Rate my new PC please

[Defacil]

So I'm finally able to build myself a new pc after 2 years and this time, I don't want just an "average" system. I wanted something a bit more excessive and hopefully a lil more future proof. I'm just getting one vid card and hoping to SLi it down the road when I need to and I also plan to overclock the cpu. Anyway, here it is:

Antec P180 Silver - $79.99
Antec TruePower 650w - $149.99

Corsair XMS2 Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DR2 800 (PC2 6400) Retail
eVGA NF68 nVidia nForce 680i SLI - Combo deal: $534.99

eVGA Geforce 8800GTS
Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 (i wanted the 4mb l2 cache) - Combo deal: $767.99

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 XS Gamer (my old sound card I'm reusing) - 'Free'

Total Cost: $1531.98

Lemme know what you think please

Thanks in advance,
Grant

 

[JAG87]

you wont be able to install windows unless you get an optical drive and a hard drive

 

[Defacil]

Haha, oh yeah, sorry, as for optical drive... I dunno, I'll pick up a pioneer or something and then for HDs, I'm carrying over from my old pc which is a 120gb WD and a 250gb WD.

 

[Operandi]

I would use the on-board HD-Audio and only resort to the Audidgy if you have problems.

I would also suggest you move to a better PSU, Seasonic, Enhance, Forton-Source, or PCP&C, as well as drop down to affordable RAM.

 

[3NF]

I'm considering the same combo deals as you are (eVGA), but I've always used ASUS boards and I'm a little hesistant to change

As for a power supply and case, I'm looking at the Lian Li PC-101b and Corsair HX620w.

 

[Defacil]

Originally posted by: Operandi
I would use the on-board HD-Audio and only resort to the Audidgy if you have problems.

I would also suggest you move to a better PSU, Seasonic, Enhance, Forton-Source, or PCP&C, as well as drop down to affordable RAM.

Any ram suggestions? I'm always hesitant to buy affordable ram or value ram and using it to O/C. As for PSUs, I've never had problems with an Antec before, didn't think they were that bad.

 

[modestninja]

Yeah, another vote for a better PSU. Antec's quality has gone done in recent history definitely go with a more reliable brand like those mentioned by Operandi. I might also add Silverstone, Zippy or a rebadged Seasonic like the Corsair.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Defacil

Originally posted by: Operandi
I would use the on-board HD-Audio and only resort to the Audidgy if you have problems.

I would also suggest you move to a better PSU, Seasonic, Enhance, Forton-Source, or PCP&C, as well as drop down to affordable RAM.

Any ram suggestions? I'm always hesitant to buy affordable ram or value ram and using it to O/C. As for PSUs, I've never had problems with an Antec before, didn't think they were that bad.

Well I guess it really depends on how much you intend to overclock and how much you are willing to spend on your RAM. Brand isn't particularly important as long as it's from reputable name, examples; Crucial, Corsair, Mushkin, Geil, Kingston ect. This DDR2 667 Geil looks pretty good specs vs. price wise.

As far as the PSUs go Antec is not a very good choice, as they significantly overpriced considering the features and build quality.

They are more expensive but I would 2nd the Lian Li case recommendation.

 

[Smartazz]

Really nice system. For a system that high end I would probobly get a good seasonic power supply, but that's just me. I've heard somewhere on these forums that antecs are good if they don't blow up.

 

[Defacil]

So I returned the Antec PSU and went with the Seasonic.

I was curious if I should stick with the stock fan/heatsink or get a new one (and if so, any recommendations)?

Thanks in advance.

-Grant

 

[modestninja]

Originally posted by: Defacil
So I returned the Antec PSU and went with the Seasonic.

I was curious if I should stick with the stock fan/heatsink or get a new one (and if so, any recommendations)?

Thanks in advance.

-Grant

Well, if you plan on OCing I'd recommend one of the top dogs like the Thermalright Ultra-120, Tuniq Tower, or Scythe Ninja (I'd take either of the 1st two over the Ninja). Otherwise if you want cheaper, but still quite a bit better than stock the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 pro is not too expensive.)

The stock cooler is alright for a mild OC, but I generally don't mind paying $40-50 to keep my $200-300 CPU a decent amount cooler.

 

[Duvie]

I for one am not impressed with the nvidia 680i mobo yet...too buggy and not that great of an ocer...unless you plan on SLI'ing and not like 80% of the ppl who originally bought NF4 SLI mobos who never ever went to SLI, I wouldn't wast the money....

Look beyond the cherrypicked review boards and see how many have had issues....I personally am waiting for maturity and perhaps cheaper 650i mobos

Remember you have the E6600 cpu with 9x multi..You wont even hit 400fsb and likely will top out at 3.3-3.4ghz so you wont need much more then good 667ddr2

I thinkit will be nice just a bunch of wasted money IMO....