Does my proposed component list make sense?

[alstein]

Hi
I am just about ready to order components needed to build my Desktop PC. This will be the first time I have done something lke this. I would appreciate advice on whether the items I've chosen make sense.

Case: Antec P182 ATX Black Mid Tower Case. Should I order additional fans? They list a couple of additional optional fans in their description.

PSU: Antec Neopower 650 Blue 650W ATX

Motherboard: Intel D975XBX2 ATX LGA775 Motherboard (part # BOXD975XBX2KR)

CPU:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box

RAM: Corsair XMS2 DHX TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX 2GB DDR2 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 Memory Kit (part # TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX). 2 kits for a total of 4 gigs.

Graphics card:XFX GeForce 8800GT COD4 512MB 600MHZ 1.8GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card (part #PVT88PYDF4).

Sound card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 PCI Retail Box.

Hard Drive(s): Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1000GB 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 32MB cache NCQ HD. (currently in my old desktop. I want to trnasfer it to my new build.)

Optical Drive(s): Plextor PX-810SA DVD+RW 18X8X18 DVD-RW 18X6X18 DL 10X SATA DVD Writer W/ Software Retail Box.

CPU Cooler. (is it necessary?) Zalman CNPS9500A LED Copper CPU Heatsink LGA775 AM2 92MM Fan 1350-2600RPM 18-27.5DBA W/ Blue LED. Will this one fit on the CPU?

Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate

Thanks for your assistance.

[RickyTick]

The 975 motherboard is last generation technology and is kind of expensive. You would be better served with a P35 or X38 motherboard.

Typically a better ram option would be a 4gb kit with only 2 sticks of ram (2x2gb).

Unless you need remote access to your computer, Vista Ultimate is a waste of money for the average pc user. Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP1 would be a better choice, imo.

For a cpu cooler, check out the Vendetta II by OCZ. They are usually around $50.

Otherwise it looks great.

[alstein]

The 975 motherboard is last generation technology and is kind of expensive. You would be better served with a P35 or X38 motherboard.

Typically a better ram option would be a 4gb kit with only 2 sticks of ram (2x2gb).

Unless you need remote access to your computer, Vista Ultimate is a waste of money for the average pc user. Vista Home Premium 64 bit SP1 would be a better choice, imo.

For a cpu cooler, check out the Vendetta II by OCZ. They are usually around $50.

Otherwise it looks great.

Thanks for the information. I took a look at the Intel DX38BT motherboard. Its about $50-$60 more than the 975 board and only takes DDR3 memory. Will the performance difference be significant? I checked ddr3 memory prices on the Corsair web site and priced 4 gigs at NCIX (Corsair XMS3 TWIN3X2048-1333C9DHX G 2GB DDR3 2X1GB ). Cost is approximately $280.00, or $180 more than the DDR2. If the additional cost for the board and memory of $230.00-$250.00 results in a significant performance difference, than I would probably take the plunge. Perhaps, you have a suggestion on another X38 board that is superior to what I found.

[RickyTick]

Actually I forgot that the P45 motherboard is available now. This one accepts DDR2 ram. btw, the DDR3 ram is far too expensive right now for only slight gain in performance.

Look at this P45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131297

This is a great price on a P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

Also look here at our recommended build
http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1644

[alstein]

Actually I forgot that the P45 motherboard is available now. This one accepts DDR2 ram. btw, the DDR3 ram is far too expensive right now for only slight gain in performance.

Look at this P45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131297

This is a great price on a P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

Also look here at our recommended build
http://forums.mysuperpc.com/showthread.php?t=1644

Thanks. The P45 board seems very recent. There seems to be only one board released by Asus, and NewEgg has no user reviews yet. The Abit IP35 pro looks very interesting. In your opinion is the quality on a board such as this equivalent to an intel board?

[RickyTick]

I'm using the Abit IP35 Pro and its superb.

P35, P45, X38, and X48 are all Intel boards. You don't have to get one that is sold using the Intel brand. You can get Abit, Asus, Gigabyte, and others. They are all Intel boards.

Kind of like Nvidia video cards. You can get evga, xfx, Leadtek, Pny, etc etc. They are all Nvidia designs.

[alstein]

I'm using the Abit IP35 Pro and its superb.

P35, P45, X38, and X48 are all Intel boards. You don't have to get one that is sold using the Intel brand. You can get Abit, Asus, Gigabyte, and others. They are all Intel boards.

Kind of like Nvidia video cards. You can get evga, xfx, Leadtek, Pny, etc etc. They are all Nvidia designs.

Thanks very much. I think I will choose the Abit IP35 Pro.

[alstein]

For a cpu cooler, check out the Vendetta II by OCZ. They are usually around $50.

Otherwise it looks great.[/QUOTE]

One other question (I hope!). Is the OCZ Vendetta as quiet as the Zalman? I've read that they are quite difficult to install. If I do decide on the Zalman, will the model I originally listed fit on the Abit IP35-Pro?

Thanks.

[RickyTick]

Here is the definative review on cpu coolers.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=62

It would be much easier to install while the motherboard is not yet in the case.

[alstein]

Here is the definative review on cpu coolers.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=62

It would be much easier to install while the motherboard is not yet in the case.

Hi
Thanks for all your help on this. So far I have ordered the Abit IP-35 Pro, the Power supply and the DVD r/w from FrontierPC.com. Finding a seller who had the Abit in stock was a challenge (I am ordering from Canadian sellers).

I then ordered the Intel Quad Q6600, the Soundblaster X-FI, and the Antec P182 case from a local retailer. He was a little more expensive than NCIX for the Quad 6600 and the P182 case, but I felt that the 35.00 premium for the three items was worth it. I also tried to order the Zalman CNPS9700nt Heatsink/fan and he said that they don't carry this type of product and suggested that I use the fan/cooler that is supplied with the Intel Processor. He said his tech person had encountered problems with this type of product and that I would be happier sticking with what Intel supplied. Do you agree?

He also said that they didn't carrry XFX products. I guess that I will order the rest of my components from NCIX.

[RickyTick]

The stock cooler that comes with the processor from Intel is very good. If you want to attempt overclocking at some point, you'll need the better fan/heatsink from Zalman or whomever.

[alstein]

The stock cooler that comes with the processor from Intel is very good. If you want to attempt overclocking at some point, you'll need the better fan/heatsink from Zalman or whomever.

Thanks. I'll try it with the Intel cooler.