New Computer Advice Please

[Matchman]

I am going to attempt to build a computer on my own for the first time. I would like to overclock it. I have listed what I am looking at to purchase. Any suggestions would be great. Not sure about extra Cooling.

Case:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=ANTEC

PS:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=OCZ Technology

MB:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=DFI

CPU:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=AMD

Memory:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...anufacture=OCZ Technology

Video Card:http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

HD: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Western Digital

[Yawgm0th]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

Nice choices. I can't say I'd change much. The one exception is the processor, which I'd change to an Athlon 64 X2. Which model you choose is up to you. It won't matter much since you're overclocking. I don't know off the top of my head whether the 512KB cache ones or 1MB cache ones OC better, but I'm sure you can find out quickly via Google. Maybe I'll do it myself, later.

[KoolDrew]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

Don't get the OCZ Powerstream 600w. It has a lot of problems and the 520w is a more capable supply anyway. It is just a waste of money also considering the PC P&C 510 is around the same price. Get either a OCZ Powerstream 520w, PC P&C 510, Seasionc S12-600 or the Sparkle FSP550-60PLG. The Sparkle IMO is the strongest supply in standard size. It's rated at 36A of 12v output, and Fortrons are known for routinely exceed their specifications. However it does tend to run pretty hot and the stock fan is fairly loud.

I wouldn't get an SLI motherboard unless you know for sure you will add another 7800GTX soon. Otherwise you will be better off buying a non-SLI motherboard and seeling your 7800GTX when the time comes and buying a new one.

I would bump the CPU down to a 3000+ or even up to an X2 3800+ since it seems like you have a pretty large budget. Don't spend so much in other areas if you cannot afford an X2 right away.

Wow, why spend so much on RAM? You can buy 2GB for that price which would be much more benefitial.

I don't even think the 7800GTX is worth it. Save $100 and buy a 7800GT.

I don't know anything about that particular hard drive so I cannot say it is a bad choice or not, but I would check out Storage Review for performance comparisons and stuff.

[Matchman]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

Thanks Yawgm0th any suggestions for extra cooling orr is it needed.

[Matchman]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

KoolDrew what ram would you purchase?

[KoolDrew]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

For cooling I would suggest thr XP-90 w/ a 92mm Panaflo. There are bigger and better HSF's, but IMO they are a waste of money. Take the XP-90C for example. It costs twice as much, weighs twice as much and only cools a couple degrees better. The XP-90 is the best overall heatsink IMO. You can pair it up with a quiet fan or a high CFM Delta or Vantec tornado. I prefer the Panaflos because they offer a good balance between noise and performance.

As for the RAM, it depends on your budget, but I ussually always recommend value RAM. Yes, value RAM will perform worse then "performance" RAM, but in games the difference would be small and that extra $100 spent on better RAM could be spent on a better video card that would make a much larger difference. So I always basically recommend not spending a ton on RAM. Spending a little extra for a little extra performance is fine, but when you are spending so much on RAM that you could buy an extra 1GB for that price, it is too expensive.

[Yawgm0th]

Re: New Computer Advice Please

If you want to save money, then certainly follow every single one of KoolDrew's suggestions. I was under the assumption that money wasn't much of an issue. Even if you don't feel the need to downgrade everything, definitely get 2GBs of RAM.

Unless you want to mod a DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D, though (and there's little reason not to), I'd stick with SLI just so you have the option. Normally I recommend against this line of thinking, but in your case, it might not be such a bad idea simply because it's using a top-of-the-line video card (regardless of which you get, because the difference between the GT and GTX is about a small as the difference between the 6800U and GT).

As for cooling, Kool Drew's suggestion should work fine simply because Athlon 64s (even the X2s) don't get too hot. A Thermaltake Silentboost has always been enough to take Winchesters and Venices to their top speeds, and the cooling KoolDrew described should do the same for an X2. If not, case fans can always be added and the CPU fan is cheap enough that it won't hurt to replace, not that you'll need to.