New Rig - Suggestions?

[cptCuervo]

I have felt the urge to rebuild. I will be using my old HD's, Opticals, case, and PSU for now. However I would love some comments on some of my chosen components. Namely, should go for the SLI board (680i chipset) or the good ol' 975X chipset. I'm not hung up on RAM, but would like to get better quality than I've had in the past. I'm not a "Hardcore" OC'er, but I do dabble and would like to have components that would be able to handle some moderate abuse.

Thanks for taking a look.

Cuervo

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M sharing L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003

Motherboard Options:
ASUS P5N32-E SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131073
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131025

Video:
EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB 16X PCI Express Video Card
EVGA GeForece 8800 GTX

RAM Options:
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
Crucial Technology Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146563

Sound:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16829102005

PSU (from old system):
Enermax EG565P-VE
PSU link

 

[cptCuervo]

I know there are a billion such threads.. but does anyone have suggestions ... approval, disapproval...

Thanks,
Cuervo

 

[KayKay]

I'd Pick the Nvidia chipset motherboard over the asus 975x motherboard. Hell I'd probably pick a 965 chipset motherboard over the 975x.

Of those two ram options, i'd pick the ballistix.

Killer Video Card... Dont really have much to comment on it, if you can afford it, then by all means...

 

[pkme2]

Get what you need now and wait until after Xmas, when prices should go down. You got PM.

Good luck on your build.

 

[Duvie]

If you go E6600 it appears most dop better on the 975x and possibly the 680i mobos....If you go for E6300-E6400 then definitely look at 965p chipsets...

bottomline is that prices have not changed on the C2D front since I got mine in August..the E6600 is about what I paid for it...i find that a bit disappointing, and I also find the E6600 not the nbang for the buck...My E6400 Oc further then my E6600, but the L2 cache makes some of that back up. If you can get you E6400 to 3.5ghz it would take an E6600 in the range of 3.35-3.4ghz to equal it....So ask yourself if you are going to get 3.6ghz and if do is the extra 200mhz of perfroamnce going to offset the 120+ extra dollars??? I dont think so. I think iot is money better spent on the video card...

I also think you could do better on the PSU...It seems like you have no issue paying top dollar. In the end will your system be as fast as others who saved on mobo by going 965p and going E6400...Not likely very noticeable

 

[Machine350]

Your picks look good to me, man, I can only drool. Mmmmm 8800gtx, ::Homer mouth open:: aaaauuughghghghg.

 

[caberguy]

why not live with the onboard sound for a while and see if you find it satisfactory, you can always add a sound card later...

 

[cptCuervo]

Originally posted by: Duvie
If you go E6600 it appears most dop better on the 975x and possibly the 680i mobos....If you go for E6300-E6400 then definitely look at 965p chipsets...

... In the end will your system be as fast as others who saved on mobo by going 965p and going E6400...Not likely very noticeable

This is my first Intel build in a long time, so I'm still researching chipsets. However, why would I want to go with the 965p over the 975x (or 680i for SLI support and C2D). I realize that I may save some money if I go with the 965p. Is that the only reason?

I'll definitely look into the E6400 chip as an alternative.

I am looking for the best Sound quality and performance I can get for gaming. That is why I am looking at the X-Fi line of SB cards. I have never had good luck with on board sound quality... more specifically the Mic Input quality is usually poor. However I will consider trying it and upgrading later.

Thanks for the comments.