Hello everyone,

I pretty much decided upon all my parts with help from RWPritchett, w153r, Huron, and a few others from this original thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] -selfbuild - Much thanks to everyone for helping this noob out!

This is the setup I have decided on with a few changes from the original thread after talking to some gamer friends. Please tell me what you think and if there is anything you would suggest I change?

My main concern at the moment is my video card. Should I change to something else for better reliability? I also need help on a quiet cpu fan/heatsink that will be there for future OC'ing.

Thanks again to everyone from these forums for taking time out to help me!


Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $100

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail $170

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $140

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $170

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail $90

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $75

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $85

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q/BEBN - OEM $30

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM $110

Have a look at my random parts list. At the bottom are your parts for CPU cooling, including thermal paste:

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] D=10549628

That gigabyte board is quite similar to the P5Q -E, except the board cooling is better on the ASUS board... just a suggestion, either board is excellent.

Your GPU choice is good.

Everything else is great.

Anyone have any opinions on using a different vid card for similar price?

I'd get an Asus P5Q Pro. That gives you the Crossfire option for later. The Antec 900, 650TX and HD 4850 already support it. Unfortunately, Gigabyte doesn't have a Crossfire MB based on P45 in that price range, AFAIK.

CPU cooling: Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

You could use an E8500 for an extra $20. Worth the investment.

Intel heat sinks will work fine unless you plan to overclock your system. If you want to do that then you should pick up the Xigmatek S1283 or the OCZ Vendetta.

Equally if you aren't planning a large overclock you can stick with PC6400 RAM. It will be cheaper and there is no noticeable performance difference.

Also +1 on Asus P5Q Pro.

Jeremy

Actually, the Sapphire HD 4850 is the best choice for that price. The nVidia card closest to it in speed is the 9800GTX+, which typically costs more and gets almost the same fps. Also, with an nVidia card you'd need an nVidia chipset for multiGPU, and you're better off IMO with an Intel chipset i.e. a P45 motherboard. Stay with the HD 4850, it's smart. The best manufacturers seem to be Sapphire and Visiontek, btw, based on the reviews I've read so far.

The 9800GTX+ has a better cooler than the HD 4850 (that is, it's dual-slot), but with an Antec 900 you won't have any cooling problems anyway.

Thanks guys I went ahead and ordered the system. I replaced the Gigabyte mobo with the Asus P5Q Pro.

When I get the system should I start my build with the OEM heatsink to check to see if all my parts are working, or should I go right ahead and apply the Arctic 5 and the Xigmatek?

If you aren't overclocking you wont need the aftermarket sink.

Jeremy

I don't plan on OCing for a few weeks until my system is all setup and working. I guess I will just stick with the OEM then until I decide to OC.

Does the pcu come with paste on it from the factory? If I just plan on putting the machine together to test all the pieces, should I apply Artic 5 to it with the OEM heatsink, or will I be fine with the paste that comes on it already.

OK, maybe I'm too cheap here, but seriously, why waste the Arctic 5 if it's just for a few weeks

Well thats what I'm asking Aevm, does the PCU come with some brand of paste on it already so I can just put the whole machine together to test if everything is working? Or do I need to apply thermal paste to the cpu before putting on the OEM heatsink.

The stock cooler comes with some pre-applied paste that will work fine. just be very careful about getting the push-pins right.

Yeah. Download CoreTemp and give it a try. If it shows 60 degrees Celsius or similar at idle then check those push-pins again.

Thanks a lot guys.