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.
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.
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.
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.
