NEED Help with new build selection components!

[love2skate824]

OK So I just read the 20/24 pin power sticky,and I have a more clearer idea of things. Heres what Im planning to oder this wensday.

3500 Venice
Sli Mobo
XFX 7800gt
1gb corsair value(2*512)
<< -If its true that I would see a performance increase with something like mid class OCZ or corsair XMS(like $120-130 for the 2*512 kit), then I would consider the upgarde.>>
Thermaltake Soprano Case-NO/PS
PS-Undecided
BenQ Dvd burner
160 seagate ncq sata drive
XP Home

And other things like..

Samsung 19inch Crt
logitech z3e 2.1 speakers
mx510 mouse
newegg special logitech $7.00 multimedia keyboard

OK-So my only choices left are my mobo and power supply. Im leaning towards the antec smart power 500 watt because of the modular cables, dual 12v rails with like 17amps on each(id have to check the exact specs) and it 2.0 spec. I dont plan to run sli any time soon and if i did id prbobly get a better psu. And its only $70

If anybody would make recomdatins for the PSU i wold ask that they be at the same price range, have a minimun of 480 watts and have dual 12v rails. Mod. cables would also be a plus.

Now, here is my biggest debate on my mobo.
Narrowed down to two choices-

DFI Lanparty Sli-the one for $170

MSI Neo4 Sli Platinum-$170

So there both at the same price range, im leaning towards the MSI for a few reasons...
-Onboard 24 bit SB Live Audio
-No need to mess around with jumpers
-Supposively not for begginners(this is my first build)
-Still has great OC potential
-DFI supposivley has bad luck with corsair valueselect

I dont plan to OC that much, just a little to experiment...

Also, any comments on the rest of the system would be aprreciated.
I want to play BF2, Farcry, BIA-RTH30, and games like that with decent settings.

Thanks for the time, I greatly appriciated it!

 

[imported_Kensai]

If you're not seriously into overclocking, the MSI is a good choice.
Personally I would've went with OCZ Value instead of Corsair Value.

The Antec SmartPower 500W is a good choice if you were to get it.

I will never go with XFX.. eVGA and BFG for life.

 

[love2skate824]

Whats wrong with XFX? Seems like a decent company, and has the lowest priced 7800gt.

Anyway, I will probobly get the smartpower 500 with the MSi neo4 sli plat.

Now my dilema is brnad of 7800gt...

 

[GamerExpress]

Why are you going with SLI????

I wouldn't bother with it, I would go with an Epox or DFI non SLI board.

Don't listen to Kensai, I have seen him bash XFX a few times. The XFX cards in the past had some issues every now and then, the new ones are exceptional quality, as well they have a rock solid warranty and support.

 

[KayKay]

the 7800gt by xfx is probably their best card yet, it's overclocked and priced competitively, i don't doubt it at all

 

[love2skate824]

Update-After some serious thinking ive decided to go with the MSI Neo4 Platinmum Non SLi
Sticking with the XFX 7800gt and the smartpower 500 watt.
Upgraded from Corsair Valueselcet to OCZ performance series (around $115 2x512, CAS latency of 2)
Other than that no major changes, hoping the BenQ writer is back in stock soon enough, seems like the best bang for the buck.

One question. The Neo4 platinum states to have firewire. Does that mean on a rear header thing or it just hasthe header, meaning i connect it to my case port?

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: love2skate824
Update-After some serious thinking ive decided to go with the MSI Neo4 Platinmum Non SLi
Sticking with the XFX 7800gt and the smartpower 500 watt.
Upgraded from Corsair Valueselcet to OCZ performance series (around $115 2x512, CAS latency of 2)
Other than that no major changes, hoping the BenQ writer is back in stock soon enough, seems like the best bang for the buck.

One question. The Neo4 platinum states to have firewire. Does that mean on a rear header thing or it just hasthe header, meaning i connect it to my case port?

XFX is a bad idea. I don't trust them at all, and neither should you. Good video card brands are eVGA, BFG, and Leadtek. XFX and ASUS are at the bottom of the list. Everything else is average.

I have the Neo4 Platinum, and let me say it is an excellent choice. It has both front and rear Firewire. And Kensai, overclocking is actually pretty good. A BIOS fix allows you to go up to 3.3V on the memory.

 

[love2skate824]

ehhh, about 50/50 with the XFX/EVGA thing, if a few more people convince me that XFX is that bad, Igo for EVGA. I just like the fact that xfx comes with farcry and has a cool looking fan mount vs. the evga's sticker.

 

[love2skate824]

Anyone on the XFX vs EVGA thing? Also, wwould it make sense to get an aftermarket heatsink? Maybe a decent one for arond $30 with a fan, a link to newegg is aprriciated.