New System - Barebones from Monarch

[Phos187]

Case: Still undecided but Leaning towards Cooler Master TAC-T01-EK (Black) $129.99
Change: LianLI PC-61:$94.91

Power Supply: Antec NeoHE 500 ATX2.01 500w $98.77
Change:550W-Antec True Power 2 550 SLI ATX 2.01: $84.99 (believe this is non-modular)

Case Fan: Antec 120mm Smartcool case fan: $18.92
Motherboard: DFI Lan Party UT nF4-D: $135.99
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+: $447.74
Heatsink: Thermaltake A1772: $49.00
Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease: $14.99
Memory: DDR(400)3200 2GB(2 PCS 1GB) OCZ DUal Channel Platinum: $190.62
Total: $1037.16

From Newegg:
eVGA Geforce 7900GT 256: $329.00
HardDrive:Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3300622AS 300GB 7200 RPM 16MB $135
Change:Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YD 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $95
XP Pro OEM $139.95 (Might go with media center instead)
Total: $563.95
Figure $100'ish for S&H

So I'm looking at around $1700'ish

Already Bought
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS

This will be hooked up to a Dell 2005FPW.

Primarily interested in gaming, also be streaming video to my HDTV. I've built my last 3 systems, really not in the mood this time around so willing to pay Monarchcomputers the $45 to assemble the MOB+ CPU and tie down the wires. Then I'll just plug in the rest and go to it.

Thoughts?

 

[evenmore1]

Nice...I love the case...It's so pretty @_@
Get XP pro, it's worth it

Sweet system

 

[Ultralight]

I would go with a non-modular power supply. When I was building I was told to stay away from them but at the moment the reasoning escapes me. I suggest an Antec Truepower 2.0 550Watt psu. I also agree with going for the XP Pro.

Otherwise, GREAT SYSTEM. You know what you want.

 

[MrUniq]

Even though I personally use Antec, for your system...I would get an enermax liberty if u want modular. Don't get that NeoHE, people have had issues with them.

I heard about the modular issues too....some users thought they were more cluttery than normal....or that the cords could become unplugged, but who knows. If it is an option, use the stock heatsink, I've read on some sites the heatpipe design on them give some of the best temps.

Also the OCZ platinum recommended for stock speeds(minimal overclocks), so something to take into consideration.

 

[batmanuel]

If you don't need the extra 50GB on the Seagate drive, you might want to look at the 250GB Western Digial Caviar RE. It's as fast or faster than the Seagate and is supposedly built to enterprise standards with a higher reliability than a normal consumer drive, plus it is $35 cheaper than the Seagate. If you don't need all 300GB of the Seagate, this drive might be worth checking out.

 

[Phos187]

Thanks for all the info guys! I made some modifications, went with the harddrive Batmanuel recommended (I am partial to WD Drives, plus it's cheaper). Dropped the modular power supply per the recommendations given and went with a case which I understand will have better cooling (I currenlty have an older Lian Li case, i do like them).

Now the only thing I'm unsure of is the stock retail heatsink vs the aftermarket.

If it is an option, use the stock heatsink, I've read on some sites the heatpipe design on them give some of the best temps.

Any other opinions on this? I have ZERO interest in overclocking. I'm just looking for a solid, stable system.

 

[Ultralight]

Nice choice on power supply(yes, it is non-modular). As for the heatsink vs the aftermarket, I believe that since you are keeping your system at stock settings rather than ocing, you should be fine. Just make sure you've got good air flow.

 

[zagood]

Monarch overcharges for their cooling parts in the barebones setup.

Take the thermal grease and the heatsink out. No reason to pay $15 for thermal grease. Whatever heatsink you buy will have some included. If you really want to, go down to CompUsa and pay $11 for Arctic Silver 5 (which is what you'd pay at NewEgg after shipping).

Don't pay $50 for that heatsink. That thing's worth about $10-$15 on the open market. For that much you can get almost any cooler you want. Look through the heatsink reviews that are stickied at the top of this section's index. Most can be found on NewEgg. Or just get the retail boxed processor with heatsink, for your current needs it's fine.

My personal opinion, it's not worth $20 for that case fan, but it's a good one. Since it's thermally controlled it's perfect for case exhaust. Don't try to put it on a fan controller though. Street price is about $13.

-z

 

[jonnybruno]

for $50 more you can get an opteron 175 with the heatpipe cooler so you wouldnt have to worry about buyin another heatsink. i dont think the X2's have the same hs?