Please Help in deciding....stop the madness!

[theDano]

Hello,

1st off, this site is the TOP! You guys offer such a nice service and I truly appreciate all of your efforts and advice you give. I built a PC 7+ yrs ago and iching to build my next one. This time I have more ammunition since I didn't have a site around like yours back then. I am almost ready to purchase my items but am so torn between a few items.

I am thinking of purchasing these components:

Case: Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900

PSU: Ultra X-Finity ULT31847 600-Watt
http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-X-Finity-ULT31847-600-Watt-Titanium/dp/tech-data/B000CAV57U/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&qid=1200183792&sr=8-2

Motherboard: ASUS P5N32-E SLI (no longer offered on Newegg...I wonder if it was b/c of all the problems I read in the forums.)

Graphics Card: GeForce 8800GT 512MB (all are out of stock on newegg)

RAM: 3GB - Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240 Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
(maybe not if it is not QVL compatible with different MB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034&Tpk=N82E16820145034

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029&Tpk=N82E16819115029

HD: WD Cavier 320GB 7200RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136053

DVD Burner: Samsung SH-S203N
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Monitor: Samsung 22" 226CW

Speakers: Logitech Z-40 watts 2.1http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121130&Tpk=N82E16836121130

Mouse: Logitech MX518

Keyboard: Logitech G11

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056


So my biggest delima is the motherboard. I have read so many reviews on MBs that I am so freakin confused. The things I am looking for is that this will be used for games, photoshop, and general PC use. Important things that I want in a MB is (not necessarily in this order): Overclocking, Upgradability, SLI/Crossfire potential (maybe), integrated sound card, lots of options, USB ports, etc. I don't want to spend more than $300 though. Would like to keep it at that or under. The ASUS P5N32-E SLI seems to have so many negatives against it so that makes me nervous and now newegg doesn't even offer it. Makes me wonder if that is a sign that I should not go with that MB.

The other thing I am a bit confused about is how many watts do I need for the above mentioned components. Keeping in mind that I might want to get another video card at some point which obviously increases the power consumption. Is 600W plenty or too much? And don't laugh at me on this question but why should I spend lots of money (~$110+) for some PSU when I can get one of the same power rating for so much less (~$50)? Do PSUs die that often? The one I have in my computer has never done me wrong and I didn't pay alot for it....still crankin :) So why spend the extra cash? If the cheapy dies, there is a mfg warranty and if it dies after the warranty then you are not out of that much $$. Chances of dying is slim anyway in my opinion but I could certainly be nieve or wrong about that.

Thank you so much in advance for giving your expert advice!

Dano

PS: You can knock anything I am saying or thinking about purchasing.....I just want a good rig!!! :)

[Jamie Nixx]

Change the PSU to a Corsair HX520w, its $99 on newegg, its one of the best in the world.

Change the Motherboard to an Asus P5K-C, $139.99 on newegg, i doubt there is a better motherboard out now.

Everything else is fine.

[bighoo93]

The Asus P5K-C gets a lot of negative reviews on Newegg, too. Should that not be a concern?

[Jamie Nixx]

Whose the expert here? ;)

Honestly if you look at the reviews its memory based problems, a problem that is so simply solved.

Trust me, there is not a better board around.

[bighoo93]

Is it because people are buying the wrong type of memory? How would that problem be solved?

[Jamie Nixx]

No its not that.

Basically all Asus boards default to 1.8v, whereas most of todays memory needs 1.9v or more.

IF (big if) you have problems you just increase the voltage in the Bios.

[theDano]

Thanks Jamie!

Certainly appreciate your feedback on the MB....I will check it out.

So 520W PSU is plenty for me even if I have 2 GeForce graphic cards?

Thanks,

Dano

[Jamie Nixx]

Your NOT thinking about SLi or Crossfire are you?

[theDano]

well i was until I kept reading your subliminal posts regarding SLI is a joke and waste of money :eek:

I was thinking of adding another card like a TV tuner card / graphic card to watch TV on my computer.

[theDano]

Ok my last question....and then I am buying stuff tomorrow :D

In regards to the P5KC motherboard. I looked at the QVL for RAM and the corsair XMS2 that is listed on newegg for $37 is not on the QVL for that board. Only Corsair - CM2X1024-8500 and Corsair - XMS8505v1.1 / 0616126-12.

Will the Corsair XMS2 still work? I am a little nervous buying RAM that is not on the QVL. What are your thoughts?

Thanks

Dano

[theDano]

Here is what I found per the crucial site through your site. I plugged in the motherboard and crucial displayed the compatible RAM with the P5KC motherboard.

I found this on newegg for $74.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148076&Tpk=BL2KIT12864AL804

and yes the LED bling will add to the Antec 900 case I want too :D

So then I should be ok with that RAM then I guess :confused: ???? My only concern with this RAM is that it is NOT listed in the QVL either. So what gives? Am I safe with the original Corsair XMS2 $37 RAM or this new Crucial Ballistix RAM with bling? Both are not listed in QVL but crucial says the bling is compatible....:rolleyes:

I guess I can always get what is on the QVL. In that case which is better or does it matter: Kingston or Qimonda? I am going with DDR2 800 so those vendors are the two I get to choose from or should I go with the above bling from crucial? Little confuse but I bet you computer heads will know :D


Cheers

Dano