Seeking sage advice on first build

Here is my plan:

Memory:
Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)

PSU:
OCZ / GameXStream / 700-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / EPS / Active PFC / Power Supply

Case:
ThermalTake Tsunami Series Aluminum ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Top USB, Firewire and Audio Ports - Black

Heatsink:
Cooler Master / Hyper L3 / Socket 775 / Heat Pipe / Intel Core 2 Duo CPU Cooling Fan

HD:
Western Digital / Caviar SE 16 / 320GB / 7200 / 16MB / SATA-300 / OEM / Hard Drive

Video Card:
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTX / 768MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Processor

Mobo:
Gigabyte 965G-DS3 Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard

Optical Drives:
SAMSUNG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology

and a Sony DVD burner from my current PC

Not yet decided on sound card, but no big deal.

Not really planning on messing with overclocking(well...maybe a little).

How does this look to you guys as I am pretty new at this?

Im concerned about memory issues in particular with the corsair sticks I selected and that motherboard.

Im all set to buy this setup, but would like some of the top notch advice here first.

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Looks great. You likely won't need a sound card, but if you're an audiophile then you may want to.

Only thing I can think of is to verify if the 8800GTX will fit into that Tsunami case. It might be very tight, I'm not sure.

Other than that, take a look at a Seagate Barracuda 320gb 7200.10 w/16 mb cache......it has perpendicular recording for faster performance than the Western Digital, and it has a better warranty too.

Reply to skyguy

Quote :

Looks great. You likely won't need a sound card, but if you're an audiophile then you may want to.

Only thing I can think of is to verify if the 8800GTX will fit into that Tsunami case. It might be very tight, I'm not sure.

Other than that, take a look at a Seagate Barracuda 320gb 7200.10 w/16 mb cache......it has perpendicular recording for faster performance than the Western Digital, and it has a better warranty too.

I have read of plenty of builds using the 8800 GTX in a tsunami, but how would I check that for certain?

I may go with seagate.

Thanks for the help

Reply to russianlion

Check the last post:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1130469

Also check here:
http://maximumpc.com/forums/viewto [...] sc&start=0

That list isn't entirely accurate.....some of those cases will fit a GTX but with some minor modifications. For example, the Thermaltake Aguila WILL fit a GTX, but you need to remove the HDD cage and put your drives in the top slot and/or use a drive converter.

In any event, in doing some checking, it looks like it barely fits, and rubs against the HDD cage. So it's your call, but there are "better" cases than the Tsunami if you are open to other options.

Reply to skyguy

Quote :

Check the last post:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1130469

Also check here:
http://maximumpc.com/forums/viewto [...] sc&start=0

That list isn't entirely accurate.....some of those cases will fit a GTX but with some minor modifications. For example, the Thermaltake Aguila WILL fit a GTX, but you need to remove the HDD cage and put your drives in the top slot and/or use a drive converter.

In any event, in doing some checking, it looks like it barely fits, and rubs against the HDD cage. So it's your call, but there are "better" cases than the Tsunami if you are open to other options.

I may go with a 8800 GTS and save the $200. That should fit nicely.

Im certainly open to other suggestions on the case too.

Reply to russianlion

The GTS is still a racehorse of a card. If you're not gaming on a 24" or 30" monitor, the GTS should kick @$$. And it can be overclocked as well, if you're into that.

Case......Tsunami......meh. Depends on your budget and if you like "bling" in a case or not for options.

Reply to skyguy

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/har [...] 13887.html

I am building a similar rig... what is the total $ on your setup?

Reply to answerfromhome

My cost wouldn't be accurate.......I've poached parts from my previous rig and also paid in Canadian dollars.....and I'm using EVGA's Step-Up program to get my 8800.

Reply to skyguy

What is the difference between an 8800gtx and an 8800gts? I have an HD plasma tv, will both show in 1080p or do I need to buy the gtx hd tv out ones?

Reply to answerfromhome

Quote :

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/har [...] 13887.html

I am building a similar rig... what is the total $ on your setup?

With rebates and shipping $1480, sans monitor. I went with Tiger Direct. New Egg is a bit cheaper on most components but I live in a state that they have to charge sales tax, so tiger came out a little better.

Reply to russianlion

Quote :

http://forumz.tomshardware.com/har [...] 13887.html

I am building a similar rig... what is the total $ on your setup?

With rebates and shipping $1480, sans monitor. I went with Tiger Direct. New Egg is a bit cheaper on most components but I live in a state that they have to charge sales tax, so tiger came out a little better.

I forgot to mention that that includes a logitech gaming keyboard, heatsink, thermal paste and an extra or two. The actual rig is under $1400, shipped.

Reply to russianlion

Quote :

I have an HD plasma tv, will both show in 1080p or do I need to buy the gtx hd tv out ones?

Its very likely your HD TV has 1366 x 768 resolution. Thats quite a bit less than the 24" 1920x1600 or 30" 2560x1600 resolutions. The 8800GTS should be fine for you.

Reply to WR2

Quote :

I have an HD plasma tv, will both show in 1080p or do I need to buy the gtx hd tv out ones?

Its very likely your HD TV has 1366 x 768 resolution. Thats quite a bit less than the 24" 1920x1600 or 30" 2560x1600 resolutions. The 8800GTS should be fine for you.

Its a 42" plasma panasonic I think it is the resolution just below what you mentioned. I found an 8800gts with an HDtv out for $400 after rebate plus a $50 gaming headset:
XFX PVT80GTHF9 GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Free X-Gear gaming headset w/combo, while supplies last at newegg.com

Think I should go for it?

Reply to answerfromhome

8800GTS @ $400 is an excellent deal. I didn't expect to see prices like this until AFTER the New Year.

OK, if your Panasonic 42" Plasma HDTV really is a 1024 x 768 resolution model the 8800GTS is really overkill - and by a wide margin. Honestly, you could save $185 and get a Leadtek 256MB Geforce 7950GT PCI-E x16 HDCP Video Card $215 after rebate and get excellent service from that.

Reply to WR2

Apparently G80 sales were not too impressive........that, plus the Christmas season......and continue to build against R600.......probably equalled GOOD PRICE!

Reply to skyguy

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