1st time builder compatibility check

[DiverDave]

I've spent the last 2 or 3 weeks researching and deciding what to get. Prices seem to stable and while RAM prices are likely to come down the when could be some time from now. I'm most concerned about getting something that is incompatible with another component. So any comments would be welcome. I am not a heavy gamer so I don't think I need a great Vcard. The Ram could also be downgraded with either 1G if make sense to do so and get more later (but again compatibility concerns). Here's what I have. BTW this is a 1st ever build. I've done a lot of upgrading but never built something from scratch.


COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: CAC-T05-UW
Item #: N82E16811119068 $49.99 -$5.00 Instant $44.99

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: GA-965P-DS3
Item #: N82E16813128012 $144.99 $144.99

eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-P2-N615-TX
Item #: N82E16814130062 $132.99 $132.99

ENERMAX FMA II EG565P-VE ATX12V 535W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: EG565P-VE
Item #: N82E16817194010 $109.99 -$10.00 Instant $99.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 - Retail
Model #: BX80557E6400
Item #: N82E16819115004 $220.00 $220.00

pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI25400-2GDB - Retail
Model #: PQI25400-2GDB
Item #: N82E16820141211 $239.99 -$25.00 Instant $214.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST3320620AS
Item #: N82E16822148140 $94.99 $94.99

Update LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHM-165H6S - Retail
Model #: SHM-165H6S
Item #: N82E16827106015 $35.25 $35.25

Update Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
Model #: N09-01991
Item #: N82E16832116056 $89.99 $89.99

Update Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
Model #: ARCTIC SILVER 5
Item #: N82E16835100007 $5.99 $5.99

Update Scythe SCMN-1000 100mm Sleeve CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink - Retail
Model #: SCMN-1000
Item #: N82E16835185023 $34.99 $34.9

The cooler and AC5 is for overclocking though it will be my first time so I'll go slow. It seemed to make sense to have the insurance of good cooling to attempt this rather than trying to do this with the stock cooler.

 

[lcoy]

The pqi memory might not be compatitble with the Gigabyte motherboard (At least with earlier BIOS revisions). Hopefully, you can get additional input on this issue

 

[DiverDave]

Can anyone confirm that PQI compatibility issue? The last thing I want is to have to buy something online and return it cause it's nonfunctional

 

[saymyname]

I bought 2GB of 5300/5400 PQI from frys and have it in the board right now.

I started with bios F3 and some patriot ram. The ram was bad and the board would have issues on startup every once in a while. Then I went to F5 and F6 with the PQI and it would still start up funny. F7 and I'm golden. Should be getting my Patriot back on monday though so I'll be ditching this PQI ram.

 

[acegazda]

I would probably not get PQI, many newegg users replied that the board would not POST with it. Corsair is really the only one that consistantly works. A lot of good feedback on patriot signiture series too.
For the psu, get the enhance 5140gh. You don't need the power of a 535w psu. The enhance is a very good 400w psu for $68 shipped.

 

[DiverDave]

Corsair also seems to be $50 more than everyone else. Since there are only a few DRAM fabs left I bet that some of the ram in Corsair is the same manufacturer and process as say OCZ (but I don't know that for sure)

The PSU is an interesting question. Obviously I am getting a lower powered GPU so that I could upgrade to DX10 in a year or so. There has been so much written about the power requirements of DX10 that I though a few extra watts might be a good idea. However there is one question I have. The PSU shown does not have modular cabling but does have Active PFC. Another one I saw ($10 less I think) does have modular cable but not PFC. Which is perferable (my thinking was Active PFC)

 

[acegazda]

Corsair has a good deal on their ddr2-667 @ frys. $160 AR for 2gb. Free shipping I think too. Their ddr2-800 will go for $225 AR pretty much everywhere for 2gb. They like giving MIR's.

 

[dBTelos]

Enhance ENP 460W can support a single DX10 card. I highly recommend it.

 

[DiverDave]

Link?

Newegg doesn't carry them. I would prefer to get everything in one place but a few components elsewhere are ok.

Still looking for the answer on Modular cables.....

 

[DiverDave]

Updating
what's the consensus on this memory?

GSkill

G-Skill 2X1G PC2-6400 $224 after rebate
or

Corsair
Corsair XMS2 PC2-5400 220 after mir

I'm now leaning back towards getting the system I originally intended instead of cutting corners for cost.

GPU eVGA 7900 GTO (over the X1900XT due to heat and noise concerns)

You only live once right

Still looking for a recommendation on Active PFC vs Modular cabling too

 

[MadBadger]

I'm still in the building phase of my system so I can't give you any practical advice, but that Corsair RAM is selling for $60 cheaper on frys.com after MIR.

If cost is an issue, then that might persuade you to go with the Corsair. From what I've gathered, Corsair memory is pretty good in the compatibility department as well.

It's also aparently a good overclocker, and there's at least one account of it being overclocked to 440Mhz.

Cheers. :beer:

 

[DiverDave]

Hmmm there's a Fry's just down the road. I wonder if I can just pick it up there or if it's an on-line only price.

It sure looks good

 

[MadBadger]

No frys around me so I can't say for sure, but I've read some posts before saying that the b&m store doesn't pricematch with the online store.