Upgraded system built with your recommendations.

[yacoub]

Here's what I'll likely end up with:

DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail
THERMALRIGHT XP-120 Heatsink - Retail (bold is updated) - I need a fan that fits this HS.

OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K - Retail

SAPPHIRE 100105U Radeon X800XL 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express x16 Ultimate Edition Video Card - Retail

Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

BlueGears/HDA Digital X-Mystique 7.1 Gold 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

SEASONIC S12-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply - Retail

Totals out to $1305 plus shipping.
I already have a case.
Going with pricier RAM so when I feel like overclocking I have the right parts to do so. (The OCZ RAM listed was chosen after reading through threads here and DFI-Street forums).

About the only thing I foresee adding is a fan for the XP-90. Got a suggestion? L-1A 92mm, maybe? High speed with sensor or Med/Low speed? Other brand?

 

[MVasigh]

Why not just use the stock HS&F?

 

[slash196]

Originally posted by: MVasigh
Why not just use the stock HS&F?

Because the stock heatsink blows. XP-90C is a terrific choice, pair it with a Panaflo m1a, L1a, or L1BX. Also, in my opinion, you are going to want way more storage space. Either drop the Raptor entirely and get a Seagate 7200.8 250 GB hard drive, or if you must have it, get a 160 or 200 gig seagate. Between formatting and OS files, you'll be looking at 60 gigs, and that's before any files. Under 100 just wont cut it.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: slash196

Originally posted by: MVasigh
Why not just use the stock HS&F?

Because the stock heatsink blows.

Isn't that what it is supposed to do?

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: slash196

Originally posted by: MVasigh
Why not just use the stock HS&F?

Because the stock heatsink blows. XP-90C is a terrific choice, pair it with a Panaflo m1a, L1a, or L1BX. Also, in my opinion, you are going to want way more storage space. Either drop the Raptor entirely and get a Seagate 7200.8 250 GB hard drive, or if you must have it, get a 160 or 200 gig seagate. Between formatting and OS files, you'll be looking at 60 gigs, and that's before any files. Under 100 just wont cut it.

The only 92mm Panaflos that NewEgg stocks are 38db loud ones. I mean unless that's ideal or something? Can they be throttled down at all automatically by Cool N Quiet or whatever it's called?

Here's the link to it:
12V: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835180088
24V: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835180089

Btw do I want 12V or 24V? =P

As for storage, I already have an external USB 2.0 drive enclosure w/ a 120GB drive in it, and my current primary drive is 80GB, so both of those can become storage drives.

 

[Makaveli]

Hey slash, since when does it take 60GB to install Windows XP?

 

[KoolDrew]

THERMALRIGHT XP-90C Heatsink - Retail

Just get the XP-90. The XP-90C is a lot more expensive while not perfoming much better at all. It is also too heavy. Get the Xp-90 with a Panaflo 92mm fan.

 

[knothead34]

i think the xp90c is to heavy for amd specs. i believe that comes from amd but im not sure. i have the xp90 and its bad ass looking.i love it.

 

[KoolDrew]

i think the xp90c is to heavy for amd specs. i believe that comes from amd but im not sure.

Yes, it is.

 

[yacoub]

Hmm, that's good to know. I didn't realize the copper one weighed MORE. What about an XP-120? Will that fit that motherboard?

Also, again I ask which 92mm Panaflo - the 12V or 24V model? What is the difference?

Thanks.

 

[yacoub]

Or, since I'll be moving to the XP-120, what fan is recommended for that beast?

Looking at 12V Panaflo M1A 120mm. Figuring that 12V is what I need, not 24V.

 

[knothead34]

why not use the xp90 alot are using that cooler with that board and i know it fits because i have it on my dfi board.

 

[yacoub]

Because if the 120 fits, that means I can use a slower-spinning 120mm fan on it which would be even quieter.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Nexus 120mm should be awesome. Superquiet + high cfm = happy owners. However they're just more expensive/rebadged YateLoons. So you should look around for Yate Loons.

Also Papst makes some awesome fans too.

 

[yacoub]

Doesn't look like NewEgg stocks Pabst or YateLoon.