Yet another "Help me build my PC" thread

[Tecora]

Hi everyone, building my first PC and have already made some decisions, but seek some advice. I already have the processor (Intel C2D Quad Q6700), decided on the GFX Card (8800 GT OC $220), Case (Antec 900 $90), PSU (Antec 700w $60). What I seek is some advice on RAM brand choice (MOBOs im looking at support DDR2 800+), Sound card, and cooling equipment. From reading reviews on Newegg, my processor runs pretty cool but if you plan to overclock it (which i wouldn't mind trying since the C2D's run pretty cool) that I shouldn't use the supplied heat sinks and should add another fan. Anyone have any good experience with good heat sinks or CPU/Case fans?

*Looking for 3-4 GB of ram (since Windows 32bit doesn't support any more)
*Looking at these 4 motherboards, but if you have a better suggestion let me know.
[ ABIT ] [ ASUS 1 ] [ ASUS 2 ] [ ASUS 3 ]

Also, looking into running XP (Can get copy) and already have a clean copy of Vista available.
Thanks a lot in advance.

[Cephius]

Any of those ASUS mobos are good, they're a solid brand. Though the Nvidia 780i (http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.a ... CK-NF78-A1) just got released and will probably be available soon, you might wanna look into that if you want the top of the line stuff!

Everyone I know who builds systems uses Corsair RAM, I do as well and have no problems with them. Very rarely you get a dead stick but it happens far less often than with other brands.

As for cooling, Zalman fans are the way to go. You can get them off newegg for decent prices. I like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835118223 though as noted in the reviews, it can be a bit of a pain to install.

And please please please don't waste your time and money with water cooling, fans are plenty unless you plan to do extreme overclocking. More people who use water cooling end up springing a leak and ruining their box than those who don't

I was never big into sound cards, as long as they do the job they're fine with me. Are you planning to use a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system? If you do, get a good card like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829102005

Otherwise your run-of-the-mill Creative Soundblaster card will do just fine.

[Avanarius]

One of these http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? ... ERMALRIGHT paired with 2 good variable speed 120mm fans with 3 pin connectors and you have yourself a party!

[levish]

I've got a thermalright ultra extreme myself and it's very good when paired with a decent fan or a push pull arrangement of two fans.

For a motherboard if you aren't going for sli i'd stick to a plain jane P35 based Gigabyte board as they clock very well and some GSkill D9 based memory 2x 1GB sticks should be plenty, for the moment I personally wouldn't bother getting more and most of the gains are from going from 256->512->1024, 2GB is just gravy.

[pirahna1]

There's an AWESOME deal on Corsair RAM right now on newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145034

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory for 47.00 (40$ mail in rebate). Grab 2 sets of them and your good. I bought 1 set in september for 107$ and it's super nice RAM. The deal right now is simply too good to pass up. You'll have to wait 1-2 months for the rebate, but 4 gigs of quality RAM for 90$? That's a steal.

[Shuemue]

Corsair memory is good shit, as is Crucial.

Totally agree on the Zalman fans too.

[Tecora]

Thanks for the insight, especially that RAM deal didn't even notice it

[Osede]

Thanks for the insight, especially that RAM deal didn't even notice it

Don't buy any ram without checking their compatibility with the mobo you going to buy. Each manufacturer will list out those ram that compatible with their mobo. Check first or you might end up wasting money for the restocking fee