Build advice thread, version 7 billion.

[Volk]

Plans are to OC to max capabilities for gaming. Don't plan on SLI, by the time I really will want to spend more money on a second card, I'm sure there will be a better single card option. I don't need a bigger HD, have others for storage. Got the 8800GTS OC 320 off an RMA from BFG for my 7900GT OC, so I'd like to hold on to it to save some cash.

This is what I have:

Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive

BFG NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB PCIe

This is what I'm going to buy:

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Buying this for $100 from a friend.

DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W TX750W ATX12V Power Supply

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Hopefully Fry's has this on sale for $70 again.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEM DVD - Don't need the pretty graphics.

Thanks for your input.

 

[dhc014]

Vista Home Premium does have the pretty graphics (Aero). You could save around $10 if you get an OEM version of Vista Home Basic. Compare Vista Versions

There are probably better CPU coolers for a little bit more money that could help you overclock better.

 

[engiNURD]

Last time I went to Fry's, the RC-690 was $60, not on sale. Sale would be $20AR from ZZF.

If you'd like to OC to max, you've got the board, RAM, and CPU, but not the cooler to help get you there. You'll something like the ZEROtherm Nirvana or Xigmatek HDT-S1283. Here are others, too:
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF (optional $5 Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit)
$37 - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$50 - ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler ($10 MIR)
$59 - Noctua NH-U12P Universal heatsink
$57 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)

You don't need a 750W, but then again, it is on sale for under $100... which keeps tempting me to buy one despite no need for it, lol.

As for open box motherboards, most of the time, you only get the board -- no I/O shield/cables/manual/etc. Most of the time, you can get that stuff from the manufacturer for under $10. However, if you have $40 to spend, get the new board. If you'd like to try your luck with open box, knock yourself out and hope for the full retail box w/ accessories. I only get open box when I'm absolutely strapped for cash.

 

[Volk]

Ok, I've changed the cpu cooler to XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler. Wont be getting the open box, seems like too much hassle. Also getting Vista OEM home basic. Thanks.

 

[engiNURD]

But premium looks so pritty... like model. Aside from that, it adds media center capabilities. So, if you think you'd use those, then I'd suggest sticking with Premium. Otherwise, Basic is fine.

 

[Volk]

But premium looks so pritty... like model. Aside from that, it adds media center capabilities. So, if you think you'd use those, then I'd suggest sticking with Premium. Otherwise, Basic is fine.

Nah I don't need those features with premium. One more thing, can I use my old Arctic Silver 5 I've had for like 4 years?

 

[heatlesssun]

You are giving up a couple of things besides Areo when going with home basic, maybe you don't care but I thought I'd bring it up, Windows Media Center and Tablet PC functionality.

I use both all the time. Windows Media Center is brilliant, its a fantastic DVR/PVR application. It's only real issue is with integration with HD content from cable. Because of legal restrictions, you can't buy a stand alone CableCard HD tuner, which is kind of a drag. You can hook it up to a cable box and you can hook it to analog cable and clear QAM cable channels and OTA HD singnals, which is very useful. You can get DVR/PVR applications from other places, but Media Center is pretty capable. It's mission critical for me.

The Tablet PC functionality probably isn't that big of a deal for a desktop. Both of my laptops (on XP one Vista) are tablets, and I love them. I'll never buy a non-convertiable laptop again.

Just food for thought, plus Aero tends to grow on you. Spend the $10.

 

[heatlesssun]

One more thing, can I use my old Arctic Silver 5 I've had for like 4 years?

Here's what they say: http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2intelas5.html. If its been kept cool it should be ok. Sounds like you can remix it to help with the separation.

 

[Volk]

I guess I'm all set, thanks for the replies everyone.