New mobo, psu, cpu, and ram.. final check! :)

[daweinah]

I've already got one Zotac 512mb 8800GT AMP and will get a second when I build the new system. I'm going to keep my old case (AeroCool Spiral Galaxies), hard drive (WD2500KS), disk drive (NEC ND-3550A), but will be replacing the PSU, CPU, RAM, mobo, and selling the old stuff to my brother!

So, my partial new system build is looking like this at the moment and I wanted to run it by you guys to see if you notice and problems:

Mobo: EVGA 750i FTW
PSU: Corsair 620HX
CPU: E8400
RAM: (2x2gb) Corsair XMS2 DHX
GFX: Zotac 512mb 8800GT AMP x2

Which is about $800 after shipping and MIRs.

I will be doing some minor OC to the cpu, probably won't mess with ram or gfx. I'll also be playing on a 24" Samsung.

What do ya think? Is any of this hardware liable to be phased out really soon?

PS Is this the stuff I need for thermal paste when I replace the cpu coolers?

 

[MarcVenice]

You didn't list a new cooler for the CPU? Some CPU coolers come with their own thermal paste.

The build looks good, if you have a 8800gt allready then I suppose SLI-ing with another one makes sense. You could consider buying a different PSU though, like a corsair 750tx for 120$ AR ? And the ram, if you don't mind rebates there is cheaper ram to be had. Looks good though, and compatible, will make for a nice gaming rig

Can't comment on the monitor btw.

 

[daweinah]

Oops, sorry. I have one of those big copper, blue-led Zalman's on there. I can't remember the model number but it was well reviewed. I'm not really worried about saving any more $ on the RAM.. 80 bucks for 4 gigs is killer and I'm a fan of the Corsair XMS series.

And wow I had assumed 620w would be plenty, but according to the Nvidia recommended PSU list, I do need the 750TX.

 

[ther00kie16]

Well, sorry to inform you but Corsair isn't necessarily the best anymore in the RAM department. Look for the GSkill 4gb ddr2 1000 for $85 without rebate. Oh and your Zalman heatsink isn't so great anymore either but a 45nm dual core isn't going to out put that much heat so it should be fine though look into Arctic Cooling MX-2 or OCZ Freeze since they are newer and better thermal compounds than AS5
Corsair 620HX is fine for 8800GT x2. People have been using it to power 2 8800GTXs which draw about 55W more than 2 8800GTs.
However, look for dual slot 8800GTs because the single slot coolers aren't very good so 2 of them in a case could be a bit much.

 

[daweinah]

Hm I wish I had realized the dual slot coolers expel air out the back before I bought the first ZOTAC. Now I'm sort of stuck getting a second ZOTAC and figuring out some way to get the extra heat out. Maybe I can put a PCI slot fan in front of the fan on both cards, and then I should still have room for my sound card right in the middle of everything.

Here's a link to a pic of my mobo:
http://xtreview.com/images/EVG...50i%20SLI%20FTW%20.jpg

edit: meh, the fans on my gfx cards are about 8 inches away from the expansion slot wall, so I'd need something like this long vent fan to reach closer to where the fan actually is on the cards