My first build list!....!!!!!!!!!!

[YoursCluelessly]

Here is my first build list, just want to know if everything is compatible. I'm going to cannibalize the dvd drives from my old computer and they're about two years old (if that might affect anything?), plus I will be reusing my wireless keyboard/mouse set and speakers (no sense in getting new ones).
Also, the video card I want is currently sold out and any suggestions on a substitute card (better if not cheaper *smile*) would be great. I like games and I don't mind investing $100-$200 in a quality video card (plus I would like to have the option to play top-teir games). Any additional comments or critiques would be of great value.

Thanks,

and here's the list-everything courtesy of Newegg (lol, if its cheaper somewhere else...tell me?)

Antec Sonata III (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129024)
ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131142)
ECS N7900GS-256MW GeForce 7900GS (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814134001)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115028)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820148069)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKB 500GB (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136111)
Acer Widescreen LCD Monitor (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824009108)
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835100007)
ZALMAN CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835118003)
SUNON KD1208PTB2F 80mm Case Fan (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835221010)

and that completes my list of everything I will be buying. Am I missing anything?

Thanks again!

[The Wise Monkey]

Power supply?

If you wanted an ATI card, you could get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127303

or this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131055

both of which are very good cards.

Everything else looks good. :D

[Rob]

The Antec Sonata III comes with a 500-watt power supply, which should be fine.

[Jamie Nixx]

If you can, get the Gainward 7900GS, its basically a superclocked version which pushes its power way beyond a 7900GT, and its fairly cheap :)

Everything else looks good.

[koganinja]

i would change ur gpu to a or 8800 gts 320 and add a thermal right cooler then oc into a gtx

evga 650i ultra cheap and oc well

get a e6750 still give you 3.6 gig with a zalman 9700 e6850 yes it does 3.8 but it makes no diffrents ive had both and you can 1 to 2 fps for 200 mhz and a lot more money

with your balstix get the 6400c4 the are good sticks and oc well

ref case fan get a silent x super quite and shift alot of air

hope this helps and good luck

[YoursCluelessly]

Thank you for your input and quick replies. I have a lot to consider, video card wise, and I can't wait to start building my computer. And about over-clocking stuff, I've heard it to be a somewhat dangerous process?

Thank you again for all your suggestions!

[Jamie Nixx]

Overclocking can be dangerous, IF you don't know what your doing and you don't use decent cooling.

Build your computer first mate, then when your a bit more experienced look into oveclocking ;)

[YoursCluelessly]

Build your computer first mate, then when your a bit more experienced look into oveclocking ;)

Good advice, thanks :D

[minger]

Forget the Zalman. I've RMA'd two of these pieces of crap b/c. I had about 60 C idle (didn't get temps under load--would've melted). I eded up layering the arctic silver 5 on, got temps down to 53 C, but still unacceptable. Put the stock AMD cooler on and now have 32 C, 45-48 C load. I'm selling new one on amazon (wanna buy it?).

I would agree with the overclocking. Now, my processor prolly isn't as overclockable as yours (athlon 6000) but I got it to 3.2 ghz and barely got a higher passmark score (maybe like 3% better--something insignificant). Not only that, but I notice no performance difference (in everyday use and gaming). Not sure about yours, but the small increase in performance is simply not really worth the voided warrenty +decreased life and worry.

Only suggestion would be to buy an 8800. I replaced my 7600 gt ko with an 8800gts. Big difference with games.

[Jamie Nixx]

The Zalmans have a lot of issues with warped contact plates, which is why a lot of people have trouble with them.

For me i think they are overated and expensive, and i know, i have owned a few.

I would say if you have the spare cash opt for an EVGA 8800GTS, but if you are on a budget the 7900GS will play anything out now on high graphics.

[koganinja]

ive had both the 9500 and the 9700 with no probs but yes the other zalman arnt that good unless you ge one of these

defo for the 8800 gts has this gives you options for the future

and like i said get the e6750 with artic silver 5 and you only put it thinly on dont cake the cpu in it