Once over this "new" build? Please

[carl33p]

You are going to need an OS system as well.
32-bit OS's only support 3GB of ram.

[RamonGTP]

4GB actually, but not all of it shows up. If you're going with 4GB total, it doesn't matter which you go with. A 32bit system will probably only allow you to use 3.25-3.5GB out of the 4 where as a 64bit will let you use all of it. However, 64bit OS, Vista in particualar uses more memory to begin with so it ends up being virutally the same.

[crzystng]

Originally Posted by RamonGTP

Intel chipsets are a better option than the nVidia ones are. Really, the only reason to go nVidia is if you will go SLI on the video cards, beucase Intel does not currently support SLI. The breakdown goes like this.

SLI: nVidia chipset (not sure as to the model numbers)
Crossfire: Intel X38
Single card: Intel P35

So I shouldn't have too many problems running a SINGLE 9800GTX on a X38 chipset then?
I am still looking through Intel MB's that I like and so far this is one that has my attention.

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38

GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R
Looks nice too, but gonna have to get a add-on card for firewire support.

Still looking though.
And I have vista 64, just can't run it on my current puter, no driver support for this board.

[RamonGTP]

Yes, both those would work, but like I said before, might want to stick with P35 and save some money. The advantage of x38 is crossfire support, which you will not be using. Of course, there is no down side to using x38, it'll work just fine, you're just not using the features that you're paying extra for.

I'm currently running a Gigabyte EP35-DS3R paired with a Q6600 and have been very happy with it. I was a bit bummed when I saw it did not have onboard firewire, but when I thought about it, I have NEVER used firewire, so no big deal.

[crzystng]

ya, i don't use firewire everyday, but I do use it when I transfer recordings from the camcorder to a HDD for compression or editing. USB 2.0 leaves it too choppy so I just run it via 1394

I am liking the GIGABYTE GA-EP35C-DS3R though, esp with the ability to upgrade to DDR3 later on.
I think that paired with the Q6600 quad and the 9800GTX should be plenty of power for a few more years. Hope so anyways.
So how much power should I be feeding this monstrosity ? Remember I am going to be running 5 HDD's and maybe Two DVD burners.

[RamonGTP]

Corsair HX620 would be a good choice.

Upgrading to DDR3 later would be a waste and unnecessary. DDR2 offers plenty of bandwidth and overclockability. DDR3 provides virtually zero added benefit in real world applications. By the time DDR3 becomes necessary or even the new standard, Nehalem (Intel's next micro-architecture) will be here and Intel would have moved to a completely new socket. Think about it this way, why "upgrade" to 4GB of DDR3 when you already have 4GB of DDR2? Especially when we're talking about the same system. That's the difference between EP35 and EP35C. The EP35 is DDR2 only. I've also never been a fan of boards that have two different memory standards. They almost always favor one over the other in terms of performance, stability, compatibility, and tweakability.

[crzystng]

^^^^THX this is the kind of info I have been needing concerning Intel MB's. Can't help it, I am just so used to building AMD machines that I haven't really taken the time to consider Intel stuff until lately. You can just tell that right now AMD isn't going down the right path. Maybe in a year when/ IF they release the 8 core stuff they will have a handle on the quad core, but right now Intel has them in a strangle hold. Needless to say this is one customer they wont be seeing for a while.

But, i think I have the list finalized now THX to you guys. (damnit, you converted me haha)

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS4
$174.99
Ouch, but it has everything I am after, the layout is the same as the DS3 but it has the nicer looking heat pipe setup along with everything on board and I am uncertain of the length/width of the 9800GTX so that could mean the difference between 1 SATA port being blocked vs. 2 SATA ports, so I am gonna let a little fly there.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
$219.99

Thermaltake CL-P0401 110mm Full-Range Fan CPU Cooler
$54.99 with a -$15.00 Mail in rebate

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$5.99 Ran out on the last build

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
$149.99 Upgraded from 800 to the 1066 so a little more spent here too

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply
$124.99 with a -$35.00 Mail in Rebate Is a little cheaper than the Cosair 620 but should be plenty stable and have enough connectors

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
$309.99 The size alone should keep me entertained for a few days lol (upgrading from a 7900GT lol)

Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$79.99 I am always running out of space

ASUS Black DVD Burner with LightScribe
$35.99, SATA, trying to get away from IDE everything

And Lastly the Case
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$119.99 with -$40 Mail in Rebate
Still can't figure out why I like this one so much? But I do and I am gonna get it

that makes the total now $1314.80 Shipped $1224.80 with the rebates

[RamonGTP]

Looks good. Personally I would opt with the Corsair PSU over the OCZ. There have been several OCZ models that exhibit too much ripple in the current when loaded to 80% or more of their capacity. The OCZ will work, but the Corsair is a higher quality PSU, even if it's rated lower.

If you're curious,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139002

[crzystng]

Added to the list, Now @ $1,344.80 Shipped $1264.80 With Rebates

THX for all of the help, Very Much Appreciated

[KarmaKiller]

I know I'm coming in late here, but you could save some $ and get the CM690 instead of the Antec 900. It offers the same, if not better air flow, cable management is super easy, and of course, it's cheaper too. And if your into modding, this case is a modders dream..