1st time PC builder with compatability question

I've had issues with that HDD and installing Vista and so have other people. The drive would be recognized by the BIOS, but not by the OS. I believe it was an issue with a batch of HDDs from Seagate. My RMA replacement from newegg worked perfectly.

IMO, 380 watts will not be enough to power a Quad Core and a GTX260. You probably want something more in the 500 watt range.

This also might just be me, but I am not a fan of that case. It doesn't offer much in the way of cooling. The Antec 300 would be a good and cheap alternative.

ipswitch why would you choose an Nvidia video card when you chose a motherboard meant for ATI graphics cards?
I think that what you want instead is a ATI Radeon HD 4850 or perhaps a 4870.It's so inexpensive you could get another one and run them in crossfire for under $340 or $300 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102770

Here is a much better choice for a hard drive


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

Also like IH8U I think you need a beefy power supply for the Phenom 9950 system especially if you want to run 2 graphics cards like the 4850 in crossfire mode.Something on the order or at least 800 watt or higher.

If you are only getting one card it doesn't matter who's chipset you use. Those are some nice internals... but obviously you aren't worried about the outside of the box. =) I like my Coolermaster case. Everything was labeled well and the build quality is good for a cheaper case. The PSU in tht case you have is nothing. You WILL need a different one to go with those components.

Really I think your original choice of motherboard was a good one because the motherboard uses the new 750 Southbridge chip which overclocks much better with the 9950 and the ACC software if you intend to overclock or want that ability.
Here is a 790FX motherboard with the 750 southbridge.This is the new big brother to the board you selected.Plus it's a Asus motherboard.
It doesn't have integrated video.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131339

Look at this article for your graphics cards.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2011.html

and especially here on 2 4850 cards in crossfire.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 011-4.html

also read here
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/N [...] ,6345.html

Having 2 ATI 4850 cards in crossfire is clearly the way to go.
If you stick with just one graphics card you will probably want at least a 600 watt power supply as the 9950 BE CPU uses a lot of power.650 watts would be safer for one card.

Whatever you do DO NOT even consider MSI! Foxconn, ECS, and Biostar have better support, compatibility, and better BIOSes. However Asus, Gigabyte, and Intel lead the pack when it comes to Motherboards. (I personally prefer Gigabyte)

*Sigh

First, get a bigger Power Supply. That 380 ain't gonna cut it. Second either go with a Radeon Card or get an SLi board.

If you get that nVidia card you won't be able to throw in a second one and SLi it for increased performance latter without using some hacked drivers. That esentialy means you're spending extra money on a board for features you won't use when you can be using that money to get a better Power Supply. I can see going with the 790GX just for the overclocking southbridge, but if you aren't going to overclock then you should consider another board. If you want to use two, or more, graphics cards look at 790X and 790FX based boards. If you only wish to use one graphics card then look at 770 based boards. If you go with a 750a board since the ability to turn off your main graphics card and use the onboard video when not gaming is pretty nifty.

It doesn't matter if he only wants to use one card, he should still go ATI.

If I were him, I would go with a 790GX mobo (from foxconn) over a 790FX mobo in order to get hybrid crossfire. It may not do much but it does help, and it also gives you a second video option if you are between cards.

Your mobo should have an onboard 3300 and the 750 south Bridge (as mentioned earlier) to get your 9950 to 3.3Ghz on air

As for your video card, go with AMD. This is the best time to use AMD/ATI card in almost three years. Go with a 4870 for sure.

Power supply for all that plus overclocking better be above 600w. I would go with a PSU over 700w that has 80+ efficiency. 80+ efficiency is crucial, 700w is not. But why skimp on the power supply. You'll just end up buying a new one anyway.

Other than that, your straight. Good luck

MSI may not be the best, but anything is better than ECS. ECS Mobos are JUNK.