[nyboy42]

Hi,

im new to the site and actually new to the world of PC building. I have just in the recent months started to research heavily into what components are needed to build a PC, i was hoping that you any of you guys would be willing to help being that you guys seem a veteran at this sort of stuff. I am looking to build a pretty decent high end gaming machine, and also plan to play a lot of HD content (using it as a home theater pc)

I my eye on a few components already: This is what i currently would like to purchase, would like your opinion on what i have chosen-

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS STRIKER XTREME really would like your opinion of this motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131074

VIDEO CARD: EVGA 8800GTS 640MB (there is a 320MB version for $30 less and a superclocked version for $30 more, should i consider either one??)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130071

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz (would this processor be enough for high end gaming and hd movies?)
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115029

RAM - i have a 2GB kit of pc2-5400 from my current computer

HD - I have a 500GB WD SATA drive from my current computer

DVD Drive - SATA Device from my current computer

Soundcard - dont plan to use one - i use SPDIF to my home theater system.

Now there are my main concerns:

Picking out a case
I have no idea on how to pick a case, in terms of size and scalibilty. I am not concerned with flashing lights or nice design. I want a case that is easy to deal with, has enough room for expansion (6 sata devices, SLI upgradable because these graphic cards are huge and i am worried about spacing requirements to fit 2 of them, and also cooling).So what should i look for in a case?? and can u reccomend a good case to suit my needs?

PSU
Power supply is another thing that i have no knowledge off. Being that i plan to run SLI in the future, im sure i will need a decent amout of watts but how do i know what PSU would do the job? Also i would like to add SATA devices in the future as well. My mobo supports up to 6 sata devices and i would def like to be to power all 6. So this leads me to the issue of CONNECTORS, how do i know which PSU will have the proper connectors for my pc needs. Please if u can shed some light on how to decide on a PSU and even reccomend one. that would be great.

COOLING
I have no idea about how to properly cool a system. I know you can add case fans but i am not sure how they are added on a case and how woudl they be powered? im also aware that the CPU needs a cooler as well, how do i know which cooler i should geT? How to these fans sit inside my computer? how many fans would i need?

so u see i am truly a novice when it comes to pc building but i def want to give it a try once i know all the proper info, please if anyone could help me out i would appreciate it very much. thank you very much.


ALSO:
If you dont like what i have chosen my build, then can you suggest your own list? Forget the components that i already have from my current PC (DVD Drive, Hard drive and RAM). But focus on the real stuff: Motherboard, CPU, Video Card, Case, PSU and Fans - my budget for these 6 components is around $1000 - $1200. So if you guys had that budget to build a pc - please let me know what you would do. THanks a lot

Edited by nyboy42, 08 August 2007 - 12:45 PM.

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Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
For 30$ stick with the 640mb version.
For the case I suggest the Antec 900, I have it, you'll never have cooling problems and has everything you want.
There are a variety of PSU's that would fit your need, whats your price range, keep in mind you'll lickly need to spend more then you think.
Again whats your price range for the CPU heatsink?

I recommend this motherboard over the one you have chosen
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188013 -200$
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835109140 -65$
Please note this heatsink is tricky to mount, but it's the best one to cool your CPU down with.
http://www.newegg.co.....S-FLEX+SFF21F
This is mounted into the heatsink -20$
http://www.newegg.co.....Tpk=antec+900 -120$
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817256006 -160$
The PSU I mentioned only has 4SATA plugs, if you really think you are going to use more you can buy my PSU (it has 6SATA plugs), however it's not as high of a grade as the rails fluctuate a bit more. The reason of which I bought it was the fact that it was the only PSU on the Canadian market with 2x8in plugs.
James

Edited by james_8970, 08 August 2007 - 01:33 PM.

[james_8970]

Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
For 30$ stick with the 640mb version.
For the case I suggest the Antec 900, I have it, you'll never have cooling problems and has everything you want.
There are a variety of PSU's that would fit your need, whats your price range, keep in mind you'll lickly need to spend more then you think.
Again whats your price range for the CPU heatsink?

I recommend this motherboard over the one you have chosen
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188013 -200$
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835109140 -65$
Please note this heatsink is tricky to mount, but it's the best one to cool your CPU down with.
http://www.newegg.co.....S-FLEX+SFF21F
This is mounted into the heatsink -20$
http://www.newegg.co.....Tpk=antec+900 -120$
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817256006 -160$
The PSU I mentioned only has 4SATA plugs, if you really think you are going to use more you can buy my PSU (it has 6SATA plugs), however it's not as high of a grade as the rails fluctuate a bit more. The reason of which I bought it was the fact that it was the only PSU on the Canadian market with 2x8in plugs.
James

Edited by james_8970, 08 August 2007 - 01:33 PM.

[nyboy42]

James,

Why did you reccomend a different motherboard than i one i suggested?

and the heatsink that you showed me for $65: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835109140 - is that cpu cooler or i will need a cpu fan as well?


My budget is a max of around $1200 (im willing to go over slightly) But keep in mind i already have components such as: RAM, HD, DVD, KEYBOARD, MOUSE, MONITOR - i have all these

what i am focused on is MOBO, CPU, VIDEOCARD, CASE, and COOLING

so my budget for those components is around $1200

Edited by nyboy42, 08 August 2007 - 01:59 PM.

[james_8970]

The link for the components are in the post above.
http://www.newegg.co...x...&Tpk=ST85ZF
This is a very high end PSU, just about the best you can get, it's similar to one you'd find in a server. However it is overkill. If you want to spend a little more money you can get a GTX.
James

[nyboy42]

James, why do you reccomend the EVGA motherboard over the Asus striker? (on Motherboards.org, the Asus Striker has a rating of 93, while the EVGA board has a rating of 86)

Can you please explain how the heatsink that you reccomended works? Is the heatsink the fan for the CPU or its an addition to the CPU fan?

So is the SILVERSTONE PSU your final reccomendation for a PSU that will power SLI and also 6 sata devices?

You did not mention anything specific to case fans, how many case fans would i need, and how do they get power, ( are they plugged to the mobo or the PSU)?

thanks

Edited by nyboy42, 09 August 2007 - 08:25 AM.

[Troy]

http://www.heatsink-...om/casecool.htm

This is a link to show you how you should be setting up your fans so the airflow is best inside your case. The drawings are good. You should have intake at bottom-front and exhaust at top-rear (because heat rises). Read up and enjoy!

That PSU is top-quality, it should do the job well.

The heat-sink looks like a fanless one - it will do the job very well, Thermalright make quality components.

As for the motherboard recommendation, it's possible that you won't see much of a performance difference in real-life, but there is a good $$$ saving. The ASUS Striker Extreme is a top-of-the-line product - read EXPENSIVE! In fact, it's probably just too much overboard. But wait and see what James says about this.

[james_8970]

The reason why I choose that board over the Striker is because it's rediculasly over priced and the extra 100$ would be better off spent else where. Don't get me wrong it's a great board, but you won't find any limitations with the EVGA board, so why pay 100$ more.

Basically speaking the heatsink I recommended is a heatpipe, however the the fan greatly increases overall performance. I'm planning on buying this heatink and fan combo at the end of the month myself. It is the best of the best right now, but it's heavy and has a back plate for additional support as the fan IS HUGE and weighs in at 2 pounds. Wow, I just realized something, I assumed you where overclocking, are you? If your not overclocking stick with the stock cooler.

Yes that PSU in post #4 my final verdict.

The fans are plugged into the PSU with the molex (4pin) cables.

James

Edited by james_8970, 09 August 2007 - 08:55 AM.

[nyboy42]

well i am def interested in overclocking.....but really dont know anything about it?

Is it worth to overclock a CPU? Is there a significant boost in performance? Is it very risky in terms of possible damage to your system? My budget on a cpu is around $230, what CPU do you reccomend for the EVGA board in terms of overclocking?

what are the pros and cons of overclocking? obviously being that I am ready to spend a large amount of $, i want the best performance for the lowest cost possible.

Really appreicate your advice, thank you

[Troy]

http://www.geekstogo...ned-t62176.html

Please read this link, it has already been explained. If you want the best performance, overclocking is the way to go.

[james_8970]

Basically speaking, you can bring your E6750 up from 2.6GHz to the 3.5Ghz range.

The risks are frying your CPU.

It's worth it, but you need to know what your doing, if you do plan on overclocking then the heatsink I recommended is a definite yes!

Since you are overclocking for the first time, I highly suggest you do [b]alot[/] of reading then come back here and ask questions, because you have to go in knowing what your doing otherwise you could pontentially fry your CPU and/or RAM.

James

Edit: That link that ruthandtroy posted is a little dated, so if you need clarification, you know where to come

Edited by james_8970, 09 August 2007 - 09:09 AM.

[nyboy42]

So here is the list of my build so far: (excluding RAM, HD, DVD, Monitor, Keyboard & Mouse - these parts I have)

Motherboard: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188013

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz : http://www.newegg.co...x...9&Tpk=e6750

CPU Heatsink: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme CPU Cooler : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835109140

Heatsink Fan: Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan : http://www.newegg.co.....S-FLEX+SFF21F
(so this fan attaches directly to the heatsink???)

Video Card: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130071


Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower: http://www.newegg.co.....Tpk=antec+900
do the case fans come with the case??? and are they good enough?

PSU: SILVERSTONE ST85ZF ATX12V / EPS12V 850W SLI Certified Power Supply 90V ~ 264V : http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817256007

Now guys, what do u think of this list? Would this machine be able tackle any game out there in full settings??? In terms of compatibilty, will all the components work well with eachother? Do you see any suggestions for making changes? (Either cheaper parts that will have the same performance or spending slightly more for a significant boost)

Let me know what you guys think. Thank you

Edited by nyboy42, 09 August 2007 - 09:34 AM.

[james_8970]

Yes the fan goes right on the site, here's a picture.
http://www.anandtech...d...?i=2943&p=2

Yes the case comes with 4 fans, all of which are good, mine are a month old and going strong. Also you can adjust their speed with a switch.

You won't be able to game at full settings unless you get a GTX. If you are sure you are going to overclock you could save money and get a E6320 or E6600 or E6650. Even then, there will still be a few games you won't be able to play at full settings. Software developers are ahead of the hardware that supports it.
James

[nyboy42]

SO being that i am spending this much $ for these components, is this the best build i can have at this budget???? that is my main concern

[james_8970]

If you are for sure planning on overclocking, you could get the E6420 as it'll go pretty much as far (in terms of overclocking) as the E6750 and save you a little cash, but again never assume this is the case. Otherwise yes, I think it's your best bet performance wise for your $$$.
James

[nyboy42]

which motherboard do you guys think is better?

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813188013

OR

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128046