Building a comp/ few questions

The following is my current build subject to change of course. feel free to comment on anything in the post :-)

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ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135156

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $187.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121253

OCZ Flex XLC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2FX12002GK - Retail $95.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227230

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500 - Retail $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036

Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-EXTREME LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard $172.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 813128349R

Recertified: SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151042

GIGABYTE Triton 180 Black 0.7mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811233016

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail $31.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835100007

Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM $5.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835100010

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Ideazon Merc Stealth Illuminated Gaming Keyboard- ZXP-2000 Black USB Wired Ergonomics - Retail $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823161028

From newegg with rebates ~ $1.2k

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A dell system around the same price.

Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

320GB4 - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache

ATI Radeon HD3870 512MB2 GDDR4

2GB2 Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 2 DIMMs

Intel® Core™2 E8300 (6MB,2.83GHz, 1333FSB)

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1

XPS 630 Starting Price $1,149

http://www.dell.com/content/produc [...] l=en&s=dhs

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I am building a comp for the first time but I have some concerns/questions.

My goal is to build a decent system that is reliable, stable, proven components, longeivity, and the ability to upgrade, without busting the bank.



1. Will my parts work well together (conflicts) ?

2. Did I get a part thats twice as expensive for only a 5% peformance gain ?

3. For only a few dollors more can I get a part thats a rather large upgrade ?

4. The ramm I selected seems low price compared to others in same cat, is it good ramm ? does my ramm match the mobo ? can I down grade the ramm 1200---->800 and never notice the diff ? is 2 gig enough ramm.

5. I tryed to select the PSU, mobo, and GPU so that they will have a happy marriage (crossfire upgrade someday mayby) will they live happy everafter ?

6. Do I need the cooling fan ? for the cpu.

7. Will my parts fit the case ?

8. Is windows 64bit going work (should it be 32 bit) ?

9. Do I need to order cables ? (harddrive connecting to mobo sata/esata cable) (power cables from PSU ).

10. When all the parts arrive at my door , will I be able to assemble the system ? did I miss a part which needs to be added to my current list ?

11. What are the odds of this system working correctly on the first day ?

12. How does this system compare to a dell in the same price range ?, worse, same, a little better, much better ?

13. I plan to get a display, I am thinking of a 24 inch, would a 22 inch be better ? a 26 inch ?



I enjoy WoW, however warhammer/wotlk will coming out soon. any comments about this setup with a mmo/fps ?

I am no expert here an its hard for me to judge some of the issues. I welcome any feedback/input/advice/flame you have to offer :-)

Gah we have a few changes to make.

Don't buy open boxes. Half the time they were returned for good reasons.

Fortunately those purchases have better options anyway.

List:
OCZ Flex XLC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 (PC2 9600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2FX12002GK
This is a bad buy, unless you are an extreme overclocker. More RAM, less price.

Get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227267


Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-EXTREME LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Nope. You don't need it, it's overpriced, and an open box.

Get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131296



Recertified: SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $139.99
Not a horrible choice except they want too much and it's recertified and... NM

Get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=750TX
I don't recommend bad PSUs. This one is better than the one you listed. Less cost.



GIGABYTE Triton 180 Black 0.7mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
This is OK.

A bit better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042

1. Will my parts work well together (conflicts) ? yes, as corrected.

2. Did I get a part thats twice as expensive for only a 5% peformance gain ? Nope

3. For only a few dollors more can I get a part thats a rather large upgrade ? Let's cover potential upgrades to the list later.

4. The ramm I selected seems low price compared to others in same cat, is it good ramm ? does my ramm match the mobo ? can I down grade the ramm 1200---->800 and never notice the diff ? is 2 gig enough ramm. Covered
5. I tryed to select the PSU, mobo, and GPU so that they will have a happy marriage (crossfire upgrade someday mayby) will they live happy everafter ? Yes, although we could discuss perhaps a PSU change to a modular.

6. Do I need the cooling fan ? for the cpu. Covered. It's preferable. As listed we can OC your CPU, and should. You could almost think of your CPU as underclocked at this point... we'll just give it the freedom it actually wants.

7. Will my parts fit the case ? Yep. An upgrade to ANTEC 900 would be nice if we can swing it.

8. Is windows 64bit going work (should it be 32 bit) ? No you are right on the mark.

9. Do I need to order cables ? (harddrive connecting to mobo sata/esata cable) (power cables from PSU ). NO.

10. When all the parts arrive at my door , will I be able to assemble the system ? did I miss a part which needs to be added to my current list ? Was there a mouse in there?

11. What are the odds of this system working correctly on the first day ? If you don't make any newbie errors? About 90%. Computer parts are like that. They have a high failure rate.

12. How does this system compare to a dell in the same price range ?, worse, same, a little better, much better ? WAY better

13. I plan to get a display, I am thinking of a 24 inch, would a 22 inch be better ? a 26 inch ? The larger the monitor, the more GPU horsepower you need to drive it. A 22" 1680X1050 monitor would be ideal for this system, as listed. If you want bigger then we have to think about other parts more.

I just listed the Reapers because the price was right and I figured you wanted them for looks Plus I thought you might have an OCZ preference. The whole heat pipe thing on them is more a gimmick... they work but not really needed.

Unless you are planning to push the CPU past 400 FSB, just get some 800Mhz RAM with excellent timings:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

Since you are going to use a 24" monitor and second 4870, you should go with an x48 MB.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128332

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139007
Would be best

There is also an excellent combo deal on your case right now... Antec Signature 850. FAR better than the Antec you listed. Not quite as good for your needs as the Corsair, slightly better than the Hiper.

If that seems too much:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817128010
I know you have never heard of Hiper, but this is an excellent product, fully reviewed by experts, and a great deal.

The CPU is a guessing game. I went with an E8400 not long ago, and I would say that currently you should get a E8500 and upgrade later, OR just get a Q9550, which seems to be at a good price.

As long as you have good case ventilation your cards will be fine. Don't void the warranties by installing after market cooling.

Have a look at this review and then get the Hiper:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.p [...] ry&reid=91

Other than that it all looks good