff, read the sticky in the harddrive forum(is there one?) anyway someone will clear it up for you about teh pro and cons of raid

mobo bios don't need upgrade right away unless review say compatibility problem. The GPU bios are right from the nvidia site. The cd in the GPU box also have the driver

 

[EntityAnomly]

You're getting a floppy drive but no CDRW/DVDRW? Hopefully you remembered to order that as well.

 

[trte066]

Thanks for the response
gaming or multimedia?
I'll use it mainly for multimedia and development work with Visual Studio 2005

the Sli mobo is overkill because you only have one video card
true - am going to see how 1 performs and consider a second

If you multimedia, stick with the intel. Or if you have cash to spare get a dual-core.
considered but too much money right now for the dual core

where can you get the hsf?
read a lot of stuff about not using the hsf in the box but for now am just asking what to stick it on with and where to buy it

 

[EntityAnomly]

Well the hsf should snap right on with the intel clamps that come on the heatsink. You need to use some kind of thermal paste(Arctic Silver is good) to make good contact between the processor and heatsink.

I have a Zalman heatsink fan that works great it dropped my temps with the retail hsf by almost 20 F. This link is a newer model of the one I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118115

 

[godlyatheist]

the Sli mobo is overkill because you only have one video card
true - am going to see how 1 performs and consider a second

Now the 6800GS is a decent GPU, but if you buy two of them you've made a huge mistake. Two 6800GS in Sli($400) is not nearly as good as a single 78800gt($300).

As for HSF, a stock one is sufficient if you don't overclock. The stock thermal paste will do too.

Stick with the P4 in your case

 

[trte066]

have a Sony 16X 40XCD dvd -R+R that's in the box I'm replacing

 

[endyen]

While the stock hsf is sufficient, it is rather loud, and has a nasty whine.
Try it first. If you dont like it, zalman and thermalright make some very fine alternatives.
Don't get an oem chip, the longer warranty may be very important.

 

[pickxx]

1. Static Electricity - barefoot sitting on the power supply - got it.
2. install memory and cpu on mobo
3. hsf - what do you use after removing the sticky - where can I get it???
4. psu last
5. sticky tape and tie wraps - what kind of tape???
6. cd of stuff for install

1....yes, if you are barefoot and grounded the whole time you're fine. You shudln't short anything.
2....correct
3.....Isopryl Alcohol, th higher % the better....and you can get it at drug stores. I wouldn't use the stock HSF for a p4, even if someone paid me to. Use a nice Thermalright one....and if you must zlaman. They will lower your temps dramatically.
4....yup so the cords aren't in the way.
5...I use wire ties...you know those ghetto ass things tha come when you buy cheap garbage bags? Also you can take both sides off your case and hide wires and run wires behind where anyone can see.
6....Yup


you are goo to go.

 

[pickxx]

hey stupid....reply to the right person....lol

i tld him to gt a better hsf