New Build... Couple Questions

[Casper]

I'm probably gonna go ahead and order the parts for my build this weekend. I have 2 undecided parts I need you techies to help me with please.

First here are the parts I'm for sure getting.
case: Antec 900
power supply: Rosewill 600w
processor: C2D E8400 Wolfdale
harddrive: WD 500gb
cd/dvd: Pioneer 20x dvd burner
cpu fan: Freezer 7 Pro
operating system: Vista 64 ultimate (already have this)
video card: EVGA 8800gt (already have this)

Now Here is what I need help with. Which of the 2 motherboards and memory would you guys go with?
memory: 4gb OCZ Reaper or 4gb Corsair Dominator
motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L or GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L (supposedly the GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L is having some driver issues or something as of now)

[Zer]

I would honestly not op for the rosewill PSU, its more of a home brand to Newegg and TBH doesnt ahve a too good track record. Try something from Corsair or even better PC Power&Cooling

Western Digital has come out with the "Black" series of Caviar drives, look them up; they are very fast adn quite a bit better than Samsungs new F1s.

Change the AC freeze pro for a Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme, couple that with either a 1600 (quiet) or 1900 (louder) Scythe S-Flex fan and your golden for a nice O.C.

In term of memory, you should go with either Crucials Ballistix PC2 6400 DDR2 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T 2x2Gig Memory kit or Corsairs PC2 8500 DDR2 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15 2T 2x2Gig memory kit, both use the better high density 1024Mbit Powerchip ICs, so they both have basically the same overclocking potential.

Either set can reach approx. 1150Mhz 5-5-5-15 2T with 2.2-2.25volts.

If your looking for a even better high density kit, the Corsair PC2 9136 DDR2 1142Mhz 5-5-5-15 2T adn can reach 1200Mhz using the same latencies with roughtly 2.2-2.25volts.

Theses are the best high density DDR2 modules out there, and to be honest its what you should buy since the 512Mbit Micron D9Gxx based stuff is EOL and now almost impossible to find.

Also, get a P45 mobo, they clock like beauts

[Pwnzilla]

Of those two memory choices I would select the OCZ memory. However both of them sport the heatsink risers that could create interference with your CPU HSF. You can do just as well with Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory.

Of the two mobos, I would opt for the GA-EP35-DS3L.

I would not use that PSU. It does not have active PFC. You could get Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL, FCC - Power Supplies which does have active PFC and is in the same price/performance range.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Pwnzilla

Of those two memory choices I would select the OCZ memory. However both of them sport the heatsink risers that could create interference with your CPU HSF. You can do just as well with Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory.

Of the two mobos, I would opt for the GA-EP35-DS3L.

I would not use that PSU. It does not have active PFC. You could get Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB, CE, CSA, UL, FCC - Power Supplies which does have active PFC and is in the same price/performance range.

Thanks for the thoughts man, I checked those 2 items (memory & psu) and they are great and added them to my build instead.

Now, I have another question for you. I'm thinking of doing an SLI build with the same-ish components. What motherboard would you recommend for this SLI build?
case: Antec 900
power supply: Corsair 750w
processor: C2D E8400 Wolfdale
harddrive: WD 640gb
cd/dvd: Pioneer 20x dvd burner
cpu fan: Freezer 7 Pro
operating system: Vista 64 ultimate
video card: 2x EVGA 8800gt
memory: 4gb OCZ Platinum
motherboard: ???

[Pwnzilla]

Originally Posted by Casper

Now, I have another question for you. I'm thinking of doing an SLI build with the same-ish components. What motherboard would you recommend for this SLI build?
case: Antec 900
power supply: Corsair 750w
processor: C2D E8400 Wolfdale
harddrive: WD 640gb
cd/dvd: Pioneer 20x dvd burner
cpu fan: Freezer 7 Pro
operating system: Vista 64 ultimate
video card: 2x EVGA 8800gt
memory: 4gb OCZ Platinum
motherboard: ???

Depends on your price range

750i based solution would be Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Review indicates it is not a great overclocker but is solid at stock and has a user friendly BIOS/features for standard set-up.
X-bit labs - ASUS P5N-D Mainboard Review

780i based solution would be Newegg.com - EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

For the system you are building I don't feel the added features of the 780i chipset will be utilized to the point of justifying the added $80US expense. 8800GT cards do not support Tri-SLI and that is the main benefit/feature for that chipset.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Pwnzilla

Depends on your price range

750i based solution would be Newegg.com - ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Review indicates it is not a great overclocker but is solid at stock and has a user friendly BIOS/features for standard set-up.
X-bit labs - ASUS P5N-D Mainboard Review

780i based solution would be Newegg.com - EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

For the system you are building I don't feel the added features of the 780i chipset will be utilized to the point of justifying the added $80US expense. 8800GT cards do not support Tri-SLI and that is the main benefit/feature for that chipset.

Thanks a ton man. I'm just gonna stick with the first build I posted, with the 2 changes you suggested. I'm not really looking for a hardcore gaming machine, so I don't think I need the SLI right now. Just looking for something that will pwn WAR. Thanks again.

Oh yeah, this will be my first solo build. My friend built my current pc, and all I did pretty much was watch and hand him the parts. I'm pretty computer literate, but I just wanna be safe and make sure I get everything right. Do you recommend any online pc building guides?

[Pwnzilla]

Originally Posted by Casper

Oh yeah, this will be my first solo build. My friend built my current pc, and all I did pretty much was watch and hand him the parts. I'm pretty computer literate, but I just wanna be safe and make sure I get everything right. Do you recommend any online pc building guides?

Video guide (not real detailed but good visuals)
YouTube - How to build a PC

More detail, less visual
Build Your Own No-Compromises $1,500 PC | Maximum PC (my preference for detail & thoroughness)
and/or
How to build a PC - The Tech Report - Page 1
and/or
STEP 1 : Materials Required » PCMech

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Pwnzilla

Video guide (not real detailed but good visuals)
YouTube - How to build a PC

More detail, less visual
Build Your Own No-Compromises $1,500 PC | Maximum PC (my preference for detail & thoroughness)
and/or
How to build a PC - The Tech Report - Page 1
and/or
STEP 1 : Materials Required » PCMech

Thanks yet again, you've been a huge help.

[Zer]

If you want to go SLI, its 790i with DDR3 or nothing, sorry but all other shipsets pale in comparison, both the 680i/650i-780i/750i chipsets suck balls...

Also, I honestly dont think you need SLI

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Zer

If you want to go SLI, its 790i with DDR3 or nothing, sorry but all other shipsets pale in comparison, both the 680i/650i-780i/750i chipsets suck balls...

Also, I honestly dont think you need SLI

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I decided to go with the first build I listed , with a couple changes. I plan on using this pc for a couple maybe 3 years , so next time I'll probably build a beastlier one. Hell by that time, they'll probably have quad video card super pcs for the newest games