Some help with new build

[MoHeatSink]

First post,

not my first build, though it has been four years since I slapped one together. To be honest after twenty three years I got burnt out, I even cut link to Internet. I'm make'n a comeback. I see a lot has changed since then, WOW!

Was going to make a light upgrade because my ATI 9500pro is literally starting to die, only good for surfing Internet and feather weight games. But after starting down the road of catching up on technology and seeing the prices of AGP cards, not being able to upgrade processor because they don't make them any more, as well as some up coming games (Alen Wake and Crysis) that look real interesting with new physics and all, thought I'd just go for the more major upgrade. And in all my research I came across this site! Found it interesting and informative, enjoyed reading the threads on "new build", thought it interesting concept... ok, I can't kill the geek in me...

...To much information? Not soon enough? Good thing I stopped when I did, I was about to give out my Visa number and password.


After much debate over the m/b I narrowed it down to two, and finally decided to go with the P5W DH Deluxe, the other was P5N32-sli Premium (liked the sounds of GPU physics card running in Quad-sli, but I think I'll wait and see where that goes... my son will be needing a computer soon :-)).

Will be mostly a gaming rig... racing sims, Civ IV and some of these new physics games coming out like Crysis, a genre I never was into before except Far Cry, also some video editing and maybe watching Hellboy now and then.


**Canadian Prices** (Cuz me Canadian)

M/B: P5W DH Deluxe $239.99 http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...646&cid=MB.157 Cheaper then Newegg.com

CPU: C2D E6600 $364.99 http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=4778 or C2D E6400.

Video Card: Already bought ATI x1900gt got it for $249, $100 off, so had to buy it. http://www.gpureview.com/Radeon-X1900-GT-card-415.html

Hard drive: Going to use two 80 gig Western Digital for now, upgrade later.

Sound card: not going to worry about for now, I do have an Sound Blaster laying around if needed.

Also have optical drives, floppy drive, monitor and case, will upgrade later.

Memory: This is where I'm having hard time deciding, can spend around $300 or if possible alot less. pc6400 ddr2 800mz or what I'd like to do is buy a one gig single 1024 module then add another later for dual channel. Corsair seem to be popular, see them used alot in reviews, but expensive. Would like to try Super Talent ddr2-800 2.2v 4-4-3-8 but can't find anyone that sells Super Talent in Canada. Also interested in OCZ dual channel 2048mb pc6400 ddr2 800mhz 2.1v ATI crossfire 4-4-4-12 $366.99 could not find any reviews though http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...478059&CatId=0 .

So where I really need help is with the memory. Checked ASUS, Corsair and OCZ for compatible modules, not much help there. What I'm looking for is a good 1gig single module (upgrade to dual channel later if that is even possible) or a cheaper pair of 2048 (2x1024) dual channel.

I think I covered everything.

[whubbard]

Here is some good memory...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034...
Right now its $260 (with rebate)

Just find it for the cheapest on a Canadian website.

You motherboard an processor are a good combination by the way.

[juppy]

Sadly enough, the only place I can find that Super Talent RAM you wanted is at Newegg also (and I searched several Canadian sites as well). You can see it HERE if you want. I thought there was word not long ago that Newegg was going to start shipping to Canada, but their site still says they don't, so I don't know what ever happened to that idea.

Anyway, a couple things I wanted to mention, and you may already know. First, for the memory, something like whubbard linked to above would work, or any other reputable manufacturer. Corsair, OCZ, Mushkin, Geil, Crucial.....they should all be fine and all of those had the 2 GB kits (2 x 1024) for $300 or less on Newegg, so I would think there'd be something comparable in Canada too.

Second, you said you have the case already, but what about the power supply? Are you planning on using the one in the case or getting a new one? If planning on using the old one, it needs to be at least a 450W supply, because that's what that video card calls for as a minimum. 550W if you ever plan on getting another one to put in a Crossfire setup.

[whubbard]

...I asked a costomer service person on NewEgg and they said they don't ship to Canada, and she didn't say there were going to anytime soon.

[MoHeatSink]

whubbard, nice... photo one looks cool with the memory LED's (note to self, must not tempt self).

I'll keep those sticks in mind, but expensive over $370 CND, looken to see if I can find something for less, if possible.

My idea here is to build a half decent computer for now, then I'm going to buy another m/b plus hardware, and either give the P5W DH D to my son or the new m/b, and keep the better one for my self (naturally). So some of this hardware may go to my son, and will buy better hardware as prices come down.

[MoHeatSink]

Guess I did forget something, a few weeks back I did buy a 550w power supply I needed it for the computer I have right now, only had a 300w.

Memory seems to be alot more expensive in Canada.

Wondering if anyone knows anything about these OCZ dual channel 2048mb pc6400 ddr2 800mhz 2.1v ATI crossfire 4-4-4-12 $356.00 http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php...tail&id=187419 , expensive even with $40 off, but wondering how good they really are.