New Build, any advice appreciated

[buddry]

Case:
LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811112099

Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128059

Video Card:
EVGA 512-P3-N800-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16814130357

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16817139003

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9300 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115043

Memory:
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996599 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820146785

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16822136218

DVD Burner:
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16827151153

Windows:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16832116488

Thermal Paste:
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16835100007


Now, I would like some different opinions for a heat sink. I was also wondering if the ram was overkill and I should just go with DDR800. I would like to stick with that processor even though many of you will recommend the Q6600. I prefer the Q9300 due to it running cooler, and I only plan on doing some mild overclocking. The PC will due limited gaming and will mostly be doing other stuff like running folding@home.

All comments are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[DSF]

DDR2-1066 is definitely overkill. The problem with DDR2-800 though is that the Q9300 has a pretty low multiplier, so you're probably best off with DDR2-1000. It's closer in price to DDR2-800, but has almost as much overclocking room as DDR2-1066. Certainly enough room for what you're doing.

 

[Denithor]

Video card:
XFX 8800GT 512MB $140 after MIR
-or-
ECS 8800GTS 512MB $170 after MIR

Memory:
mushkin 2x2GB DDR2-800 $70 after MIR
Without even exceeding the rated speed for this memory your cpu will hit 3GHz (7.5x400).

Thermal paste:
AS Ceramique
Non-conductive. Enough said.

Regarding the cooler, stock may be fine for moderate overclocking, otherwise ask in the Cases & Cooling forum as the experts hang out there. I know there are always 5-6 "which HSF should I buy" threads going there, just take a look and read some of their responses.

 

[PurdueRy]

Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

I have nothing to do with NewEgg per-se, but out of my own curiosity.

Why Not to buy PSU from NewEgg?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

I have nothing to do with NewEgg per-se, but out of my own curiosity.

Why Not to buy PSU from NewEgg?

Because their prices are pretty much always significantly over the two companies I mentioned.

 

[buddry]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

What would be the advantages of the 520? It is an extra $25 and I don't think there would be any difference.

 

[buddry]

Thanks guys for the responses. Those video card options were much better, and I of course went with the slower ram.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: buddry

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

What would be the advantages of the 520? It is an extra $25 and I don't think there would be any difference.

I said at least 520. I didn't say get the 520. Since your 450 is not modular I suppose you don't mind not having that feature. So get the 550 from buy.com for the same price after google checkout:

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: buddry

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

What would be the advantages of the 520? It is an extra $25 and I don't think there would be any difference.

I said at least 520. I didn't say get the 520. Since your 450 is not modular I suppose you don't mind not having that feature. So get the 550 from buy.com for the same price after google checkout:

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

He really would be fine with the 450 for his setup.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: DSF

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: buddry

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Don't buy the PSU from newegg.

ZZF and buy.com are your best bets. I would also go with at least a 520 model.

What would be the advantages of the 520? It is an extra $25 and I don't think there would be any difference.

I said at least 520. I didn't say get the 520. Since your 450 is not modular I suppose you don't mind not having that feature. So get the 550 from buy.com for the same price after google checkout:

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

He really would be fine with the 450 for his setup.

I didn't say he wouldn't. Seriously...they are the same price! Why wouldn't he go with the 550?

The 550 would use less of a percentage of his total power capability and provide him with room to upgrade later on.

 

[Roguestar]

http://www.buy.com/retail/user...x&qxt=home&display=col
The 520 is only $20 more for the extra headroom and modular cables. I'd probably pay that for modular cabling alone, it's an absolute lifesaver.