Which motherboard will fit?

[Razorfist]

Hey I'm going to be building a computer for the first time as soon as I can put together the funds, and I need some help.

I know a lot about separate parts through research, but motherboards seem like the most complicated part to me.

I'm going to be using this PC for gaming, and I don't want to spend more than $2000 canadian on everything (including monitor and peripherals). This should be about 2000 american nowadays. I don't have any brand preferences, but I'd prefer something reliable, because I do plan on testing the overclocking waters. I've read of e8400's getting to 4Ghz so I'd like to see how close I can get.

This is the list of parts I've put together with prices off of Tigerdirect.ca (I live in Canada):

Total Cost: $1090.87 + 15% = $1254.50

CPU/Processor - $219.97
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor BX80570E8400 - 3.0GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Wolfdale, Dual-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan

Heatsink/Fan - $73.99
Zalman CNPS9500A LED CPU Cooling Fan - Socket 478, 775, 754, 939, 940, AM2

Motherboard
Unsure what will fit all these components.

Case - $182.99
Thermaltake Black Armor Full-Tower ATX Case with 11 External Drive Bays, Clear Side, Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports

Power Supply - $182.99
Ultra X3 ULT40073 600-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, PCI-E Ready, Energy Efficient, Modular

Video Card - $238.99
BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC2 Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card

Memory - $55.99
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)

Primary Hard Drive - $89.97
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM

Primary Optical Drive - $34.99
LG GSA-H55L Super-Multi Security DVD ReWriter - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 10x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black, IDE, LightScribe

Secondary Optical Drive - $34.99
LG GSA-H55L Super-Multi Security DVD ReWriter - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 10x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black, IDE, LightScribe

So mostly I'm just looking for some tips or direction on motherboards, hopefully one around $200.

As well, if anyone has knowledge of any 4:3 or 5:4 ratio LCD gaming screens for a reasonable price please let me know, I hate wide screen gaming.

I think I'm going to just get Windows Vista to start getting used to it. I couldn't get Fallen Haven to run on XP anyways.

I know that case is a huge money sink, but I just wanted some space to work with. If anyone knows of any cheaper large cases that work well, I could save some money there.

If someone can spot places where I can save money without losing performance I'll take anything!

Thanks for the forums where I can ask this type of thing

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I have z2300 speakers and the g5 mouse and g15 keyboard already, so I don't need those peripherals.

 

[DSF]

Here are a couple thoughts for you that might help guide you:

Originally posted by: Razorfist

Heatsink/Fan - $73.99
Zalman CNPS9500A LED CPU Cooling Fan - Socket 478, 775, 754, 939, 940, AM2

From everything I've read, this heatsink isn't worth its outlandish price. For what you're doing a heatsink like the Xigmatek 1283, Tuniq Tower, or Scythe Ninja ought to be just fine and cost less.

Originally posted by: Razorfist
Motherboard
Unsure what will fit all these components.

For good overclocking performance and a single graphics card, the P35 chipset is your best bet. Gigabyte, DFI, ASUS and Abit are all making pretty good boards. What you need to do is figure out what features you need (number of SATA ports, firewire, RAID, etc.) and then choose a board that meets those specs.

Originally posted by: Razorfist
Power Supply - $182.99
Ultra X3 ULT40073 600-Watt Power Supply - ATX, SATA-Ready, PCI-E Ready, Energy Efficient, Modular

You really don't need to spend this much on a power supply. For example, this model would be a superior supply for significantly less money. You also don't need 600W for your setup, but that's not going to hurt anything.

Originally posted by: Razorfist
Memory - $55.99
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)

With your budget, and considering that you're going to use Vista, there's very little reason not to get 4GB of RAM. While 2GB is enough for gaming for now, I wouldn't expect it to stay that way for very long. Be aware that with OCZ memory you'll have to manually raise the DDR voltage in your BIOS to achieve the advertised speeds. (On the other hand, to get an E8400 to 4.0GHz, you'll probably want DDR2-1000, and you'll have to raise the voltage on that anyway.)

Originally posted by: Razorfist
Primary Hard Drive - $89.97
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300, OEM

Primary Optical Drive - $34.99
LG GSA-H55L Super-Multi Security DVD ReWriter - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 10x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black, IDE, LightScribe

Secondary Optical Drive - $34.99
LG GSA-H55L Super-Multi Security DVD ReWriter - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 10x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black, IDE, LightScribe

OEM drives come without SATA cables. Your motherboard will usually come with two. If all three of these drives are OEM, you'll need to make sure to pick up an extra SATA cable.

 

[Jax Omen]

Good call on the cables, DSF 😛

I'd also suggest you change the videocard. Either get a stock-clocked 8800GT and overclock it yourself or get an 8800GTS. $230 is too much for a GT nowadays.

I don't know of any quality non-widescreen LCDs though. I love widescreen gaming, as long as the monitor has a built-in scaler for older, non-widescreen games. I don't trust the drivers to work for that function.

 

[bruceb]

NEC makes regular looking LCD monitors.
They come in about 17 or 19 inch sizes.
Not sure what models or price, but I know
we have some at work for use with docking
stations (they may be 2-3 years old, not sure)

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Jax OmenI'd also suggest you change the videocard. Either get a stock-clocked 8800GT and overclock it yourself or get an 8800GTS. $230 is too much for a GT nowadays.

Good point. I wasn't looking very closely and I assumed from the price that he picked an 8800GTS.

 

[Razorfist]

Hey thanks for the advice, I will take most of it, but I chose that OC video card as it was the cheapest of all the 8800GT's I could find. I didn't know the average price was lower, maybe you mean American?

Could you suggest a RAM that would OC well with the e8400? Will I have to OC any RAM to get to higher CPU speeds? I'm going to have to research into OC RAM, I know how to do CPUs and GPUs, but RAM is new.

Thanks again