Feedback on my gaming rig please

[quiksilver_aus]

This will be my first computer built from scratch. Here are the components I am going to use:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
2x EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB
EVGA nForce 780i SLI Motherboard
Corsair Dual Channel 4GB DDR2 (2 x 2GB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 32MB

I need a recommendation for the power supply that can comfortably handle all this, as well as a case to fit it all. A cheap case that's ventilated. I don't like flashing lights and shit.

[clocker]

This (http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ2NywxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==) PSU looks interesting.

Cases are hard- everyone likes something different- but I've read good things about this one. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137)

[quiksilver_aus]

That white text on black page killed my eyes... looks like a good PSU but not available yet. What's a good alternative?

Case looks like what I need.

Anything else I need to consider? I have mouse/keyboard/monitor/speakers covered. Do I need heatsink or more fans? I don't plan on OC'ing.

[accat13]

That case does look nice clocker http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=015481&cid=CS.664

Here is another one that does not seem to bad either http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011391&cid=CS.664

You are right about the psu quiksilver_aus there doesn't seem to be any Canadian links for it....Another thought I do notice Infonec has the older Bfg800 for sale , I know there customer service is pretty good you may want to call them and inquire about the availability of the newer Bfg es-800
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=detail&id=352397

Damn cold in the GTA isn't it quiksilver_aus -10c

[clocker]

That white text on black page killed my eyes... looks like a good PSU but not available yet. What's a good alternative?
That's funny, I much prefer the white on black (all my forums are set to dark skins).
I wasn't sure if that power supply was available yet...there's always my fallback recommendation here. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002)


Case looks like what I need.

Anything else I need to consider? I have mouse/keyboard/monitor/speakers covered. Do I need heatsink or more fans? I don't plan on OC'ing.
No telling about the stock heatsink...I don't know of anyone who has actually used one.
Mine is still a virgin, untouched in the Intel box.
The Wolfdales have funky temp sensors and so far, no one seems to know what temps they are actually running.
Gotta be cool because the running voltage is pretty low.

You might not plan on overclocking- I didn't either- but it's so damn easy to do you might find yourself tempted.
Mine bumped from 3GHz to 3.6 with absolutely no changes at all and up to 3.8GHz with only a small voltage change (+.05v).
It's very seductive...

[quiksilver_aus]

Sure is cold.

This may be overkill for the system I am building, but TigerDirect (Canada) has this combo deal for 4GB Corsair RAM and Ultra X3 1000W PSU here (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3478885&CatId=2535). It's a pretty good deal for $300. What are your thoughts Clocker?

Oops, just realized I have been browsing the US TigerDirect site.

[clocker]

I am leery of both Tiger Direct and Ultra PSUs.
Too bad your choices are so limited.

[quiksilver_aus]

What are your feelings towards the CoolerMaster Real Power Pro 750-Watt Power Supply (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3299698&sku=C283-1852)?

[clocker]

I have no feelings one way or the other but jonnyGURU (http://www.jonnyguru.com/) might.

[accat13]

How does this look http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=012815&cid=PS.808
I always compare the psu as the heart of your PC would you want a cheap heart :) One thing I also have noticed is if you get a good quality psu with higher amps and watts it will last thru a few upgrades...You can't say the same for most other components

[Detale]

Anything else I need to consider? I have mouse/keyboard/monitor/speakers covered. Do I need heatsink or more fans? I don't plan on OC'ing.[/quote]
No telling about the stock heatsink...I don't know of anyone who has actually used one.
Mine is still a virgin, untouched in the Intel box.
The Wolfdales have funky temp sensors and so far, no one seems to know what temps they are actually running.
Gotta be cool because the running voltage is pretty low.

You might not plan on overclocking- I didn't either- but it's so damn easy to do you might find yourself tempted.
Mine bumped from 3GHz to 3.6 with absolutely no changes at all and up to 3.8GHz with only a small voltage change (+.05v).
It's very seductive...[/quote]

One other thing to add is I had used tohe stock cooling and It seemed fine on my E8400 for all of 10 min not that anything is wrong with it but the temps as clocker said are sketchy at best as of now mine says it's running @ 41 Degrees idle which I know cannot be the case. One thing to noticew though is that the stock fan is about 1/2 the hight of older stock intel CPU cooler fans dont know why but the thing looks like a toy if you have some extra dough get a Zalman (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574+50001647&name=Zalman+Tech+Co.%2c+Ltd) or even my personal Zalman rip off the Blue Orb II (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106069)

[clocker]

One thing to noticew though is that the stock fan is about 1/2 the hight of older stock intel CPU cooler fans dont know why but the thing looks like a toy if you have some extra dough get a Zalman (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574+50001647&name=Zalman+Tech+Co.%2c+Ltd) or even my personal Zalman rip off the Blue Orb II (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106069)
It's smaller because Intel is convinced it doesn't have to deal with the heat loads of the earlier chips...and they're probably right.

I don't think I'd get either of the sinks you linked, Detale...for comparable money there are more advanced units available.
@quiksilver...is budget a concern?
You can always run the stocker and upgrade later if necessary.

[DasFox]

Corsair PSU are GREAT! (Read the reviews on them)

Jonnyguru is one of the best PSU review sites:

http://www.jonnyguru.com (http://www.jonnyguru.com/)


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductList3.jsp

http://www.corsair.com/products/power_supplies.aspx

[quiksilver_aus]

One thing to noticew though is that the stock fan is about 1/2 the hight of older stock intel CPU cooler fans dont know why but the thing looks like a toy if you have some extra dough get a Zalman (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010110574+50001647&name=Zalman+Tech+Co.%2c+Ltd) or even my personal Zalman rip off the Blue Orb II (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106069)
It's smaller because Intel is convinced it doesn't have to deal with the heat loads of the earlier chips...and they're probably right.

I don't think I'd get either of the sinks you linked, Detale...for comparable money there are more advanced units available.
@quiksilver...is budget a concern?
You can always run the stocker and upgrade later if necessary.

I'm sitting at about $1500 parts right now, which is about where I wanted to be. I wouldn't want to risk long-term damage to my new E8400, so if you are both convinced the stock fan won't do then an extra $30-50 I can deal with.

You have to get glue to install it right? Or is that included in most heatsinks?

[clocker]

I wouldn't want to risk long-term damage to my new E8400, so if you are both convinced the stock fan won't do then an extra $30-50 I can deal with.

You have to get glue to install it right? Or is that included in most heatsinks?
I doubt you're risking anything by using the supplied heatsink but, never having used it myself, I'm not "convinced" either way.
The uncertainty is compounded by the CPU's unreliable temp reporting.

Typically, I would go for an upgraded sink just out of habit.
Look here (http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8757) for some ideas.

A word of warning...
I consider the stock Intel pushpin retention system to be a disaster- it's very easy to install improperly, so no matter what sink you use, install it before putting the board in the case.
That way you can confirm it's fully seated by checking the back side of the board.

And yes, you will need some thermal paste.
Most sinks either come with a tube or it's already pre-applied (like the Intel) but it doesn't hurt to have some on hand anyway.
Arctic Silver 5 or Ceramique (what I use) is a popular brand but lately there are others that seem even better which I have yet to try.

[quiksilver_aus]

Wow, couldn't believe how poorly the stock Intel fan performed in comparison. I'll be going with the Thermaltake. Hopefully I will have gathered all the parts by next week and I'll post some pics. Thanks

[Kuberr]

Why are you getting an E8400? Why not get a QX6600 or a similary quad core? They're all pretty good overclockers.

[whip22]

In terms of PSU, i dno if u still need this info (i didn't read the above posts), i have a tigerdirect psu (ultra is the brand; went on sale) and i am happy so far. Quiet and does the job. I have a 600W just to run my not the best computer, so i would suggest a 7000W to 1000W ultra psu. Lifetime warranty so yep. ultra has my vote.

[quiksilver_aus]

YAAAAAAAAAAY!! It booted first time! The sound of that beep was so orgasmic. The only thing is that I can't do anything with it til Monday because the snow storm here delayed my shipment of Vista.

[necromantic]

I'm sitting at about $1500 parts right now, which is about where I wanted to be.

Man that's a lot of scratch to play vid games. You know you can pick up a 360 Elite or a PS3 for around $450.

I just saw you put it together and it posted, Congrats! It should be a beast. We're gonna need some benchmark screenshots you know :D

[clocker]

YAAAAAAAAAAY!! It booted first time!
Congratulations.
Vista x64?

[quiksilver_aus]

That's right

[quiksilver_aus]

3DMark06 score: 14,504

I've been playing Crysis for two days straight now and loving it. Still waiting for a good deal on a monitor though. Using an old CRT, so it will look even better once the LCD arrives. After playing Crysis for over an hour I checked CPU temp and it peaked at 38C. Seems like the Big Typhoon is doing its job