[CheesiePoof]

I am looking to build my first computer and I don't have AS much knowledge as the next person when it comes to this, so I have come here for some help.

the store I will be purchasing these things from is www.tigerdirect.ca (because there is one nearby)
My budget is ~$1,500
I already have a flat screen/keyboard/mouse/case
I know that I will for sure either get a Q6600 or E6850

I would like to know:
which m/b and ram I should be getting
if I should go with vista 64
what is the difference between G0 and B3 stepping on the Q6600
should I be getting a 8800 GTS or which other 8 series video card? (maybe SLI, but not for a while)

I was looking at the Intel 975XBX2KR m/b but am not sure if that's the right one to get

any opinions/help/suggestions are highly appreciated

Edited by CheesiePoof, 25 December 2007 - 10:20 PM.

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Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
http://www.tigerdire...e...&CatId=1533
You cannot do SLI on this motherboard, if you want a motherboard that is capable of SLI I suggest you buy from Newegg
http://www.tigerdire...p?EdpNo=2643933 Don't worry about the G0 and B3 steppings, the difference isn't enough to fuss about like so many others have.
http://www.tigerdire...e...&CatId=1839
http://www.tigerdire...;Sku=TSD-500AS2 (if you want a quite drive then get the 7200.11 500GB from seagate)
http://www.tigerdire...mp;Sku=M17-7412 (I have seen these on newegg for 110$)
http://www.tigerdire...a...&CatId=2261 (yes the timinings are loose, though you could easily tighten these timings and the price cannot be beaten)
James

Edited by james_8970, 26 December 2007 - 10:00 AM.

[james_8970]

Hello and welcome to geekstogo,
http://www.tigerdire...e...&CatId=1533
You cannot do SLI on this motherboard, if you want a motherboard that is capable of SLI I suggest you buy from Newegg
http://www.tigerdire...p?EdpNo=2643933 Don't worry about the G0 and B3 steppings, the difference isn't enough to fuss about like so many others have.
http://www.tigerdire...e...&CatId=1839
http://www.tigerdire...;Sku=TSD-500AS2 (if you want a quite drive then get the 7200.11 500GB from seagate)
http://www.tigerdire...mp;Sku=M17-7412 (I have seen these on newegg for 110$)
http://www.tigerdire...a...&CatId=2261 (yes the timinings are loose, though you could easily tighten these timings and the price cannot be beaten)
James

Edited by james_8970, 26 December 2007 - 10:00 AM.

[CheesiePoof]

you could easily tighten these timings

how could I do this?
and which fan would you suggest for the CPU?
how can I use my old HD + a 500GB HD? do I have to reformat it first?

Edited by CheesiePoof, 26 December 2007 - 11:56 AM.

[james_8970]

you could easily tighten these timings

how could I do this?

Through the BIOS, it wouldn't be difficult to find.

and which fan would you suggest for the CPU?

How fan do you plan on overclocking, if you don't plan on overclocking the stock fan will be just fine.

how can I use my old HD + a 500GB HD? do I have to reformat it first?

Yes you will have to reformat first.

James

[CheesiePoof]

How fan do you plan on overclocking, if you don't plan on overclocking the stock fan will be just fine.

Im planning to overclock it to atleast 3.0

Yes you will have to reformat first.

after I reformat it, would I just plug it in?

[james_8970]

Huh, just noticed you were canadian, I thought you were American.
Have you looked at www.NCIX.com prices? I know you have to pay shipping, but you don't need to pay for PST so that usually ends up paying for the shipping and then some.
The artic Cooling 7 seems to be a decent heatsink for overclocking on a budget, but temps may get a little high at times. If you want to go all out you could purchase the Thermalright 120-extreme.
James