Great advice on first build, looking for same on second

[Dingus Kahn]

Hi all.
I haven't been on here in quite some time, been busy with work and school. But when I started to get the itch to build another comp, I wanted to touch base with you all and get advice before I start.

Here's what I have picked out so far:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129021
MoBo: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131013
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817341001
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103194
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145034
CPU Fan: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16835118020
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148262

I already have monitors, keyboards, OS, ect.

I would like to go SLI but I am a bit undecided on which vid card to go with. Any suggestions?

I plan on using the comp for mid-level gaming and school work that requires Power Point, Access, Excel, and other such programs.

Merry Christmas!

[Alaron]

That all looks fine. I'd rethink SLI. It's only worthwhile if you buy the highest-end cards and game at very high resolutions. Stick with one card and upgrade it later instead. The best bang for the buck are either the Radeon HD3870s or the new 8800GTS.

[Dingus Kahn]

Alrighty...scratch SLI. Keep same mobo or opt for a different one? Also, if no SLI, should I downgrade the PSU a bit?

[Alaron]

The Asus M2N-E is a great choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131022

That PSU is fine. This Corsair is a tad less expensive and very high quality: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 Worth a look.

[Dingus Kahn]

Ok, I think I'll go with the Corsair PSU. It looks pretty solid. I'll have to think about the mobo though.

Any recommendations on a different CPU fan? I'm rather concerned about the height and weight of the Zalman.

And one more thing (sorry), but although the 8800GTS are fine cards, they are just a bit expensive. What do you think of the 8600?

[doubledragon5]

If your not doing any overclocking than the stock fan is fine, and won't void your warranty if something goes wrong.. But I do have a Zalman fan in my Antec 900 case and it fits fine so no worries there if you plan on purchasing it..

[Alaron]

Agree with DD5 on the heatsink. Stick with the retail unit if you're not overclocking.

As for the video card, the 8600GT is a good bang for the buck. If you can swing a bit more, the Radeon HD 3850s are a noticeable step up in performance.

[Dingus Kahn]

I know the Antec 900 is a great case: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811129021

But I would like to save a few bucks to swing a 8800GTS. Which of the following cases would you suggest I go with?

1) http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811146025

2) http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811146041

3) http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811147033

4) http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811147038

5) http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811166038

I'm sort of leaning towards the Sunbeam Feezing Storm...

[Alaron]

Out of those I'd probably make the same choice. But cases are personal preference. You're the one looking at it everyday so go with anything you like. The Sunbeam looks to have the best airflow though.

[Dingus Kahn]

Alaron,

I appreciate the time you spent giving advice. There's so many combination of parts out there it gets to be overwhelming. But I took most of what you suggested and this is the final product. What do you (or others) think:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811166038

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131022

Vid Card: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130318

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139004

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103773

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145034

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148262

And, of course, Newegg is out of stock on a couple of parts I was eyeing.