ordering this system tomorrow

[arsenalfc1014]

ok so im ordering this setup midweek so i am torn on the to sli or not to sli decision, i have a budget at 1700 dollars for the comp btw and this comes up to about 1700 with my setup as of right now, i am wondering though, i have a 22 inch monitor with 1680 1050 res and i want to know if i should go for the 780i motherboard and get another gts or maybe even sli 9 series later on or just go for a single card motherboard and if so which one, thanks

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119138
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$199.99
$189.99

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130325
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.992 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $69.99 -$45.00 Instant

$30.00 Mail-in Rebate $314.99
$269.99

PC Power & Cooling S75QB EPS12V 750W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817703009
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.992 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $69.99 -$80.00 Instant
$249.99
$169.99

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy -$40.00 Instant
$249.98
$169.98
($84.99 each)

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813188024
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.992 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $69.99 $259.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM
Item #: N82E16819115018
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.992 Year Extended Service Net Replacement Plan -- $69.99 $239.99

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116215
Return Policy: Software Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$189.99
$179.99

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186134
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

 

[hulkingsmith99]

I have actually been facing the same questions lately in my build on the topic of SLI or not. Resolutions at 1920 x 1200 make the most use of it I believe.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007111&prodlist=celebros is a really solid PSU and with a really nice MIR that drops it down to $119.90 (also SLI ready) and also has free shipping.

also the 780i is alittle cheaper on the site too...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007493

All in all I'm not an expert, but I thought i would try and help out alittle. I wouldn't totally decide on the 9800 series cards though, wait for benchies and see if they are worth the extra $$. I think the 9800 GTX is due sometime this month with the 9800 GT being sometime in April. As for a clear answer on SLI though, I think I'll let someone with alittle more expertise chime in 😉

As for the single card mobo, I ~was~ looking at this http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006307&prodlist=celebros cheaper and it does what it needs to do - but again I would wait for others to make their opinions.

*Edit* changed from the 620 corsair PSU to the 650

 

[hulkingsmith99]

Was also going to mention on the heatsink, this isn't much more but there are reviews floating around that say it's comparable to some of the best out there.

Seems it might have a cheap quality though, apparently it can be difficult to install and it's very delicate, but cools really well. You might dig some info on it if you want, otherwise if your sold on your freezer pro disregard all of this
I'm debating on it or the True 120 vs. that, but I don't have a budget 😉

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

 

[hughyhunter]

Good luck with your build. The only things that I would do different are these and why:

1. Have to have a Quad...? If not how about the E8400? If you do feel the inkling to get a Quad than I would look at the Q9300. Tigerdirect has them for 299 right now... or they did a few hours ago. I would go this route because it's 45nm tech. And it's brand new. Why get the old Q6600 that's over two years old from the factory when you can get brand new tech.

2. I would choose faster memory. You want memory that is EPP first off if you want well performing SLI tech. In that case go with the OCZ reaper here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289 This memory will work well with your mobo.

3. HSF: I like my thermalright ultra 120 extreme. It's metal base mounts very tight to the mobo. Avoid ones with plastic clips that mount to the mobo much like the stock one intel ships with CPU.

4. Great choice on mobo, PSU and video card. I have the mobo and PSU... would buy the GPU if didnt already have two GT's.

Good luck again!

 

[lunyone]

Okay here it goes. This will give you plenty of power for now and give you good GPU power for the $.

CPU - $245!! Getting a G0 OEM CPU!!
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz 8MB L2 LGA 775 Processor OEM HH80562PH0568M SLACR
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938460

Mobo - $130 shipped! One of the better p35 boards available. Get a mobo that has all of the options that you need.
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128086

GPU - $277 - $30 MIR = $307!! You can upgrade within 90 days using the "Step Up" program, if you want to get the latest GPU. Limited Lifetime Warranty!
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130325

PSU - $120 - $20 MIR = $100!!! One of the best PSU's you can get in this price range. Has plenty of connections for your upgrade needs! Has 5 yr. warranty too!
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Memory - $105 - $15 MIR = $90!! Cheap and fast CAS 4 DDR2. Allows you to upgrade to 8gb's later, if you like.
Patriot Viper 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220293

HD - $100!! You'll enjoy the extra space. If you need more, just buy more now or just buy another HD later.
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073

DVD Burner - $29 shipped!! This is the retail version, so you can view/burn DVD's, because the software is included!
PHILIPS 2-Tone 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 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827248008

Case - $120 - $40 MIR = $80!!! One of the best cases in this price range. It cools well and is constructed well.
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=Antec%2bNine%2bHundred

OS - $100. Probably the best Vista OS for the $.
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204

CPU HSF - $23 shipped!! Better deal than the one you listed
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Fan For Intel CPU
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=FAN-AC7PRO

Total ~$1249 - $105 = $1144!! You can obviously find better deals if you go hunting for them, but these are from reputable online vendors, so take that into consideration. Newegg seems to have the best customer service, but doesn't always have a good price on things, so shop around before you purchase. I believe this build is just as good as your original one, IMHO. You can decide if any of these will work for you or not, I just wanted to show you what/where you could save some $ on and not really hurt any performance.

 

[hughyhunter]

I have to recommend against the arcitc cooling freezer... just because it has plastic clips to the motherboard. Get one that has a metal base on the bottom and metal clips. Like the thermalright ultra 120.

 

[chuckm]

The Corsair 650 watt PSU is cheaper here;
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx-650w-atx12v-power-supply/q/loc/101/206178324.html

The cooler that Hulkingsmith99 recommended has a rebate here;
http://www.jab-tech.com/Xigmatek-HDT-S1283-Heat-pipe-Direct-Touch-Universal-CPU-Cooler-pr-4097.html

You can use a bolt thru kit to mount it.

 

[hughyhunter]

So what did you get dude???