Final build, any last suggestions?

[lonewuhf]

I posted here a while back, but didn't have the money to start the build. Now I do, but prices/availability has changed a bit, so I've been working on a new build. Please be critical! Here's the build:

Case: Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900
99.99 from buy.com

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128083
163.99ish

Processor: E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
199.99

PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
89.99 with MIR

Memory: OCZ Reaper 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
118.99 with MIR

Graphics: EVGA GeForce 8800GT 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318&Tpk=evga%2bn801
159.99 with MIR

HDD: WD7500AAKS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136131&Tpk=wd7500aaks
134.99

DVD Drive: Samsung 20x DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153
25.99

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM
99.99

Any suggestions/comments would be great! Thanks!

 

[boonality]

You need to change out your memory for some DDR2 800. That 1066 will give you stability problems in that P35 motherboard.

 

[chluk2425]

You need to change out your memory for some DDR2 800. That 1066 will give you stability problems in that P35 motherboard.

Isn't the EP35-DS3P support 1066 memory?

 

[boonality]

It says it does, but trust me and do a little searching. It doesn't play well without heavy tweaking and loads of frustration. DDR2 800 will save your sanity.

 

[lonewuhf]

I'll check into it, but from my previous research it seems like it hasnt been a problem for the majority of the people using 1066.

 

[madaniel]

If you don't need the extra 110Gb of HD, I'd suggest the newer 640Gb WD model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

I don't personally own it, yet, but there are some pretty good reviews for it.

 

[lonewuhf]

I actually like that drive, i'll probably switch mine out for it. Any other suggestions on the other parts? I'm still researching 1066 vs 800 ram. I may switch to 800 just to be safe, but want to find out more still.

Just to be sure, for 800 speed DDR2, I'm looking for 4-4-4-12 timing, correct?

 

[lonewuhf]

This is what I think I have decided on. Anyone have any suggestions before I make it final?


Shipped from CA
1 Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129021
Standard Return Policy $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900

Shipped from TN
1 Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371015
Standard Return Policy $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037
Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

1 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136073
Limited 30-Day Return Policy $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073&Tpk=WD5000AAKS

1 XIGMATEK HDC-D801 Aluminum HDD Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835233002
Standard Return Policy $3.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233002&Tpk=HDC-D801

1 XFX PVT88PYDF4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150252
Standard Return Policy $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252&Tpk=PVT88PYDF4

1 OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P8004GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227248
Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy $93.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227248&Tpk=OCZ2P8004GK

1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Consumable Items Return Policy $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

1 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186134
Standard Return Policy $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

1 GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128059
Limited 30-Day Return Policy $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059&Tpk=GA-P35-DS3L

1 SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black PATA Model SH-S202N - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151155
Standard Return Policy $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151155&Tpk=SH-S202N

Subtotal $923.90
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 DAYS $44.92
Rush Processing $2.99
Order Total $971.81



100 Dollars in MIRs, free Company of Heroes, and pretty cheap shipping for it all I think. I will be upgrading to 64bit Vista Home Premium as well. The Antec 900 and the PSU were a combo deal through Newegg, which saved me an extra 20 bucks, and the HDD fan was essentially free, doubt I'll use it though. Any other advice?

 

[lonewuhf]

No one has any comments or suggestions?

 

[WR2]

The Antec EA650 PSU has a single 6+2pin PCI-e connector and costs $100
Corsair 650TX has two 6+2pin PCI-e connectors and is $110 plus $20 rebate.
The 2nd 6+2pin connector gives you a future upgrade option for a video card that take 2 PCI-e connectors (9800GTX 1x6pin and 1x8pin for example)

The Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro comes with its own very good MX-2 thermal compound pre-applied to the heat sink so you can leave the AS5 off your buy list.

Maybe consider the CoolerMaster Centurion 590 case $65 in place of the Antec 900.
With the $15 case savings and the $6 AS5 savings upgrade the video card ECS 8800GTS (G92) $219 plus $50 rebate
Or the MSI 8800GTS (G92) OC $229 plus $30 rebate