Building Computer - share thoughts please

[aehaya]

Let me know what you think. Expect to buy within a week. Thanks.

ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131031

GIGABYTE GV-NX88X768H-RH GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-NX88X768H-RH
Item #: N82E16814125049

FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Quad. SLi Power Supply - Retail
Model #: FX 700-GLN
Item #: N82E16817104015


Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400
Item #: N82E16820145590

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Model #: MPF920 Black
Item #: N82E16821103116

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800JD
Item #: N82E16822135106
2 of these in raid 0

BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: FP202W
Item #: N82E16824014105


Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #: 70SB046000007
Item #: N82E16829102188

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
Model #: E85-04964
Item #: N82E16832116175


Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114 120mm Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail
Model #: CL-P0114
Item #: N82E16835106061

Still debating on what case to get.

Thanks. Let me know what you think. Recommendations appreciated.

 

[RichardJSampson]

That's going to be a nice machine. Only two suggestions:

First, instead of the 2 Caviar WD800 drives in RAID 0, I'd go for a single WD1500 10,000 RPM Raptor 150GB.

Second, I installed a Thermaltake big typhoon on my new rig (which is similar to yours), and I wasn't impressed. This may be due to other factors (which I just brought up in a new thread), but I definitely saw better performance with the Zalman CNPS9700 I just put in, and it comes packaged with thermal interface material that's just as good as AS5 (one less thing to worry about). I saw a 5 degree drop over the typhoon.

The case I'm using, the Antec Nine hundred, is friggin awesome and inexpensive. HIGHLY recommended, and very cost effective. If you're going be using aircooling, nothing comes close, at any price.

 

[111ShaDoW111]

dosent that board have its own little pci sound card deal (could be wrong)

oh and be aware xp pro has no upgrade path to vista ultimate(if thats the version you want to upgrade to)only the basic vista packs are upgradable.

 

[Aramane]

Be weary of the size of the 8800GTX in the 900. I beleive it's a pretty tight squeeze. Am I right?

 

[1Tanker]

Let me know what you think. Expect to buy within a week. Thanks.

ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe
Item #: N82E16813131031

GIGABYTE GV-NX88X768H-RH GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-NX88X768H-RH
Item #: N82E16814125049

FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Quad. SLi Power Supply - Retail
Model #: FX 700-GLN
Item #: N82E16817104015


Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X2048-6400
Item #: N82E16820145590

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Model #: MPF920 Black
Item #: N82E16821103116

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800JD
Item #: N82E16822135106
2 of these in raid 0

BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: FP202W
Item #: N82E16824014105


Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #: 70SB046000007
Item #: N82E16829102188

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
Model #: E85-04964
Item #: N82E16832116175


Thermaltake Big Typhoon CL-P0114 120mm Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail
Model #: CL-P0114
Item #: N82E16835106061

Still debating on what case to get.

Thanks. Let me know what you think. Recommendations appreciated.

Keep in mind that if you have overclocking in mind, this motherboard isn't very good at O/Cing. GL

 

[zjohnr]

Let me know what you think. Expect to buy within a week. Thanks.

ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 ATX

Keep in mind that if you have overclocking in mind, this motherboard isn't very good at O/Cing.
Just my (relatively uninformed) opinion, but if you want to go with an Nvidia SLI chipset, you're probably much better off going with something from their new 600i series. If you can hold off from buying through December you should have more (better?) SLI mobo choices.

And, hey, maybe DDR2 will even be cheaper? (A geek can dream, can't he? )

-john, the tentative and redundant legacy dinosaur

 

[shinigamiX]

Everything looks great! I do, however, recommend that you get a better motherboard, such as a nForce 680i one or perhaps an Intel 975X/P965 one.

 

[qrhetoric]

Hmm maybe you should get the floppy drive advance version

Seriously though, the hard drives are no good, I agree with other fellow and get a 150GB Raptor, or get 2 seagate 250GB 7200.10 drives.

Also, you are spending too much on the sound card. Get a cheaper audigy, and spend the cash on a BenQ monitor with a faster response time, like the FP222W, which is also a bit bigger.

I don't recall seeing a DVD drive in your list... get the lite-on from newegg for 30 bucks, since it is retail and comes with burning software.

Bruce

 

[aehaya]

Thanks everyone. I was just going to use by dvd drive from my old computer. Will look into a better motherboard. I was also just wondering if u guys think the that 8800GTX is justified at $650 or would u say that the 7950GX2 is a better deal at $450? Could someone also tell me whats better about the above mentioned motherboards and why i should get them. Thanks

 

[Guest]

For motherboard I second everyone, If you can find a P5N32-E Sli for a decent price(might not be possible) you should go for it. Other then that, people kinda liked the eVga reference board...Choice are limited with 680i.

As for the card, in the ~450 I would recommend the GTS, similar performance, but more future proof. If you have the money go for the GTX...

 

[carlhungis]

I would say that it looks like a good build, but I would go with a bigger HDD. Seagate has a 320GB 3.0gb/s SATA for 94 bucks shipped at Newegg. Or you could go with 2 WD 250's that are going for 65ish each. 80gb just isn't what it used to be.

The 650 on the 8800 is top dollar. You should look at Toms VGA guide and see if you could get similar performance in anything less expensive. Or just wait a bit longer for more DX10 cards to arrive.

 

[aehaya]

Final Build - Last minute thoughts? - let me know what you think. Going to place order today. upgraded to 680i mobo. Going to use optical drive from old comp. decided on on 160 gb drive as i don't wanna deal with raid 0 as i have never done it before. Let me know if you have any recommendations that'll keep me in the same price range.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $44.99

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM $7.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JSRTL 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail $59.99

SCEPTRE X20WG-Naga Black 20.1" 5ms (GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail $249.99

GIGABYTE GV-NX88X768H-RH GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $659.99

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail $134.99

ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU 120mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Copper Heatsink - Retail $39.99

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM $5.99

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
$280.00

eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $249.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $308.00

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM $139.99


Total = $2226.12

Let me know if you can see any dire things I need to change. Thanks and happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[zjohnr]

This is not so much a thought as a feeling. And something feels possibly out of synch with spending over $2200 on a system but only spending ~$45 for the case.

Now the case you selected might be exactly what you need and thus there's no need to mess with it. But before you pull the trigger on this, you might also want to bop around with newegg's search engine a bit and/or maybe google a few case reviews to see what else is out there. The look and feel and ventilation of the case might matter to you more than you expect it will.

Maybe look at something with both a front and a rear 120mm fan and a somewhat more accessible place for the front panel ports other than the very bottom of the case?

Look at this way, UPS ain't working on Friday anyway. So unless you pay a ridiculous surcharge for FedX you probably won't delay the arrival of your system if you window shop a bit more on Friday.

FWIW,
-envious john, the redundant legacy dinosaur

 

[skyguy]

Grab the Zalman 9500 or 9700, not the 7700.

Get a Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/ 16 mb cache......whatever size you want.

Get a better case.



Other than that, you have alot of fun in store! Good system.

 

[mad-dog]

Let me know what you think.

I think it looks like 99.9% of the other "please rate my rig" threads,
and why you dragged into the CPU forum is beyond me,
have you no morals....

Expect to buy within a week.

So, we can expect to see your "new build, wont post, please help" thread in 2 weeks..

Thanks.

danada.

 

[1Tanker]

Let me know what you think.

I think it looks like 99.9% of the other "please rate my rig" threads,
and why you dragged into the CPU forum is beyond me,
have you no morals....

Expect to buy within a week.

So, we can expect to see your "new build, wont post, please help" thread in 2 weeks..

Thanks.

danada.If we do, do us all a favour, and don't reply to it. Whining not necessary.

 

[zjohnr]

Two alternate case choices from Antec. I'm not recommending them because I do not know enough to do that. I haven't done (much) research and I certainly haven't tried them. (Can't afford them right now ). Just posting the links FWIW. Also newegg has some Black Friday sales that you might want to look at.

The Antec Nine Hundred is interesting because it puts the "front panel" inputs on the top of the case where I think they would be easier to use. It also seems to allow a lot of flexibility in terms of how the drive bays are used.

The Antec P180 looks interesting as a potentially very quiet PC.

Antec P180:
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800
Silent PC article (promo?): http://www.silentpcreview.com/article249-page1.html
Antec Performance I P180 Silver ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ~$131 shipped ($111 after $20 rebate exp 11/28/2006)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129154
Antec Performance I P180B ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ~$126 shipped ($91 after $35 rebate exp 11/26/2006)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129017

Antec Nine Hundred:
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15900
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ~$160 shipped ($135 after $25 rebate exp 11/26/2006)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129021

-john

 

[aehaya]

Thanks everyone for all your help. Here is the setup I went with.. Thanks Again. now just cant wait to get it!!!

-eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard $249.99
-GIGABYTE GV-NX88X768H-RH GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card $659.99
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $308.00
-Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM $139.99
-Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $74.99
-OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail $134.99
-Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM $5.99
-ZALMAN 9700 LED 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail $44.9-
-OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit $219.99
-SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
-SAMSUNG 204BW Black 20" 6ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height Adjustments - Retail $288.99
-Antec Performance I P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $114.9

Thanks!!!!

 

[navysandsquid]

-eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard $249.99
BFG Tech BFGR88768GTXE GeForce 8800GTX 768MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $659.99
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $308.00
-Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b Free
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - 219.99
COOLMAX CTG-850 ATX12V 850W Power Supply - 279.99
-ZALMAN 9700 LED 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail $44.9-
CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 314.99
-SAMSUNG 204BW Black 20" 6ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height Adjustments - Retail $179.99
COOLER MASTER Praetorian 730 RC-730-SSN1 Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 145.99

This is what I ordered last WEDNESDAY..... UPS is gay tell them to hurry up damn it. Why wouldn't the deliver on friday. Let me know how ur's works out.

 

[aehaya]

Should i have gotten a 10,000 rpm drive...? was really thinking about it then decided wasn't worth the dough. I just couldn't afford it but wish i could. Our systems are kinda simialar - let me know how yours turns out as well!!

 

[navysandsquid]

I figured if ur gonna spend 2200 on a system get the best

 

[zjohnr]

This is what I ordered last WEDNESDAY..... UPS is gay tell them to hurry up damn it. Why wouldn't the deliver on friday. Let me know how ur's works out.

UPS did not deliver the Friday after Thanksgiving. Newegg has a notice up on their website letting people know that UPS delivery was going to take longer than usual over this holiday weekend.

FWIW, -john

 

[navysandsquid]

I know I'm just being impatient

 

[sirheck]

building a new computer can sometimes be like this.

http://www.break.com/index/rejected_tire_commercials.html

i.e. frustrating,funny and sometimes dangerous :lol: