75 year old fool

[gkbeer]

Decided to build a new PC since old Dell Dimension XPS B800r is getting too slow for me. Presently running multi OS WindowsXP and Vista beta. Doing lot of web browsing, over 20 programs and deep into MS Flight Simulator since flying both real and rc model airplanes.
Components picked so far:
Cooler Master Stacker 830 Case; Asus Striker Extreme mobo; GeForce 8800GTXvideocard; Fortron FX700 PSU; Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 CPU; Corsair XMS2 2GB memory; Western Digital Raptor 150 Drive.
Future plans: additional SLI videocard, quad processor and Fortron Booster X3.

Would appreciate comments from experienced PC builders to see if I am going the right way.
Thank you for any replies, gkbeer

[newbuilder14]

Your parts selections are excellent. You seem to know what you're doing. I don't have any suggestions to make.

If you wanted to save money, Flight Simulator's requirements aren't too high.

[Wolverdick]

That is an amazing Video card, and probably overkill. But if its in your budget, you cant lose with that.

[DarkPacMan77]

yea that graphics card is really overkill lol

who says you can't spoil yourself though?

[chuck4456]

Looks like fun.
I'm just a 50 year-old fool.

[newbuilder14]

Well that makes me a 14 year old fool.

[gkbeer]

Thank you for your reply. Your set-up looks astounding and I hope Santa grants your wish for that bigger monitor.

[schowerpower]

I'm a novice, but if you plan on upgrading the processor in the future, maybe you should save some money (about $200) and go with a E6600 instead.

[gkbeer]

Thank you for your suggestion, Showerpower. I could save but I think it might be a long wait for the new Quad processors before they become really affordable.

[andper10]

You could get a Seagate 7200.10 Series Hard drive instead of a Raptor (16MB cache varieties are a good pick: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...l&srchInDesc=). Don't forget a CD/DVD Burner, LiteOn retail drives are nice and come with nice burning software. Looks good. Enjoy your build!

[hagatha]

It looks like you've done your homework! Those are all quality parts and will make your computing experience VERY enjoyable.... I'm not real familiar with the Cooler Master cases but I'm sure they are quality because I've seen alot of them in the signatures of different forums.

Every component you've listed is a know heat generator.... Please take time when building this rig to ensure GOOD air flow thru your case. Use quality fans and take care with wire management. Once the rig is built.... keep a close eye on your temps through out the system. High temps can shorten the life of any component. If you find the temps out of sorts, there are mods/addons that can help with the heat. This is not meant to scare you away from anything you've chosen.... just be aware of heat issues.

Post your temps when the rig is up and running, and get lots of second opinions!

hagatha (53 year old fool)

[gkbeer]

Thanks, ANTPERTEN. Will check out recommended drive. As for DVD I will be saving a Pl;extor PX 716A from my old rig.

[gkbeer]

To HAGATHA:
You bring up a hot situation! Never run into a cooling problem before, however, just to be prepared I picked that big Coolermaster case that is supposed to accomodate up to 9 huge fans. I think my motherboard will allow me temperature monitoring. I'll watch my CPU's temp carefully and plan to replace its stock fan with a Zalman or equivalent if necessary. Thank you for highlighting this potential problem.

[Strider]

I have a cool master cm stacker case and it's a very good case. Just some tips that I have found in my history (Brief compared to some other regulars here at PCMech) of building computers, I found out that you only need a couple of fans (Besides the CPU Fan of course) and the more fans doesn't necessary mean better cooling and your computer can end up sounding like a jet airplane when running. I wouldn't be too overly concern about cpu temperature (I'm not saying you shouldn't), but what I'm trying to say is if your computer is running stable and it isn't hanging up or rebooting constantly it doesn't have an heat issue. Another thing I found on forums (not too much here at PCMech), but I've seen people post my computer is running at 110F and I see a reply "Oh that's too hot because my computer is running at 98F". If you computer is running great at 110F don't pay attention what other people temperatures are. The only thing I've been told and this is when I first started building computers is that if the computer is over 150F or higher then you should start to worry a little bit. I have an AMD 64 X2 4400 cpu and just use the stock heatsink/fan that came with the retail cpu(I don't overclock). One last thing before I go, I use to run a temperature probe on my computer builds, but now I don't for I have gotten some confidence in my computer builds. The only time I use them is if my computer is acting a little funny, but it usually ends up that I haven't done any preventive computer maintenance for some time.

[gkbeer]

To Strider:
Thank you for your advise and support. I selected the Stacker case because of my big hands and roomy size. It should dissipate heat rather well and most of the hot components will be cooled by fans. Some of my selected items are out of stock at present delaying my building project till after the holidays. Again thank you for your input and sharing your experience.
With best wishes, your old fool.