new amd build / will be ordering soon/ input needed

[sukhwinder21]

I am looking to overclock this sytem to hopefully 12.5 X 200 = 2500 Mhz (Gaming Machine)

Im pretty much locked into getting the following parts, however I am open to suggestions

CPU: 2600+ Mobile OEM
MOBO: Abit NF7-S
VIDEO CARD: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
CASE: ANTEC 1080 /w 430W Antec PS
MOUSE: Logitech MX700
DVD BURNER: NEC ND-2500A

I already have a monitor, 160GB HDD, Liteon CD Burner, so I don't need these.


Im not sure what to get for the following parts so this is where I need your advice ...

SOUND CARD: I've read that the onboard sound on the NF7-S is really good... Is it as good as the Sound Blaster Live! Platinum ? This is the soundcard that I currently have and i am happy with it.
RAM:
HEATSINK:
CPU FAN:
THERMAL PASTE:

 

[Slink3r]

For the PSU, if you're planning on overclocking a lot, you normally want a good PSU. The good ol' tried and true PSU would be an antec.

There are a large variety of heatsinks, if you don't mind noise at all, you can go with a Volcano 12, or if not you can stick to a zalman heatsink which will give you excellent cooling while still being silent.

My favorite thermal paste is ceramique, which is made by arctic silver, and can be gotten very easy, and very cheap.

-Sorry I couldn't help that much

 

[JSSheridan]

For the soundcard, try both the onboard sound and the SB Live! and decide for yourself. What speakers are you using on the system? There are a lot of memory choices. OCZ, Kingston, Mushkin, Corsair are good choices, and you should get 1 GB of PC3500 CAS 2 for the best performance. The heatsink market isn't something I've followed closely, but I know Thermalright is a good brand to go with. Get a high speed panaflo fan in the biggest size that will fit on the heatsink (92mm^2??) Artic Silver is the most popular TIM, and there is good enough reason for it. HTH. Peace.

 

[Corporate Thug]

sound: onboard
RAM: mushkin level two, kingston value of one budget
HEATSINK: slk800
CPU FAN: panaflo L1A
THERMAL PASTE: AS5

 

[Megatomic]

People who have used both SB Live and the onboard sound of the NF7-S say the onboard is better, compares favorably with an Audigy and gets left behind by the Audigy 2. I saved myself some money and used the onboard sound.

If you want to overclock follow the above advice. Get a good heatsink and some AS5 or AS Ceramique. A good heatsink could be an SLK800, SLK900, an Alpha PAL 8045/8055. The list goes on and on, be sure to read some reviews.

Fans are hard to recommend. I went with a high end heatsink when I bought my Alpha so that I could run a slower and quieter fan and still be able to get decent performance. I'd recommend the same for you unless you plan on some extreme overclocking in which case you'll want a tornado-style fan. Make sure the fan you get is at least 80mm, bigger is better if your heatsink can accomodate it.

The best memory to get for an overclocked NF2 system is hard to find these days. Any memory with Winbond BH-5 is the best, CH-5 is good, too. My advice is to stick with Corsair and get the fastest and most RAM you can afford. Call it future proofing your system.

My guidance is pretty vague, I know, but I am more interested in passing along ideas rather than dictating a shopping list. Good luck.