Parts advice

[KBD]

second the stacker 830, i still regret not getting it instead of my TJ-09BW.

 

[freaksavior]

if you are a neat freak with your computer like i am then just cut some holes in the back and buy a fan controller for it. those 2 things help the cable management so much.

 

[razaron]

lian li pc-a71 ftw

 

[KBD]

if you are a neat freak with your computer like i am then just cut some holes in the back and buy a fan controller for it. those 2 things help the cable management so much.

I'm a neat freak alright, but my cable management is not as great as i want it to be though, the freaking PSU at the bottom makes it more difficult. I just swapped it for a modular Ultra X3 and that makes things easier but it is still a work in progress.

I already have 2 holes in the back predrilled for water cooling, care to elaborate how can i utilize them?

Already got a 5.25" TT fan cotroller, but use for temp monitoring only since my fans are single speed.

 

[vampyres]

I'm stuck choosing between Lian Li PC-V2100B Case or Lian Li PC-71 Full Tower. Honestly I like the exterior on the 71 better, but inside the 2100b seems better laid out. Is coin flipping a good way to pick a case anyways?

And freek, I'm definitly interested in the Vista, going to start buying the 4th of June so if you haven't sold by then Ill hit you up

 

[vampyres]

After all the advice, reading reviews and hanging out I think I have come to a conclusion on the main build. Thank you and tell me what you think

Lian Li PC-V2100B Case

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro1000 RS-A00-EMBA 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

XFX PVT98FYDBU GeForce 9800 GTX Black Edition 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card – Retail (X 2)

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe

Windows Vista Ultimate.

I decided to spend more

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Personally, I'd get a EVGA 750i ftw motherboard for about $180 before I bought a $299 780 chipset board, both are really good boards though.

I'm not sure if you need a 1000 watt power supply, I think the 850 watt model will do you good with the twin 9800 GTX's. I'm running the CM Real Power Pro 750 PSU with a single gx2, works great for me

Also, while I have no expereice with the velociraptor HD, I do have a RaptorX HD, it's the loudest piece of hardware in my tower(I hear it loud and clear over all my fans), you might want a different HD

There are several CPU heatsinks/fans that do a better job than the Zalman 9700 and cost about half the price

Even if you don't take my advise, your system is gonna kick. Make sure you do alittle OC'ing with that 8400, 9800GTX's and RAM and you'll be scoring in the 20,000 point range on 3dmark06

 

[KBD]

+1 on the eVGA 750i, a solid board from what i've read. I'm not familiar with Asus Striker II, do your own reserach on that one, may be it is better. i think the difference betwen 750i & 780i is that with 780i you get full-fledged SLI with both PCI-e slots being X16, with 750i both are x8. From what i've read the diffence is not that big, i'm not sure if you'll be able to tell the diffrence.

If gonna get a 1000W PSU go with Corsair, Ultra X3, Silverstone DA or something like that.

Definately get a better cooler, get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I think you can swap the fan if you want to put a LED one in there.

As far as Raptors, i own the regular non-X 150GB Raptor and i honestly i can't hear at all behind the low hum of my fans. May be Raptor X is louder, i don't know. But Veloci are awesome, prolly the best SATA HDD money could buy.

 

[vampyres]

Ok grabbing the Cooler suggested instead of the other, think Ill stick with 780i board, reviews are good and I got a good deal on one local. Paying 200 total nib, no shipping most it will cost is a random side trip when I go into town, will check out the PSUs reviews, but I definitely want some extra power as this is a work in progress, I plan on upgrading the hell out of this system over the next 6 months, and might even wind up having to upgrade the PSU by the time I am done with this.

As with the Veloci, If louds the only issue I think Ill stick with it. If I can hear my comp over everything else I got running in my office something is soon to be toastie, I can rarely even hear my cell phone. Everything I have read on it that is what I want.

 

[spearman914]

Sorry but no vista, Yeah I know I can't as of yet tri SLI XP Pro 64 bit, but no hurry here, as I got a rather large over all budget. I intend on spending around 1400 1500 just to get it up and running I intend on turning it into a running project, leads to my next sorry but thanks but no. Antec 900 and the rest are all to small for my needs, my current case is a 10 bay server case that I adore the room. The sunbeam is only on my list as a maybe because reviews say its a large full tower unlike the antec which reviewers say its a mid tower claiming its a full tower.

Think I will however go with Duel 8800GTS, might go over budget to start but when you got no budget all is good.

No vista? Then get one 8800 GS instead. XP DX9 games don't require a lot of graphics attention. Even intergrated graphics is fine for getting 20 FPS 1280 x 800 but don't take that as an advantage, you will regret.....

 

[vampyres]

Grr, I am going with you guy's suggestion, glad I check things turns out my brother in law, who set up the deal was feeding me a line. The Asus motherboard has some pretty annoying known flaws. Guess its the EVGA 750i.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

+1 on the eVGA 750i, a solid board from what i've read. I'm not familiar with Asus Striker II, do your own reserach on that one, may be it is better. i think the difference betwen 750i & 780i is that with 780i you get full-fledged SLI with both PCI-e slots being X16, with 750i both are x8. From what i've read the diffence is not that big, i'm not sure if you'll be able to tell the diffrence.

The 750's pci slots are both 16x, the manual that comes with the board is a mis-print. This was said by the moderators on EVGA.com

 

[KBD]

The 750's pci slots are both 16x, the manual that comes with the board is a mis-print. This was said by the moderators on EVGA.com

My mistake. I thought 750i was the same as 750a where you can only run 2 cards in SLI in x8 mode.