Building my Conroe rig.

[elkinm]

Now I just need the processor, motherboard and definitely RAM.

Motherboard, the two choices are:
GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 $142+shipping.
Asus P5B Deluxe $188 shpped.
The P5B Deluxe has dropped in price a lot. I didn't consider a week ago. Is it worth the extra $40. Is there something wrong with it causing the price drops. Also, for the lack if 1x PCI express, can I use a 1x card with the second 16x slot if needed?
I have no need to stay with a P965 motherboard. If there is a better chipset from Nvidia or ATI and a better motherboard that can overclock just as well I would gladly take that one.

CPU:
Either the E6300 or the E6400. I do plan on overclocking to 3000 MHz and higher so I am looking at the 6400 just in case my FSB may limit me with the 6300. Is this a concern with either of the motherboard choices or should the 6300 be more than enough.

HSF: To start I plan on using the retail HSF. What other recommendations can you give me for a good heatsink for overclocking without braking the bank. I would prefer a side blowing one to blow the exhaust strait out of the case and keep the heatsink cleaner.

RAM:
I missed the Patriot deal. Should have bought them when I had the chance. Now I am looking for the cheapest ram I can get to work with my motherboards. I guess I would have to use a high multiplier on the ram. I want 2 GB (2*1) but I can go with any configuration or just 1 GB until prices become more reasonable.

The rest:

Video:
SAPPHIRE 100168L Radeon X1900XT 256MB

PSU:
Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W

Case:
Ultra Products ULT31825 Aluminus from this hot deal.

Hard drives:
Seagate 320 GB 7200.10 SATA
Samsung 400 GB SATA

Optical drive:
NEC 3550A

Hopefully I didn't miss anything. Any help would be appreciated, especially on the RAM.

Thank you
elkinm

 

[d3n]

Just a flippant observation on the DVD drive. The 3550a is a couple generations old on the DVD-R side. The newer 4551s from NEC are problematic. Not bad drives but not terribly great. Might look at a Pioneer DVR111. Only about 3$ more at newegg.

 

[elkinm]

Originally posted by: d3n
Just a flippant observation on the DVD drive. The 3550a is a couple generations old on the DVD-R side. The newer 4551s from NEC are problematic. Not bad drives but not terribly great. Might look at a Pioneer DVR111. Only about 3$ more at newegg.

Thanks, but I already bought it over a week ago. I never had problems with NEC and have used every one of the 35xx series. The Pioneer DVR-111 looks good but I don't need it at the moment. I would get a SATA version as IDE space is limited.