New build advice

[oboe]

Thinking of putting together a new system for the next AH2 release; here's what I came up with.   I've built my own AH systems before but am I in no means an expert, so I'm looking for your advice/tips and anything I've missed.   I do enjoy the challenge of building it myself.   I'm planning on using WinXP Media Center which was previously installed on one of my sons' computers.   I can get all this for under $900:

ANTEC THREE HUNDRED (black) ATX tower case no power supply
OCZ OCZ700SXS stealth xtreme Power Supply

GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-UD3LR Intel p45 chipset ATX form factor 1xPCI-E(x16)/4xpci-e/2xpci/4xddr3 w/sata2 raid,lan(gb),1394,usb 2.0 & audio
CORE 2 DUO E8400 3.0G (1333Mhz)
OCZ 4GB KIT OCZ3P13334GK

EVGA 512-P3-N879-TR geforce 9800 GTX+ 512mb gddr3 pci-e 2.0x16 hdcp ready sli

WD 500gb WD5000AAKS SATA-300 16mb 7200rpm hard drive
SAMSUNG SHS223B/BE Black SATA 22x double layer DVD+-rw drive

MICROSOFT wireless optical desktop 700 keyboard & optical mouse

Thx help

Acer V223wbmd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 2500:1

[Max]

Suggest:

Antec 900 - more fans = better cooling and it's a bit deeper...the 9800 GTX is a LARGE card that requires 11" (front to back) of space...not counting the 5"+ you'll need for front bays.

Hard Drive - consider the Western Digital 500 WD5001AALS

[TilDeath]

Going along with what Max said.  You may not have the room in a 300 case, the 900 is larger but for the same money the NZXT Tempest is a lot roomier inside, has more fans.  Has higher review ratings.

The MB is the lower end of the GA-EP45T-UD3P.  This is a much stronger board for a few dollars more.

[Getback]

Wireless key board may not go well with AH or online gaming.

[oboe]

Going along with what Max said.  You may not have the room in a 300 case, the 900 is larger but for the same money the NZXT Tempest is a lot roomier inside, has more fans.  Has higher review ratings.

The MB is the lower end of the GA-EP45T-UD3P.  This is a much stronger board for a few dollars more.

TD, the EP45-UD3P seems to support only DDR2, not DDR3, is that correct?  And it is still considered a stronger board than the EP45T-UD3LR?

Will be adjusting my build--thanks for the help, guys.

[TilDeath]

TD, the EP45-UD3P seems to support only DDR2, not DDR3, is that correct?  And it is still considered a stronger board than the EP45T-UD3LR?

Will be adjusting my build--thanks for the help, guys.

The GA-EP45T-UD3P is DDR3 and the GA-EP45-UD3P is DDR2.  This boards rock! The GA-EP45T-UD3P is starting to become hard to find.  I asked my Gigabyte rep if they were retiring the board and he said not yet.  So if you can find one get it.  Yes the GA-EP45T-UD3P is a stronger board then the UD3LR.

TD

[Max]

Wireless key board may not go well with AH or online gaming.

While I have most of my keyboard inputs designated to my CH Fighterstick/Pro Throttle I use a few keyboard commands...landing gear being one of them. I use a Logitech wireless mouse & keyboard and have never had an issue.

[eagl]

Did you call TilDeath and see what he could build for you within budget?

[oboe]

Did you call TilDeath and see what he could build for you within budget?

TilDeath has a great rep here and I don't doubt he could build a fine machine within any budget.   But I don't learn anything that way.   I'd rather get in there and do it myself.    If I was inclined to have a machine built for me, TilDeath would be my first choice, though.

[Getback]

TilDeath has a great rep here and I don't doubt he could build a fine machine within any budget.   But I don't learn anything that way.   I'd rather get in there and do it myself.    If I was inclined to have a machine built for me, TilDeath would be my first choice, though.

Lot of satisfaction in building one yourself! Done about 4 in the last 2 years. Wish I could build another but I don't know what I would do with it. It's like I'm always striving for the perfect machine and yearning for the knowledge.

[eagl]

TilDeath has a great rep here and I don't doubt he could build a fine machine within any budget.   But I don't learn anything that way.   I'd rather get in there and do it myself.    If I was inclined to have a machine built for me, TilDeath would be my first choice, though.

Yea, that's why I build my own rigs too.