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Another advice thread

I

Ironsoap

n00b
Joined
Apr 12, 2007
Messages
30
I know that this place is littered with these kinds of threads, but I think that's kinda what it's here for. I was hoping someone could give me any suggestions as far as this build. I already have the case, fans, and optical drives.

Also, as I will be saving up money as I go along, the CPU and GPU will probably change as they release the Q9450 and 9800GX2. But that's my general outline as far as budget is concerned.

Thanks!
 
Personally, I wouldn't bother getting an SLI supported board such as that 780i chipset from Nvidia. 1 high end video card will do. A P35 mobo based on Intels P35 chipset is good that supports the 45nm Dual Core Wolfdales or Quad Core Yorkfields cpus. You can get a pretty decent one for $150 or less depending on features. Next, I would just get 1 video card such as the 8800GTS 512 (G92) from BFG for $240 after rebate. Next, your PS is overkill and is too much for $220. You want a strong PS that can last, then a Corsair 650 watt or PC Power & Cooling 610 watt will do for $100 less than that. On the HDD, I wouldnt get Samsungs although cheaper. I would get the Seagate 750gb for $160 if you want lots of disk space. Or... 2 x 500 gig Seagate Sata 300 drives. Seagates are more reliable and offer 5year warranty on their harddisks. You wouldn't want your drives crapping out on you. Our student workers PC, she had a Samsung drive and it failed in less than a year. The heatsink I would get the Tuniq Tower - 120 which is better and cheaper than that Zalman 9700 heatsink. Finally, on the LCD, I wouldn't order online. I rather buy it locally and not deal with RMA monitor if it comes in defective. If you buy it locally, you have the option of returning it or exchanging it without paying for shipping. Also, it is more convenient to just drive down your nearby store for an exchange or return.
 
Since you're getting a 24" monitor, an SLI setup is ideal, and you won't really be wasting your money. However, I'd still wait for the 9800GT/GTX to come out, in case a single card can handle a 24" better than two 8800GT's in SLI.

I'd go for the PC P&C 750 QUAD if you still end up going with SLI. If not, you can drop down to the 520W or 620W Corsair instead.

Samsung drives are great. They're fast, quiet, and don't run as hot as other drives. I have several in my HTPCs, and they've been running great for well over a year. No drive manufacturer is perfect.

Ditch the 9700 -- it underperforms for its price. Go with one of these instead:
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF (optional $7 Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit; recommended if using w/ quadcore)
$40 - Tuniq Tower 120 CPU HSF
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$60 - ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler ($10 MIR)
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)
 
I agree with everything Enginurd has said.

If you do decide to go SLI, the P7N Diamond may be the best board when considering long term reliability / stability in addition to OC capabilities.
 
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