Evolved to this point:

[billdcat4]

Im going to build a midrange box. Parts are as follows:

Intel e4300 later OC to 2.4ghz or 2.66ghz $170
Gigabyte GA965PDS3 $120

2gb Kingston Value Ram $137
or maybe 2gb Patriot DDR2 800 CL4 $165

Western Digital 250gb SE16 $75
or maybe Seagate 320gb 16mb $90
or maybe Samsung 500gb 16mb $135

Seasonic S12 550w 41 max amps $130

Lian Li PC7A Plus II $100
or maybe Antec P180 (if cheap) $75

eVGA 7900GS $140
Bluegears Benspirer Sound Card $110
Edimax Wifi Card $20

Cooling: Ive actually got a seperate post for this: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1562599#1562599

CPU: Zalman 9700 LED for $58 at the egg
or: Zalman 9500LED if it gets cheaper
or: Tuniq Tower at Xixiode for $52

Case: two Silverstone FM121 with manual controls for $16 a pop
GPU: Zalman VF900 for $37

Ive already got a Lite-On optical drive so I dont need that.

Any suggestions?

 

[alcattle]

I suggest you start giving advice instead of asking for some, you have done your homework and it all is well matched.
If it were me, I think I would get 2 of the WD 250gb drives. More options having two drives than having to partition a big drive. Only reason to go with one drive is space lim9itions in the case (You will not have that problem with either case )

 

[akhilles]

What I'd do:

Intel e4300 later OC to 2.4ghz or 2.66ghz $170
Gigabyte GA965PDS3 $120
2gb Patriot DDR2 800 CL4 $165
Seagate 320gb 16mb $90
Seasonic S12 550w 41 max amps $130
Antec P180 $75
eVGA 7900GS $140
Tuniq Tower at Xixiode for $52
Case: two Silverstone FM121 with manual controls for $16 a pop

7900gs is one of the 7900 line that requires little power, compared to 7800. It generates little heat. Unless it's overclocked, doesn't need an aftermarket gpu cooler.

The ram & cpu cooler are chosen for overclocking.

The Seasonic 550w 41a is very good quality. I'd get an OCZ 600W for about a 100 usd.

 

[billdcat4]

I originally chose the OCZ 600w but its not nearly as good as the Seasonic S12. The OCZ has instability in the form of power ripple on the 12v rails.
Or something like that. Its also way loud.

The Seasonic S12 is nearly as powerful or just as powerful but has a higher power efficiency rating, and is nearly silent.

I do plan to OC the 7900gs a lot since its covered by eVGA's warranty. Also, the stock fan is supposed to be quite noisy, I want less of that.

EDIT: The Arctic Cooling cpu cooling system is down to $40 on Newegg. Any comments on the systems noise?

 

[skyguy]

Don't bother with the Zalman 9500. Too loud at higher rpm's and not the best performer either.....plus it's overpriced. Tuniq will put it to shame. Arctic Freezer if you can get a good price...it's overpriced too but still better than the 9500.....I can get the Arctic here in Canuckland for less than $25...which is like $21 US...so you guys are getting hosed for $40.

If you're gonna spend $40, then get a Scythe Infinity for a bit more or something similar.

Other than that, great specs and well done!

 

[akhilles]

Totally. $40 for Freezer Pro 7 is still a ripoff. $20 is more like it. Scythe Ninja would be my recommendation.

billdcat4, get the Seasonic.

 

[skyguy]

Absolutely LOVE the Seasonic. Best PSU I've ever owned, bar none. Very efficient, dead silent, runs like a dream. And really not that much more $$ than a decent PSU anyways.

 

[billdcat4]

Totally. $40 for Freezer Pro 7 is still a ripoff. $20 is more like it. Scythe Ninja would be my recommendation.

billdcat4, get the Seasonic.

The ACF7 Pro was a great deal at $30 when my friend bought it. It was a horrible deal for the months that it was at ~$70. At $40 its not so bad, Ill swallow my pride and get it. Its also way easier to install.