New pc build, any advice or suggestions welcome

[Lazarus7]

I just posted wondering about my case size but I figure I might as well just put the whole thing down and see what you reckon. Now bear in mind that this may not be getting built for a couple of months but I will adjust it accordingly to any new developments. Here we go...

To add to that, one area I am particulalry interested in is mobo suggestions, eg is it worth spending the extra money and getting a 680i? or are there some around for a similar price to the P5N? Actually was just looking around and once place said the P5N was 650i and another said 680i??? which is it?

Case: Antec P180 "Performance One" BLACK Mid Tower Case

Power Supply: Thermaltake ToughPower 850W Modular EPS PSU

Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E PLUS SLI Rev2

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 - OC to around 3ghz

CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CL-P0310-01 Big Typhoon VX CPU Cooler

Case Cooling 1: 2x Noctua NF-S12-1200 - 120mm Fan, 47cfm, 17 dBA

Memory: Corsair 4-4-4 PC2-6400 Twin2X XMS2 Dominator (2x1024MB) DDR2-800MHz, 2.1V, 2GB Kit, TWIN2X2048-6400C4D

Hard disk 1: 2x WD Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000RPM SATA

Hard disk 2: 2x WD2500YS 250GB 7200rpm SATA II Hard Drive - 8.7ms, 16MB Cache, Western Digital Caviar RE RAID Edition

Graphics: XFX 8800GTX XXX Limited Edition 768MB GDDR3 630Mhz/2.0Ghz

Optical drive 1: Lite-On SOHD-16P1S Internal 48X-CDROM/16X-DVD-ROM Drive

Optical drive 2: Pioneer DVR-111D Internal Dual Layer DVD Writer

Sound card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music

Monitor: Viewsonic VX922 19" 2ms Black LCD TFT 1280x1024

Speakers: Logitech Z-2300 THX Speakers - 200W RMS, 400W peak

Keyboard & Mouse 1: Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Keyboard & Mouse 2: Logitech G7 GREEN Cordless Gaming Mouse

Gaming Accessories: Flexiglow Cyber Snipa Aluminium Mouse Pad

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium DVD (OEM) 64-bit

all up ~US$4000 with 36 month warranty

Oh and in case you were wondering I am selling my last build (was only about 8 months ago to my cousin who I don't like for a tidy sum

Cheers
Lazarus

 

[hexploit]

P5N is 650i. Imho 680i is the only way to go for overclocking.

 

[skyguy]

With the money you're spending on your rig, get the 680i. Both the 650i and 680i overclock very well, but your system definitely deserves the 680i, no question. It'll make your life alot easier too.

Very good specs there, great call on the Noctua fans in the P180....wait, that's what I have too!

My only comment/critique would be that the Big Typhoon is not the most popular or highly regarded HSF. I know the new revision has been getting better reviews, but I personally think it doesn't live up to the hype. But it is much better than stock cooling, no doubt. Check the noise levels on it too.

I also notice you have a nice quiet case, Noctua fans, a Thermaltake PSU (meh for noise), but check the noise on the Big Typhoon......you may find it too noisy, considering the rest of your build is very quiet. Consider the Thermalright Ultra 120 HSF, and slap a Noctua 120mm fan on it, much better in my opinion.

 

[Lazarus7]

OK thanks for the input, will definately go with a 680i board then, possibly the asus striker

Had a look at the Thermalright Ultra 120 and it looks pretty good, I like the idea of being able to whack a Noctua on it as well, will be nice and quiet.

With regards to the PSU, do you have any suggestions on a nice quiet one which will fulfil my needs?

Cheers

 

[skyguy]

Seasonic. THE best. SILENT. Efficient. Best PSU I've ever owned, bar none. Highly recommended everywhere. One is my sig is amazing.

Or you can get the M12 that has modular cabling., 700w. More expensive, but very nice too.

 

[cutthroat]

That's an awesome looking system, but the one thing I see lacking is the monitor. You're getting a really nice system, why not get a really nice monitor to match. You will easily be able to display resolutions above 1280x1024 with that hardware.

I would go with a widescreen LCD that can display at least 1680x1050, like the Acer AL2216WBD Black 22" Wide LCD 1680 x 1050, 300 cd/m2 700:1 5ms 0.28 mm DVI-D VGA (15-Pin D-Sub). This is the nicest, cheapest monitor I have been able to find over 20".

 

[skyguy]

Good point. With that setup, a 22" LCD is a VERY good price point.

 

[Lazarus7]

Yeah I thought about the monitor, I was thinking about the 20.1" Samsung 204B which is 1600x1200 (I prefer to game in 4:3) but am kinda thinking along the lines of remaining future proof. I plan on having this pc for 3-4 years I would rather be able to still play the latest games with max detail and full AA & AF in a couple of years. Thats the only thing I don't like about the LCD's, you can only play at the native resolution.

 

[Lazarus7]

Although Samsung 225BW 22" Widescreen 5MS looks might nice and is only AUD$150 more than my monitor at the moment.......decisions decisions

 

[skyguy]

A 22" widescreen matches perfectly in height with a 19" standard aspect. You can pair it up to a cheap 19" later for a 2nd monitor....and once you have 2 you'll wonder how you ever got by with just 1