Build Critique

[Happybelly]

This computer will be used almost entirely for gaming. I do plan to overclock a bit.

I already ordered the PSU and video cards because I got very good deals on them.

Here are the parts:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail (waiting to see if Frys gets them back in stock for $150. If not i'll go with the E8400)

EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

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

CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

2X PNY VCGGTX260XPB GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

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


I would also like a recommendation on a good heatsink. I've heard good things about the tuniq tower and have been considering that.

Also, I'm considering going with 8GB of ram. Would I still be able to overclock a good amount if I go with that much ram? I would like to hit 4.0 ghz or so with the CPU.

Thanks.

 

[tiraides]

Out of curiosity, which deals did you get? (And where did you get them at? NewEgg?)

Which monitor/resolution are you (planning on) using?

Your overclocking will be limited somewhat with all four RAM slots filled, but I can't tell you how much (it's a case of YMMV). If the primary use of this build is for gaming, though, I doubt you'll need 8GB of RAM.

In addition to the Tuniq Tower, there's also the OCZ Vendetta 2 and the Xigmatek HDT-S1283. There's also the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme (aka, the TRUE 120) and the Noctua NH-U12P, but you could get one of the other choices for much less. (You could check out sites like frostytech.com for more CPU coolers to consider.) If you go for the HDT-S1283, don't forget to also purchase the ACK-I7751 retention bracket that makes mounting it much easier. (You could also purchase the Thermalright LGA/Socket 775 Bolt-Thru kit to make mounting one of the other CPU coolers, which often uses push-pins, easier.)

 

[Happybelly]

I got both on Newegg. I paid $399 for the cards and $187 for the PSU. Both after rebates, but I liked the deals. They've already expired though.

I'll be gaming at 1600x1200 or 1680x1050. I know SLI is more geared towards higher resolution, but I felt it was worth going for with the deal on the cards I got. I plan on overclocking the cards a bit too.

Thanks for the other cooling suggestions. I'll check some of those out.