[exaltedfaith]

Hello, I am lining up right now for a new build. Really a first build, yet I have been taken apart and helping others build theirs for years. I right now am running an older asus laptop geforce 6600go with a single core processor. I really want a beast in performance yet have a few reservations on what to go with. I will first layout what I am looking at, and hopefully any tips, or advice can be laid out. I also have already bought my motherboard, for it was for a steal a couple days past, and had to buy it... little complusive as being ansy with wanting to build . I want a gaming beast, yet one to last, and not over 2500.

So my start of the system is the ASUS Rampage Extreme LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard, (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813131334) now I want to get the most out of this, and I will also be overclocking atleast my cpu.

Now for the cpu I have been looking at a core 2 duo, as I will be running more gaming then graphical software, minus some spss statistics software. I have been keeping my eye on the E8600 really.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 Wolfdale 3.33GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
(http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115054) Overclocking this should be fine from what I know, and I wont be going to water to cool any of this yet, as I am a little timid on it.

all CPU Cooler ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler (http://www.newegg.co...Zalman cnps9700)
I have always liked this one, though let me know what you think.

The case is where I am a little stuck, as I want something that pushes enough air around, and is fairly quiet, along with being able to fit all I want, I know I am looking at a full tower which is no problem. I am torn between (XCLIO WTBK ADVANCED, http://www.newegg.co...82E16811103019)
or (COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000, http://www.newegg.co...82E16811119138)
or even (Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case, http://www.newegg.co...82E16811129043)
Any advice on case build would be really amazing, as I am at a loss on here, all have their wonderful pros, and some have their cons to them. I enjoy the xclio for the large fans, and the air it pushes, and I love the cosmos for the case. I am not looking at having an art peice, more so merly function. I know the cosmos has a great future for watercooling while the others not so much atleast the xclio.

Now for the Graphics I am really enjoying the new 4870 x2 SAPPHIRE 100251SR Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit, (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102768) Also I feel this has potential for a year or so later grabing another and throwing it into the case to run dual 4870 x2. Any other suggestions would be nice.

Memory OCZ Reaper HPC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820227292)

Now for hard drives I am torn between the new raptor drives the 300gb ones(http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136260) or just grabbing a nice (Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache, http://www.newegg.co...82E16822136218) I want a fair amount of capacity, and quick enough access to what I want, nothing too amazing here, and my idea on raiding is fairly simple so I am not so sure what would be best, but I think I could be satisfied with a 7200 rpm.

PSU either COOLMAX CUQ-1200B 1200W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire or ABS Tagan BZ Series BZ1100 1100W ATX12V / EPS12V. I feel either are fair amount of power, and both seem nicely built.

dvd/cd drives now I feel are fairly basic, unless someone has a suggestion here, I don't really think its the huge point of the build.

Otherwise I feel I have made a good build, unless others have any advice or criticism which I would love. Let me know what you think, and any time taken to read this as I know its long is appreciated. The case is what I am sort of stuck at.

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Hi there,

There are better performing CPU fans over that Zalman. Zalman do make great units, and I like them, but they no longer hold the trophy - and they're pretty expensive. Currently you'll find the Xigmatek one of the best performing units. You may wish to throw in the optional bracket for the underside of the motherboard, otherwise you'll have a difficult time getting it to install cleanly.

I would strongly suggest you grab a 2x 2GB kit of RAM (4GB total) for this sytem, it does sound like you're undercutting here when you're going so heavy with everything else.

Out of those two PSUs, I would choose that Tagan, although there probably are better units to be chosen for your money. How much are you willing to spend on a PSU?

Pioneer make great DVD burners, yes they're cheap amongst them all, but I always choose Pioneer as they are always so nice and quiet in my systems - and they perform great, too. Make sure you grab a SATA connection unit.

The last two points that come to mind - I think the 640GB Western Digital would be a good choice for your hard drive. The case comes down to personal preference, really. That Cooler Master Cosmos S does look really sweet in my opinion, but they all do move a fair amount of air.

Just some thoughts for you to digest, looking like a good build.

Cheers

Troy

[Troy]

Hi there,

There are better performing CPU fans over that Zalman. Zalman do make great units, and I like them, but they no longer hold the trophy - and they're pretty expensive. Currently you'll find the Xigmatek one of the best performing units. You may wish to throw in the optional bracket for the underside of the motherboard, otherwise you'll have a difficult time getting it to install cleanly.

I would strongly suggest you grab a 2x 2GB kit of RAM (4GB total) for this sytem, it does sound like you're undercutting here when you're going so heavy with everything else.

Out of those two PSUs, I would choose that Tagan, although there probably are better units to be chosen for your money. How much are you willing to spend on a PSU?

Pioneer make great DVD burners, yes they're cheap amongst them all, but I always choose Pioneer as they are always so nice and quiet in my systems - and they perform great, too. Make sure you grab a SATA connection unit.

The last two points that come to mind - I think the 640GB Western Digital would be a good choice for your hard drive. The case comes down to personal preference, really. That Cooler Master Cosmos S does look really sweet in my opinion, but they all do move a fair amount of air.

Just some thoughts for you to digest, looking like a good build.

Cheers

Troy

[exaltedfaith]

Hi there,

There are better performing CPU fans over that Zalman. Zalman do make great units, and I like them, but they no longer hold the trophy - and they're pretty expensive. Currently you'll find the Xigmatek one of the best performing units. You may wish to throw in the optional bracket for the underside of the motherboard, otherwise you'll have a difficult time getting it to install cleanly.

I would strongly suggest you grab a 2x 2GB kit of RAM (4GB total) for this sytem, it does sound like you're undercutting here when you're going so heavy with everything else.

Out of those two PSUs, I would choose that Tagan, although there probably are better units to be chosen for your money. How much are you willing to spend on a PSU?

Pioneer make great DVD burners, yes they're cheap amongst them all, but I always choose Pioneer as they are always so nice and quiet in my systems - and they perform great, too. Make sure you grab a SATA connection unit.

The last two points that come to mind - I think the 640GB Western Digital would be a good choice for your hard drive. The case comes down to personal preference, really. That Cooler Master Cosmos S does look really sweet in my opinion, but they all do move a fair amount of air.

Just some thoughts for you to digest, looking like a good build.

Cheers

Troy

I appreciate the response, I meant to mention that I was throwing 2 x 2g of the ram in. About the Power supply, I am looking to throw in something that will keep power to the complete system, especially with having the 4870x2, and everything else.

I am not sure how much I really want to spend on the power supply itself but obviously a good functioning, stable unit is in mind. I definatly like the cooler master, but it is between that and the windtunnel, the 2 24cm fans on the side and the 20cm fan on the top look to keep the entire system nicely cooled, though a lack of upgrading to a water cooled system seems less pleasing.

[Troy]

The case, as I've said, would really come down to personal preference - I would choose the Cooler Master, I do have a soft-spot for their cases.

For the PSU, I would suggest looking at the Corsair TX-750. It's an excellent PSU, you can read a review on it here. Just a word of caution, though, I would not suggest this PSU for running two 4870x2 in Crossfire.

Cheers

Troy

[exaltedfaith]

Just to give a quick update, I have recently changed my mind on the case, and am going to go with a nice Cooler Master stacker 830, and hopefully will be able to start working on the inside of that come the 17th. I have taken your advice (Troy) for the PSU, and the Heat sink as both seem very nice with all I have researched. I will be throwing four of these babies on the side of the 830 AeroCool XtremeTurbine-Black 120mm Case Fan with a fan controller, and keep them running at a nice speed consistently, perhaps if I like them enough I may outfit the case with a couple more, as fan sounds don't bother me to much anyway.

Thanks again for all your help. I truly appreciate it, as you have ironed out the rest of my build with those last suggestions.

-Ryan

[Troy]

Great to hear!

Keep us updated.

Troy