new system build...good stuff?

[vaslo]

Hi everyone! My current system is MORE than a few years old. I'm ready to upgrade now. I can't wait since my old system is noisy, slow, hot, and unreliable. Here's my parts so far, I appreciate recommendations so I can order today or tomorrow.

XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141005

Antec Twelve Hundred Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136260

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

BFG Tech BFGE981024GX2E GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB (512MB per GPU) 512-bit (256-bit per GPU) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143128


Your call on the:
PSU
Cooling System

Appreciate suggestions that will stand the test of time since I don't upgrade as much as like. Thanks so much!!

 

[evongugg]

Get the GTX280. Faster and less expensive.

If you are going to do SLI, get a SLI certified power supply.

Top Tier PSU:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3359

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460

Silent PSUs
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html

AMD Certified PSUs (Single+Crossfire):
http://ati.amd.com/online/certifiedpsu/index.html

Certified SLI-Ready Power Supplies
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

 

[evongugg]

Get this cooler:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

don't forget to order the retention bracket because push pin mounting sucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-cooler-charts,1967-12.html

 

[evongugg]

I don't see an optical drive.

 

[gamerk316]

A 280 cheapter than a 9800 GX2? Show me where you found that!

In all seriousness, the GX2 is a very good card, but is hurt by only 512 of RAM. And before you ask, 2 of them aren't worth it. Still, it can handle most anything without any issues whatsoever, so it's still a top card. A 280 has a brighter future though, as SLI will actually do something for it, so if its close cost wise, go with a 280 instead of a 9800 GX2.

 

[vaslo]

This is outstanding information so far, I can't thank you guys enough.

I have a few optical drives here at home I will loot for the time being, which is why I didn't list it. So many cards, so little time. I'm going to look into the Card and make a final decision tonight. Advice on the 280 was fantastic. I didn't even consider it.

In case anyone asks, I am only opting for one drive for now because I have a WHS with over 2TB of storage. I usually only play 1 to 2 games at a time (especially since I'm a WoW addict.)

I'll take anymore input if anyone has it, I am so pumped to be getting a new system already!

Greg

 

[rammar16]

hey so so far what i see looks pritty good lets see what i can help with...

first off a budget would be nice... but it looks like a 2k system so i will try for around there.....

so first off you went with nvidia which is fine the GTX 260 or GTX 280 are valid opinions, but i would go ATI right now... so here is what i would recomend

Gigabyte x48-DS4 $230

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336

2 visiontek (brand doesn't matter) 4870 in crossfire $560

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113

is a great ATI build the GPUs will out preform a GTX280 in almost every benchmark.

ok on to the next thing cooling the xigmatek or a zalman 9700 are both great. the zalman is a little quieter and the xigmatek preforms slightly better. your choice.

for PSU lets see... PC power and cooling 750watt silencer is excellent
if you want to save a bit the corsair 750watt is great or if you have lots of extra stuff in the case and you want more power i would go with the corsair
1kwatt it has great preformace and features like 6 6+2pins so you could run
tri-sli. here are links to the the three...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

hope this helps and good luck

 

[psycho@home]

I have a Zalman 9700 and it can't touch my Thermalright Ultima 90. Iwould
get the Thermalright 120 Ultra Extreme. Check some of the reviews on
Freezone or Anand Tech's cooler reviews.