Recommendations for my new, and first, build.

[SwordTM]

Hi, I'm new to AnandTech Forums and would like suggestions on my build whether they deal with compatability issues, hardware improvements, etc. I also have a few specific questions of my own that I would like to have answered.

I'll start by displaying my build.

Case
Cooler Master Stacker 830 RC-SSN2-GP

Motherboard
ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus LGA 775 650i

VGA Card
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3

PSU
Corsair CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775

Memory
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2*1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200RPM

Monitor
Samsung 206BW Black 20" 2ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD 1680*1050

Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels

Heatsinks and Cooling Fans
Northbridge
-Thermalright HR-05
Southbridge
-Thermalright HR-05-SLI
GPU
-Thermalright HR-03
-???????????????????
CPU
-Tuniq Tower
Memory
-???????????????????
Hard Drive
-Vantec HDC-701A-BK
Case
-Scythe S-Flex SFF21F 120mm (6)
*Zalman ZM-MFC1 Fan Controller Panel

I am a moderate gamer and this fall I will going to college. I plan to overclock the computer but by no means to the extreme, but not too lightly either. As of right now I don't have the funds needed to build an SLI system but I would like to have the possiblity of going SLI in the future.

Questions
1. Is the ASUS P5N32-E SLI a good, solid or practical motherboard for what I want to use the computer for?

2. Do I need a PSU larger than 520W to power my system or more specifically my video card...what if I went SLI and tried to power two 8800GTXs or 8800Ultras?

3. Is the memory I chose compatible with the motherboard since it has a memory standard of "DDR2 800?" (I got a great deal on the memory...original price was something like $224.99 and after my M.I.R. I'll get it for $79.99)

4. Is it worth it to get the Thermalright HR-07 for the memory when it would, I heard, limit me to have only two sticks of memory? Suggestions?

5. Tuniq Tower or Thermalright 120 Ultra for CPU cooling?

6. Does anyone have a recommendation for a 92mm fan that I can use with the HR-03?


Sorry for all of the questions and thanks in advance. 🙂
-SwordTM

 

[gus6464]

Going SLI is a waste. For the most part by the time you are going to want to get it there will be single card that will smoke the sli setup. Also I would go with a P35 mobo, more future proof with support for 45nm c2ds and ddr3 support. Also dont bother with mail in rebate for the ram, you can some at that same price without any rebates.