ok noob here, basically i threw together my old processor with a cheap video card, a fan and some memory in my new motherboard, i wanted to know how my build looks and how to make sure everything is running well

nForce 680i SLI 775 T1 Version
Foxconn 8500GT-512 GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Transcend 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model JM667QLU-2G - Retail
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Tech

Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80 Ghz 800 FSB)

O also i dont have a case that will fit this so that would also be of some help

Its so quiet and dark..................i can almost........i can almost hear my fan spinning

You've got an expensive motherboard and an expensive (and overpriced) cooler, but the CPU and video card aren't up to playing recent games.

Are you going to play games on this computer?

I will not comment on how your build looks, but to make sure everything is running well, you need to BURN IT IN. Dowload and run stess testing programs and run them overnight to make sure your system is stable. Some examples are, in order of importance:
Memtest 86+
3D mark 2006
Ontrack Data Advisor (wd.com)
PC Mark (insert most recent date)
You need a new CPU, that thing is too slow. Get a core 2 duo or Core 2 Quad for that setup. Pentium D's are old, slow and not up to par with your other components. Without a new CPU you are wasting your Motherboard. Buy a MID ATX tower with good reviews, coolermaster centurion series may be worth a look, very good cases with great airflow.

Ok got some new stuff,

nForce 680i SLI 775 T1 Version
Foxconn 8500GT-512 GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Transcend 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model JM667QLU-2G - Retail
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Tech
ABS Aplus ABS-CS-EL Diablo Black 0.8mm SECC ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
OCZ OCZTXTCC Memory Cooler For both DDR1 & DDR2 - Retail
Ultra 750w X2 Power Supply/120mm Titanium UV Side


Now I have been looking at video cards and was thinking about getting the GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB. However i cant figure out a good processor to get. My end game is being able to run Crysis on all full settings

Also my screen is a Dell w3706mc and my resolution is 1360x768

No need to make a new post for every new sentence...

The E8400 and Q6600 are fairly popular CPUs at which you can start looking. Just depends whether you want to go dual or quad. What's this rig going to be used for besides gaming, if anything?

Agreed

Its going to be used for gaming and downloading thats it. Also ive been using ntune for overclocking, is there any better software to use?

What is your budget for the CPU and case? You can get a really nice CPU for very little money. I'd probably get better RAM too, and you might want to wait and get the RAM cooling when you know that you need it.

Yes. I (imo) consider nTune to be cr@p, since it always gave me a hard time with some games. I recommend AtiTool (YES, it WILL work on nVidia cards) or RivaTuner.

Ok, i got Rivatuner but it seems really complicated so im searching for guides on how to use it. RAM is what i know least about on computers. What is good RAM for gaming, i currently have 2 sticks of Transcend 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) and OCZ OCZTXTCC Memory Cooler For both DDR1 & DDR2. i wanna have 8 GB of RAM but dont want to spend more than 200. As for a cpu I figure I might as well get a quad core since future games are gonna have support for it. Right now i have from my old computer aPentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Technology (2.80 Ghz 800 FSB). I have it overclocked to 3.8 Ghz. Im looking to spend around 250 for a new processor. Lastly I havent been able to overclock my GPU. The only programs i tried so far were Foxware( I think its called) which came bundled with the GPU and Ntune and on both when i tried to save the settings it reset back to the default.

Almost forgot, anyone got an opinion on conroe vs kentsfield vs wolfdale?

^Give us a budget limit and we will gladly give you a list of parts that fit the need/price/performance .

Ummmm, i just did. Maybe i miswrote before. Everything listed above has already been purchased and installed. Only other things i plan on buying are new processor, memory and GPU. I want 8GB of memory for no more than 200, A new processor for 250, im preferential to quad core. I already decided for the GPU to get the 8800gt. The rest of my system consists of

Motherboard : Evga nForce 680i SLI 775 T1 Version
GPU : Foxconn 8500GT-512 GeForce 8500GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Memory : 2 sticks of Transcend 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model JM667QLU-2G - Retail
Memory Cooler : OCZ OCZTXTCC Memory Cooler For both DDR1 & DDR2 - Retail
CPU Cooler : ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
CPU : Pentium D Processor 820 with Dual Core Tech
Chassis : ABS Aplus ABS-CS-EL Diablo Black 0.8mm SECC ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
PSU : Ultra 750w X2 Power Supply/120mm Titanium UV Side
Monitor : Dell w3706mc and my resolution is 1360x768

One last question, should i have gotten memory heatsink before the cooler?

^Ok:

Q6600/E8400/Q9300 which ever is <$250 and fits your needs (I would probably go with the Q9300)

2 sets of any of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220227
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220293

Just curious why 8GB RAM? And also almost nothing can run Crysis with everything on Max at high res.