Just mentioning that all of the parts work together.

[BeakerChem]

I have now completed the computer in my sig and it all works.

Some notes for those with the same or similar systems in the near futrue:

BFG's driver disk didn't have a driver that recognized the 7800GTX. This seems very odd since it shipped in the box with the card. I had the latest non-beta drivers on a CD anyway, so it didn't end up mattering, but it was annoying.

The Retail 4800+ w/heatsink has an error in the instruction manual - the picture of the lever for the heatsink is not the same as what you actually get. This led to a lot of anguish on if I was putting it in correctly. Combine that with using Artic Silver 5 instead of the pad and I was sure I screwed something up. Idle temps are at 32C though, so it seems ok so far...

The Audigy SB ZS2 Gamer edition installs AOL without you being able to turn it down during installation. A bit of a let down from an otherwise good company.

The MX1000 wireless mouse tried to install just about everything but GATOR. What the heck?

The OCZ memory is running at 2.5-3-2-5-T1 instead of 2-3-2-5-T1, but I am trouble shooting that with the OCZ support guys now.

Hope this helps!

 

[w00t]

nice comp:
nice processor
nice video card
nice psu
nice ram
nice lcd
nice hd
nice dvd-r/rw drive
eww 5.1 surrond sound headphones those never work good.
eww case just ugly
eww mx-1000 for gaming at least
nice keyboard but expensive.

 

[BeakerChem]

Originally posted by: w00t
nice comp:
nice processor
nice video card
nice psu
nice ram
nice lcd
nice hd
nice dvd-r/rw drive
eww 5.1 surrond sound headphones those never work good.
eww case just ugly
eww mx-1000 for gaming at least
nice keyboard but expensive.

Lol. Nice ratings, thx!

I did debate on the MX-1000 for gaming, and I haven't had much of chance to use it yet so the verdict is still out, but I am not a high-level gamer and my reflexes are slowed by old age. Overall it probably won't hurt my game worse than my poor skills.

Not sure about the headphones either, but I don't have the option of a big speaker system so it was worth a shot. I have just run general tests, will run BF2 tonight for the real testing. BTW, do I need to update EAX in addition to the general SB drivers? They have both on the site, but I am not sure.

Lol, don't like the case, eh? I am liking it. It is cheap ($49), and they accidently sent the one with the PSU anyway so I have an extra 450W PSU sitting around now. No sharp edges that I found, removable MB tray, window. People have said that the cooling characteristics were bad, but I am at 32/38/28 -- CPU/GPU/HD with a case temp of 29C and at idle so it seems to doing ok so far.

 

[ShazK]

How much did that whole thing run you about, so I can have a ballpark idea of how much such a nice system would cost?

 

[BeakerChem]

All said and done it came to ~$3,200. A once in a life-time thing for me. I priced similar at FalconNW and Alienware and it came out over $5,000 so building definately saved cash.

That said though, there is nothing to get the adreniline going like pressing down on a heatsink above a > $1000 processor. Since it all went together and seems to be working, it was worth it. If I had broken one expensive piece it would have sucked.

 

[Bona Fide]

Just a few more gripes...

1. I'm not sure about which RAM you exactly have, but a lot of memory's run 2.5 CAS on AMD systems, and 2 CAS on Intel systems. Not sure why, but I've seen it in Corsair modules, so it might be the same.
2. You should have dropped down to the 4400+ and overclocked it. But now that you have the 4800+, see how much you can get out of that beast
3. As much as a hardware sound solution helps, you're killing it with surround sound HEADPHONES. Get speakers, or a REALLY nice headset, for the full effect. Otherwise, you would have been just as well off with Audigy Value.
4. The case...could be better. For one, it's steel. Not light and not good for heat. Second, not too many fans. Could result in more heat problems.

Beyond all that, great rig bro.

 

[BeakerChem]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Just a few more gripes...

1. I'm not sure about which RAM you exactly have, but a lot of memory's run 2.5 CAS on AMD systems, and 2 CAS on Intel systems. Not sure why, but I've seen it in Corsair modules, so it might be the same.
2. You should have dropped down to the 4400+ and overclocked it. But now that you have the 4800+, see how much you can get out of that beast
3. As much as a hardware sound solution helps, you're killing it with surround sound HEADPHONES. Get speakers, or a REALLY nice headset, for the full effect. Otherwise, you would have been just as well off with Audigy Value.
4. The case...could be better. For one, it's steel. Not light and not good for heat. Second, not too many fans. Could result in more heat problems.

Beyond all that, great rig bro.

I am using the OCZ Platinum EL PC3200. I asked the tech support ahead of time if it was supported at the listed specs and they said yes, but no biggie. Corsair has the 2 intel 2.5 AMD issue, I know. OCZ was cheaper than the other 1MB matched pairs anyway, so either way it should be cool.

I was going to go with a FX-57, and I just couldn't give up anymore speed when I dropped down to the duel core CPU. Otherwise, I could have cut the CPU price in half, I agree. Not overclocking yet, everything runs fast enough as it is.

With the headphones, like I mentioned before, I can't get a speaker solution for this computer. I have a new baby in the house and the only time I will get for gaming is when he is sleeping. The Gamer Edition came with a bunch of games (that I didn't have but was thinking about getting anyway) and had a $20 rebate that brought it close to the value price anyway. Edit I am not convinced that surround sound works with the headphones, but it seems to so far.

I picked up three extra fans for the case, a 120mm for the rear (which is cut for 120mm, but comes with an 80mm installed for some odd reason) and two 80mm. I moved the fans that came with to the front (they are kinda noisy, but it may be the restrictive bezel more than the fans. I have them on a controller anyway though) and put the new 80mm's at the blowhole and in place of the CPU tunnel from the wall. The CPU already has a 120mm exit fan 2 inches away from it, so I figured it didn't need any extra air and the video card was getting warm at idle (43C). With the side window fan blowing directly in it hits the video slot and my GPU idle temp dropped to 38C. I'll pick up a PCI fan if I need more cooling on the GPU, but so far it has been a great case.