My Build: Any helpful advice?
 

I just want to say this site has been a huge HUGE help in deciding parts and what not. This is my build so far any advice or help would be great!

Mobo: XFX 680i LT SLI (not going to use the SLI but liked the board)
Ram: Mushkin HP 2X1GB CL4-5-4-11 (heard good things about Mushkin)
PSU: 500W Silverstone Element (Again heard good things about their PSU's)
Processor: Still trying to decide on the Q6600 or the E6750
Vid card: EVGA 8800gt Superclocked (Thank you HWC review :) )
Optical: Asus 18x18
Case: Coolermaster Centurion 5
HD: Seagate Barrucuda 250gb
OS: XP Professional

Any help or advice would be great!

I realize I could've made a better choice for the board, but it grabbed my attention with some reviews I read and the price wasn't too shabby so :P

Thanks!

But what do you wish to do exactly with this rig? You have a SLI board, but do not wish to use it. And the 680i is getting old. The Q6600 is a power house, but is almost the last generation of CPUs. I would make the following changes:

680i? Change for a P35 - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, or the Asus P5K.
Q6600 / E6750? Change for an E8400.
8800GT? Go for the HD3870.

And please, pretty please buy an after maket cooler....

mostly gaming WoW and fps

I agree now too. The gigabyte P35 is the way to go. 680i sorry, I gave it a try, and it failed.

For cases, get the Coolermaster CM690! It will give you much more room to grow in the future, cooling and modding wise.

I also second the HD 3850 or 3870. To me they are just a better all around card. The 8800GT is a little faster, but it's poor cooler and noise is just a little too much for me.

OP - Don't get me wrong, the 680i was a great board - but there are better and cheaper ones out there right now. And the E8400 is proving itself as a very potent CPU.

P35 definitely - DS3R if you need Raid, DS3L if you don't. The L is on special at NCIX for 88$....

@Captn Vortex, what about that 3870 you mentioned, only in this case for heavy multitasking, lots of graphics, and a 22" LCD—but no gaming?

This with an AMD x64 5200+ or 5600+ but hoping for as cool as possible, and a nice small electric bill?

Or would that graphics card be overkill, too hot and too heavy, and is there a better (ATI preferably) one you'd suggest?
(The 3870 was at NCIX in your city and mine for $200 until Feb 29; expect it will be again in another week or 2)

Thanks. (With apologies to tgraszat14; I just thought I'd ask while this card was being mentioned.)

just look at my specs as it equals one mean machine :D

The 3870 is Very energy efficient. Yes, it uses more power at load, but when it is idle it is very efficient. I would say the 3850 would be your sweet spot. Maybe a new Nvidia 9600GT? It is also a great card for the low money it costs

Thanks, Cap'n. My thread is
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...html#post43616
btw.

@tgraszat14 :ph34r:, thanks, & sorry for the interruption.