'nother build, please critique

[fender22]

Hey guys, I hope I actually get some responses on this one, my overclocking with rivatuner got nothing... Has stuff changed since I've been gone?

Anyways, I've been out of the loop for a little bit, but I've been trying to get back in the game. This system not for me, but for a friend. I thought I should get some advice cause I don't keep up as intensely as I used to...

I'm not sure if it's will be a Vista or Xp computer yet. Whats the situation with 64-bit nowadays? Drivers getting any more common? How are games running?

Here is the proc if we choose to go AMD. I'm familiar with it, and it will be an easier OC for a noob like him.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194

I thought this would be some solid DDR2-800... Is Cas 4 Superflous?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231114
Since the proc has an unlocked multi, does he really need nice nice RAM for an Oc?

Need a heatsink since the BE doesn't come with one, so I thought I'd shoot for the tried and true Zalman
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

He wants this one, cause it "matches his color scheme" better than the silver 9500... I know there are some other very nice coolers out there, reccomendations? Especially if they are cheaper than this one...


He wants to slap this 8800 GTS 512 in there... Whats the power scheme on this badboy? 8-pin? 6-pin? Need 8 to OC? Might downgrade to an 8800GT or even a 3780 or something, to fit his budget...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130312
(There is the general rule to spend twice as much on a GPU than a CPU, and well, the BE has got more bang for it's buck so I upped the GPU a bit, for now...)
EDIT, you know what... I think I'm gonna convince he to go with the 8800GT 512...

Speaking of power...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153038
Again, is it gonna need an 8-pin for an OC? Are there adapters? I would think it could be cut to 600-700W if need be...

FOr a mobo, I went with this choice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128014
I have had a great experience with the GA-M59SLI-S5... But it's out of his budget and unavailable on Newegg. He needs something cheaper than a 590. I read that this mobo's NB gets pretty smokin hot... Will the big zalman cool it? (and the upcoming case with it's big fan?) or should I get a little NB cooler, and if so, which one? Though I'd really like to support AMD with an AMD chipset...

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
I've read good things about the AAKS's... So there we go, unless you have a cheaper and or faster alternative...

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133021

He likes the flashy style, though I almost got him to get an Antec P182 (I think I'll still try too) Unless that case is wayyy better...

Then just a regular DVD burner.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136120

He has a mouse and keys already...

As for a screen, I was debating between these two...

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009129

I have a very similar Acer, and it's great...


So for some final questions, I would like to know;
1. About the pin setup for the graphics in association with the PSU
2. About any alternate Intel setup that doesn't go much, if any, beyond the current budget.
3. OEM or Retail Windows? 64? 32?
4. And of course all the previously stated... (they just aren't major things I would like to know about)

So yea... Thanks guys!

 

[Shadow703793]

Drop the AMD. The Intel C2D chips OC much better than AMD CPUs and it is also easier to OC. I recommend a E6550 and a P35-DS3x motherboard. (You can also get a E2180 and OC it quite easily to beat the X2 5000+, even if the 5000 is OCed)Every thing else will still work with the Intel set up. Also you an drop in a Quad core in about 6 months when they reach the current dual core prices.

As for OS get a x64 OS (ie Vista Home Premium x64.) the difference between OEM and Retail is that with OEM you will not get the manual, customer service :lol: etc. You will only get the OS CD + CD Key.

Unless running a SLI/CrossFire set up the PSU is an overkill.I recommend you get the Corsair 520HX or 550VX. For CPU cooler I recommend this for excellent OCing results:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223
or if budget is a problem
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118114

 

[fender22]

Hey thanks man... I'll look into that Intel setup... It's just that the price might be a bit more, and since he is pretty noob, and it will be me OC'ing his machine... With the 5000, I can attain 6600 speeds around 3 Ghz. The 5000 is such a simple multi change and I'm lazy... haha. He won't be dropping more dough on this system for a while, if at all, so quad core doesn't really matter to him... Will-do on that PSU

I know the Core 2 vs Athlon X2 situation. I was considering the E6550 though. The RAM can handle that OC right? I mean, it is 800, and I could just set it to 667 (since its a core 2) and bump it up with the OC... It just price... Hmm, the 2180 is enticing as well... Though I will admit, I am a big AMD guy...

(I've never done an Intel system... haha)

Oh, and I saw that thread in your signature! HA!