Mid/high end Gaming PC build

[gramboh]

Hi,

Inspired by my roommates C2D/8800 build last week (thanks for the advice of posters on that thread) I have decided to build a new PC after almost 4 years of service from this P4 Northwood. Here is what I have selected. Looking for any comments/issues. Keep in mind I am in Canada so I can't order from Newegg/ZZF etc. and thus part selection is somewhat limited.

Edit: I should probably say that it is mainly for playing games in Windows XP for now (and Vista later, when DX10 is mainstream) as well as storing/viewing/streaming media to my home theatre. Currently I have a 19in CRT (1280x1024) and play games at 1280x1024 and 1600x1200, I may upgrade to a 20-24in WS LCD later which is why I chose the 640MB 8800. I plan on OC'ing the CPU between 3.2 and 3.6GHz depending how it turns out. I will likely OC the video card a bit as well.

CPU: Intel Core?2 Duo Processor E6600 2.4GHz w/ 4MB Cache
MB: Asus P5B-E rev 1.02g (having trouble finding the 1.02g but I think I found one)
Heatsink: Thermalright Ultra 120
Heatsink fan: Scythe S-Flex 120mm SFF21F 1600rpm Case Fan
Case: Antec P180B (looks like another month or 2 for the P182 to get here)
RAM: OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 EL Platinum XTC Rev2
Video: eVGA 8800GTS 640MB Superclocked
HDD: 2x Seagate 7200.10 320GB (not RAID, might get 400/500's if the price comes down)
DVDRW: LiteOn LH-20A1S 20x20 DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive, SATA (Retail)
PSU: OCZ 600W GameXStream Power Supply w/ Quad +12V
Audio: Creative Labs X-Fi OEM

The only thing I can think of being a problem is the OCZ appears to have a fan on the bottom of the PSU rather than the back, so the airflow will be crappy in the P180B (PSU mounted in lower chamber at the bottom of the case). Not sure of any good substitutes for around $100-120CDN that would have 120mm fans inline (e.g. blowing back).

Thanks for any comments.

 

[trOver]

looks good!

 

[gramboh]

Thanks,

I guess my concern about the P180 and the PSU fan isn't a big deal because the P180 has a 120mm fan blowing air at the PSU anyway.

 

[trOver]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Thanks,

I guess my concern about the P180 and the PSU fan isn't a big deal because the P180 has a 120mm fan blowing air at the PSU anyway.

I might be wrong, but I think the p180 can mount psu's right side up and upside down. If you could mount it upside down, the OCZ fan would be facing up, and have around 1-2" to suck air in from.

btw, i have an OCZ game extreme psu, and it works great!

 

[Roguestar]

PSU seems overkill for that, a 520W should be more than enough. Otherwise rather good suggestions. Perhaps consider the Thermalright Ultra 120+?

 

[gramboh]

tr0ver thanks for the OCZ info, I will consider doing that for sure. How loud is your GameExtreme PSU?

Roguestar that's true, it might be a bit overkill, but it's actually the cheapest I can find other than the Silverstone 500 which doesn't have as much power on the 12V rails.

The Ultra 120+ looks awesome from the AT review, but it seems like it will be a while before it's in retail, at least a month.

 

[mushroom3]

out of curiosity, where did you find the v1.02g p5b-e?

 

[Boyo]

I think it looks good, except that I would keep the PSU as is, don't change it. You want your rig future proofed...Good choice.

 

[mc866]

[/quote]

I might be wrong, but I think the p180 can mount psu's right side up and upside down. If you could mount it upside down, the OCZ fan would be facing up, and have around 1-2" to suck air in from.

[/quote]

I have my PSU mounted upside down in my P180, works great!~

 

[gramboh]

Originally posted by: mushroom3
out of curiosity, where did you find the v1.02g p5b-e?

On eBay.com (not .ca) there is a seller in Edmonton who claims to have 1.02g revision boards in stock (confirmed by e-mail). I'm still a bit wary as it's going to cost ~$160US for the board, $15US for shipping and then GST, so the total will be over $200. I might just get the P5B Deluxe for $30 more locally. I've also asked my local retailer to try to get a 1.02g board in stock (they have 1.01 only right now) and they are doing their best.

If you want a link to the seller store/profile PM me and I'll send it when I'm home later tonight (don't have URL on my laptop).