First Build NEED EXPERT OPINION

[Slogmog]

This is my first time building a computer. I've got the baics down but I'm not sure if these parts are compatable. PLEASE HELP. Anny and all responses are highly apreshiated.
OVERKILL S1

MOTHERBOARD: P450-9116 :: XFX nForce 790i Ultra SLI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 790i, Socket 775, ATX, Audio, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, Dual Gigabit LAN, S/PDIF, USB 2.0, Firewire, eSATA, RAID (5.95 lbs)
CPU:CP2-DUO-QX9770 :: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770 Processor EU80569XL088NL - 3.20GHz, 12MB Cache, 1600MHz FSB, Yorkfield XE, Quad Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor (0.25 lbs)
POWER SUPPLY:ULT40070 :: Ultra X3 ULT40070 1600-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, PCI-E Ready, Energy Efficient, Modular (13.4 lbs)
VIDEO CARD:B52-9800 :: BFG GeForce 9800 GX2 Video Card - 1GB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDMI (6.2 lbs) X2
RAM:C13-8048 :: Corsair TWINX Dominator Dual Channel 4096MB PC12800 DDR3 1600MHz Memory (2 x 2048MB) (0.4 lbs) X2
HARD DRIVE #1:TSD-740ADFD :: Western Digital / Raptor / 74GB / 10K / 16MB / SATA-150 / OEM / Hard Drive (1 lbs)
HARD DRIVE #2:TSD-1000H3 :: Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 1000GB Hard Drive - 7200RPM, 32MB, Serial ATA-300, OEM (3.4 lbs)
COOLING:T925-2258 :: ThermalTake Big Water 760i Liquid Cooling System Kit (8.4 lbs)
T925-1164 :: Thermaltake Extreme Spirit II Northbridge Chipset Cooler (0.2 lbs)
S457-1054 :: Masscool 120mm Sleeve Bearing Case Fan (0.6 lbs) X2
ULT40124 :: Ultra ULT40124 Thermal Gel (0.05 lbs)
V13-4200 :: Vantec Spectrum PCI Fan Card with Blue UV LED (0.45 lbs)
T925-1270 :: Thermaltake CL-W0138 Flow TX Plus Flow Meter with Temp Indicator (1 lbs)


T925-2279 :: Thermaltake CL-W0148 1000 UV High Performance Coolant (2.8 lbs)
ULT40149 :: Ultra Thermal Memory Cooler with Heatpipes (1 lbs) X4
T925-1191 :: Thermaltake AquaBay M4 Hard Drive Liquid Cooling Waterblock (2.85 lbs)
CASE:A107-1096 :: Apevia X-Jupiter Jr.Case G Type ATX Mid-Tower Case - Black, Clear Side, Front USB and Firewire Ports (21.85 lbs)
CD DRIVE: P129-1020 :: Philips SPD2415BD SuperAlwrite Internal Drive DVD Retail - 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL, 48x CD-R, 12x DVD-RAM, Black (2 lbs)
FLOPPY DRIVE:TC1-6000 BL :: 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive (Black) (0.7 lbs)
USB EXTENSION:M501-1156 :: Sabrent 8-Port USB 2.0/FireWire IEEE 1394 PCI Combo Adapter Card w/6pin to 4pin Firewire Cable (0.25 lbs)
TOTAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
OPERATING SYSTEM:M17-7418 SP1 :: Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit DSP OEM DVD with SP1 (0.32 lbs)
MONITOR:A179-2204 :: Acer AL2216WBD 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Ultra-fast 5ms, WSXGA+ 1680x1050, DVI, VGA, Black, VESA 100mm (14.95 lbs)
SPEAKERS:L23-7226 :: Logitech X-140 2.0 - 2 Piece Speakers (4.2 lbs)
MOUSE:M17-1701 :: Microsoft Habu Laser Gaming Mouse (0.9 lbs)
KEYBOARD:I106-1010 :: Interlink Electronics VP6210 Wireless RF Keyboard (3.2 lbs)
HEADSET:C375-AC645 :: Cyber Acoustics AC-645 Neckband Stereo Headset with Microphone (0.45 lbs)

Is this a good setup?

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

The power supply is overkill, even for dual 9800GX2s, but this system is a total beast.

I'm guessing you're going to be overclocking rather heavily, given that you have a watercooling-kit in there. If you're not going to be overclocking, then you can drop it.

 

[shadowduck]

Good setup, yeah it will kick ass.

Waste of money, and way overkill when you can get the same performance for vastly less? Absolutely.

So many things here, that can be cut without any losses in performance.

To the cutting block we go!

1) Ditch the motherboard. nVidia chipsets are poor, DDR3 motherboards are a terrible value. DDR3 is RAM is very expensive and equal/slower in speed than DDR2. Go with an x38/x48 chipset Intel motherboard by Asus or Gigabyte.

2) WHY! There is no reason to EVER buy that CPU unless you enjoy spending vastly more money than you need to. Pick up a Q9450 for $900 less and overclock it to the same level or beyond. Same performance a fraction of the cost.

3) 9800GX2 is a stopgap video card (8800GT SLI on a single card). nVidia did the same thing with the 7900GX2 right before the 8x00 series came out. Cards like this are a terrible value, as the new (2xx) series card will beat an 8800 SLI setup with a single card. Go with a single 8800GT right now, or wait for the 2xx series. Getting 2 of them is really foolhardy, especically with a 22" monitor. You will NEVER use 4 video cards, but your power company will thank you for the power you crank out.

4) DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 RAM 4GB.

5) Raptors are a bad value. Good 7200RPM drives are just as fast now.

6) Don't buy a single 1TB hard drive. Buy 2x 500GB drives with 32MB cache.

7) Water cooling? again WHY unless you want a 4GHz+ overclock. Otherwise waste.

8) Apevia's PSUs melt in testing so there is no way in hell I would buy one of their cases.

OS: FIne
Monitor: Nice, but with the money you saved on the grossly overpriced CPU, pick up a 24".

 

[Slogmog]

TY
So DDR3 RAM is 2 times the speed for 4 times the price. at least thats what i heard. SO DDR2 is realy better than. Right?

 

[sanjiwatsuki]

Good DDR3 > Good DDR2 > Bad DDR3 > Bad DDR2, so I hear.
There isn't a double speed difference. Timings and other factors work into play. I haven't checked the benchmarks on it lately, but I doubt you'd even get a 20-30% performance difference over a good DDR2.

 

[shadowduck]

DDR2 and DDR3 right now are around the same speed. DDR3 might be slightly faster, its not not anywhere near twice as fast for the much higher cost.

Stick with DDR2 RAM.