About to order new parts...

[PkL728]

Ok so I think I've finalized my list of computer parts... I thought I'd run it by the guru's =D Any feedback would be appreciated. Here we go:

Case:
Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000BWS

Mobo:
EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor

Heatsink & fan:
Rosewill RCX-Z775-EX 92mm 2 Ball PWM CPU Cooler

Gel:
MASSCOOL G751 Shin-Etsu Thermal Interface Material

Memory:
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (x2)

Video Card:
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

Power Supply:
SILVERSTONE SST-ST75ZF ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V 750W SLI Certified Power Supply

Harddrive:
SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

SATA Cables:
OKGEAR 18" SATA II cable with metal latch,UV BLUE Model GC18AUBM12

Sound: (I'm not a fan of onboard sound) =P
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Keyboard:
Logitech 967738-0403 Black 104 Normal Keys USB Standard Deluxe 250 Keyboard - OEM

Mouse:
Logitech G5 2-Tone 6 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Mouse - Retail

Surge Protector:
TRIPP LITE SUPER7 7 Feet 7 Outlets 2350 Power Surge Protector

Wellll.. I think that's about it? What do you guys think? Any problems?

[sean126]

I'll leave the parts list to better qualified people.....I just wanted to say: remember to wait for the price drop they are suppose to have on the cpu's around the 22nd, incase you didn't know. I'm getting that same quad for about $260.

[PkL728]

Yup I know =D I'm thinking about buying all the other parts now and waiting the extra days for the CPU. Thanks though.

[Dr. V]

Well right off the bat I'd say DEFINITELY get the Cooler Master GeminII (it has an INSANE mail in rebate!!!) with two of these Arctic Cooling fans for your cooler (or at least not what you have there - a Thermaltake V1 is also a good choice) and Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste.

Also, sean is very right about waiting for the price drops - they're due in just a little over a week from now - wait it out.

For your motherboard, make sure you consider a P35 chipset. The only way for you to know which one you want is to read reviews. Gigabyte has some really good offerings for P35, so you should check them out. They also came out with a new 680i version of their extremely popular and successful DQ6 motherboard - so consider that too. The motherboard's up to you - that 680i one you got there is one of the best.

I love the RAM and PSU choice - excellent. As for the hard drive, I'd go with a Seagate Barracuda instead of a Samsung.

I must ask for the video card - what size monitor will you be gaming on? If it's 22" or below (meaning a res of 1680x1050 or less), you should definitely consider the 320MB version of the 8800GTS and save some cash. Or, if it isn't enough of a savings, might as well go for the 640MB. Now, if it's a 23" monitor or more (meaning a res of 1920x1200 or more), then you'd want at least that card, if not starting to consider the 8800GTX.

[PkL728]

Yea the video card is what I was wondering about also. My monitor is a 22' X-Gamer so it's right there on the edge. Would 640 MB give any sort of advantage over the 320 mb version? I believe the price difference is about 80 bucks or so? I'd have to check again. It would be nice to save some money if it didn't matter all that much though =D

Also, would you suggest full-tower or mid-tower? I selected the thermal take because I've had a good experience with that brand thus far... but I don't know if i should go with a termaltake Shark or something?...

[Yellowhello]

Hmm, you sould get a GeminII like ST!X said......... Also, I have heard nothing about that thermal paste. I recommend arctic silver 5.

About the case, a full tower may or may not be to your liking. If you get the GeminII, You should almost definetly get a full tower, as it will be a bit cramped. The Tt Shark looks like a solid case with removable mobo tray and the like.

Good Luck!!!!

[One4yu2c]

Mobo
That EVGA 680i board is right on the money. There's the newer P35 chipsets on the market, and they're great boards too, but if I was building today, it'd be based on exactly the one you picked out. That will change when the enthusiast oriented X38 chipset boards start arriving, but we're a couple months away from that.

Videocard
On a 22' monitor, I'd snag the extra RAM, especially looking longer term.

Case
If you're open to going with a full tower, then by all means, take the jump! You'll appreciate the additional elbow room, and I'd specifically recommend the Thermaltake Armor with 25cm side fan.

Power Supply
Silverstone makes some fine units, but grab up ther their newest model (Olympia]). To date, it's been the best performing PSU we've had come through HardwareLogic, and it's a scant $10 more than the one you linked.

Cooler
The GeminII that's been pointed out is a great cooler, with the additional benefit of providing airflow to your mobo's caps and mosfets, as well as your RAM. Otherwise, the Thermaltake V1, Thermaltake Big Typhoon, and Zalman CNPS9700 are excellent coolers worth consideration.

[Dr. V]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Mobo
That EVGA 680i board is right on the money. There's the newer P35 chipsets on the market, and they're great boards too, but if I was building today, it'd be based on exactly the one you picked out. That will change when the enthusiast oriented X38 chipset boards start arriving, but we're a couple months away from that.

Videocard
On a 22' monitor, I'd snag the extra RAM, especially looking longer term.

Case
If you're open to going with a full tower, then by all means, take the jump! You'll appreciate the additional elbow room, and I'd specifically recommend the Thermaltake Armor with 25cm side fan.

Power Supply
Silverstone makes some fine units, but grab up ther their newest model (Olympia]). To date, it's been the best performing PSU we've had come through HardwareLogic, and it's a scant $10 more than the one you linked.

Cooler
The GeminII that's been pointed out is a great cooler, with the additional benefit of providing airflow to your mobo's caps and mosfets, as well as your RAM. Otherwise, the Thermaltake V1, Thermaltake Big Typhoon, and Zalman CNPS9700 are excellent coolers worth consideration.

Even though monitor is 22", for $80 it's not worth NOT getting the 640MB version - so grab it.

In terms of the case, I love the TT Armor, but I would also highly recommend the Enermax Uber Chakra (with or without the 25cm side fan, but NewEgg only has the one WITH) to anyone any day - it's just amazing (yes, I have it). The new PSU line by SS is also a great recommendation by One4. But definitely don't forget to check up the OCZ ModXStream PSUs (780w version, 900w version). The 780w version of the ModXStream is an AWESOME solution for your system if you don't decide to go with a SilverStone (which is also definitely a great solution).

[PkL728]

Yea the

EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

will be $359.99 after mail in rebate

EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card

is $286.99

I think I'll do the TT Shark... I like how it looks. Would you suggest the 2 extra Arctic Cooling fans as mentioned above for it also?

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by PkL728

Would you suggest the 2 extra Arctic Cooling fans as mentioned above for it also?

Yes, for a good balance between cooling and noise management.