New gamming build

[full speed]

Alright I'm ready for a full build. I want to get right in and play games like UT3 and Crysis. I already have a good gaming mouse/keyboard and a 19inch LCD display etc. I just need a new tower and everything that goes in it (I'm not getting an OS online though).

This is what I have picked out. I know I may have to do some messing about to get the OS to recognize the 4 gigs of RAM. And I know I need to get a heat sink for the processor since it's OEM but I'll get that in town. I plan to add another 8800gt down the road for SLI. There are a few things I need to know though.

Is the power supply in the case any good?
I know the video card is PCIe2.0, but will the motherboard support it?
Is that "SLI ready" RAM?
Is there enough cooling inside the case or should I look to get some more fans?
Is this even a good deal for the price?
Any other considerations?


Mobo + CPU + RAM
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&CMP=ILC-FPM09
$394.97

Hard drive
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&CMP=ILC-FPM09
$99.97

Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&CMP=ILC-FPM12
$189.97

Case
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...1&Sku=ULT40054
$170.99

Total
$910.90

+ Tax and Shipping
$1,107.70


EDIT: Also, I'm Canadian, so I can't order from newegg or most other American sites.
EDIT 2: Forgot to mention I have an optical drive and a floppy drive I plan on re-using for this build.

[pam123]

Here's where you can check on that power supply, as well as other components if you plan on running SLI in the future : http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

2.0 PCI-E cards are backwards compatible.

[Khalil]

Hi there Full Speed
Ditch that motherboard. XFX are not well known for their motherboards.
Go with either an Asus, Abit or Gigabyte.
Whatever you do, don't buy that XFX mobo.

[Katreat]

I have not heard a lot of good about buying from Tiger direct. Especially their combo deals which seem to be put together with items that are not selling on their own. If you live in Canada, check out NCIX which I hear is a very reputable store with fair pricing.

I am not a fan of SLI but wont try to talk you out of it. I would check to see if they ever got the 680i chipset to support the new 45 mm processors. You will be fine with the Q6600 but the future is the new 45 mm architecture and from what I have read the 680i will not support it, that is why the 780i was released.

If history holds true, two 8800 GTs will not out-perform the new 8900 GTs which are suppose to be released this month so not sure going SLI with 8800s at this time would be a good choice.

Have not heard of XVS PSUs but Ultra is on the bad list so if XVS is just what Ultra calls their PSUs I would stay away from them. Check out list here:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

If going SLI try to get a certified PSU from a good manufacture. Here is the list of certified SLI PSUs.

http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

From what I can see the case comes with NO fans. So you definitely want to get a couple of 120 mm fans to put in those brackets.

Kat

[full speed]

Okay I'm aborting the SLI idea. If I need more video power I'll just sell and buy in the future.
I'm using NCIX now and worked out another build. I can also save more money by using their price matching and combo deals but I'm just going to list the base prices for now.

Motherboard:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...cture=Gigabyte
$99.46

CPU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=Intel
$279.99

Case:
http://www.ncix.com/products/product...er=1&sku=24294
$117.85

PSU:
http://www.ncix.com/products/product...er=1&sku=24126
$112.23

RAM:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...Z%20Technology
$49.99

Video Card:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA
$209.99

Hard Drive:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Seagate
$120.00

Total:
$989.51

[Khalil]

Looks good, I like that motherboard. Awesome CPU. The case already has a great Power Supply why do you need to buy a seperate one especialy since you not going with SLI?
Everything else looks real good.

[Katreat]

Build looks good. I agree with Khalil, the Antec Sonota is one of the few GOOD case/psu combos. I would either stick with the 500 W that comes with the case or try to find another case without a PSU if you want something a bit bigger. 500 W would handle your current system but not a lot of head room for future upgrades.

If your old burner is IDE you might think about springing for a newer SATA burner. Newer boards no longer support IDE natively and the third party chipset on the board for support can be problomatic. Burners are only around $30 but then again, I know people who have had no problems with IDE also so up to you.

Good brand on the video card. They have an upgrade plan so if the 8900 shows up within 30 days and you want to upgrade all you have to pay is the difference in price.

Kat

[full speed]

I wasn't sure if 500watts was enough, I was just going to be safe but if the in-case PSU is good I'll just use that. My optical drive is IDE so I guess I'll get a new SATA one. Is this a good drive?
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...%20Electronics

EDIT: Another thing. I'm probably going to be triple booting Vista/XP/Ubuntu. Chances are I'll be using XP for games mostly. Would I be better off with a dual core or will having a quad pay off in the end?

[pam123]

The quad core in your list is the most future proof, I would keep it.