Do you see problems w/ this build or ways I can save money?

Hi!

I'm just about ready to order my parts from Newegg, but the total cost isn't exactly what I was hoping for I'm considering this a final check for "compatibility" and ways to save money. If you have suggestions on unnecessary parts I can axe or necessary ones I can add, as well as alternative parts I should consider, please let me know. PS: I plan to overclock, but not the GPU.

-E6400 220$
-eVGA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard 239.99$
-OCZ GameXStream 700W PSU 149.99$ (after rebate - 124.99$)
-SUPER TALENT 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) 277.99$ (after rebate - 257.99$) (too much money???)
-eVGA 8800GTX 599.99$
-Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi FATAL1TY (with front I/O Console 182.99 (after rebate 132.99$) (save money by getting the XtremeGamer model for 69.99$???)
-2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 94.99$
-LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/LightScribe SHM-165H6S 36.99$ (maybe the LG 18x?)
-ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink 47.99$ (was recommended to me, don't know much about heatsink fans.
-Case??? (max 150$)

Total = 2095.91
I don't really have a budget, but I don't want to spend more than 2000$ on the computer, and I was hoping for about 1800$.

I agree with skyguy, ditch the mobo, it might be too much for you, unless you're going to do some extreme OC...

The sound card, if you can tell the difference in sound systems..., maybe..

8800 GTS is good advice....

The power supply is great, but you could get a lower rated supply for cheaper... and it should still work fine...

The case... if it's going to sit under your desk, you could get the one skyguy recommended..., I have one and it's great...(Centurion 5)...

8O

"then look at a Coolermaster Centurion"

That case WILL NOT fit an 8800GTX. I dont even think it will fit a 8800GTS. I just built a computer for my in laws and that case is pretty small.

Could you please elaborate on what you mean by extreme OCing? I mean, should I at least be able to hit in the 3-3.4Ghz on the 965 mobo with the Zalman or Arctic Freezer? As I've mentioned before, I really don't want to have any early adopter issues people have been having with the nForce 680i's. As much as I like computers and desire to know more about them, I do not have time to spend dealing with mobo issues, unless it's a simple bios update [/quote]

Personally, I'd like to go for 600W, but when I calculated everything on that power consumption website, it came out to 468W without an OC and 511W with. I don't know if I calculated the OC properly as I've never performed one. Don't know if that is too close for comfort.

Go with Gigabtye 965P-DS3. Overclocks very well.

Don't need that EVGA!!! Problems already with it. Great card makers but still working on their Mobos.

XFI sound card is good, but you don't need the extreme gamer edition. 7.1 surround is 7.1 surround, plus it takes pressure off you processor.

Use the stock cooler until you get some more experience and need to upgrade your cooler. It is still good for some nice overclocking.

If you want 3-3.4 ghz, then get 800 RAM, especially if you're not too experienced in overclocking. Trying to get 667 to hit those speeds would take alot of tweaking and maybe some luck. 800 will hit those speeds.

3-3.4 on stock HSF is possible, but not highly recommended.....aftermarket is better. But in the meantime, just keep the stock HSF, do some lighter OC'ing and learn. Then get a new cooler and push the OC higher.

With a 6300 you can hit 2.6 ghz no problem. Even easier with a 6400. 3.0 isn't that bad either, but takes some more knowledge and comfort with OC'ing......or else someone that can help you out to hit those higher numbers.

Duly noted.

Just to clarify, a stock part is what comes with the product or made by the manufacturer of that product, and aftermarket is what you might buy new on Newegg to replace the stock part?

Well my goal is to perform at or above the level of the X6800 processor without the cost so I'll need at least a 3Ghz overclock.

I'm going to check out that 965 mobo and add up the costs of my new setup and post it.

I had a look at that Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 mobo. Is this notice under its specifications something I should be concerned with?

Notice: Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets.

The RAM I'm looking at is:
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC4
With Timings: 4-4-3-8

They have another product:
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC5
With Timings: 5-5-5-15

:?:

HAHA, there ya go! Just get a case that will fit it I'm tight for space, and need a regular ATX case, so I'm going with a GTS instead, it'll do what I need for quite some time......

Here's the HSF:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

I'd still lose the soundcard if I were you. Then you could get the 6600 and a sexy Lian-Li case

Even the 600W PS should be enough...

If you go with a E6600, you can go with a 667 memory as well, depends on how much you want to OC... (333*9) will get you to 3.0 GHz...

8O

Nice.... remember, the thing that eats most of your power is the graphics cards, and since you won't be SLIing the 8800, you should still be fine with the 600W PS....

8O

Read these 2 articles on Tom's site.

E6400 overclocking and 8800 needs fastest CPU.

Considering that the R600 will be here in a month, I think getting the 8800GTX at this point is a waste. But, that's just me.

To balance your system, I'd go with the 8800GTS. The GTX is too much muscle for the E6400 (even overclocked). And OC'ing the E6400 to 3.3 GHz + will probably require a liquid cooling system. Or maybe you will get lucky and get an E6400 that will OC this high with an aftermarket cooler. Luck of the draw.

As far as PSU is concerned, I'd get the Hiper 580W. Plenty of amps and enough wattage. Though, if you feel better with the Thermaltake, then by all means, get it.

If you want a sound card, I'd get this one. Can't beat the $100 mail-in-rebate.

Oh, another bonus for waiting for the R600. The C2D's are suppose to drop in price on January 7th. If this is the case, you'll be able to pick up an E6600 for just above the cost of an E6400 today. Not much time to wait.

The fan/heatsink for the C2D is the Arctic Freezer Pro 7. Though, the CoolerMaster version from what I've read is a little better and I believe is the same price. But either one will be better than the one supplied with the processor. Might be better to get an OEM part to save a few more bucks.

The case I plan on getting is the Lian Li B-20B. Since you are in Norway and can order from Newegg, can you order from pagecomputers? They have the best price on this case. I think it's 20 bucks less then what Newegg wants.

I'd go with the Corsair Memory. Better timings and 4 bucks cheaper.

Hard drive is the one I would recommend.

Motherboard. I'd get the ASUS P5B-E but it doesn't have Firewire if you need that. Though, the -DS3 is still a nice board and almost 20 bucks less.

Is this that Lian-Li case you were talking about, Skyguy?

LIAN LI PC-7A plus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112068

I'm in the States right now, I go back to Norway mid-January, which means I have to buy and build now. I am going to eat now, but I will reply to the remainder of your message when I return.