First build in a while - Conroe

[MM]

Any comments on this build? Also, do I need to purchase a third party
CPU cooler (no immediate plans to overclock)? My current computer (ABIT
KT7) recently died and I'd like to build something for
gaming/movies/music/photoshop/office that can run anything I throw at it
for the next few years (also warn me if something new is coming out in
the next few months that will offer more choices or impact prices). Thanks!

CASE: Looking for something quiet/cool/spacious that does not have a
power supply, don't care for windows/effects, black is fine, quality
construction desired - considering [Antec Performance One P180B]

POWER SUPPLY: Reliable, quiet, cool, modular, capable of supporting SLI,
3 SATA, 2 optical, fans without using more power than is needed -
considering [ZALMAN ZM600-HP ATX12V 600W]

MOTHERBOARD: Reliable, fast, passive cooling on chipset, onboard
sound/nic, runs out of box with plenty of options for future expansion -
considering [ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe]

MEMORY: Reliable (little chance for DOA or glitchy behavior), fast,
2x1GB, not Corsair (bad experience) - considering [Crucial Ballistix 2GB
(2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)]

GRAPHICS: Reliable, fast, passive cooling (is that possible with high
end?), VIVO is nice, same make as motherboard - considering ASUS cards
with NVidia chipset - not sure which (one $$$ card like [ASUS EN8800GTS]
or two SLI like [ASUS EN7600GS]).

OTHER:
- CPU cooler?
- second Raptor to run in RAID 0 with my current one?

 

[SteveH]

Any comments on this build? Also, do I need to purchase a third party

power supply, don't care for windows/effects, black is fine, quality
construction desired - considering [Antec Performance One P180B]

I was about to recommend the P180. We have two of them here and I've
recently upgraded 2 PC's for people who have also wanted them - very nice
bit of kit; well made, keeps the components cool and very quiet. Just make
sure the PSU you buy has a long enough mobo power connector lead (most do),
as its a bit of a reach, what with the PSU being in the bottom of the case.

HTH
SteveH

 

[DaveW]

I would not at his late point in time go with the Asus 7600 GS video card.
It will NOT be capable of playing the upcoming DX10 based games The 8800
GTS is DX10 compatible.

 

[MM]

I would not at his late point in time go with the Asus 7600 GS video card.
It will NOT be capable of playing the upcoming DX10 based games The 8800
GTS is DX10 compatible.

Is that the only GPU capable of DX10? I'll look into it further, hadn't
considered that.

 

[MM]

I would not at his late point in time go with the Asus 7600 GS video card.
It will NOT be capable of playing the upcoming DX10 based games The 8800
GTS is DX10 compatible.

Hadn't thought about that. Is the 8800 GTS the only GPU capable of
running DX10? Also, DX10 is Vista only, correct? I was hoping to hold
off on Vista due to the DRM implications but on the flip side I want to
be able to play any games at the highest settings. Guess I have some
research/decisions in my future...