New Gaming build, need help finishing plz.

e8400
2x2gb pc2-6400 brand doesn't matter if you don't overclock
p182 or 900
onboard audio is ok
either vista 64 or xp 32

The rest are good. Are you overclocking? What software do you run?

If you go 64bit (I wouldn't just yet. Make sure you have all the drivers you need if you do ) you should throw in 4 gb more ram. If you only have 4gb what's the point? The only reason to go to 64 right now is to have 8gb of ram.

Man, just saying 8gb of ram makes me a little misty eyed. I remember when 4 mb of ram was hot stuff, and I'm sure I'm not the only one here whose first computer had 64k. </flashback>

Most games aren't mutithreaded yet, anyway. I say wait on the jump to 64bit at least until the driver thing is sorted out.

Iggy

Razer Barracuda AC-1 Gaming Audio Card
The Razer Barracuda HP-1 Gaming Headphones

Antec 900 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply

You have a power suppy listed 'Earthwatts 520 HX' . Corsair has the 520 HX, earthwatts is an Antec unit.

If it's for a gaming rig a quad wont do you anything for performance more for multitasking with aps.

You may also think about using 2 drives for better performance and data security. 1 for OS & 1 for Data:

Seagate Barracuda ST3250310NS ES.2 250GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB 7200.11 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

I don't think you'll need to overclock that E8400, but it doesn't hurt things either. Last March I didn't know jack about overclocking, now I'm really good at it. Decide now if you really want to OC, this way you could get the CPU cooler thats up to the job, Tuniq Tower 120. I would recommend Crucial's Ballistix PC2 6400's or 8500's, they OC like speed demons!

If you really want 4GB of RAM then a 2x2GB kit G.Skill's will do nicely. I would also go Vista 32bit because the drivers aren't there yet for Vista 64bit, support is greater for 32bit OS's. I also like the P182's looks, they come in many other finishes as well. For OC'ing its going to get hot in there, thats where the Antec 900 comes in to play. I would have to recommend the better air flowing Antec 900, because your PC case is the deciding factor in how far your OC will go. Sorry NewEgg is out of stock for 2x2GB kit of RAM and no link either.

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $39.99 after mail-in rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
$119.99 Free 3 Business Day Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler - Retail
$44.99 3 Business Day Shipping $6.33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

not to sound like a noob but can this be done in a non "raid" format? I thought I read to stay away from raid setups?


also I was looking at the new dfi board as well, lanparty lt-x38-t2r < only because I cant seem to find the "dark" p35 board atm> anyone have any info about this board?

I think I will bump to the 900 case, in the future I may overclock, dont want to limet myself on the case and for the power source corsair is the one I like.

thanks for the relies this is all helping me.

As for the case, don't be fooled by flashing lights and cool windows. I just orderd the CM690. Comes with 3 x 120 mm fans. It supports up to 7, including 2 x 140mm on the top. Plus, it has an awesome cable routing system.

Here: http://cmusashop.coolermaster-usa.com/catalog/product_i...

Think about it, which would you rather have; nice clean interior with good cable management and great airflow, or some LEDs and a side window?

The DFI LanParty Dark P35-T2RS is a solid overclocker, but beginners need not apply as DFI's bios settings are overwhelming. Go with Gigabyte P35 for newbie-friendly bios.

well got most of my parts in now and only need a vid card

I was lucky enough to get a dfi board < LANPARTY LT X38-T2R > from a co worker for $100

now I was going to wait for the 9800 to come out but it seems to keep getting pushed back so I am taking a second look at vid cards.

which card should I go with, most likely my res will be 1680x1050 < 226bw lcd>

would a 9600gt oc < I believe it was the xfx version with the game pack>
8800gtx or ultra < would this be to much of a card for my monitor and screen res>?
or an ati card? < never had a ati card, always been geforce>

also had a question on the board. is this a crossfire board only or can you use sli with it?
doesnt realy matter seeing I will only use 1 card but would be nice to know if it supports both.

It is a X38 so you can only do Crossfire. You won't be able to do SLI, may want to look at an ATI video card if you want to do this later.

thats what I thought about no sli on that board.

so would it be better to crossfire 2 Radeon HD 3870 X2 cards or go with a 8800gtx?

also is this overkill for a 226bw lcd and I should be looking at say a 8800gt or a 3850 or something close for ati?

and is crossfire even worth it for a 22" monitor?

thanks for the help again.

One 3870x2 will be plenty for your 226bw, but once you enable AA ATI cards drop in FPS alot. ATI bet their bottom dollar on building a card with lots of shader power instead of texture power (AA) hence their 640 stream processors compared to Nvidia's 128 SP's. I would wait for the 9800GX2 instead.

i say ATI. cos it'll be aapparently more powerful later as true DX10 shader-heavy games come of light. also, it will enable you to use the Xfire potential of your board...

Really by the time true DX10 shader-heavy games are released, the current graphics cards will be too old. At the current rate of new graphics cards coming out I don't think you'll still own the card you have or are going to get.

that is true...