Hi All,

Thanks for taking the time to read and maybe helping me with this new build. The post might be a little long, but please bear with me. I’m in the process of building my first home-built computer within one months and would appreciate it if you guys can give me some advices. I believe I have some experience with computer, but I never attempted to build and overclock before. I have been reading about overclocking, but I think you can only learn more when you actually doing it. This system I’m planning to build is for everyday use. There are occasional uses of Photoshop, Microsoft Office, etc. and I’m planning to start editing video for fun. I will have virtual machine running and Vista 64 installed. I don’t usually play games and the games I play are just casual games that don’t require much horsepower. The main thing about this system is that it will be connected to two Dell 20 inch monitor at 1680 x 1050 and a future 52 inch 1080P LCD TV. The maximum I would like to spend on this is $1500. I’m planning to use this for 2 to 4 years. Here is the list:


1) Case - Antec Sonata III – A nice case and power supply for cheap, so I went for it. I got it at $56 shipped after rebate when it was on special. http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

2) Memory - 4 x 2 GB Corsair XMS2 - http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG
I know 8 GB might be too overkill, but oh well. I read about this and that, but it’s been purchased and I don’t plan to return it. $157 shipped after rebate.

3) Fan - 3 Yate Loon D12SL-12 120mm - http://www.petrastechshop.com/12yalod1cafa.html
I also bought the wiring sleeving kit because the shipping was kind of high for the 3 yate loons so I just bought it and the shipping increase 50 cents. I think I also need some type of cable management since the power supply is not modular. http://www.petrastechshop.com/wislkitbl.html $33 shipped. I will change out the stock Antec Trifan for the exhaust and install an intake fan behind the hard drives. The third one would be for spare, unless I can install it somewhere. Anyone knows where I can do that?

4) CPU - Intel E8400 – I think it is the best deal out of all the Penryn processors. I will probably overclock it to 3.6 GHz to be in the safe side first before I increase it. Might also lap it, but that is kind of dangerous. I just ordered it from Buy.com for a total of $202 shipped with a 5%coupon.
http://www.buy.com/prod/intel-core [...] 59005.html
http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=84773074
Hope the temperature issue that I read is not such a big issue. Maybe I should cancel the order? What do you guys think?

5) Heatsink – Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-35233003
I want to get that one, but there seem to be an improved version both in cosmetic and cooling.
http://www.xigmatek.com/product/ai [...] ns1283.php .
I’m not going to wait long though. Any comments here?


6) GPU - 2 Sapphire HD 3470 not in crossfire mode for multi-monitor– http://www.ncixus.com/products/28185/100235L/SAPPHIRE/
I probably just need one right now, since I don’t have the TV yet and wait until the price to drop. Hell, I’ll probably just get 2 and be done with it. Not sure yet, but it is not in stock anywhere. Might get the 3450 too. Anyone have a better recommendation?

7) Hard Drive – WD single platter 320 GB or 640 GB (don’t know where to get a hold on them) - http://wdc.com/en/company/releases [...] 19F6C62FF}
I want 2 of them in raid 1 for my important data. I have some old hard drives that I can use to store media, etc. and wait for a good deal. I was looking at Samsung F1 series, but seem like there is some kind of problem and no smaller drive. Please let me know if you know where to get this hard drive. Thanks.

8) Motherboard – I have the most trouble with this one. I haven’t set my mind on any particular board. I read about several different boards, but not really sure which one is right for me. I really need you guys recommendation on this base on the type of system I described so far. Thanks

9) Do you guys think I need anything else. I might need some new speakers too. Any suggestion is appreciated. Thanks alot all.

you would be better off with a Q6600 processor for what you're planning to use your computer for. It is faster with programs you will be using and more futureproof. The E8400 is geared more for hardcore gamers and overclockers.

I'm pretty sure you cannot dual monitor setup while crossfire or SLI is enabled, you would be better off with maybe one really nice graphics card and both monitors hooked up to it. (IE: 8800GTS 512mb or ATI 3870)

If you choose to go with the Q6600 as I suggest, any Asus P5K or Gigabyte P35 board would be fine. They run around $160 CAD on average.

I don't think you mentioned a power supply, but any Antec Trio or Corsair modular powersupply around 500 to 600W would be perfect for you.

Good Luck.

ASUS P5K hands down as the overclocking king, but it's not very newbie-friendly. GA-P35-DS3R has all the o/c options on 1 single page.

Only the Spider platform supports multiple displays on Crossfire. Nothing else does yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATI_CrossFire

I totally agree on the CPU & GPU: the Q6600 would be a better fit for your needs; 1 GPU is not limited by mobo chipsets & psu. Get a GPU that's priced similar to 2 of your select GPUs.

I really want the Penryn and it seem likes everything is coming out within 2 months, so I guess I wait for the Q9450.

akhilles,

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant to have dual GPUs not in crossfire mode for multiple displays. http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

Thanks.