New AMD build, would like advice

[DarkNovember]

Planning on building a new comp. Here are the components:

1. ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131361

2. EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339

3. Corsair CMPSU-750TX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

4. AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103471

5. OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227298

I'm running Windows 7 RC1 on my old comp, which is running fine, so I'll continue to use Win7. So, how's it look? My only concern is heat. Should I get an aftermarket fan and heat sink, or do the PII's run ok?

[LeftyAce]

What is your budget and intended use for the computer? (looks like gaming, but want to be sure).

An after-market CPU cooler isn't necessary if you don't plan on overclocking, and using one will void your CPU warranty.

I think the ram you listed is overkill (again, unless you plan on overclocking). This should be just fine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145238

If your focus is on gaming, I would suggest looking at the nVidia GTX200 series graphics cards. The 9800 you have listed is now an old generation card.

[glc]

The Phenom II benefits from 1066 ram. The GTS 250 is just a rebadged 9800 GTX+, but you should get a 1gb version, it's still the best Nvidia card out there at that price point.

[Khalil]

Unless you are an Nvidia Fan, I would recommend going with the ATI 4850 or 4770. Currently ATI is the way to go for gaming.

[DarkNovember]

Originally Posted by Khalil Unless you are an Nvidia Fan, I would recommend going with the ATI 4850 or 4770. Currently ATI is the way to go for gaming.

Haha, I was planning on getting this Nvidia case, http://store.nvidia.com/DRHM/servlet...ctID=105950900, so I think I might go Nvidia, just to keep up appearances.

I'd also like to stay around the $700 range, that's why I picked a cheaper video card. Right now, I game more on my PS3 than my PC, just because my PC is old (AMD Athlon 2.20 GHz CPU, 1.50GB DDR, GeForce 7600 GS). I do run SolidWorks (CAD), so I wanted a PC that ran well, I do intend on gaming (Diablo III, Starcraft II mainly), and I'm thinking of getting into web development or coding (not that I need a beefy comp to do that). Really, I just want an so/so up to date PC that I'm not going to have to worry about upgrading here in the next couple of years.

[Sevillian273]

Originally Posted by DarkNovember Haha, I was planning on getting this Nvidia case, http://store.nvidia.com/DRHM/servlet...ctID=105950900, so I think I might go Nvidia, just to keep up appearances.

Haha, that's like driving a Ford powered by a Chevy engine! Just dont tell anyone!

[Khalil]

Sounds like you have it all figured out. just go to newegg.com and do your shopping.

[DarkNovember]

I might have to find a way to drop it under $600 now though.

[DarkNovember]

Talking about that Nvidia case I said I might buy, well I might not now due to cost. Is my old case going to be enough to keep everything cool? It's an old Antec Aspire.

Oh, and also, I found a GTS 250 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130469) vs. the 9800 GTX+ 512MB that I had previously put on my wishlist. Is the GTS series any good? I see that it's cheaper than the GTX series.