1'st timer builder - Everything look OK?

[OrizonComes]

Hi, Im about to make a pretty big purchase and want to make sure all this system equipment is compatible. I will be running Windows XP PRO.

Computer Case: Cooler Master CM Ammo 533

(Processor with Motherboard) : MBM-975X2-QX6700 :: Intel 975XBX2KR Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard and an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 2.66GHz Quad-Core OEM Processor

(Power Supply) : O261-2005 :: OCZ / GameXStream / 700-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / EPS / Active PFC / Power Supply

(RAM): ULT31696 :: Ultra Dual Channel 2048MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)

(Sound Card): C44-3272 :: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE

(Video Card): B52-7858 :: BFG GeForce 7950 GT / 512MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video

(DVD/CD Drives) 2x: P725-3056 :: Pioneer DVR-710B / 16x8x16x DVD+RW / 16x6x16x DVD-RW / 8x DVD±R DL / 40x32x40x CD-RW / Black / DVD Burner

(Floppy Drive) TC1-6000 BL :: 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive (Black)

(Extra Case Fan): ULT31757 :: Ultra Black/Titanium 120mm Ball Bearing Fan

(Hard Disks) I own 2 brand new Maxtor 250 GB SATA/150 Ultra 8mb Cache Hard Drives.

I also have a spare monitor/keyboard & mouse so I dont need to purchase those right now.

I need a recommendation for a good processor fan for this quad core as well as watever required internal cabels (IDE etc..) I also wanted to ask if those 2 Pioneer drives looks OK since all my desktops have always come with a separate CD and DVD burning drive but it seems like they will all still burn and play CD’s as well. I greatly appreciate your help and input on watever you guys think looks off, can be improved or isnt compatible.

Thanks again, Erik

[Cricket]

The only things that concern me are the Ultra RAM and soundcard. The Ultra brand has spotty quality control and I'd get RAM from Corsair, Mushkin or Crucial instead. And try the on-board sound before you buy a separate soundcard. Most on-board sound nowadays is actually pretty decent.

Are you getting all this from TigerDirect? If so, consider buying from another vendor like Newegg or ZipZoomFly. TigerDirect has horrible customer service.

Cricket

[blue60007]

Any reason why you are getting a $1000 CPU and a $260 video card? Assuming this is going to be a gaming rig, I'd switch those numbers around. Why not a cheaper E6600 ($320) and a hefty 8800GTX ($650). For a gaming rig, what you've got there isn't very balanced.

If you want to go for a quad-core, wait till they become more mainstream and prices are cheaper.

[OrizonComes]

Originally Posted by Cricket The only things that concern me are the Ultra RAM and soundcard. The Ultra brand has spotty quality control and I'd get RAM from Corsair, Mushkin or Crucial instead. And try the on-board sound before you buy a separate soundcard. Most on-board sound nowadays is actually pretty decent. Are you getting all this from TigerDirect? If so, consider buying from another vendor like Newegg or ZipZoomFly. TigerDirect has horrible customer service..

TigerFly seems to be one of the only vendors that sells the new Intel Quad Core on the motherboard. THey also have good rebates and stock everything else I need for this rig. Im gonna be doing small DAW sound design with this system - stuff like Cakewalk and that soundcard is a pretty cheap addition in relative to the system. Im basing most of my product decisions on the customer reviews. (that might be a mistake because newly released hardware isnt reviewed until people get a chance to try em out)

I did consider this Corsair and it does have better Specs: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...ab=11&NoMapp=0

But the Ultra is cheaper and got banging reviews: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...ab=11&NoMapp=0

Its still up in the air though.
Thanks for your reply.

[OrizonComes]

Originally Posted by blue60007 Any reason why you are getting a $1000 CPU and a $260 video card? Assuming this is going to be a gaming rig, I'd switch those numbers around. Why not a cheaper E6600 ($320) and a hefty 8800GTX ($650). For a gaming rig, what you've got there isn't very balanced. If you want to go for a quad-core, wait till they become more mainstream and prices are cheaper.

Besides for the occasional WC3,this is not gonna be a gaming rig - Im using it mostly for business applications (Webdesign, Image/Sound Editing.) Jumping to the new quad core was a decision based on the hope this system will still be close to the top in 2-3 years - I also researched the Quad-Core and the programs Im using (such as CS2) are included in the list the this processor can reconize (benefit from the dual CPU.) I know some think its a waste but I hear software is gonna start being programed to take advange of Intels new design. Is that VideoCard really that stingy? I was actually gonna go cheaper but upgraded to atleast slightly compliment the system. Its also alot easier to expand and upgrade video cards if I wanted too later on. Do you think that intel will drop by more than a few hundred by April?

Thanks for your help.
Erik

[newbuilder14]

It's hard to predict price drops sometimes, and the quad cores are very new.

If you are doing Photoshop rendering the 7950gt really isn't for you, you should look into ATI cards as they are superior for rendering. An X1K series card would be great, if you can spend that much on the 7950gt, do you think you could stretch for the X1950XT? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067 It is such a powerful card, and you will greatly benefit from VIVO.

[blue60007]

If you're not gaming, I don't think you'll need anything powerful for the video card. It's not a stingy video card, but compared to the total cost overall it is (for a gaming rig).

Have you looked at the X-Fi sound card? I hear it's got good stuff for audio producing. I have it but I don't do any audio production. Might compare it's features to the other sound card and see how things compare.

Here's some comparisons between the quad core and the E6600:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.ht...=432&chart=186

The quad core is definitely faster, but keep in mind the E6600 costs about 1/3 of the quad. But the quad core doesn't offer 3 times the performance. If you want the fastest avaialable and don't mind shelling out $1000, then the the quad should do that for you. Otherwise save the $700 for a quad core upgrade down the road once they become cheaper and more of your apps benefit. Also, the quad core isn't cool running like the dual cores. But that shouldn't be a problem for you, stock cooling will be sufficient, and it's not like you're doing any overclocking on a system like this. In the end it's your money though.

[glc]

If you are going to be using this for graphics design and stuff like that, get an ATI FireGL workstation video card.

[OrizonComes]

Ya Im pretty set on the quad...not because I believe my applications will actually be using its potential but mostly because I have alot more head room when the technology gap comes around. I also like the idea that I can be comfortable running multiple large programs and (when the time comes) I can still log into Windows and access my files even with a few virus' crashing . Ill consider that VideoCard if it’s better for rendering (it’s the same price as the GEforce). Of course I want to get the best stuff for the cheapest price but money isn’t really a factor right now.

I am mostly concerned about compatibility...Im not really savy with building PC's, so Im mostly worried that some of this hardware wont connect correctly, missing slots on motherboard, conflicting drivers, watever else will pop up when Im plugging everything in. I know this CPU runs hot which is why I still need a good recommendation for a powerful processor fan. Thanks for the replies.

-Erik

[glc]

Workstation cards are optimized for rendering rather than gaming. If you prefer Nvidia, look at the Quadro series.

If you are going to be doing DAW, get a M-Audio sound card - forget Creative.

[Cricket]

Many of the members here have been building computers for some time now (I've been building for 8 years now) and many have been ordering from on-line vendors for about as long. There's a reason we don't recommend buying from TigerDirect. Just check out their ResellerRatings rating and compare it to other on-line vendors.

TigerDirect

ZipZoomFly

Directron

Newegg

You came here asking for help with your new build and we just don't want you to get burned by TigerDirect.

Cricket

[Mr.Ferrari]

Thats a good powersupply, but personally with such expensive hardware, I like to go with something that will give your components a more cleaner/noise free line of power.. The OCZ gamextremes have a bit of a problem with that..Here are some of my suggestions for a possible alternitive:
Corsair HX 520W
Silverstone 600W