Noob's First Build, HELP!

[Zorginator]

Hey guys,

I'm totally new here and to building PCs. But here I am jumping in at the deep end.
I've got a max. budget of £850, but I would prefer to keep this closer to £700 if possible. I picked out almost all the components from reviews and a few suggestions on NBR, I'd greatly appretiate it if anyone could recommend better parts, compatibility issues or advice in general.

So here's the list:

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR3 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-135-GI
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-161-IN
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?id=22763
GPU: BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC2 512MB GDDR3 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-053-BG
GPU Cooler: Thermalright HR-03-GT VGA Cooler http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-053-TR
RAM: OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC with LIFETIME WARRANTY http://www.ebuyer.com/product/116755
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB Hard Drive http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?id=22025
PSU: OCZ 600 Watt Game X Stream PSU http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?id=7330
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-AN
Optical Drive: LiteOn LH-20A1L-14C 20X DVD±RW DL & RAM 20x20x12 SATA LightScribe Black - Retail http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141995
Monitor: LG L207WT 20 inch Widescreen LCD TFT Monitor http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?id=19960
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit £59.18

That is pretty much it. Only thing I'm disappointed about is that I couldn't find the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 w/ retention bracket so I had to settle for the Thermalright.
I'm planning on overclocking the CPU and the GPU, is there anything else I should add?

Thanks

 

[the_mystery_gamer]

If you don't like the stock cooler on the 8800GT, have you considered taking the money from the extra cooler and putting it toward the 8800GTS 512MB instead? The stock cooler on that is plenty potent (although it needs a bit of coaxing in RivaTuner to do it), and you get a minor speed boost to boot.

Also, considering you've got a fairly powerful rig running Vista x64, have you thought about going for 4GB of RAM? I'd do it if I were you. I don't know how much extra it costs in the UK, but on this side of the Atlantic it's only about $50 (£30ish, I believe) more.

 

[th_username]

go for it

 

[Yoosty]

That is pretty much it. Only thing I'm disappointed about is that I couldn't find the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 w/ retention bracket so I had to settle for the Thermalright.

Found at Scan Computers UK

Xigamatek Retention bracket
http://www.scan.co.uk/product.aspx?ProductId=25303

Also they have the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700899

Just make sure you have the Clearance for Height when using either the Xigamatel or ThermalRight CPU HSF Cooler, when you close the case up. If not I would suggest then going with the OCZ Vendtta (which uses a 92mm fan) and still can use the Xigamatek Retention bracket.
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...Id=11258&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11258,50121

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

And you will need Thermal Compound, the FREEZE Thermal Paste was rated one of the top 5 for 2008.
http://www.dabs.com/productview.asp...Id=11258&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11258,50121

33-Way Thermal Interface Material Comparison
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.p...sk=view&id=138&Itemid=47&limit=1&limitstart=6

If this is going to be for a Gaming Computer, I would suggest in either the E8400 or E8500 Intel CPU. Should save you some Quid by going with one of these over the Q6600.

Hope this helped you out some and do read both reviews.

 

[thepowerofdonuts]

For the price of a GTS, or a GT and an aftermarket cooler, you can get a 4850, which I think is a much better choice. It outperforms both of them.

Samsung has a 22X DVD DL Burner /w Lightscribe you might look into.

I agree you should look into 4GB of RAM with a 64-bit OS. I like the Mushkin one with 5-4-4-12 DDR2 800 with 1.8V. A really good set.

The Xigmatek S1283 is a clone of your CPU cooler that performs almost exactly the same at half the price. You should get that instead of the TRUE.

Other than that, the only suggestion I have is to go with a single rail PSU like a Corsair 650W, that's 80+ certified.

 

[Zorginator]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the link to the Xigmatek, Yootsy. It should fit the Antec Nine Hundred right?
I decided to go for the Q6600 because it was only £8 more than the E8400 and I've read it overclocks to 3.Ghz on stock cooling. I want to use this rig for gaming but I also want it to last a few years so the quads to future proof it a bit more.
Also I'm getting Arctic Cooling MX-2 paste, I've read it's a good choice as it doesn't conduct electricity.

Thanks for the heads up mystery gamer, I've decided to remove the GPU cooler, but instead of a 8800GTS I think I'll get a 9800GTX because I can get it cheaper. I'm looking at this one btw: BFG GeForce 9800 GTX+ OC 512MB GDDR3
I don't know why I haven't added 4GB RAM when I'm getting 64bit OS (I put it down to exam stress).

Thanks for the advice on the PSU powerofdoghnuts, I think I'll get this one Corsair TX 650W ATX2.2 SLi Compliant PSU.
I'm not going to get a 4850 because although it's really tempting, I've heard there isn't very good support and there are driver issuses (all needs to be taken with a pinch of salt i know) But also because I'm getting really close to my max budget, it's already over £800.

I'll update my list soon, but right now I'm out to dinner.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[Yoosty]

The 9800 GTX+ graphic card is faster abd runs cooler then the regular 9800 GTX. Since it is on the 55nm die and it also has the PhysX chip in it. It is a sweet card.

Make sure you go for the 2x2gb kits, instead of 4x1gb sticks.

 

[Zorginator]

OK here's the new list:

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R = £71.90
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) = £116.90
CPU Cooler: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 & Retention Bracket = £26.25
GPU: 512MB BFG Tech 9800GTX+ OC = £143.51
RAM: 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz), Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12 = £65.38
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB = £52.86
PSU: 650W TX Corsair PSU, single 12V rail = £58.15
Case: Antec Nine Hundred = £66.85
Monitor: LG L207WT 20 inch Widescreen LCD TFT Monitor = £152.74
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit = £59.91
Belkin 125g Wireless PCI Adapter = £17.74

However, this all comes to more than £850. Can anyone suggest parts I should change and what to change it to?
BTW, I'm geussing I'll need a wireless adapter as I'm using wireless to connect to the internet