New build. Have a few questions.

[David M]

My computer went down today. Its about time to get a new computer. The most demanding use will be gaming. Reliability and speed is important, in that order. I plan on doing very little overclocking, perhaps 10% to 20% at most.

Mobo, P6T Deluxe V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-365-_-Product

CPU, Intel I7-920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-202-_-Product
The OEM version does not seem to be available.

RAM, I checked Asus's QVL list. http://asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=iR...aZx&templete=2
I need help deciding with 6 gigs of DDR3 1600, Crucial, OCZ or Kingston. There are also some other brands which I am not very familiar with. The differences I am seeing are tighter timings, higher voltages and prices.

Graphics card, Radeon 5970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...on=5970+radeon
Newegg is offering a few different brands. I have always been happy with eVGA cards but that does not seem to be an option at this time. I am seeing Sapphire, Diamond, XFX and HIS. If these are less than very good brands then I am willing to wait. This card might seem like overkill but I am going up to a 2560 x 1600 monitor plus I like Radeon's support for multiple monitors in the same game which Vista or System 7 does not support.

OS, Windows System 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-754-_-Product
This is the full version and not the upgrade version, correct? I need the full version.

I already have the case, HSF, hard drives and power supply which are listed in my signature.

Any ideas on which will bottleneck first for some of the more recent games with high graphics requirements? Would be graphics card I have listed or the CPU? I am willing to upgrade the CPU some but this CPU seems to be at a nice price point and a little overclocking could bring it up the the next grade CPU.

Thanks.

[Khalil]

On the 5970, Diamond is the way to go. Nothing you listed will bottleneck anytime in the near future (2 years easily) and will handle any game out there with ease.

[David M]

Thanks, I'm glad you are one of the people that answered.

[glc]

I don't believe your socket 775 heatsink will be compatible.

Get the lowest voltage ram on the QVL that has the desired timings.

[David M]

George, thanks for reminding me about checking the compatibility of the HSF. Mine appears to be compatible. http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Pr...ad.asp?idx=356

Is it better for HSF's to blow downwards on to the surrounding heatsinks on the motherboard?...or does it not make any difference? On this board there are some sizeable heat sinks surrounding the CPU.

Will this RAM be okay? I just wanted to make sure.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...OCZ3G1600LV6GK

[flanzig1]

I've had issues with the chipset getting hot(if they don't have their own fan) when using side blowing CPU heatsinks(this was with older motherboards). If the chipsets have big heatsinks and the case has good air flow, should be OK.

[David M]

Thanks, makes sense. Most of the larger HSF's now seem to have fans that do not point down. I guess ASUS has considered this.

[glc]

If the ram is on the QVL you are good to go.