1st timer - build suggestions

[windsleeper]

First time building a system. Over the years, I think I replaced pretty much every type of component at one time or another - just never did it from scratch!

Here's what I am considering for my system - looking for a decent but affordable gaming system. I won't be doing any overclocking (at least no plans at the moment).

CPU - Core 2 Duo E6600
Motherboard - EVGA 680i SLI
Memory - OCZ Gold 2GB (@ x 1GB) DDR 800MHz (5-5-5-12)
Video - eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound - Creative SB Audigy 4 SE
HDD - Seagate Barracuda ES SATA 320GB
Optical - Lite-On 18x DVD+-R/RW OEM (with software?)
Case - Lian Li PC-60APlusII (no power supply)
Power Supply - OCZ GameXStream 600W (should I go for the 700W version?)
Operating System - XP Home Sp2B OEM
Keyboard / Mouse - generic MS junk (cheap!)

Using ViewSonic 22" widescreen monitor that's hooked to my current pc.

My biggest concern on all of this is compatability.

A few questions:
-Is the build reasonable - any suggestions for better parts (at the same or less price - I'm at my budget limit)
- Are the various parts compatible (memory and board I think are the biggest issue)
- Will the everything fit (esp video card and is case sufficient).
- I understand CPU has cooling - do I need anything else beyond what comes from intel?
-Will cooling be sufficient with only the parts listed?
-Did I forget anything vitally important like a flux capacitor?


Any comments/suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

One last thing - newegg seems to have everything I need at low prices - any other suggested sites?

[chuck4456]

If you're not overclocking then you don't need that motherboard. You just saved a bundle right there. ASUS P5B is a good, straightforward board. Should be all you'll need. E6600 is (of course) the choice of the moment. Get it. 2 Gigs of CORSAIR VALUE SELECT DDR2667 will provide optimal results. 8800GTS pretty well covers it there. Forget that POWER SUPPLY. SeaSonic, SilverStone or PC POWER & COOLING. PC POWER & COOLING Silencer 610 has a 49amp Single Rail that can ultimately handle that video card. SEAGATE PRT 16mb version of HD. A "flux capacitor". God, I love this place. If you correctly install your INTEL Heatsink and Fan, your cooling requirements should be fulfilled. Lian Li cases are designed for cooing. You'll be OK. Build it. Call us if you need us.

[glc]

The ES is a server drive - the 7200.10 is better for your use.

If you must have SLI, look at the Asus 680i board. The Silverstone ST75ZF or ST85ZF would be a better power supply choice, it's SLI-certified with 8800GTX's.

[chuck4456]

After reading your post app. 20 times, I never saw anything that indicated that you required SLI. Otherwise, I would have recommended (possibly) that board or another one. I definitely second the 7200.10. Perhaps I'm losing my reading comprehension skills, but I can't remember seeing anything about dual video cards either. I would have a suggested a more powerful SLI PSU if that would have been the case. It probably would have been one of those or a PC P&C 750 Quad. The SILENCER 610 (by the way) is SLI Certified, and could probably handle two, getting right down to it. Good luck with whatever you decide to build.

[windsleeper]

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. A few follow-ups:

The SLI motherboard was there in case I decide to upgrade later. Thinking about it more, the $100+ I can save now with a cheaper motherboard can be spent later on a better single card when the need arises - pay later rather than now. If I go with the p5b, there are 4 models to choose from: P5B, P5B-E, P5B deluxe and p5B deluxe wi-fi. I don't need the on board wi-fi (I think!) so I can eliminate that. Any real important difference, or can I just go with the basic p5B model? Any suggestions here would be greatly appreciated. Also, without SLI is there any need for the second x16pci-e slot that they p5b deliuxe has (physics board?) that I might regret not having room for in 12 months?

I'm taking the advice on the power supply - the P&C silencer 610 looks like a nice choice if just from a power stability and noise perspective. Also on the memory, looking around the board here, it looks like the 800 MHz memory isn't needed if I'm not overclocking, so I'll drop to the suggested Corsaire 667 memory.

The Seagate 7200.10 was my other choice - I didn't realize the ES model was for servers, so I'll make that change too.

That makes the build now:

CPU - Core 2 Duo E6600
Motherboard - ASUS P5B-E (or other P5B based on input here)
Memory - Corsaire ValueSelect 2GB (2x1GB) 667MHz
Video - eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS
Sound - Creative SB Audigy 4 SE
HDD - Seagate 7200.10 320GB
Optical - Lite-On 18x DVD+-R/RW OEM (with software?)
Case - Lian Li PC-60APlusII (no power supply)
Power Supply - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610
Operating System - XP Home Sp2B OEM
Keyboard / Mouse - generic MS junk (cheap!)

Using ViewSonic 22" widescreen monitor that's hooked to my current pc.

Any help with my final decision on motherboard would be greatly appreciated.

[flanzig1]

If you need the burning software for the DVD, get the retail Lite-on.

[newbuilder14]

Do you really need the sound card? If so, I recommend the X-Fi series cards.

[Mr.Ferrari]

That powersupply is great, but if I would be paying $160+ for a powersupply, I would want to get maximum bang/buck. That would be in the form of this:
Corsair 620W HX

But remember, neither this nor the Pc Power and cooling will power a dual 8800GTS, so if you dont plan on going SLi, you could easily get away with a powersupply for around $90-120 if you so wish.

[windsleeper]

The 8800 GTS says it requires 12V@26amps, which I think only the PC Power & Cooling silencer 610 has, out of the models recommended here. It seems there are limited choices when it comes to powering the 8800 beasts.

Any suggestions on the motherboard? P5B, p5B-E or P5B deluxe? Leaning towards the vanilla model.

[flanzig1]

The 26 Amps is for all of the +12v lines.

[windsleeper]

Ok, bear with me for a second because I'm not an electrical engineer. If the Corsair 620 has 12v@18A and 12v@18A and 12V@18A (combined 50A total), vs. the sliencer610 with only 1 rail 12v@49A, what's the difference and which is better (generally speaking)?

Does this mean I can go down-market on the psu, if all I need to do is support 26A among the 12V rails? If so, what would be recommended to power the 8800 gts (no sli support needed) and the rest of my rig?

I am soooo confused!

My wife will kill me if I eletrocute the cats, so I need to get this right.

Thanks for the help.

[flanzig1]

Don't worry, the cats are safe.
Either one would be good and even the OCZ you orginally picked would be OK.
Standards for PSUs are in flux so each maker does things a little different and still meet standards.

[newbuilder14]

The Corsair model is modular and very efficient.

This is very good and certified for dual 8800GTX cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256006

I think dual 8800GTS cards need less power.

[windsleeper]

Thanks to all who posted helpful hints. This is a great forum. Kudos all around.

I'm going to take the plunge.

Look for my next thread in a few weeks - "Need help replacing electrocuted cats!"

[Mr.Ferrari]

When they 26 amps @12v rail, they are talking about the all the rails combined. That corsair has a combine of 54amps, thats MORE then the pc power and cooling .