$1,800 Computer (Could Really use a how to guide on building this)

[Sinnarin]

LG 20X DVD±R Super Multi DVD Burner Black ATAPI / E-IDE Model GSA-H55NK - OEM

- $23.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

- $119.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

- $109.99

Quantity (2) - EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

- $419.98

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Crossfire Edition) EPS12V 750W Power Supply - Retail

- 149.99

COOLER MASTER HTK-002-U1 Thermal Compound - Retail

- $4.99

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N800SR4GK - Retail

- $99.99

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

- $299.99

COOLER MASTER RR-CCH-L9U1-GP 92mm Hyper TX2 CPU Cooler - Retail

- 24.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
- $169.99

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

- $199.99

Final Total Price with shipping and tax: $1,792.43

My biggest concern now is putting it all together as well as installing the Operating System so any step by step guide's or advice would really be appreciated.

[Loopah]

..hawt..

[Balmoral]

You and I have the same exact setup except for Vid card, PSU, and case.

I admire your SLI'ing, but you could get 1 9800 gx2 for basically the price of both of those. You will love your setup. The motherboard has some of the coolest features I have seen (I don't get out much.)

[Balmoral]

I was just thinking, if you bought that HD off of newegg, you will need to order a SATA cable because that HD is OEM, which means it comes to you in a static bag and nothing else. I ordered the same one, and I was lucky I had an extra one laying around.

[Sinnarin]

I gave the 9800 alot of thought but decided to go with double 8800gt superclocked cards since one of these can play AoC on Maximum and when AoC finally goes DX 10 at release and they add the SLI compatability it will be as smooth as a baby's bottom, no pun intended.

As for the Hard drive, do you think I should go for this instead

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218R

it's the exact same except OEM...what does OEM mean by the way?

Also I was told that the case I'm getting will be able to fit all of the driver's and component's in it comfortable and allow for a good combination of air flow.

My biggest concern now is the Cooling fan, since I've heard it can really put weight on the Motherboard, anything you recommend in the same price range that is just as good if not better cooling fan wise?

Also I am getting the Vista that is OEM...I'm really confused when it comes to this... any answer's to my questions would be really appreciated.

Sinnarin

[Balmoral]

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically all that means is that it is from the factory, but generally without the retail box, instructions, cables etc..

I assume you bought this HD as I did: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

As I was saying be sure to order a SATA cable if you don't have one. They are very cheap. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270093

I don't know squat about your case just because there are a billion different ones.

Your cooling fan is fine with me. Anything that is aftermarket CPU cooler is generally good.

Vista OEM means that once you install it, it is locked to the motherboard. That means you can't install it on different machines. A trick to getting around that is to calling up MS and telling them a sob story about how your mobo failed and you need to reinstall it. They will generally help you. As for assembly, honestly, I would just take it to comp USA for like 50$ and they will assemble it for you.

[Sinnarin]

Do you think I will need any other cables or am I set?

[Balmoral]

You should be all set. The mobo comes with a 3-way sli, and a 2-way sli bridge. Just be sure to grab that SATA Cable and you are set.

[Sinnarin]

Thank :clap: I cant seem to find a Comp USA in my area so I think I may just build it on my own...there is a best buy nearby but I'm not sure they do "building" work if I gave them all the parts.

[kaifus]

I was just thinking, if you bought that HD off of newegg, you will need to order a SATA cable because that HD is OEM, which means it comes to you in a static bag and nothing else. I ordered the same one, and I was lucky I had an extra one laying around.


Slick rig and I know the Nvidia 680i did come with SATA cables but not sure about the 780i's...

If you are an overclocker, you will have a blast overclocking that rig...

[Sinnarin]

What do you mean the 780i? Im confused since the HD doesnt have that spec on it.

Are you talking about the motherboard?

I did check the things that came with the Hard Drive and the Sata Cable wasnt one of them so I just threw one into my check out cart for 5 bucks, got a nice discount on it lol.

Once I build the entire computer and everything Im going to need to speak with Xan or someone about how to properly overlock and everything else so I can properly utilize this computer.

Thank you for the replies, the response time is astoundingly quick in these forums :),

Sinnarin

[kaifus]

There is an Ntune application that you can download as well off of Nvidia.com that will tweek your system without doing any of the funky overclocking stuff...

[WulfRock]

Its pretty easy to put together. Make sure you have all your books handy to answer any questions you have. make sure you put the screw for the montherboard in the case first. Personnally I assembled the Memory, CPU and heatsink on the motherboard before I installed it in the case, however depending on the screw layout on the MB you might have to hold off on the MB, but it appears that your heatsink is easy to install. Take your time make sure everything is done correctly. It should take around 3 hours to do. Installing vista is easy your just going with the flow.

[Balmoral]

If you have any extremely technical questions, I have found that Sentrus is the man to talk to.

[Moordecai]

If you havent bought your HD yet I would suggest going with a 10k rpm raptor drive. SATA of course ... just that small speed difference seems to make a LOAD of difference!!! :guns:

[Sinnarin]

Thank you for the idea Moordecai, I'm going to go with the Western though for now since Im just under my budget of 1,800 and I dont want to down grade anything to be able to get the hard drive, thankfully the Western is reliable and worth the money but in a couple month's I'm going to probably add a second HD or somethnig along those lines so I will keep the raptor in mind.

[ragz45]

while raptor's are nice, they are not worth the price tag they come with. If you run a raid, with the game on one hard drive and your virtual ram + OS on the other. There is an extreem performace increase.