New Computer Build, Opinion APRECIATED

[sidneyj]

G-day Well here it is, what i have ATM that i would like to beable to save.

CPU SPECS -===

-== 2 Gigs worth of dual channel ram 2 Of each ram brand.
Device Description
Dialog (512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
Module Type Unbuffered
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Width 64 bit
----------
Device Description
Micron Tech. 16VDDT6464AG-40BGB
Serial Number 1B6E464Bh
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Module Width 64 bit
Company Name Micron Technology, Inc.

-=== Manufacturer Seagate
Hard Disk Name Barracuda 7200.7 Plus 160023
Form Factor 3.5"
Formatted Capacity 160 GB
Interface Ultra-ATA/100
Company Name Seagate Technology LLC
---------------
Manufacturer Seagate
Hard Disk Name Barracuda 7200.7 120022
Form Factor 3.5"
Formatted Capacity 120 GB
Interface Ultra-ATA/100
Company Name Seagate Technology LLC
---------------
Manufacturer Seagate
Model ID ST3250824AS (SATA2)
Formatted Capacity 250 GB
Serial Number 5ND2DC4A
Company Name Seagate Technology LLC

-===
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000 Pro-G (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394) just for the record.

-====
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4167B (DVD+R9:8x, DVD-R9:4x, DVD+RW:16x/8x, DVD-RW:16x/6x, DVD-RAM:5x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
----------
Optical Drive LITEON CD-ROM LTN526D (52x CD-ROM)
---------
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive

----------=========== Upgrading to ===========--------------

--==== Motherboard : GIGABYTE GA-965P-DQ6 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128323

== Or Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-945P-S3 w/ DualDDR2, 7.1 Audio, Gigabit Lan, SATA II, PCI-E x16
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...823&SID=148245

--==== Graphics Card : XFX GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E w/ Dual DVI, HDTV-Out
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...277&SID=148245
-------- Or ASUS EN8800GTS/HTDP/640M 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...241&SID=148245
---- Or eVGA GeForce 8800GTS 640-P2-N821-AR HDCP Video Card
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...217&SID=148245

Now ATM between those cards well im confused 1 over the other,, all same price same card, who's better? do they just have goodies that come with em? Well at this point im looking to the lower priced ones, but whats the dif? I also thinking to stick with the SLI tech, im not sure if all the cards have it i know the last one does.

Note- Im not dealing with ATI they are underdogs in my opinion ATM, they may be faster but they dont support dX 10

--===== Proccesor Intel Core™2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...655&SID=148245

-- and in future upgrade to the 700+ MB graphic cards on either or motherboard? whilehaving atleast one pci / pci expressx1 slot used for say a non onboard sound card.

--- I also have herd the coolers "Stock" on the E6600 is not good enouph, any reccomendations?
-----==== My CPU Case RaidMax Scorpio 868 (Silver) w/ 420W Power Supply
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...688&SID=148245

Now im not sure if it can fit those MB's i want, but i think i need a new CASE i dont know realy how good this one vents, i think the fans or setup lacks, and could use much better venting and easier to get in/out of, and more room of course, anny recoomendations would be vallued. Currently i run the stock coolers that came with the fan, and i have a some turbo jet fan heatsink for my old proccesor, which i wont beable to transfer over anyways.

--==== Assuming i can't and don't think i can use my old RAM on the new boards : RAM Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 Dominator TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...240&SID=148245
--Or (Whats the difference? More features on the dominator?) Corsair 2GB XMS2-6400 TWIN2X Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)
http://www.memoryexpress.com/index.p...744&SID=148245

...... If there is a cheaper brand simmalar to the corsair that provides the same quality speed efficincy wise ect, post your thought's. ATM its a good deal when i compare it to my costs of old ram.

..... I also recall needing a new powersupply to to work with the PCI express, i dont know if mine does or not, if i recall 420 is good for the gcards ect, but rec 500+ i think its worth getting that considering all the new upgrdes.

My budjet? Along the lines of Pricing you seen in the Descrition links, something that will last me bassicaly for the majority of game time untill later on i can add to it in the future, 5-10 years but it's hard to keep up with it all,, imposible, but i assume this is a good start to last me for a long time yet with the new 2007 games coming out,, in regard's to playing at High/max settings whats the deal with liquid cooling? i havent seen any in the new mb's or cards hmm.

-- Thanks for your time, read the post properly? Good now start shouting your thought's lol " P.s> I should backup any files on my hardrives i want to move over right?? lol thats why i had extra hardrives, but i guess i understand, o well time for a mAss burn opperation!

[Alaron]

A few points. First, your links are dead. Be sure to post the full URL.

I'd go with the Asus P5B motherboards over Gigabyte, Asus is much higher quality.

All of those video cards should run similarly. We recommend eVGA because they have the best reputation for quality and customer service.

You will need new RAM, DDR2-667 will work fine. You only need higher if you plan to overclock.

Get any case you like, its the power supply that is important. Here is our brand list: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

The stock cooler is fine for Intel C2D chips, they run cool.

[flanzig1]

A quick thought on the drives you want to save; most new mother boards only have 1 IDE channel, so saving the 2 ide HD and the need for an optical drive your short connections. A couple of options: external enclosures or a seperate IDE controller card.

[sidneyj]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 A quick thought on the drives you want to save; most new mother boards only have 1 IDE channel, so saving the 2 ide HD and the need for an optical drive your short connections. A couple of options: external enclosures or a seperate IDE controller card.

I think i have some kind of IDE converter thing that is to give more ide, anywho, my drives are sata, cant i use those over the ide 2? id rather not buy hds since i have 3 already :d

[glc]

You have 2 IDE hard drives, 2 IDE optical drives, and one SATA hard drive. You will need a motherboard with at least 2 IDE channels or you will need an addon card. If cost is not a major issue, you may want to look at a 975X-based board such as the Asus P5W DH.

The Raidmax power supply will have to go.

[sidneyj]

Originally Posted by glc You have 2 IDE hard drives, 2 IDE optical drives, and one SATA hard drive. You will need a motherboard with at least 2 IDE channels or you will need an addon card. If cost is not a major issue, you may want to look at a 975X-based board such as the Asus P5W DH. The Raidmax power supply will have to go.

Thnx for info, what say one of the HD's were not a big issue to leave behind, if i left out one of the IDE drives, i should then have room for the 1 sata / 1 ide hd drive, and still support my 2 cd drivs? right

[newbuilder14]

No, you can have a maximum of two IDE drives unless you get the 975x chipset as GLC said, or any board that has dual IDE headers.

[sidneyj]

right, learning anywho, now i was browsing through the IDE expansion cards, How would one set it up to best work with what i need to add on? how much speed difference between the card and what would normally come with a MOBO, or would you realy notice a change?

Well i would need to support 2 addition IDE for my 2 hd's, one bein 150GB and the other 120GB, i plan on using the 120GB to install my OS on, so i want good support with reformating and setting up the hardrives, and the other 150GB would be storing files.

This would be set up on of course a Mobo with only 1 IDE slot, what would you run on the mobo and run on the expansion card?

Im a bit confused on what to get since there is not much that support over 150GB on the cards and the speeds may be a bit slower? or would it still run it, you would just have to figgure out the figgures when you need to. would it still defrag the hardrive accordingly if the card did not recognise it for proper size.

hoping to try and work this out and or if its better to just get the more xpensive mobo to support it all vr the ide expansion, also note that i do allot of burning with my cd/dvd drives ect.

Thanks for the help,

[glc]

I would not mess with cards - get a motherboard with enough controllers. The P965 chipset is just not IDE-friendly to begin with. If you have to cut corners, a 945P board with multiple controllers that's been retrofitted for Core 2 Duo compatibility can be used.

[sidneyj]

Thanks againl, i think i will spend the extra money although not realy important, as long as its worth the money, i am looking into the asus DH board as posted, any other notes? I think my ram should be fine with the DH board from asus.

[chuck4456]

Don't cut corners on your POWER SUPPLY. Those 8800s are power hogs and most of the new DX10s will be as well. Some brands to consider will be ETASIS, SILVERSTONE and PC POWER & COOLING. I would seriously recommend the PC PC SILENCER 750 Quad. It has 4 PCIx16 connectors. I'd lean more to redesigning my system and using SATA. In that case, the ASUS P5B is a good choice. The best i975x motherboard available right now is the ABIT AW9D Or AW9D MAX.