Please Critique Build Before Purchase

[Myrkul23]

I've been reading these forums for quite some time, and I'm just about ready to take the plunge and put together my first system. So far this is what I've come up with:

Case: Antec P182 $169.99

CPU:E6600 $310

Hard Drive: Raptor 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 $209.99

DVD Drive: SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R Model SH-S183L $41.99

Graphics: ASUS EN8800GTX/HTDP/768M GeForce 8800GTX GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail $559.99

Monitor: Dell 2407WFP $609.00

PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail $129.99

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $132.99

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4 - Retail $119.99

Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail $89.99

OS: Already have Vista Home Premium

The total comes to around $2400, and I would like to keep it below $2500. I would not initially overclock, but would not want to completely rule it out in the future so I'd like the parts to be capable of overclocking.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[skyguy]

Looks great!

Get an aftermarket heatsink though, that's about it.

 

[Myrkul23]

Any recommendations on an aftermarket heatsink? Also, do you think I can improve on the Dell monitor? I'm basically looking for a 24" widescreen around the $600 price range. Are there any alternatives?

 

[hieuhef]

tuniq tower, thermalright ultra 120, zalmann 9700.. they're the usual culprits in cooling, and cause they're great coolers. when my e6600 was stock, the loads never got past 40c, and now that it's oc to 3.35 [which is well within safe parameters], it had never gone past 50c, and idles at 38c constant with the tuniq tower at fans speeds below medium.

the psu seemed low for power, but i'm assuming that there's no sli setup being used, so you should be fine on that front.

 

[Myrkul23]

I think I will go with the Zalmann 9700... do you think I should buy an aftermarket thermal paste or use the one that comes with the processor?

Also, any thoughts on the monitor??

 

[hieuhef]

honestly, a lot of people tell you to go with artic silver 5, as it's believed that hsf get shipped with junk. i have no recommendations on that front, but i did use as5 on my install

saw this last night : required reading for new c2d owners

definitely worth a look through.

and this for the p180: cable management

it appears people are actually buying p180's and getting the p182, as is the case with mine, might save you a few bucks.

 

[fastin]

The only issue with the P180/180B is you might or you might not get the updated P182 type case...and if you dont thats a big risk. Personally Im just sticking with my P182, I like the gunmetal finish and I picked it up at Frys for 159.

 

[fletch420]

my new build is not far from yours and i have a few things.
look at the evga card-great warranty and step up program.
the ram you selected- pc6400 is what you want there but the brand and type selected are great i have the xms-2 and it pwns.
also heatsink- i have a zalman 9500/9700 and it does fine.

cheers

 

[skyguy]

Thanks for the props there Hieu, appreciated. 8)


Saw the 182 today....love the gun metal finish. Too bad I modded my P180 and then they did the same thing except cleaner LOL.

 

[hieuhef]

no problem, man, you inspired me to make my build as tight as possible. it'd funny how many people out there swear that you have to remove that middle hdd cage to fit an 8800, but we showed that not only can you keep it in, you can add a 120mm fan as well!

 

[skyguy]

You betcha Good airflow over those 8800's to boot!

Not the biggest case, but for air cooling and sleek and quiet, gotta love the 180. Kinda wish I had the 182 though LOL.