First build... need a second opinion!

[root demon]

Whats up guys? Im looking to build this computer and i know what parts im going to be using and i just wanted a more experienced second look-over on this to see if all the parts i listed are compatable with each other. I know that some things may not be necessary but this is how im going about building it just wanna know if everything im about to buy is all gunna work together. This computer is gunna be for gaming purposes and i already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse for this system.


Case - Apevia X-Navigator Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB and Firewire Ports, Built-in Fan Controller and 500-Watt Power Supply ($164.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

Motherboard - Asus Striker Extreme NVIDIA Socket 775 ATX Motherboard / Audio / PCI Express / Dual Gigabit LAN / S/PDIF / Firewire & USB 2.0 / Serial ATA / RAID ($399.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...770&CatId=1533

CPU Fan - Thermaltake / Socket 775 / Copper Heatpipe / Intel P4 LGA775 / CPU Cooling Fan ($39.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...306&CatId=1588

PSU - Apevia / Iceberg / 680-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / 20/24 Pin / SLI-Ready / SATA-Ready / Green / Power Supply ($119.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...441&CatId=2036

CPU - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 2.66GHz / 8MB Cache / 1066MHz FSB / Kentsfield / Quad-Core / OEM / Socket 775 / Processor ($999.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...616&CatId=2399

CD/DVD - Plextor PX-755SA / 16x DVD±R Burn & Read / 8x DVD+RW / 6x DVD-RW / 10x DVD+R DL / 6x DVD-R DL / 48x24x CD-R/RW / Faceplates / Internal SATA DVD Burner ($119.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

Hard Drive - Seagate / Barracuda 7200.10 / 750GB / 7200 / 16MB / Serial ATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive ($329.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3982&CatId=139

RAM - Corsair DHX XMS2 Dominator Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800Mhz Memory ($289.99 x2)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

OS - Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition OEM Version & SP2 and Express Vista Upgrade Coupon ($139.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1830&CatId=672

Video Card - EVGA GeForce 7950 GX2 Dual GPU / 1GB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card ($459.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

Sound Card - Creative Labs X-FI Xtreme Gamer Fatality Sound Card ($139.99)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...7622&CatId=107


For the RAM i will be buying 2 of what is listed to equal 4GB. Thats why there is a x2 in the price there. I also am aware that the case im buying does come with a power supply, im just buying another one as extra. The video card is iffy right now, might decide to change it later on. But that is the build im about to order just let me know if its going to work thats all. Thanks in advance guys!

[Disgrace]

DON'T order from Tiger Direct, even if your parts were cheap but that's some serious hardware down there and I wouldn't trust TD with all that!

If you're in the US, go for Newegg... highly recommended around here and some stats from a site Cricket provided earlier prove it. What also will be said is that you can replace that Plextor for a Lite-On instead. Not sure about the PSU but make sure you get something very trusty for those parts..

[root demon]

What do you think about compatibility tho? I will look into newegg aswell as the LiteOn replacement but my main concern here is when i order all this stuff will it work? Is everything compatible with each other? Thanks!

[Disgrace]

In theory and plug-wise, it should all be compatible but then so should MY specs but that isn't working but yours seems fine... hopefully the uber-experienced will get into more detail about your components.

[Katreat]

Are you planning on buying two of those video cards and running it in SLI, or are you just ordering one? I dont really know much about that card, I see it is a special gamer addition, but I would at least look up some comparisions to the 8800 GTX series which only cost a few dollars more and gives you the newest tech and 10X.

[Alaron]

Apevia power supplies are junk. Replace it. Check out Nvidia's certified list if you plan on using SLI: www.slizone.com

I'd go with a LiteOn Retail drive. Plextor's are nice but there is no reason to pay so much more for one. The couple seconds of burning time you save is not worth $80 more. LiteOns also come with software for burning. That Plextor doesn't look like it has any.

Windows XP can only address 3.2GB of RAM. You'll have to wait until you install Vista to put in all 4.

The rest of the list is fine. And I second the idea of using Newegg. Just compare them to Tiger on ResellerRatings.com. You'll see why.

[root demon]

Originally Posted by Alaron Windows XP can only address 3.2GB of RAM. You'll have to wait until you install Vista to put in all 4.

So that addresses my next question... Is this system i have laid out here ready for Windows Vista? Ive seen alot of "wait untill atleast SP1 comes out" untill you get Vista. But if not, can i just throw the 4GB of RAM in there and still have it work properly (with only 3.2GB being used).

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by root demon So that addresses my next question... Is this system i have laid out here ready for Windows Vista? Ive seen alot of "wait untill atleast SP1 comes out" untill you get Vista. But if not, can i just throw the 4GB of RAM in there and still have it work properly (with only 3.2GB being used).

The biggest problem I have heard from gamers going over to Vista are video drivers. Just read that both companies have released new drivers but they are having a lot of bugs. So I think everyone is just sitting it out and waiting for the dust to settle.