Ready to order - please give me your input

BeefAndCheddar

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Feb 22, 2007
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This is going to be an overclocked mid to high end gaming rig, also for video editing. Was planning on getting a Tuniq as a CPU cooler but after reading up on how many problems people have with mounting it, I opted for the Zalman 9700.
I am still debating on Motherboard (need a good layout with features such as Firewire, etc.) and RAM: GB DQ6, EVGA 680i, Asus P5W Deluxe. Still can't figure out which RAM to get that doesn't use crappy Elpida and ProMOS chips.

Please give me your input since it's been over 4 years since I've had any hands on experience with new hardware.

Still need a case as well. Just can't decide which one :?

Budget is like $1500-$1700.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148140
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$179.98
($89.99 each)



EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130071
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$389.99



OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341002
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$159.99



Arctic Silver ASTA-7G (2-PC-SET) Premium Silver Thermal Adhesive - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100005
Return Policy: Consumable Items Return Policy
$10.99

MASSCOOL G751 Shin-Etsu Thermal Interface Material - Retail
Item #: N82E16835150080
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$5.99

SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model T800UX2GC4 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820609026
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate
$209.99



ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131028
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$194.99



Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115004
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

$222.00



ZALMAN 9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835118019
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$25.00 Instant
$159.98
$109.98
 

akhilles

Splendid
For cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Suggested&Description=11-103

For quality overclockable ram:

http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/

You might want a dvd burner. LG, Samsung, LiteOn, to name a few good brands.

I don't know about others. I install a cpu, hsf & ram on the mobo out of the case. The 9700 includes a plastic backplate which must be installed out of the case.

Good is subjective. If you mean the connectors are as near to the devices as possible, 680i loses hands down. The worst front panel location beside the 24-pin mobo power connector. P5B DX meets your criteria.
 

TheLaughingMan

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Jan 13, 2007
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You might be overkilling it with the 700watts, I think that the 600watts is probably a bit future-proof (DX10 cards & Powerful CPUs). As for the Zalman fan, if your looking for aesthetics the Zalman is good, but for performance, the Tuniq Tower would crush the Zalman. What kind of problems are you worried about with the Tuniq Tower?
 

cattbert

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Oct 6, 2006
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I have no idea what you are looking for in a case and I also have no personal experience with this one, but a lot of posters recommend the Antec Nine Hundred case. Right now there is a great deal on it at Fry's ... $59.99 after a $40 rebate:

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4991611?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

The same case at Newegg is $149.99:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129021

Note: it is on backorder, but I have ordered items that were on backorder at Fry's before and they filled them relatively quickly both times (well in advance of the deadline for submitting the rebates).

As to the video editing you prosose to do, if you find extra room in your budget for another hard drive or two (they do not have to be huge drives), that would really speed up the editing process.
 

Rich_L

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Feb 22, 2007
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One comment on your CPU fan choice, if you want to have software control the speed of the CPU fan you need the Zalman CPS9500 AT or Zalman CPS9700 NT. Core 2 motherboards have a four pin fan header and need the fan PWM circuitry in the fan.
 

BeefAndCheddar

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Feb 22, 2007
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To answer the questions:

The Coolermaster Stacker seems perfect for my project. I will be adding more and more harddisks with time. Lots of room.

Many people have complained about the Tuniq regarding the screws that come with it. They say they broke off, stripped, it's a pain to install because you have to really fine tune it etc. I would love to use the Tuniq since all the reviews I have read are just awesome.

Reason why I opted for the 700W PSU is because I will be powering a lot of harddisks. Still overkill?

Thank you folks for all your answers, you don't even know how much you're helping me with this.