New Build

[Rezolution]

Hey all,

Have been toying with the concept of building a new machine and converting my old system into a HTPC.

Below is my first cut on the build. Will be used for a mix of gaming, photoshop and general computer stuff (web browsing office etc). Would be moderately OCed but with a emphasis on being [moderately] silent ~ hate when it sounds like a vacuum cleaner is under my desk. What would be ideal is a platform which would be fairly easily to adjust for usage e.g. OCed for gaming, normal / quiet the rest of the time. Any constructive comments, thoughts, whatever would greatly appreciated.

8800GTS (G92) $280
Intel C2D E8400 245
Raptor 150GB HD 170
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP 150
Vista 32-Bit Home Premium 110
X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 51
Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2@1066 70
Zalman 9700 CP Cooler 54
Accelero S2 VGA Cooler 16
Total $1,146

(Prices from Newegg net of rebates; Recycling from last rig Lian Li PC7 Case, Media HD, DVD Burner, Power Supply etc)

Thanks in advance

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well aside from the PSU recycling seems good wouldn't want to ruin that rig with a bad psu though so make sure it's reliable and isn't dying or anything.

Oh and welcome to the AT forums

 

[imported_Scoop]

The Accelero S2 is not compatible with the 8800 GTS (G92), it's for the lower end models. You need to get the S1 (Rev. 2 or not).

 

[Rezolution]

Thanks for the advice on the Accelero S2. Power supply. Hmm... 600W OCZ StealthXStream? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817341010

 

[DSF]

For what it's worth, I doubt you'll need to overclock that system for gaming. Also, the Raptor's advantage over 7200RPM drives isn't what it used to be. The bang for the buck is pretty low on the Raptor, if that matters to you.

 

[aussiestilgar]

If you're buying a new copy of vista, go with the 64-bit version. Its required if you ever plan to use more than 3gb of RAM.
Also there are better CPU coolers around for the money than the Zalman. Tuniq 120 is one, or go cheap with the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro.
The fan on the 8800GTS is already pretty quiet, you might not need the S1 unless you want it really silent or a high overclock.
2 x 320 or 500GB HDDs in raid0 will give you better performance for the buck than the Raptor.

 

[Rezolution]

Thanks all for you input - the final build I settled on was

8800GTS (G92) (Same)
Intel C2D E8400 (Same)
2 Samsung 500GB HD in Raid 0 (vs Raptor 150GB)
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP (Same)
Vista 64-Bit Home Premium (vs Vista 32-Bit)
X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 (Same)
GSkill 4GB DDR2@800 (vs Crucial Ballistix 2GB DDR2@1066)
Tuninq 120 (vs Zalman 9700)
Accelero S1 rev 2 (vs Accelero S2)
Caorsair 520HX PSU

Parts start arriving tomorrow! (and of course I have a business trip leaving tomorrow which is going to take me out of town till tuesday)

 

[OLpal]

Sounds like you've just built a very SWEEET puter..
A couple of tips [IMHO} try to install the cpu & big cooler on a flat static free surface
Install one 2 gig module, just till you get vista 64 installed.
Run the MS patch for 4gig memory
Then install the other 2 gig module

My rig is somewhat similar [except iv'e never had the need or understood the risk of RAID] & i'm not greedy, so iv'e got her set @ 3.6 ghz which i think is just super for me; runn'n cool & quite !!

Good Luck with your build & let us know how you did !!

OlPal