Round 3: PC Build

[Wolfstan]

So, I'm back again, with enough funds to buy my PC, and more knowledgable than before.

Right to it, then:

ASUS A8N-SLI Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

ASUS mobo, nice features, seems like a good board.

eVGA 256-P2-N565-AX Geforce 7900GT CO Superclocked

Best 7900GT out there (on paper), plus EVGA is a reliable brand.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester

The 4400+ Toledo almost had me fooled. There's nothing to really justify the price of it, so I'm going with this, unless there's hard evidence to the contrary. Price/performance here is more than agreeable.

Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB

Nothing much to say here. Seems like a good HDD.

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner

I'm not versed in CD/DVD Drive brands, but I do like the Lightscribe idea.

>>I need suggestions for a PSU to power my system... <<

Other than that, I have the rest of the parts (SB Audigy 2 ZS Sound Card, Corsair XMS 2gb ram, Centurion RC case, AC64 Freezer Pro, 120x38 Panaflo fan). I'm looking for a solid keyboard, which I think will be bought at Circuit City, as I would like to FEEL my keyboard before buying it.

Comments/Advice?

[freakitchen]

That's a good parts selection, you've obviously done your homework.

For a power supply, I'd recommend the Antec Truepower 550w. Very popular, heard no bad reports, and at a bargain price. It's also SLI certified.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931

The Heatsink and fan that comes with the processor is more than adequate for stock use and light overclocking. Keep in mind that if you use your aftermarket hsf, you will invalidate the warrenty on the chip. If you do want to use it, you might consider getting the processor OEM....no hsf and with a 30 day warrenty only, but cheaper.

FK

[Wolfstan]

Yeah, I was eyeballin' that one for a while, but the only thing I'm not sure about is that the main connector is 20+4-Pin. Will it work with the 24-pin mobo I posted above?

EDIT: You have a good point about the CPU... I didn't realize that I'd void the warranty... hmm... What are the odds of a problem occuring with the processor? xD

But yeah, even if it is a slim chance, is it worth the risk...? Perhaps not.

[Alaron]

The 20+4pin simply means that the last 4 pins can be disconnected to work with older motherboards. Just use all 24, and you're all set.

There is a slim chance of a problem with overclocking, if you take your time and do it carefully. However, your system will be plenty fast, especially with a Dual Core CPU. I would leave it at stock speeds, with the retail HSF and enjoy it as is.

[Wolfstan]

Aye, as I anticipated... Well, maybe I can keep the AC FReezer just for kicks.

Also, what's the word on Artic Silver? I won't be overclocking, unless I need the performance, which isn't likely.

[freakitchen]

Artic Silver is a great thermal compound, but really only necessary for overclockers. The thermal pad supplied with AMD processors is more than adequate, and as already stated, using anything else invalidates warranties.

FK