New mid-high end build

[tharros]

First of all this is my first post so, hi everyone. I have been a reader of this site for a while I just have never thought to have joined the forum...

Ok the build - I have already purchase a few things like peripherals, the case (Antec Nine-hundred), monitor (Samsung 226BW) and PSU (Corsair HX620W) all that is left are the innards of the beast. I live in Australia so some components may not be available to me and I plan to buy the rest of the build from www.altech.com.au which is probably the biggest online computer store here in Aus. I am trying to use this store as much as possible because I can get products at a discounted price from them . I will be buying all this stuff late March/Early April which is when I should have enough cash (~AU$1600 BTW the Aus dollar is trading at about 0.92 to American dollar).

Here we go:

CPU - E8400 $364.20 (May get a Yorkfield if they are released and I have enough)

Mobo - EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 780i $330 (or might go with the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6)

RAM - Corsair TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF 4GB (2x XMS2 2GB) PC-8500 (1066MHz) $230.00 I unsure if RAM of this speed is overkill, would 800mhz be sufficient?

GPU - eVGA 8800GT 512MB SUPERCLOCKED 256-bit DDR3, 650/1900MHz $308.00

CPU Cooler - Here I am unsure what would be the better choice, a Thermalright Ultima 90i ($49.50) or a Zalman CNPS9500 AT (should be about the same price), from what I have read the Ultima but I'm open to other option because CPU cooling is important to me for OCing

GPU Cooler + 92mm fan - Thermalright HR-03 GT VGA Heatsink for nVidia 8800GT + Fan $69.30

Optical Drive - Samsung SH-S203D Retail SATA Black Internal DOUBLE Layer 20x DVD±RW Drive $41.80

TOTAL: $1392.80

I my budget is about about AU$1600 which leaves me some room for yorkfield if they are released before then or a 9 series GPU/a second 8800gt, and of course some games

 

[boonality]

Mobo - EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 780i $330 (or might go with the Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6)

GPU - eVGA 8800GT 512MB SUPERCLOCKED 256-bit DDR3, 650/1900MHz $308.00

I'm new here too, and this is my first post as well. So Hi to you too. It could be an oversight but you will want the 512MB video card not the 256.

And the motherboard, well if you go with the X38 it will be crossfire supported and not SLI supported. Just some things to think about.

However I am considering a VERY similar build only I know I'm only going to have one video card so I am definately getting the GA-X38-DQ6 but the primary duty of this computer is going to be Flight Sim X so I'm going with 4GB of DDR2 1066 (yes i know about 1066 being overkill but I'm anal in that I want it to match the FSB speed... ya i know that's wierd). But I'm going with a Q9xxx processor. Not sure which one, maybe the Q9450 but we'll see. Either way from everyones argument on faster dual vs slower quad, it's all in what you'll be doing with it. But I would definately make your motherboard decision (between the 2 you've listed) based on your GPU setup and I would definately check on the memory of your GPU as you'll want a minimum of 512.

 

[tharros]

Um it is a 512mb card...

Yes, as for the motherboard it will depend upon whether the higher end 9 series cards are release before I buy. I'm not waiting - when I have enough I'm buying. Waiting is for noobs. If your waiting for the next big thing you'll be waiting forever.

 

[boonality]

Just re-read the post... wow I must need glasses or something. Ya I was seeing the 256bit and thought why would someone buy a 256MB card? well my heart was in the right place at least.

As far as the waiting game goes, it's all about marketing. I tend to stay a generation behind the new release stuff for cost effectiveness and compatability. Only this time I think I may bite and go for a 45nm quad and a 9800 GPU, this will be unheard of for me.

 

[tharros]

Yeah well this is my first full build - and first full upgrade in 5 years so its gonna be a big jump for me (currently on a 2.4Ghz P4 and nVidia 6600). I also have 2007 to catch up on as It was my last years of school so I have a fair few games to buy...

EDIT: Hmm... I was doing a bit of thinking and I may go with 9600GT SLI. We will see.