Finalized build

[ginnai]

I think this is the final setup I am going to go with, does anyone have any thoughts? I accidentally posted this in the general forum, but this machine will be for Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3... but for now mostly WoW. I am not a top end gamer, but since the Kuma is the Black ed... I will probably bump up the multiplier. Anyone have this mobo, I am kinda curious about the dual bios as well as the general interface. Any ideas are welcome, especially on the psu and cpu fan/heatsink. No OS needed, XP Pro for now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.181836
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200015
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128385
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200039

Thanks!!

 

[coopchennick]

Ditch the Rosewill thermal grease and get Arctic Silver 5

For the heat sink, I'd recommend the Xigmatek HDT-S1283. Get the retention bracket if you want. I got it and its great especially for the price. Get the Dark Knight version if you want it to look sUpEr SWEETzz!

The graphics card you picked is overpowered for WoW (I don't know about the others). Something like an HD 4670 would still be more than able to max out WoW, but then again a 9800GTX+ for 135 bucks is hard to argue with.

Your processor should be totally fine for it too, especially if you overclock a little. I wouldn't too much on a smaller board like that.

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150357 $129.99 Free Shipping*
XFX GS250XYDFC GeForce GTS 250 512MB Core Edition 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Free Call of Duty: World at War w/ purchase, limited offer

 

[aevm]

Do yourself a favor and replace that Raidmax PSU with a Corsair 550VX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=550vx

Diablo 3 will use Havok physics, which means it will have extra eye candy on ATI cards. Something like HD 4830 or HD 4850 should play it reasonably well, from what I've read in forums, but of course nobody knows for sure yet.

There will also be a HD 4770 soon, if you're not in a hurry. That one will be similar to the HD 4830 but with 40nm technology and GDDR5, and I'm guessing it will be pretty close to the HD 4850 in speed and cooler.

If you don't care about physics effects the GTS 250 is a great choice too, good bang for the buck.

+1 for the HDT-S1283

 

[shortstuff_mt]

That Raidmax PSU is a bad idea. You don't want to go cheap on the PSU. You should look for a quality unit around 550W from Corsair, Antec, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, etc... This PSU is a very high quality unit and would power your system nicely:

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 $89.99 - $20 MIR

Edit: aevm beat me to it! +1 on all of aevm's suggestions. You'll never regret taking his advice.

 

[aevm]

but then again a 9800GTX+ for 135 bucks is hard to argue with.

Nah, that GTS 250 suggested by Why_Me is a better deal. It would be a better deal even without the free game.

 

[coopchennick]

Darn you aevm!

 

[ginnai]

Thanks all. It has been a long time since my last build, so I really appreciate the help with some of these details. The GPU is a great deal and my PSU was a shot in the dark... so I will take both of those suggestions! Really appreciate the help. I think this is a very decent system for under $600... hopefully no issues will arise