Need some help selecting final components for my Gaming Build

[EagleEye]

I'm building a new computer, and I already purchased the following items:

XFX PV-T70G-UDF7 Geforce 7800 GT Overclocked PCI Express 256MB DDR Video Card w/HDTV-Out, Dual DVI & VIVO Retail- $299 shipped
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe...?ProductCode=321029&affiliate=shopping

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Platinum System Memory 2-3-2-5- $225 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227210

Also, I already have a hd, os, dvd drives, and monitor.

This is the 1st build that I've done, so I was thinking about going with a preassembled monarch cpu+mobo:

This mobo:

DFI Lan Party NForce4 SLI-DR Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE-1394/PCI-E/SATA/DDR/ATX 64 939 - $184

and I was originally going to go with a 4400+ retail with that fan. However, I've herad that:

AMD Opteron 165 Dual-Core 1.8GHz 1MB (per core) 64/32-Bit Socket 939 (Retail Box-w-Fan)

can easily overclock to 4400+ speeds. If I bought the Opteron, how easy would it be to overclock (I have a dell mobo so i've never overclocked before).

Would that mobo+CPU be a good combo for $200 less than the 4400+, or should I just get a 4400+ (I have no budget, but I would like to be reasonable (under 1600).

Here is the link to Monarch computers:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...&Product_Code=80152&Category_Code=AMDC


Finally, I was going to buy a 2nd 7800gt for $300, but everyone is telling me that it is not worth it. I have no real budget, so do you think that in 2 or 3 years I would regret if I didn't buy it now? Or should I just go with a single 7800gt and do a gfx card upgrade in like 2 generations or so.

Sorry for so many questions, but thanks for the help!

Oh, and one last thing, what PSU should I get (either recommend for sli or non-sli). Thanks again.

 

[ribbon13]

for PSU, if you want one you can keep for your next build and run SLI if you ever feel the need S12-600

I have an Opteron 165 I got for testing. I got it to 2.6GHz on air and 3.0Ghz on vapor phase cascade. It's a good chip.

SLI is totally dependant on your planned resolution. for something with a 1920x1200 or 1920x1080 res, it's totally worth it.

 

[EagleEye]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
for PSU, if you want one you can keep for your next build and run SLI if you ever feel the need S12-600

I have an Opteron 165 I got for testing. I got it to 2.6GHz on air and 3.0Ghz on vapor phase cascade.

So you would suggest the 165? Even for a first time overclocker?

Also, did you use the retail fan, or a different one?

 

[ribbon13]

highly suggest it. Dual 1MBL2 core == kick @ss!

it didn't come with a fan, it was an engineering sample, so I used a Swiftech MCX6400-V, but that's not what I would reccomend for anyone. Its just what I had around. For Opteron OCing on air, I say Scythe ninja or XP-120

 

[EagleEye]

Thanks for all of the help and quick replies Ribbon.

So the Seasonic is really worth the $150 shipped price? Also, if I buy that, do you think it would be worth it to buy the Cooler Master Cool Drive 6 Silver for $50 OFF! Just $14.75?

Also, I have decided on the 165 plus the DFI Lan Party NForce4 SLI-DR Audio/GB-LAN/IEEE-1394/PCI-E/SATA/DDR/ATX 64 939
based on these reviews, it should be great for overclocking:
http://stores.tomshardware.com/rating_g...rev.php/product_id=6732817/id_type=M//

So now I need to decide if a second 7800gt is worth another $300, and if I want to go with a PSU that costs that much.

Also, I need to decide if I should use the retail fan, or if there is another fan on this list that would be better:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...&Product_Code=80152&Category_Code=AMDC

 

[ribbon13]

The PSU is the most important part of any computer. It's foolish to skimp on it. And if you like quiet, its worth it. If you like saving on your electricity bill, it's worth it. If you buy an UPS for your computer, it's high efficieny will let you run your computer longer. It's worth $150 easily for the peace of mind. And if you can get a $65 computer toy for $15 in the deal, then hell yeah! I've seen people toast $300 CPU and $300 GPUs simulataneouly with a cheap PSU. They cried. And I could only say I told you so as they sobbed.

What display are you going to be using? Let that decided weather SLI is worth it or not.

 

[EagleEye]

Thanks again Ribbon.

O.K. Since Now I have the PSU (and hard drive cooler ) and I just need to decide on if I should get a 2nd 7800gt, I need some more suggestions plz, and what hs/fan i need for my cpu.

I would really prefer it to be one from monarch computer so that I don't have to install it myself, but I am open to suggestions.

EDIT: My monitor is a dell 1905FP

 

[EagleEye]

In the checkout screen at Case-Mod, there is a place for coupons. Do they have any coupons that I could use on that order?

 

[ribbon13]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1723066&enterthread=y

you notice those are all the popular HSFs, and monarch carries none of them for the combo thing. Get the retail 165 and go aftermarket once you get it if you want an OCing class HSF. none of the ones monarch carries are worth the extra cost.

no coupons I'm aware of.

SLI is definately not worth it for a dell 1905FP

 

[EagleEye]

All right, I've done all of my ordering now, just need to assemble it when it gets here.

Thanks sooooooooooooooooooooo much ribbon, all of you imput really helped. Just one last quick question. If I don't go sli now (I might be upgrading monitor soon), do you think that in the near future, different revisions of the same board, or even different borads from different companys (like a bfg 7800gt + my xfx 7800gt) would work together?

Because, I don't want to buy a new monitor in 3 months, and find that I can't go sli because no one is selling my chipset that i'm using for my 7800gt.

 

[ribbon13]

yeah, the GPU needs to be the same.
RAM size of the card should be the same, but doesn't have to.
manufacturer doesn't really matter anymore.