RAM LCD and MOBO help please

[Jethro69]

Hi

I've basically figured out my new PC
I'm getting a Gigabyte 7900GTX
Intel C2D E6400
Antec Sonata II w 450 W True Power 2.0
X-Fi Extreme Music
Seagate 400 Gb Sata II 16 Mb Cache
Lightscribe DVD-RW

I'm going to buying from www.satacomputer.com (NewEgg doesn't deliver to Canada)

I've looked into the P5N-E, P5B-E, P5W-DH, P5B DX, AW3D-Max, etc. I'm really confused as this will be my first build. I'm also somewhat worried about supplied software issues. I'll be installing XP Pro SP2 (I've read some Mobo's don't support it).

I don't mind spending for DDR2-800, and I can have parts shipped to me from friends in the U.S.

Monitors are supposed to be seen in person, so I'll just go with that. I'm new to gaming though and watching movies on my screen, and I will be looking into this further, but feel free to enlighten me because i'm useless - will the monitor be good. I read the reviews but then I checked my laptop screen and noticed several of their considerations. Things I'd never noticed before

I've read Ram can jerk you off, usually referenced to ASUS boards.
I'll also be purchasing a fan (Zalman), thermal compound, and i want this bad boy to surf, play games, torrent, and watch/convert movies and listen to/record music. Any and all advice is highly appreciated

Will likely upgrade to an 8xxx series card in the future, would also like a quad-core.

Many thanks

 

[Sora]

get a DS3 or a P5B-E and some cheap G.Skill DDR2-800 ram.

Also the Hann's G 19 inch wide is amazing for the price, i just got one in the mail and I could not be more pleased at all. You don't need to see this one in person to like it al all, ask anyone who has one.

Why are you getting a 7900GTX by the way? Did you find a really good special on it? Or do you own it already?
]
Last, the E6300 is a better deal in my opinion since the FSB will still be the same on them and it will be very close, or even better why not go with an E4300? People have been getting those to 4ghz with cheap DDR2-800 ram.

 

[Jethro69]

Ya, I'm getting the 7900GTX for 300 CAD!

 

[Sora]

I don't know how good of a deal that is...but why try to spring for the 8800GTS 320mb right now since it's 400 and It will be future proof for DX10. The 7900GTX is a powerful card indeed but for 100 more CAD you'll be DX10 safe...you'll just have to go out and spend at least another 300 later on for a decent DX10. I mean I know that 100 might break you but cut down to the E6400 to an E4300 or an E6300. Then Take a cheaper (but still very good) motherboard such as a DS3 or even a P5N-E 650i board if you want to be sli proof.

Trust me max I really think your going to want to spend that extra 100 bucks on that card as it is a good bit more powerful and DX10 proof. I think you'll just be wasting 300 bucks if you bought it now.

Of coarse it's your money.

 

[Jethro69]

Bonus!

Okay,
so...

I love the internet!

Seagate 400 Gb Sata II 16 Mb Cache (137$) (local store) (Does anyone know what NCO means?)
XFX 8800 GTS 640Mb (380 CAD w/ 30$ refund NCIX.com)
P5N-E (170$) (local store)
C2D E6300 (218$) (local store)
Kingston Hyper 6400 2x 1Gb 800 4-4-4-12 (which is the ideal for the P5N-E! (303$) (local store)
Artic Silver 5 (12$) (local store)
Thermaltake Armour (does it have enough USB ports. I read 2....) (175$ NCIX.com)
X-Fi Extreme Music (80$ obo Bargain Finder)
Monitor (CRT likely, 17 inch.... 20$ Bargain Finder; but many options)
Logitech Wireless Mouse/Keyboard (25$ obo Bargain Finder)

Now, I just need a power supply that's good.
I figure I should also grab a good cooling unit. Suggestions

YAY!

 

[saltynay]

get the e6600 and you dont need a sound card unless your a audiophile. i suggest antec power supply unit and id go with the 320gb if you dont mind losing a few gb its slightly faster and suppose to be alot cooler and best price/gb

Matt

 

[Sora]

He should downgrade to an E6300 and get an 8800GTS MUCH faster than upgrading to an E6600 and staying with a DX9 card...

Also Jethro unless you play at resolution bigger than 1600x1200 you do not need the 640mb version of the GTS. Just get the 320 version as it's the same speed and the extra memory doesn't make a different until around past 22 inch screens.

Also 303 is a lot to pay for DDR2-800 ram. I understand HyperX is amazing ram but you can get G.Skill for almost half the price, upgrade to an E6600 or an 8800GTX and while the RAM being plenty fast enough.

Fast ram is nice but Cas 4 instead of Cas 5 isn't going to make as much difference as an E6600 would, and nowhere near the increase in something such as an 8800GTX in gaming. Just think smart is all.

 

[Jethro69]

Alright

Alright, reconsidered

Antec SOHO 480 True Power
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=61088
local store = 181$
G Skill 2x 1Gb 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231087
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231114
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231084
NewEgg = 200-235$
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22631&vpn=PVT80GGHF9&manufacture=XFX
380$
Artic 5 Thermal Compound
local store = 12$
Asus P5N-E
local store = 170$
Seagate 320 Gb Sata II 16 Mb Cache
local store = 110$
X-Fi Extreme Music (80$ obo Bargain Finder)
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21044
local store = 48$
C2D E6400
local store = 269$

Do I really need an E6600, because it's currently 380$
Will that power supply and case work...
I like the local store. The prices are as good as most online retailers that deliver to Canada, I don't have to pay shipping, and if it's DOA it's only a 15 minute drive

Monitors:
http://www.buysell.com/root/search/25/600/718/1/false/Computer_Monitors.aspx

 

[Sora]

You do NOT need an E6600 for gaming. I would get an E4300 honestly or just an E6300. I can tell no difference in gaming and zooming around windows with my E6300 at stock 1.86ghz compared to when I overclock it to 3.22ghz. The only difference I see are in the benchmark scores. Trust me any Core 2 Duo will be plenty fast enough so just get the E4300 or the E6300 and overclock them.

Also I have the Green G.Skill NR's and they are AMAZING ram. They are so fast and overclock so high its wonderful.

I can get Cas Latency 3 at DDR2-800 at 2.2v. They will hit DDR2-1110 if I put them to Cas 5. Right now Mine run at 4-4-4-10 at DDR-900. However I do know you cant get from newegg so ANY G.Skill DDR2-800 will work wonderfully so look for either of those 4 with your sites.

The card you listed is fine, but as for the case I NEVER trust the power supplies inside cases, even when they are Antec. I would look for a case with at least 2 120mm fans and then a PSU 500-550w which is trusted. I can recommend you cases and PSU's from sites if you tell me which ones to look on for canada.

 

[Jethro69]

I'd like a Tsunami Dream
www.satacomputer.com (local store = 150$)

Websites for Canada:
www.tigerdirect.com
www.tigerdirect.ca
www.directcanada.com
www.NCIX.com
www.amazon.com
www.pricegrabber.ca
I have friends in the states so new egg is still an option

After that all I'll need is a PSU. 8800 GTS, DVD Burner, 2 Drives, Sound Card, possibly a Tv-Tuner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003
126$ at Sata..????

Vantec Iceburg 5?
I figure I should cool the card at least

Check out www.priceprotectr.com
Peace and good will
Thanks guy