1st build

[RauleDuke]

Posted a proposed build a few months ago and got some helpfull suggestions.  I have since modified and this is what I plan to get from NewEgg:

BFG Tech BFGE98512GTXPOCBE GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151173

NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

RAIDMAX QUANTUM RX-700 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Retail

Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail

Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5" Card Reader - Retail

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G8500ELKR2 - Retail

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Please let me know if I have any conflict/compatitbility issues.  Main purpose of the system is gaming.

Thanx

[Masherbrum]

I'd go 8GB of RAM with Vista, it'll run extremely smooth.   I've never used or know anyone personally, that has used Patriot RAM.   I usually recommend Mushkin, OCZ or Corsair.   I would swap your PSU for a Tagan ABS PSU, PC & Cooling or Seagate.   

The rest of it looks damn good. 

[TilDeath]

I'd go 8GB of RAM with Vista, it'll run extremely smooth.   I've never used or know anyone personally, that has used Patriot RAM.   I usually recommend Mushkin, OCZ or Corsair.   I would swap your PSU for a Tagan ABS PSU, PC & Cooling or Seagate.   

The rest of it looks damn good. 

I agree with you about the Patriot Memory... low quality memory.  I disagree with the 8gb unless your getting matched pairs.  You will not get 4 2gb or 4 4gb sticks sticks to run at the rated settings unless they are matched quad set (sold 4 sticks 4gb, 2 sticks 4gb, 4 sticks 2gb ).  This gets quite expensive for an 8 or 16gb set from $91 to $380 my cost but here are the set numbers... all being DDR2 PC6400
OCZ2G80016GQ     5-5-5-18
OCZ2VU80016GQ   5-6-6-18
OCZ2P8008GK       5-4-4-18
OCZ2G8008GK       5-5-5-18
OCZ2VU8008GK     5-6-6-18
OCZ2P8008GQ      5-4-4-18
OCZ2G8008GQ      5-5-5-18

I would also switch the HD to a WD model # WD6401AALS  same 640gb but is a 32mb cache
I prefer the OCZ Vendetta 2 HSF over the Zalman.  On socket 775 boards this the best cooling HSF on the market from independent studies.

I used to love Tagan PSU's but all the vendors Ingram Micro, D&H Distributing, ASI Partner have all dropped the line.  There is some sort of problem with the one and only US Distribution House.  Still a good PSU but if you have a failure within the warranty you may have a problem if your place of purchase will not allow a return.  I am hoping and praying that all the systems I have put out with the BZ900 as a PSU that none have a problem or I will be replacing PSU's outta pocket

[RauleDuke]

Thanx for the speedy reply.  I am making the following modifications: 

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM instead of Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

XION Supernova XON-800R14N 800W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply - Retail instead of RAIDMAX QUANTUM RX-700 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Retail

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N1000SR4GK - Retail      Instead of  Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G8500ELKR2 - Retail

OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail instead of ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail 

Added a small amount to the overall cost, but I want reliability more than saving a few bucks.

[trax1]

Thanx for the speedy reply.  I am making the following modifications: 

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM instead of Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

XION Supernova XON-800R14N 800W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply - Retail instead of RAIDMAX QUANTUM RX-700 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Retail

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N1000SR4GK - Retail      Instead of  Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G8500ELKR2 - Retail

OCZ OCZTVEND2 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail instead of ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail 

Added a small amount to the overall cost, but I want reliability more than saving a few bucks.

Love the BBS ID.

[TilDeath]

No so sure about that PSU.  You also dont need 800 watts, but if your looking for the 800 range the OCZ OCZ850GXSSLI is a better choice.

Look at these.

OCZ
OCZ700GXSSLI  $20.00 rebate until the 16th  Final Cost plus shipping $78.00
OCZ850GXSSLI  $20.00 rebate until the 16th  Final Cost plus shipping $109.50

PC Power & Cooling
S75QB           $20.00 rebate until the 16th  Final Cost plus shipping $95.00
PPCS750QBL   $25.00 rebate until the 16th  Final Cost plus shipping $86.25

[RauleDuke]

Looking at a Sigma 850 w modular.  Going with a bigger PSU incase I upgrade my video card to run multiple cards.

[TilDeath]

Looking at a Sigma 850 w modular.  Going with a bigger PSU incase I upgrade my video card to run multiple cards.

The OCZ 850 and both PCp&C will do that and are much better PSU's

[Zazen13]

If you're going with the EVGA MB, why not also get the EVGA video card instead of the BFG, they're guarenteed to love each other. That's the same CD drive I just put in my build, it's fast as hell. As I mentioned in my build thread final synopsis, I took Tildeath's advice and went with the Tempest, it's great if you're sticking with air cooling, but be aware you only have 3 external bays, that's going to limit you a bit. The Tempest is great for the big video cards and the air flow is tremendous for a mid-tower.

[Fulmar]

If you're going with the EVGA MB, why not also get the EVGA video card instead of the BFG, they're guarenteed to love each other.

Umm, I really don't think this is ever the case.  Both companies/cards should be trouble-free in compatibility, period.  Just because they may share the same manufacturer doesn't mean the same engineers designed them.

Both companies offer lifetime warranties and excellent customer service (I've dealt with both, more so with BFG), both were still excellent.  Buy whichever is cheaper.

[BaldEagl]

Going with a bigger PSU incase I upgrade my video card to run multiple cards.

Still not needed unless your also planning on a raptor raid array or something.  I ran two 8800 GTS 512's in mine for a week or so and my 750 PCP&C never broke a sweat.

[Zazen13]

Umm, I really don't think this is ever the case.  Both companies/cards should be trouble-free in compatibility, period.  Just because they may share the same manufacturer doesn't mean the same engineers designed them.

Both companies offer lifetime warranties and excellent customer service (I've dealt with both, more so with BFG), both were still excellent.  Buy whichever is cheaper.

Probably, but you know they use their own stuff when they test and stuff. I like the idea of it being the same manufacturer...Heh

[Getback]

Looks good to me. I have a preference for PC Power and Cooling power supplies and OCZ Ram. That however is just me. I noticed that there was a cut in price for the E8500 chip. However, I understand budgets.

[TheZohan]

as with all my suggestions on new builds. provided its in your budget

pony up the extra 200-300 and go with a X58 and i920.  yes the i920 is overkill for AH2 but for future upgrades your saving yourself alot of money.

the X58 is crossfire/SLI your never stuck with a brand of video cards
the i920 stock is what the E8400 is OCed from the 3Dmark scores i seen.

at todays prices a chip that even compares with the i7 on the 775 platform is 1200+
if you decide to upgrade mb/chip/memory to the X58 platform your looking at 600+ which is 300+ more then if you had just got it to start with. 

just my 2 cents ..mileage may vary.

[RauleDuke]

as with all my suggestions on new builds. provided its in your budget

pony up the extra 200-300 and go with a X58 and i920.  yes the i920 is overkill for AH2 but for future upgrades your saving yourself alot of money.

the X58 is crossfire/SLI your never stuck with a brand of video cards
the i920 stock is what the E8400 is OCed from the 3Dmark scores i seen.

at todays prices a chip that even compares with the i7 on the 775 platform is 1200+
if you decide to upgrade mb/chip/memory to the X58 platform your looking at 600+ which is 300+ more then if you had just got it to start with. 

just my 2 cents ..mileage may vary.

I'd rather keep my extra 2 to 3 hundred dollars than go with x58 mobo and i7 chip set.

My final addition/subtractions:

SIGMA MONSTER SP850C 850W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.2V / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail instead of the Xion, I just like the modular set up.

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail which is what I meant to get originally when I switched from the patriot mem sticks to OCZ the first time.