Conroe build critque

[Poodle Fur]

It is about time for me to get a new system and I have a preliminary build in mind. If anoyone more knowledgeable than myself (and that includes pretty much everyone) could look over my build and offer advice that would be greatly appreciated.

Background: Current system is an AMD 2800+ with 1GB RAM, Geforce 6800 GT video card. I use my system mostly for gaming, some video encoding/general spreadsheet/word use, etc. I don't tend to upgrade very often, once every 2-3 years or so.

Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V1000D, grandfathered in from previous system
Hard/Floppy Drives: also grandfathered
Sound card: Sound Blaster Audigy SE (last grandfathered item)

The following items are what I want to buy and the newegg prices/links:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz - $315.00
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler - $29.99
Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $240.00
Motherboard: ASUS P5NSLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI Intel Edition - 109.99
Power Supply: RAIDMAX RX-630A ATX12V/ EPS12V 630W Power Supply - $108.99
Video Card: XFX PVT71JYHE9 GeForce 7950GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 - $319.99

All of that adds up to about $1114 (not including shipping). When I get a bit more cash I'd like to add a second GeForce 7950GT for SLI but that will not be immidately nor is it guarenteed. Thoughts or impressions anyone?

 

[acegazda]

How'ya doing? Welcome to the forums!
First of all, the freezer 7 pro can be had for $21 shipped from provantage.com.
Second of all, what monitor do you have that you need SLi? I'm willing to bet that a single card with an asus p5b-e would suit you better.
Third of all, please do not get that raidmax psu, if you are serious about 7950gt SLi, get the corsair hx520. If not I think the enhance 5140gh is your best bet. A little background on the 2 psus: The corsair is built by seasonic and uses the same quality components as they do. It is modular and has a nice cable situation going on. It will run most SLi configurations with ease with its 40amps on the 12v rails. The enhance has 80% efficiancy and 28amps combined 12v rails. It is one of the best values ATM for $65 shipped. Both psus can be seen @ Johnnyguru.com. He has some excellent reviews on a plethora of psus.

 

[dBTelos]

Seasonic S12 430W for a PSU. If your planning SLi, then I'd say the Corsair HX520W would be good.

-dB

 

[Poodle Fur]

I currently have a Samsung SyncMaster 753DF, which can only got to 1280x1024m but in the not-too distant future I would like to get a flat panel moniter, one which will presumably let me get higher resolution. For the power supply, I admit to not knowing how much power I would need. Would 520W be enough for the 2 7950GT's, plus assorted case fans/sound card/random external USB device, etc? I just kinda guessed at the 630W, wanting to err on the side of caution.

 

[dBTelos]

The HX520W would be good, yes. Besides, the Corsair 520W can probably actually put out more power then a Raidmax 630W

 

[jleves]

It may be overkill - but I wanted 600+ watts and a serious power supply. I went with the Corsair HX620. It's got 50amps to the 12V rails and is modular. If comes in around $170. If you're spending 100+ on a power supply, go with modular, it will make life much easier. If that's a little pricey, the HX520 will probably be fine until the next generation of SLI/Crossfire cards that need like a million amps.

 

[dBTelos]

The Corsair HX520W can/will be able to handle mid/low end DX10 SLi or any single DX10 card.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: jleves
It may be overkill - but I wanted 600+ watts and a serious power supply. I went with the Corsair HX620. It's got 50amps to the 12V rails and is modular. If comes in around $170. If you're spending 100+ on a power supply, go with modular, it will make life much easier. If that's a little pricey, the HX520 will probably be fine until the next generation of SLI/Crossfire cards that need like a million amps.

that is a terrible exaggeration. you sound like my girlfriend