Hey yall,

I've been straining my brain for a solid week all day and night reading reviews and benchmarks and motherboard issues and on and on.. ugh, and this is what I've come up with for my final build. I am kind of wary about that motherboard as I can't find much about it as far as kudos or complaints go.. what attracted me to it was the 1600fsb, and the ability to swap from ddr2 to ddr3 later. I really wanted a 780i series board but i am just paranoid after everything I've read with video corruption and etc running rampant on those boards. The board might however cause a bit of overclocking difficulty moreso than the rest but I really don't have plans to overclock right away.. I'd probably clock the e8400 up to 3.6 if anything and probably nothing else.

Anyway, I have a firm price of 1400 range.. I don't want to go above 1500 at all so please don't suggest something that will run me over that. It took me 2 days just to get it below 1500 as is. I know there are some things I could get that are better and perhaps in the case of the gtx260 I am aware I could get a 4870 that would perform just about equally the same for less, but those cards are hard to find right now and I really did want to stick with nvidia.. that is a splurge on my part.. unnecessary as most of you I am sure will consider it to be and one I am aware of .

So please, help me out let me know if you see anything here that is just nonsensical or known to be faulty or just inferior to something else equivalent for the same price or less.. (I know about the 4870! lol) thanks!

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price



2- OKGEAR 18" SATA II cable with metal latch,UV BLUE Model GC18AUBM -
Retail
Item #: N82E16812123110
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$7.98
($3.99 each)


1- LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model
LH-20A1L-06 - Retail
Item #: N82E16827106072
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$6.00 Instant
$37.99
$31.99


1- NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid
Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811146047
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$119.99
$109.99



1- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136073
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$79.99


1- EVGA 896-P3-1262-AR GeForce GTX 260 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit
GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130372
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$409.99
$399.99


1- Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
- Retail
Item #: N82E16829102012
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$32.99



1- Rosewill RX630-S-B 630W SLI Ready,APFC,ATX12V v2.2/EPS12V v2.91 Power
Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817182149
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$109.99
$89.99


1- ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186020
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$6.99


1- Rosewill RTK-002 Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail
Item #: N82E16899261005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$2.00 Instant
$5.49
$3.49


1- ASRock X48TurboTwins-WiFi LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard -
Retail
Item #: N82E16813157129
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$239.99
$229.99



1- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
$189.99


1- XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835233001
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$24.99



1- CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145194
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
*

1- Rosewill RTK-025 PC Tools Kit - Retail
Item #: N82E16899261016
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$22.00 Instant
-$5.00 Combo
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$145.99
$118.99



1- * ESET NOD32 Antivirus Home Edition V3.0 - OEM
Item #: N82E16832114005
Return Policy: Software Return Policy

*

1- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for
System Builders DSP OEI DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116485
Return Policy: Software Return Policy
-$20.00 Combo
$149.98
$109.98

Subtotal: $1,437.34
Shipping: $55.18

Grand Total: $1,492.52

Thanks for taking time to look,
Sandy

If you're going to get 4GB RAM you should get 64 bit vista.

Rosewill PSU's are pure GARBAGE. Search Buy.com for corsair 750w and you could get a quality 750 PSU for 10 bucks more.

If X48, Why GTX 260? A 4870 will beat it and costs alot less. So why not a 4870?

Mobo:I don't really know about your brand so I will suggest the Asus P5E. X38 but better brand.

Forget the sound card the ASUS board comes with a killer sound card for free. That audigy is not much better than onboard sound.

I think i just saved you 200+ so you can probably get a Q9450

I think the 640GB HD is faster than the 500GB. I might be wrong, but you still get more storage for a few dollars more.

Do you really need a tool kit? All you need to build is a screwdriver. Save some money and maybe get a better CPU. Same with the Antivirus. *Cough*You can just etseoitjTORRENTasdioaj AVG for free. *Cough*

Also, If you plan to overclock I suggest the better 120mm one. the s1283 something i believe.

If you're getting the X48 motherboard you should use the ATI HD4870 graphic card so that you can Crossfire in the future. Sapphire 4870 $310
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102748
Although Rosewill has been improving their power supplies and get passable (but not recommended) ratings from Jonnyguru and Hardwaresecrets you can get a higher quality power supply at the same price. Corsair 650w $90 after rebate with free shipping
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx [...] 78324.html
Your motherboard comes with 4 SATA cables, you may not need the extras.
I'd certainly test the on board sound before adding a sound card, you may not need it.
I'd get the mounting bracket for your Xigmatek cooler because push pin mounting sucks
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019
good luck

I would change mobo, as well as the psu.

Ok I am switching to the 4870 for now (found one in stock finally) and I added a corsair power supply which only gave me about a 40 dollar less difference oh and i got the 640 gig WD instead, I had also read that was better performance but for the extra 20 bucks I wasn't sure if it was *that* much better than the 500.. but I'm looking and i can't figure whether I should get the

Asus Rampage Formula http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

or the

Asus Maximus II Formula http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131319

They are only a $20 difference .. so what do you think would be better? I game a lot and my sound quality matters a LOT to me as well.. I haven't had time to research these 2 yet though~

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up on the bracket, added that to the list as well..

For gaming you guys really think I need to invest more for that quad core? I started off wanting one of those and changed my mind as time has gone on.. in the longer run will that prove to be smarter? It's gonna beef up my pricetag a lot if I do that and I'm struggling with the price as is..

no, a q6600 will only cost you 10 bucks more. and yes, its better for the future.

Well yeah the 65nm one.. but i was thinking more along the 45nm Yorks.. 65nm feels like stepping backwards and I would rather get the Wolf than do that.. at some point down the line those q9550's might become affordable enough to swap it out .

You know though, I hadn't really done much of a comparison of the q6600 to the e8400. I'm thinking I saw something about the overclocking ability of the e8400 making it better for gaming... for now? Shrug, I never go to sleep til 5am lately reading and it's all blurring together now heh.

What about these though, anyone suggest?


Asus Rampage Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

or the

Asus Maximus II Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131319

I've read a review of Crossfire on a P45 board (8X-8X) which says it does not work as well as an X48 board (16X-16X) here's the article
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/ [...] index.html
other people say it works just fine.
Personally i'd get the e8400 since there's very few games that are optimised for the quad core. If in 6 months or a year you want to play a game that utilises quadcore engineering then buy a (probably) cheaper Q9450 and plug it in.

I would go with the Rampage Formula if you plan to crossfire due to the pci-e x16 for both cards.

Alright guys I think I am finally set after about 9 days of reading and tweaking my build and I honestly feel quite secure with it now. Thanks so much for the help on the rampage.. I definitely want the one that runs at x16.. not sure why they would even push the others with x8? Shrug.. I'm so excited, now hopefully I can put it together.. lol.. "trembling with fear"..

Sandy

Arie,

When I put my system together I put in my Optical drive, then my floppy, then my HDDs, then my PSU. I bought an external audio card with a 5" bay addon "card" so I put that in as well.

Then I screwed in my mobo standoffs (came with my case). Then I installed the Xigmatec retention bracket on the back of my motherboard, then installed the mother board. CPU came next, then the Xigmatech HSF, followed by the RAM.

After that, came the video card and audio card. Then I connected all the jumpers and fan connectors to the mobo (power switch, reset switch, speaker, etc) Finally I connected all the data cables (IDE for my OD, floppy, SATA), and then last all the power cables (to all my peripherals, fans, etc).

It took about 45 min (I had to take breaks to save my knees) but it POST'd the first time, so I was proud. Just be careful about static electricity (IE get close to your system, touch a piece of metal that is in contact with the ground (like the inside of your case), then done move your legs much as you lean around grabbing parts. I would not be putting together a PC in the dead of winter, when my heat is turned on full blast... static electricity heaven!

Good luck!