New Build, Have Questions

[UltraMittens]

Asus P6X58D-E X58 Atx LGA1366 3PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI Crossfire Sli USB3.0 Sata 6GB/S Motherboard

Intel Core I7 930 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 2.8GHZ 8MB L3 Cache 130W

Corsair XMS3 TR3X6G1333C9 6GB DDR3 3X2GB DDR3-1333

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB

Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX

LG GH22NP20 Black DVD+RW

EVGA E-GEFORCE GTS 250 738MHZ 512MB 2.2GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV x2

Coolit Systems Eco CPU Water Cooling System

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W ATX 20/24PIN SLI Ready


These are the components i'm going with for my new computer build. After reading a few articles i'm having concerns in terms of space with 2 video cards and the case.

Will I have enough room?

Can the power supply handle everything I've purchased?

Do I have to apply any bonding agents to the CPU and the Coolist CPU cooler? I've seen a few people buy this $9 tube of paste that they apply to the CPU, I guess.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[JackNaylorPE]

There are certainly some choices you could improve upon. Water cooling sounds ....well....er cool....but these budget solutions simply just don't perform well compared to cheaper air coolers. It appears similar to the H50, which blocks case air flow by putting a radiator where your case exhausts its air.

You will notice here that the Prolimatech Megahalems outperforms the H50 water cooler by 4.5 degrees C. The Rev B of the Mega picks up another 0.5C

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=371&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=11

While attractively priced, the OCZ Stream series just doesn't stack up well in the reviews:

For the Antec 900, I'd suggest this combo w/ the EA-650 a very highly rated PSU for $150 after $20 MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129064

That case would be fine for twin 250's

For half the cost of the CoolIt system, I'd recommend the Scythe unit touted in the benchmarkreviews article

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=23

Scythe Mugen-2 SCMG-2000: Trailing right behind the two leaders is the $35 Mugen-II cooler, .....The Scythe Mugen-2 Revision B model SCMG-2100 heatsink is identical to the first version, model SCMG-2000. The only difference is that Mugen-2 Rev. B uses a newly developed F.M.S.B. (Flip Mount Super Back-Plate) for more convenient mounting onto the motherboard.

SCMG-2100 is $34 on newegg.

For the same price as the CoolIt or H50, though you could have the top dog from the same article.

ProlimaTech Megahalems: Using the best mounting system I've ever tested, this cooler delivers extraordinary contact surface pressure between the processor and polished finish on the heatsink base. As of March 2010 the ProlimaTech Megahalems was available at FrozenCPU for $65.

And yes...you want some Thermal Interface Material. pick a TIM from the top few here:
http://www.hwreviewlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Amega-44-thermal-paste-round-up&catid=32%3Around-ups&Itemid=47&limitstart=3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/thermal-interface-roundup_10.html#sect1
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=3