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Review my build before I buy

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Review my build before I buy

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srhill10   05-08-2008 at 08:04:07 PM

This is my first real build that I'm putting together without my dad's help and want to get some outside input on my preliminary build.

Here's what I've got so far:

MoBo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131232 - ASUS P5N-D 750i SLI ATX Onboard Audio

Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037 - Intel Core 2 DUO E8400 Wolfdale 3.0 GHz

GFX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130319 - EVGA nVidia GeForce 8800GT PCI-E Superclocked

I plan on potetially getting a second card and running them in SLI to take advantage of my boards features.

Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267 - OCZ Reapur 2x2GB 4-4-4-15 DDR2

Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817182030 - Rosewill 550W SLI ready ATX12V

All these parts add up to around $725 from Newegg.com and would like to potentially keep the price under $1200

The HD and DVD-RW drives will come later.

I specifically would like to know if anyone sees any real inbalance in the product level of any of the parts. That is, will anything specifically not be able to perform to its max based on other parts in the system, or will one part be holding the rest of the system back?

I need suggestions for a CPU cooler and a Case. Not looking for anything flashy here. I just want performance and efficiency so all my parts will fit properly. The reviews I've read of some of the Zalman coolers look great but I question the size of them and don't want to purchase a product that won't fit.

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jtt283   05-08-2008 at 08:46:59 PM
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Despite a positive review of at least one model by jonnyguru, Rosewill PSUs as a brand are on tier-5 ("Do not buy" ) of the list at http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] gs?t=anon. Choose one from tier-3 or better. Since you plan to go SLI at some point, or at least have the option, I think you will probably want at least 600W. There is a PSU calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com [...] orlite.jsp that may help.
The rest looks good.
Cases are a big personal-preference item, but you'll want one with decent cooling. I like my CoolerMaster CM-690. The Antec-900 is great if you prefer a little more bling (e.g. side window, brighter LEDs). Add fans if you need to.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
jtt283   05-08-2008 at 09:14:14 PM
- 0 +

Incidentally, based on various assumptions about # of fans, drives, etc. I only got 386W for your proposed build. PSUs are more efficient when not fully loaded. Seventy-five percent would be 514W, and sixty percent would be 643W. I think a good 600W PSU would be comfortable.
About that Rosewill; it is rated at 25C. *Chokle* By comparison, PC Power and Cooling rates their units for full output at 40C, a much more realistic temperature for an operating PC.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
aevm   05-08-2008 at 09:30:22 PM
- 0 +

Get this PSU:

Corsair 620HX, $115 with free shipping
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-62 [...] 70718.html

It's powerful enough for two 8800GT cards and several hard disks. There are better PSUs in the world, but not many. That's a very good price for it, btw.

I suggest you look up these things at newegg:

CM-690 case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

WD6400AAKS (HDD)
SH-S203B (burner)
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (cooler)

Reply to aevm
Bronze Home Brew badge Shadow703793   05-08-2008 at 10:07:04 PM
- 0 +

^Agreed on PSU, HSF, and HDD.

Everything else looks good. :)

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
srhill10   05-09-2008 at 05:28:58 AM
- 0 +

I'll look into those things.

Reply to srhill10
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