So, after being out of the loop for the past few years, I've decided that I finally need a new computer, and now seems like a pretty good time to build one.
What I already have/ordered:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026
Monitor: Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
What I'm planning on ordering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731
RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0549+106792627+1067940678&name=Radeon+HD+4870
GPU: Radeon HD 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
Optical: ASUS Black DVD Burner
Accessories:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
Heatsink: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler, with retention bracket, and Arctic Cooling MX-2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015
TV Tuner: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit
Now, for my questions:
1. The one thing I'm really unsure about is the motherboard. I'm thinking that in the future I may want to get another 4870 and Crossfire them, and I know X48 would be the way to go, but just unsure if this motherboard is the one I should get. Also, I would like to try overclocking the CPU, RAM, maybe video card, and not sure what the best mobo for that is, either. And if Crossfire in the future is a bad idea, is there a P45 board I should look into?
2. For the RAM, I just chose 4GB of DDR 800 that had the lowest timings at standard voltage (5-4-4-12 at 1.8V). Is there a different brand that would overclock better, and possibly give me better performance overall?
3. For this computer, loudness isn't an issue (notice the Antec has six fans). I play games with earbuds, and can't hear my computer at all. I also want to get the computer as cool as possible. Are there any case fans I should be getting that will really help with cooling?
I think that's all my current concerns. If you can help, I'd be really thankful.
What I already have/ordered:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254026
Monitor: Hanns·G HG-281DPB Black 28" 3ms Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
Power Supply: Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
What I'm planning on ordering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731
RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0549+106792627+1067940678&name=Radeon+HD+4870
GPU: Radeon HD 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156
Optical: ASUS Black DVD Burner
Accessories:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
Heatsink: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler, with retention bracket, and Arctic Cooling MX-2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015
TV Tuner: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit
Now, for my questions:
1. The one thing I'm really unsure about is the motherboard. I'm thinking that in the future I may want to get another 4870 and Crossfire them, and I know X48 would be the way to go, but just unsure if this motherboard is the one I should get. Also, I would like to try overclocking the CPU, RAM, maybe video card, and not sure what the best mobo for that is, either. And if Crossfire in the future is a bad idea, is there a P45 board I should look into?
2. For the RAM, I just chose 4GB of DDR 800 that had the lowest timings at standard voltage (5-4-4-12 at 1.8V). Is there a different brand that would overclock better, and possibly give me better performance overall?
3. For this computer, loudness isn't an issue (notice the Antec has six fans). I play games with earbuds, and can't hear my computer at all. I also want to get the computer as cool as possible. Are there any case fans I should be getting that will really help with cooling?
I think that's all my current concerns. If you can help, I'd be really thankful.