New build, requesting a critique!

[ShawnW]

Updated! Changed the CPU cooling unit, PSU and case after some discussion with folks and reading more reviews. Unsure still about the thermal paste and the memory. The idea with the larger PSU is that it leaves me room to run 2 of the new ATI's in crossfire if I decide to go that way.

Case: Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evolution RC-830-KKN3-GP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119122

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkshire 2.66Ghz 12MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042&Tpk=Q9450

Processor Cooling: Xigmatek S1283 with the retention bracket. MX-2 TIM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

Motherboard: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel x38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

Video Card: More than likely the new nVidia card. If the ATI's are as underwhelming as I expect, I suppose this board leaves room for me to crossfire two of them together in lieu of the 280.

Memory: G.Skill 8GB (4x2 Kit) DRR2-800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231151

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64 Bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204

Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Optical Drives: Samsung DVD Burner w/ Lightscribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

My plan with my beginning OCing is nothing more than a 400MHz OC (bringing the CPU to 3.2Ghz) which'll allow for a 1:1 on the memory and a native 1600mhz on the board. Still reading up and studying on OCing, so this is just based on what I've read thus far. I figure it's a good starting point until I learn more and push it harder further down the road.

Let me know whatcha think! Haven't had too much time to focus on this but I've been reading what I can while I get the cash together to build the system.

 

[Yoosty]

Nice build. But would change onlt a couple of things.

First off, I would go with either the OCZ Vendetta/Vendetta2 cpu/fan cooler or the Xigmatek 1283 and use OCZ thermal compound.

OCZ OCZ Vendetta 92mm Ball CPU Cooler - Retail $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202005
OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202007
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
Also if you get this one, remember to get the XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

OCZ OCZTFRZTC Freeze Extreme Thermal Conductivity Compound - Retail $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202006&Tpk=thermal+grease
The Freeze compund comes free with OCZ cpu coolers and below are some links on reviews on both cpu cooler and thermal compound.

Best CPU Cooler Performance - Q1 2008
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&It

33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=47

Next I would go with your second choice for Ram. Main reason is that the upper heatsink of the OCZ will prevent you from using more then 2 sticks, so that would cut any future placement of another 2 sticks if you wish to go with 8gb of ram. Plus with the Armor+ case you have choosen, the 230mm window fan should keep ram cool.

 

[modode]

+1 on the Xigmatech cooler for sure.

Also I'd also recommend avoiding the giant heatsinks on the OCZ reaper RAM. Also, the Crucial Ballistix gives some MB's problems b/c it requires such high voltage (2.2). IMHO, the extra tight timings aren't worth the huge price premium and trouble that RAM could cause you.

This RAM is excellent, far cheaper, low voltage, good timings, overclocks well, and inexpensive:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

 

[kad]

Let me know whatcha think! Haven't had too much time to focus on this but I've been reading what I can while I get the cash together to build the system.

You have a nice setup, consider the following :
1- TRUE heatsink is better than Zalman 9700
2- OCZ FreeZE Extreme themal paste is better than AS5
3- If you'll Cross Fire you'll need 750W PSU minimum
4- It is much easier to OC with 4G(2X2G)memory sticks than with 8G
5- From reviews OCZ memories have better reputation than Crucial, though I have Ballistics RedLine 2X2G DDR2 PC6400 for more than 2 month now with no problem

 

[ShawnW]

After reading the reviews I decided to go with the Vendetta 2. Quick question for those that have purchased it before: Does it come with the OCZ Freeze? I cannot seem to find a solid answer anywhere, people just mention it coming with a generic thermal compound in a white tube.

 

[geofelt]

The ram vendors will have the best info on what works with your motherboard. Run their configurator to get a list of working parts. I know Kingston and corsair have these on their web site, perhaps others do too.
I agree with other posters that tall heat sinks are not needed, and that they can interfere with many large coolers.
I found problems with overclocking and 8gb. If you are into heavy multitasking, then 8gb and your quad should be good without overclocking. If you mainly run a single game, then perhaps 4gb would be better.

 

[rgsaunders]

After reading the reviews I decided to go with the Vendetta 2. Quick question for those that have purchased it before: Does it come with the OCZ Freeze? I cannot seem to find a solid answer anywhere, people just mention it coming with a generic thermal compound in a white tube.

Mine just came with the white goop in a plastic pouch. I used Arctic Silver 5 because I had some on hand. A lot of people like the MX2, others seem to think very highly of the Zalman ZM-STG1.

A note on the ram, I would stay away from the Crucial, their quality seems pretty spotty lately. In the past I have had good luck with the OCZ. Depending on how you overclock, there is no need to buy premium high speed memory, the return on the investment isn't worth it. Currently in my rig I am running 8GB of A-DATA PC6400 at standard 800MHz, 1:1 with Q6600 at 3.2G. RAM voltage set at 2.0V.

 

[ShawnW]

After some reading and perusing some forums, I looked around for a while and was thinking about going this route for the memory, any thoughts?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231151

Thanks to everyone above for the insightful information and thanks in advance for anyone else posting after this!

 

[ShawnW]

Updated the first post with a new case, PSU and CPU cooler. Still could use some advice on the memory and thermal paste.

I tell you, with all the negative things I hear about populating all 4 slots in your motherboard with memory, I'm tempted to drop back to 4gig.

 

[modode]

Great choice on the RAM above. Your entire build looks really good now imo.

FWIW, I used AS5 in my recent build b/c that's what I had on hand. With the Xigmatech and an E8500/Asus Rampage MB, I'm overclocked to 4.0GHz with idle temps<40 and max temps<60 at full load.

 

[ShawnW]

Ok, I'll be sure to keep that in mind!

Here's my current train of thought! If I end up going with the new ATI card, I'm going to stick with this motherboard. But if I end up going with one of the new 280 cards, I think I'm going to swap to a SLI capable motherboard. Not to SLI them right away, but just to leave me the option to SLI them later down the road if the need arises.

In that spirit, any opinions on SLI motherboards? Going to spend part of the day reading about them, but any input would, as always, be appreciated.

 

[geofelt]

SLI has been a poor upgrade path in the past. It should be used only by
those who will not currently be satisfied by the fastest available single vga card
which is currently the 9800GX2. It will be bettered by the 280 soon. The 9800GTX or 8800GTS-512
offer very good performance for the money now.
To get SLI. you have to spend more up front for a SLI capable mobo, a
more powerful SLI capable PSU, and better case cooling. Upgrading a single card later with a
second equal card does not get you 2x increase, it is more like 1.1x to 1.5x depending on the game.
At that time, you will still be paying top dollar for a card that is closer to
being obsolete.
It would be better to sell the old card and use the proceeds
towards a better new generation single card when you need it.

 

[ShawnW]

Thanks for the info! I'm more than likely going to go with what's listed and that 4x2 kit. Since getting any discussion of that kit going is like pulling teeth, I'll post some info on how it ends up working when I build this system later.

Now to hunt around and find some nice guides on cable management & what not!