Eclipse, Kirby, Bona, and Friends. Check v3 plz

This is version 3 of my build... Thanks to all who previously helped.

I cover a lot here so feel free just respond with simple bullet points, full paragraphs should only be for really flexing your knowledge. Please pay special attention to the SLI mobo choice.

Personal Notes:
1) This wil be my first build
2) I will OC within "first timers" reason
3) I do multitask (TS, Excel, Trillian, Firefox often open at once)
4) I will add a second GPU
5) I want 2gigs of system ram for the game LOMAC
6) The rig I'm coming from is in my sig

ATX Tower Case

ABS Stealth CS-05A1S Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811215002
21.2" x 8.8" x 18.2" (L x W x H)

OR

GIGABYTE 3D AURORA GZ-FSCA1-ANS 8" x 21" x 19-3/4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811233001
Review of Case>>> http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=810
Oh yes and if you look I’ll definitely remove that stupid case “toolbox” but I really like that this case has 3 x 120mm fans.

Not going to go with the Antec p180 because too many noobs and even non-noobs hated the installation. If im being a “scaredy cat” then please say so lol

PSU

ENERMAX Liberty ELT620AWT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194004
Review of PSU >>> http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cases/enermax/psu/elt620awt/

I’m going to stick with this PSU because it’s on sale still and it might come in handy if the next generation of GPU’s have greater power reqs.

Mother Board

I decided I’m going to stick with SLI.

Here are the final candidates... I'm leaning on the Asus A8N-SLI Premium. Yes it's not a DFI monster option bios but its good for a noob and I'm willing to bet that i'll avoid instability at memory 1T. Eclipse... could the 1T problems be fixed by a newer bios?

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium 163$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131540

ABIT KN8 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard 109$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127225

DFI LP UT nF4 SLI-D Socket 939 160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136158

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D 132$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152

ABIT AN8 SLI Socket 939 140$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127207

Processor
Opteron 170 or 165

Going to go Dual Core. I hate swallowing the price though for an Opty 170 though. If someone can talk me into 165 or even a 148 then please do so at this time lmao. Recall that I’m coming from a s754 Athlon64 3200+ and available Opty steppings I suppose do matter.

Fan and Heatsink

THERMALRIGHT SI-120 High Performance Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109123
Review of HSF>>> http://www.insanetek.com/review.php?id=218&page=1

Will buy SI-120 here>>> http://www.crazypc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=50981

However, im not sure I want a bundled panaflow that spins that fast… 2700rpm seems to overly fast.

Graphics Card (x1)

BFG Tech Geforce 7800GT BFGR78256GTCOD2 with Call of Duty 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143042

Can’t go wrong with a COD2 game bundle at 320$... I’m a fan of BFG, I had a freezing issue with my BFG 6800nu and their dedication to helping me was impressive (they helped me troubleshoot for 2 weeks straight.) Pretty vague on whether it’s copper HSF or not…pic shows it as aluminum, guy on newegg saying his was copper. Is copper really that big of a deal?

System Ram
G.SKILL Extreme Series 2GB (2 x 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021

Final Thoughts
Oh me oh my what mobo to choose in SLI?! lol...One that loves 2x1gig sticks of ram, opty dual cores, and whose bios is good for a new but interested OC’er!

Optical Drives, Hard Drive, and Sound Card will be scavenged from prior system.

Many thanks once again!

Battle_Rattle said:

Here are the final candidates... I'm leaning on the Asus A8N-SLI Premium. Yes it's not a DFI monster option bios but its good for a noob and I'm willing to bet that i'll avoid instability at memory 1T. Eclipse... could the 1T problems be fixed by a newer bios?

Click to expand...

i honestly don't know. there's even a chance you just won't experience the problem.
what i do know is that the dfi isn't that bad, just ignore the settings in the memory page you don't understand yet

also, you left out the ram!

Looks like you're taking your time and doing a lot of research (good for you ).

Case - up to you...whatever you like and want to look at. I have the P180 and it was a pain to get setup, so anything has to be easier than that .

PSU - Never used that one, but Enermax is a good name...someone should be able to give you more info.

Motherboard - Either get the DFI SLI-D or the Asus A8N-SLI Prem. It's a tough call. My DFI board gave me fits when I first got it with even small tasks such as posting , but now it works great and it has been the best s939 board I've used. To be on the safe side, I still recommend the A8N-Premium, but only because I'm not sure of what your computer expertise is and you said it is your first time. If you don't mind having a pile of non-working parts for a day or two while you figure out what's wrong with your computer, then get the DFI, but if that would bother you as a new system builder, then get the Asus.

Proc - I'd just get the 165. The newer 170's aren't clocking that much better than the 165's and the 165 is maybe $80 cheaper. I have a 165 running at 2.6Ghz and I can't complain at all.

Fan/HSF - Good job there...I have the XP-90 myself, but I would probably get an SI-120 if I were buying another one right now.

Vid card - I have a BFG 7800GT. I'd say either the BFG or eVGA. The eVGA has a little higher OC from the factory, but if you're getting it for COD2, than the BFG is fine and I can attest that COD2 works great on the 7800GT (w/Dell 2005FPW 1680x1050) and with dual cores.

Everything looks like it is coming together pretty well. Let us know how the build goes .

Lol.... I updated the sys ram... Eclipse you still good with those G.Skill sticks?

Kirby... I have PM'd some about the enermax, looks good (especially at 150$)
and yeh.... Damn mobo decisions!! lol

Ok guys im sitting back and giving an opprotunity for all to respond.

Well, when you title a thread asking for help from only specific people, users tend to totally disregard your post

But regarding your setup... Im not a fan of enermax psus. I hear they are rather loud even though they are advertised as "silent". Honestly, you can spend 40 bucks less for a more efficient and VERY quiet psu. The s12-500 is SLI certified and is a much better investment (aka seasonic - my favorite)

Well, you havent mentioned your budget so... Id say go with the 170 just because it gives you more leg room.

Once again, I dont know your budget, so Id like to say go with the a8n32-sli deluxe, but assuming that is out of your range, stay with the a8n premium. DFI boards are not made for rookies and virgin builders and asus usually outperforms abit boards.

Everything else looks fine. It will be perfect if you replace that damn enermax.

Again, you're getting 1 graphics card. Why the hell do you want SLI?

And I would go for the Opteron 170 since the 10x multiplier and 200MHz head start will give you some more room to work with once you start overclocking.

Also, buy your SI-120 from http://www.svc.com and buy a low-speed Panaflo with it. That one is the ultra-fast ultra-loud version. Your eardrums will thank you for going with SVC.

im not on the list, but i am Eclipses friend.

now the run down

ATX Tower
ABS stealth, the Gigabyte aurora looks too goofy

PSU
OCZ PowerStream 520w

OR

SilverStone SST-ST56ZF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817163111

Motherboard
STAY AWAY FROM ABIT!

DFI all the way. Asus isnt an OC king, so DFI FTW

Ultra-D, if your not SLI'ing or SLI-DR if you are.

Processor
165. its not worth the extra 80 bucks for the 170.

Fan and Heatsink
Scythe Ninja FTW. it PWNS the si-120. and for a fan...http://svc.com/fba12g12m-nba.html with a 75 cent tail.

Video Card
get an XFX or EVGA. they are both better brands then BFG.

good luck with your new rig!

Kirby nailed everything I would say. I'd also go with Bona Fide's recommend for the SVC-bought SI-120.

Bona Fide said:

Again, you're getting 1 graphics card. Why the hell do you want SLI?

Click to expand...

He said he plans to add another in the first post. Its not like he has to rush... the next best card doesnt come out for maybe another year, or even two.

Kirbys good with one, there's an abiding logic to Bonas anti-sli arguement, and im sure LOMAC isnt that big of a bastard....

I'll go non-sli .... sorry for the wavering! lol

I agree:
DFI LanParty Ultra-D (Mod to SLI?)/ DFI SD or DFI Expert(if you have the money) + OCZ PowerStream 520 (SLI? version maybe)...
Opteron's 170 and 165 are both good. But I would take the 165 because it is only like $280 at Monarch and add an aftermarket $40-50 hs/f
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120339
The OEM Opteron 170 is like $365. So 50 + 280 = 330 in comparison to 50 + 265 = 415. And anyway you're likely to hit high FSBs on a DFI. Hopefully at least 312 which will OC you tto 2.8Ghz if youre chip can handle it...

CCUABIDExORxDIE said:

im not on the list, but i am Eclipses friend.

now the run down


Motherboard
STAY AWAY FROM ABIT!

DFI all the way. Asus isnt an OC king, so DFI FTW

Click to expand...

What's wrong with ABIT? I've never had any problems with mine, except for maybe the semi-lack of customer support.

Intel_Inside said:

What's wrong with ABIT? I've never had any problems with mine, except for maybe the semi-lack of customer support.

Click to expand...

Abit and me dont see eye to eye, i got a Abit AN8-SLI and within 1 day its like acting weird and i believe its dead. there have been tons of issues with the AN8 series