[B]Please check my Final Parts[/B]

[creflo]

Ok everyone, after much reading and research (my head hurts) I have decided to go with this final Setup:

Tower:
XtremeGear / CoolerMaster RC-1000 Cosmos Silent Gaming Tower Case

Mobo:
Newegg.com - MSI P7N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

CPU:
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Memory:
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
($25 mail-in Rebate)

GPU:
2X
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
in SLI ($60 total mail-in Rebates)

HDD:
3X
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
2 in Raid 0, plus an extra for Data storage

DVD Drives:
2X
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

PSU:
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

OS:
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems

CPU Cooling:
Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
($30 mail-in Rebate)

Thermal Compound:
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

Case Fans:
4X
Newegg.com - Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan - Case Fans
2 for Exhaust, 2 for Intake

Fan Filters:
2X
Newegg.com - GENERIC 120MM FAN FILTER with no screws - Case Accessories
To keep Intake fans from bringing in dust

Other Accessories:
5X
Newegg.com - OKGEAR 24" SATA II Cable Model GC24AKM12 - Cables
for the 2 OEM DVD drives and 3 OEM HDD, as I was told they don't come with cables


Here is a condensed version of the above:

Cosmos 1000 Silent Gaming Tower
MSI PN7 Platinum 750i Motherboard
E8400 Wolfdale Processor
4GB (2x2gb) pc6400 OCZ Reaper ($25 mail-in Rebate)
2x EVGA 8800GTS in SLI ($60 mail-in Rebate)
3x Seagate 7200.11 HDD (2 in raid, 1 for data)
2x Samsung 20x DVD Read/write
Silencer 750w PSU ($30 mail-in Rebate)
Windows Ultimate 64-bit OEM
Zalman CNPS9700 110mm CPU Cooler
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound
4x Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fans
2x Generic 120mm fan filters (for intakes)
5x OKGear 24" SATA II Cables (for OEM HDDs and DVDs)


Total Cost (with shipping):
$1,984.60
- $115.00 in rebates

equals $1869.60 TOTAL!!!


I chose the MSI board because of it's 8 phase power design as well as solid state capacitors for better overclocking. Some people frown on the 8x PCI-E slots but they are 2.0 and no cards utilize that much bandwidth currently from what I'm told so there will be no performance decrease vs. an EVGA FTW, which I was also considering. All in all I think this build is solid!

What do you think? Should I "clicky-clicky" on the order button?

 

[harnar123]

um noctua makes some really silent 120mm fans if your going for that.

 

[creflo]

um noctua makes some really silent 120mm fans if your going for that.

The Scythes have an air flow 110.31 CFM but a 37.00 dBA noise level. I've never heard of noctua and looked at a few random models but couldn't find where the flow rate was specified. You got a link?

 

[Prototype]

case: get this Newegg.com - GIGABYTE 3D Aurora 570 GZ-FA1CA-ASB Black 1.0 mm Aluminum body ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
mobo: how about the 750i FTW by eVGA
cpu: how about Q6600 for future proof
gpu: why u pick eVGA are u gonna step-up soon? if not get a cheaper brand
hdd: i dont think u need that much space if you want to save money how about 1 or 2 750GB 7200.11
psu: um a psu is not a hdd
DVD burner: a faster dvd burner Newegg.com - ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

someone else can help u with the fans, heatsink, etc..

os: get this one since ppl here will recommend this one Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - Operating Systems save money

 

[veedubfreak]

Careful with ordering 2 of the same item and expecting to get BOTH rebates. If you read carefully, the rebates are almost always 1 per household. Personally i'd go evga 750i ftw instead of the msi.

 

[creflo]

DVD burner: a faster dvd burner Newegg.com - ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

How is the Asus faster than the Samsung? It has all the same read and write speeds except the Samsung has a DVD-ROM Access Time of 130ms and a CD-ROM Access Time of 110ms whereas the Asus has a DVD-ROM Access Time of 140ms and a CD-ROM Access Time of150ms. I thought the lower the ms the better, unless I'm wrong.

Also, I'm switching the mobo to an EVGA FTW after a bit more research, and I'm upping the RAM to DDR2 1066 for tighter timings at higher frequency (same brand). CPU cooler is also being switched with a XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler and going Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1 Retail Version in case I have to switch mobos later on.

Going with the Dual-Core for gaming...might go quad later on when they make some higher frequency models, but for now the E8400 OC to 4.0+ghz is my goal for this first time build.

 

[Prototype]

ASUS has lightscribe and this features:
Multi Function: (X MULTI+LightScribe)
Over-Speed Burning
FlextraLink Buffer Underrun Errors Prevention Technology
FlextraSpeed Optimal Writing Speed Adjustment Technology
Auto Vibration Reducing System (AVRS)

i would just buy a 800Mhz and overclock it to DDR2 1066

 

[creflo]

Just an update for you all. Made a few changes that were recommended and here they are:

CPU cooler is being switched to this:
Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks
(XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler)

Read the review for it here:
Top 5 Intel & AMD Heatsinks on Frostytech


Also decided to go with the EVGA 750i FTW board instead of the MSI cause it also has solid state capacitors and will allow me to use this faster RAM:
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory


I'm going with the Retail Version of Vista Home Premium also.

 

[Sora]

what is your power supply...you just linked the hard drive again.

 

[thirdshiftdj]

definitely get the Q6600. Vista 64 home premium right? Just to make sure