My first homebuilt gaming rig

N

new@this

Weaksauce
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
88
Ok, sorry if this is the wrong forum for this. I am a noob at building PC's and I plan on using the guide at Toms Hardware to help me put everything together. I made this wish list at Newegg. I am wondering if this is a good setup for next generaton gaming that a noob like me could put together himself. I just cannot justify spending all that extra cash for someone to build it for me!


Update Antec Performance One P180 Silver cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: P180
Item #: N82E16811129154


In Stock
$124.99 $124.99

Update EVGA 122-CK-NF63-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: 122-CK-NF63-TR
Item #: N82E16813188011


In Stock
$229.99 $229.99

Update EVGA 640-P2-N825-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SUPERCLOCKED HDCP Video Card - Retail Model #: 640-P2-N825-AR
Item #: N82E16814130080

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$409.99 $409.99

Update Thermaltake Toughpower W0128RU ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: W0128RU
Item #: N82E16817153040


In Stock
$149.99 $149.99

Update Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6600
Item #: N82E16819115003


In Stock
$313.00 $313.00

Update mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996533 - Retail
Model #: 996533
Item #: N82E16820146673


In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$224.99 $224.99

Update Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140


In Stock
$89.99 $89.99

Update NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Silver E-IDE / ATAPI Model 7170A-0S - OEM Model #: 7170A-0S
Item #: N82E16827152077


In Stock
$30.99 $30.99

Update Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #: 70SB073A00000
Item #: N82E16829102006


In Stock
$89.99 -$20.00 Instant $69.99

Update Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #: N82E16835100007


In Stock
$5.99 $5.99

Update ZALMAN 9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: 9700 LED
Item #: N82E16835118019




Is this everything (aside from monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and OS) that I need to
build a complete and functioning gaming rig? Will this case have enough room for a second 8800GTS on the SLI mobo? Sorry, but like my screen name implies I am new at this...
 
Looks very similar to what I just built! A couple of comments though

Not familiar with the RAM manufacturer. Recommend you look at the Corsair Dominator - I got it at the same price (minus discount) and have had good experiences with it.

You do have room inside the P180 for the GTS. The only one that has trouble fitting is the GTX

You may want to look at the EVGA 680i A1 revision. The one you have on order is an older revision and is 20 bucks cheaper. You won't have any issues with your current processor but you will have issues if you use the same motherboard to overclock a quad core if you get one in the future (the new revision was created to address issues with quad core chips)
 
Corsair Dominators are a waste of money with an E6600 unless you're going for record breaking overclocks. Mushkin is good and is well known. Though, I'd go for the Patriot eXtreme Performance LLK DDR2-800 sticks instead... costs less before and after rebate, uses micron chips (so it can oc nicely), and has better timings.
$215 - Patriot eXtreme Performance 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 PDC22G6400LLK 4-4-4-12 ($50MIR)

I'd also suggest the -AR version of that motherboard. There have been alot of issues with the 680i chipset, and the lifetime warranty of the -AR version will definately be worth the extra $20 along with the new revision updates.
$250 - eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI

For the price of that PSU, I'd go for something else. The Corsair HX620 620W would be a better choice. Other great choices would be the Silverstone ST75ZF, ST65ZF, or SeaSonic S12ep SS-650HT.
$145 - Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W PSU (Free Shipping)
$120 - Silverstone ZEUS SST-ST65ZF 650W PSU
$160 - Seasonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT 650W PSU
$180 - Silverstone SST-ST75ZF 750W PSU

Also, I'd suggest a SATA DVD Burner instead of IDE. The Lite-On models are affordable, and the Samsung model is slightly higher.
$32 - Lite-On 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA SH-16A7S-05

Here's another guide to help you with assembly: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/index.html
 
Awesome, thanks a lot guys.

enginurd, I went ahead and ordered the eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR at zipzoomfly.com for 249.99 with free shipping! It is the first ordered part of my new system. Thanks for the advice, I wanted to make sure I got a mobo with plenty of ability to upgrade for the future and this seems to be it! I will also switch to the Patriot memory, Silverstone Zeus PSU and the Lite On SATA burner.

Do you think the Zeus 650W will be enough to handle a second GTS in SLi or do I need the 750W? I may want to overclock as well.

Thanks again for the help, this is a great forum.
 
650w should be fine. ive seen the corsair 620hx (620w) run 2 8800gtx's...
 
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