First time build - need advice - General-Homebuilt

I want to build a good gaming rig, everything else I do will be covered. My current picks are as follows, although I still have questions. I also need to keep the price close to what it is, as I'm already over budget.

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Case COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW --> ?
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811119068

First issue, is this a good case for my build? If so, do I need to replace the 80mm with a 120mm?
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Case Fan COOLER MASTER SAF-S12-E1 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999072

See above.
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Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115013
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Memory CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145590
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Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128012

Do I try to wait for the DS3 rev 3.3?
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Power Supply OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128012

I think I would like modular cabling better. Any suggestions?
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Cooling ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

Is it necessary?
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GPU EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130071

Will the case work with this card ok? I was going to downgrade and wait, but then thought different, then thought different, then thought different.
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Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3250620AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

Will add 1 or 2 later.
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Monitor LG L204WT 20" Widescreen Monitor
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/pro [...] keycode=92

$279, free shipping at CC. I also like the Samsung 4:3 1600x1200 but I still think WS is the way to go, especially at this price.
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SONY Black 16X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827131039
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Floppy MITSUMI Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 digital card reader with Floppy Drive Model FA404M BLK

Almost extinct, but it comes with a card reader.
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Keyboard Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156
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Mouse MS (comes with keyboard) (will use current MX518)
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Soundcard Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829102006

Will hold on the speakers, I am now using a Sennheiser 150 head set and I have my old speakers, if needed.
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OS Windows XP Home w/ Vista Premium upgrade
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusear [...] e&nextloc=

I will get Vista by March, but will hold off until I see how things play out.
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Total cost, around $1800 plus or minus depending on sales and rebates. Not too bad, since I was shooting for $1500.

Summary of questions -

1. How about my case choice? Will the 8800GTX fit ok? Any other suggestions?

2. Depending on the case, do I need extra fans (or replaement fans) along with the Arctic cooling system? Or do I even need the cooling system?

3. The MB has a v2 and/or a v3.3 coming out. Should I wait?

4. Comments on power supply.

5. I've been all over the place with monitors. I'd like to go WS, work space will limit me to no more than 22", the LG seems to be a good deal at this price ($278).

Give me some feedback guys. Any other suggestions or criticism?

Add a reply

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One thing you may want to consider is getting a less expensive, DX9 video card and putting that extra $$ into a faster processor.

This video card is execllent and will eat every existing game's lunch for a lot less money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102067

IMHO, there is no point in paying a premium for DX10 now, when there are no games to utilize it.

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Edited for coherency

Reply to ramble235

This looks pretty good.

I would suggest a case with at least 2 - 120mm fans. Much better airflow. The P180 might be a bit out of your price range, but it is solid. There are many good cases out there - just try to ensure good airflow.

Also - to parrot the previous voice - get a good DX9 card - such as they suggest. There is no real need to go DX10 right now - let the technology settle down a bit.

Just my 2 cents.

Reply to avarice

Everything looks good, but if you're trying to save some $$, then don't bother with the aftermarket HSF it's not necessary. That won't save much $, but it'll help.

OCZ PSU is good, don't bother with modular. Not necessary and too expensive for you, just tuck the cables nicely away and take your time to do it right.

Where you will REALLY save money is your vid card. That 1950XT is a great card, no doubt, but you don't even really need that much. You can go with a a 7900GS or even down to a 7600GT, save your money and wait til mid-range DX10 cards come out later or when the 8800GTS drops in price alot. DX10 games won't be out for awhile, so the GTS is overkill for you right now. Save your money, get a 7600GT to last your for 6-8months and then sell it and jump in and get a DX10 card at that point.

By then the ATI DX10 cards will be out, prices will be more competitive all around, and you're laughing all the way to the bank.

Reply to skyguy

I'll second the vote for the Antec P180 case. I love this case. Its quiet, cool, fine looking, well designed, etc etc. Worth every penny.

Reply to ramble235

You could say I'm biased because I have an Antec P180, but I've owned several cases and this one is simply amazing. Very quiet, amazing quality, good airflow, very versatile with the choices for fan placement, tons of space.

The ONLY thing is that wiring it properly takes time. It is not for someone without patience. You need to take your time getting the P180 wires tucked away and do a good job. If you can dedicate some time to do a good job, then it's simply an amazing case for the price. It'll last forever.

Reply to skyguy

Quote :

One thing you may want to consider is getting a less expensive, DX9 video card and putting that extra $$ into a faster processor.

This video card is execllent and will eat every existing game's lunch for a lot less money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102067

IMHO, there is no point in paying a premium for DX10 now, when there are no games to utilize it.

--------------------------
Edited for coherency

Quote :

Where you will REALLY save money is your vid card. That 1950XT is a great card, no doubt, but you don't even really need that much. You can go with a a 7900GS or even down to a 7600GT, save your money and wait til mid-range DX10 cards come out later or when the 8800GTS drops in price alot. DX10 games won't be out for awhile, so the GTS is overkill for you right now. Save your money, get a 7600GT to last your for 6-8months and then sell it and jump in and get a DX10 card at that point.

You guys are making me feel good. The Sapphire card was the first card I had on my list and the card I replaced with the 8800 was a 7900GS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150202

Quote :

One thing you may want to consider is getting a less expensive, DX9 video card and putting that extra $$ into a faster processor.

Are you suggesting an E6600? Is it worth the extra bucks when the E4300 can get me to my 3.0 Ghz goal? Not challenging you, just asking?

Quote :

I would suggest a case with at least 2 - 120mm fans. Much better airflow. The P180 might be a bit out of your price range, but it is solid. There are many good cases out there - just try to ensure good airflow.

I looked at the P180 real hard. I was concerned about the cabling and the PSU placement. Worst case scenario, I guess you just get a cable extender or whatever their called.

OK. I will go with the P180 and XFX 7900GS. I'm still open on the CPU waiting on Ramble235 to sway me.

The research is exhausting, but it's also half the fun. I'm excited about my first build, been wanting to do it for years, just never made the move. I've changed my share of cards and HD etc, but never messed with the MB. That has me a little nervous, but still looking forward to it.[/quote]

Reply to billyc

[quote="Billyc"]

Quote :

One thing you may want to consider is getting a less expensive, DX9 video card and putting that extra $$ into a faster processor.

This video card is execllent and will eat every existing game's lunch for a lot less money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102067

IMHO, there is no point in paying a premium for DX10 now, when there are no games to utilize it.

--------------------------
Edited for coherency

Quote :

Where you will REALLY save money is your vid card. That 1950XT is a great card, no doubt, but you don't even really need that much. You can go with a a 7900GS or even down to a 7600GT, save your money and wait til mid-range DX10 cards come out later or when the 8800GTS drops in price alot. DX10 games won't be out for awhile, so the GTS is overkill for you right now. Save your money, get a 7600GT to last your for 6-8months and then sell it and jump in and get a DX10 card at that point.

You guys are making me feel good. The Sapphire card was the first card I had on my list and the card I replaced with the 8800 was a 7900GS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150202

Quote :

One thing you may want to consider is getting a less expensive, DX9 video card and putting that extra $$ into a faster processor.

Are you suggesting an E6600? Is it worth the extra bucks when the E4300 can get me to my 3.0 Ghz goal? Not challenging you, just asking?

Quote :

I would suggest a case with at least 2 - 120mm fans. Much better airflow. The P180 might be a bit out of your price range, but it is solid. There are many good cases out there - just try to ensure good airflow.

I looked at the P180 real hard. I was concerned about the cabling and the PSU placement. Worst case scenario, I guess you just get a cable extender or whatever their called.

OK. I will go with the P180 and XFX 7900GS. I'm still open on the CPU waiting on Ramble235 to sway me.

The research is exhausting, but it's also half the fun. I'm excited about my first build, been wanting to do it for years, just never made the move. I've changed my share of cards and HD etc, but never messed with the MB. That has me a little nervous, but still looking forward to it.

(Sorry for the double post, thought I was in edit, but must have been in reply)

Reply to billyc

Your CPU choice depends on you want to o/c. You can clock the E4300 to run equal to the stock E6600. Using the E4300 allows to you use slower RAM.
Using the E660 should run close to 3.0 mhz stock and I would stay which the RAM you chose, as it will give you some headroom for growth.

Reply to alcattle

Don't worry about the PSU placement in the P180....it's actually better this way. Heat rises, and the PSU is at the bottom of the case. Plus, the bottom fan pushes air directly across the PSU and exhaust right out the back of the case....very cool, very quiet with the partition. It IS harder to get some good cable management though, so like I said.....think it out and take your time.

The P180's case sides.....give them a whack....and you'll hear a dull THUD. Very thick, very quiet. Whack a normal case and it makes a racket on the steel.

And keep the stock Tri-cool fans on MEDIUM. Good balance between airflow and noise.

I LOVE my P180, am just waiting for my Noctua 120mm silent fans to arrive, and still trying to decide what HSF to replace my Zalman 9500....it's too loud on high, and I want something quiet that can keep my overclocked CPU cool.

Reply to skyguy

Thanks Skyguy. I've got it in my list. Should I order a cable extender just in case?

How do you like your Logitec G15?

Reply to billyc

What he said about the CPU is spot-on: I *was* thinking of the E6600 for the headroom, but the 4300 is just fine too with OC im sure.

I do not know a lot about OCing that 4300 at all, but id imagine that heat will be a concern, as with all OC. So keep that in mind.

I would much rather get a CPU that runs natively at the speed I want, then OC later when needed. But im sure many other people would argue against that approach. Thats just my take on these things and im no expert.

And again, if you can possibly fit it in your budget, get the P180 case. youll be happy you did The wiring is a little harder than other cases but well worth it and, really, its not even that hard...youll be fine.

Also, unless there is a specific feature of that Sony DVD that you need, there are many quality DVD/CD recorders for less $$. Samsung makes a great one for about $30, as do other good companies. $15 less isnt much but it adds up lol. just fyi :

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Antec P180B
Intel E6600 CPU
Asus 975X P5W DH Mobo
2 Gig Corsair 6400C4 RAM
Tuniq Tower T-120 HSF
Sapphire X1950XT Video Card
Oblivion @ 100+ FPS, Priceless

Reply to ramble235

I tend to agree with you, Ramble235. I'm giving the E6600 another hard look. I can reach my 3.0 with alot left for later.

Quote :

Also, unless there is a specific feature of that Sony DVD that you need, there are many quality DVD/CD recorders for less $$. Samsung makes a great one for about $30, as do other good companies. $15 less isnt much but it adds up lol. just fyi :

Thanks for that tidbit also. I just picked the Sony cause I've had good luck with them. Never looked too hard at them. Will do so now.

Reply to billyc

G15 ROCKS. There are many applets to run on your LCD screen...I have TeamSpeak display running on mine There are others for whatever your tastes. Very slick looking. ONLY problem is that paint starts to wear off after a year on the keys somewhat......but I heard that got fixed in the newer ones with different paint finish/sealer. I got mine quite awhile ago. But still love it.

As for DVD drives, take a look at the Samsung SH-S182D, isn't expensive and is quieter than a Sony.

Reply to skyguy

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