Build advice...

[Xikan]

https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersio...p?WishListNumber=6183192&WishListTitle=pc+bku

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-2GBHK - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
COOLER MASTER RR-LCH-P9E1 92mm UFO CPU Cooler - Retail
XP Home OEM

I am open to any suggestions. I plan to use the rig mostly for gaming, and some audio work on the side.

Does anyone know if I will have any issues with that HSF and the IP35-e or the case? I am not trying for an amazing groundbreaking overclock -- I am just looking to get it to around 3200-3400 if I can. I am trying to keep the build under $1200 and before any suggests a different video card I only have a 19" LCD with a native reso of 1440x900 anyways.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Dangman]

I'd have gone with this CPU cooler instead:
Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja HSF - $36

I'll be honest and say that I have no idea how that CM cooler performs. But I do know that the Scythe Ninja is a pretty great HSF and cools pretty well.

Anyway, your build list looks good to me. I will recommend however that you get the Corsair PSU from somewhere else:
Corsair HX520 520W PSU - $105

 

[engiNURD]

Get the Corsair 520W elsewhere. Newegg is charging $140 for it, while Buy.com is charging $99.99 w/ free shipping. The usual $10 rebate just ended on the buy.com one, but it should come back soon. Still, it saves you $40 over newegg. Other places that have it cheap are clubit.com and zipzoomfly.com.

Go with the Crucial Ballistix RAM instead, while its still in stock. It uses Micron D9GMH chips, and its the same RAM that helped me get a 3.8Ghz OC on my E6750. Its a MUCH better deal than the G.Skill HK sticks:
$110 - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 BL2KIT12864AA804 ($47MIR)

I've never heard of that CPU HSF, and doubt it would help you reach a nice OC. Any of these would be better, imo:
$16 - Cooler Master RR-CCH-L9U1-GP 92mm Hyper TX2 ($15MIR) ($30 - $14 Promo: EMC920ACCE02)
$45 - Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU HSF
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P 120mm CPU HSF
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme + $14 Scythe S-Flex Fan - SFF21E

My setup:
E6750 @ 3.2Ghz w/ Tuniq: 21°C idle, 42°C load, 22°C Ambient room temp
E6750 @ 3.8Ghz w/ Tuniq: 27°C idle, 50°C load, 22°C Ambient room temp

I used the Ninja on my E6400 build, and it worked better than my Tuniq did. Keep in mind, the E6400 was a much older stepping, so it doesnt run as cool as the newer G0 stepping CPUs (E6750 is G0):
E6400 @ 3.2Ghz w/ Scythe: 28°C idle, 49°C load, 22°C Ambient room temp
E6400@ 3.6Ghz w/ Scythe: 35 °C idle, 56 °C load, 22°C Ambient room temp

 

[Xikan]

Wow thanks for the tip on getting the PSU from another retailer, with that cash saved I should easily be able to afford a better HSF.

Of those HSF listed above which one would make for an easy install on a IP35-e? (I've been reading that abit likes to crowd the area around the processor) Like I stated before I am not looking for the absolute best of the best HSF, but rather something that will help me get a modest overclock without having to borrow a dremel tool from work.

Also, for a modest overclock on the cpu would I even need to overclock the RAM? That g.skill ram was suggested to me because of it's low timings. Do those lower timings have any kind of real world improved performance or is that just another marketing trick?

Thanks again for taking the time -- I really appreciate it.

 

[engiNURD]

Oh yah, and the IP35-E from mwave has a $20 rebate, so its $70AR:
$89 - ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ($20 MIR)

With DDR2-800 and the E6750, you'll get to 3.2Ghz before needing to OC the RAM. As always, with OC'ing, YMMV, but here are some possible speeds on a 1:1 config:

E6750: 8 * 333 = 2.6Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK speeds
E6750: 8 * 400 = 3.2Ghz, DDR2-800 << Easy OC
E6750: 8 * 450 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-900 << Good OC
E6750: 8 * 500 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-1000 << Great OC, near max on good air cooling

There isn't much performance difference between CL4 and CL5, so don't pay a huge price premium for lower latency. The reason the Ballistix are better is because of their overclockability. I'm sure you could tweak them for better timings if you really wanted to.

For a modest OC, the Cooler Master would be enough. Though, I prefer the Ninja or Tuniq, which are better at cooling and quieter due to their larger fans. The CM TX2 and Ninja both use the push-pin fasteners, while the Tuniq uses a backplate and spring screws. I think the Tuniq leaves the most room to work with, since the Ninja blocks the RAM slots with the fan on. However, the fan is easily removed. The TX2 has that air guard in the back to cool the mosfets, which is pretty cool. The Ninja lightweight, and good for low airflow cases. The Tuniq is heavy and better suited for high airflow cases.