New Build - Could use some advice

[SugarJ]

Originally Posted by biff

There are advantages to both setups depending on what you plan on running off of them. In most case I would think example 2 is the more desirable but if one wanted a large 12V load like a pelt cell then a single rail unit is probably a better choice as a good size pelt would probably pull too much current for one individual rail of a true multi rail PSU.

Clear as mud?

Biff, what in the world is a pelt cell? I've never heard of those and I've been mucking around with computers for 25 years.

My 2 cents on the single vs. multi-rail issue: many multi-rail PSU's are limiting to 17 Amps on a rail, limiting your power output on that rail to 204 watts. I'm sure some o.c'd graphics cards are capable of drawing more than that at load. I think that's why some people have had issues with their 8800 cards. And the newer cards that require 2 connections (3870x2, 8800GTS512) are just bypassing this limit because of the fascination with multi-rail PSU's. A single rail PSU would be fine with only 1 connection.

I understand the idea of separating your components for noise reasons, but for the enthusiast overclocker using high end components it's not required IMHO.
Either way, I think anyone spending more than $80 on a PSU is going to get a decent one and I wish the price of modular PSU's would drop.

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by SugarJ

what in the world is a pelt cell?

A Peltier cell. Thermoelectric effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

[SugarJ]

So it would be used as a cooling device as an alternate to air or water cooling?

[3.0charlie]

So it can be used as a secondary means of cooling a device - check this thread: is T.E.C. Dead? - XtremeSystems Forums

[SugarJ]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

So it can be used as a secondary means of cooling a device - check this thread: is T.E.C. Dead? - XtremeSystems Forums

So a pelt cell would be included in a w.c. loop to lower the temp of your coolant then?

Cool idea. (pun intended) You learn something new every day. If you don't, you're not trying hard enough.

[3.0charlie]

Check this out: CoolIT Systems - Freezone Elite CPU Cooler

[magictorch]

For PSU's I would recommend the silencer 750 quad mainly because its so stable and runs cool. There are so many choices though! TRU-X is a good air cooler.

As for all the other bits Im not familiar with any of the newer boards, but there will soon be whole bunch of new boards, the new quad cpus, and the 9800GTX...although I see you've made your mind up on the other bits

[nophen]

Originally Posted by biff

Clear as mud?

Maybe as clear as a foaming guinness, after reading the PSU 101 stickies over at jonnyguru.

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by nophen

Maybe as clear as a foaming guinness, after reading the PSU 101 stickies over at jonnyguru.

With the bubbles flowing down? That's amazing.

[nophen]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

With the bubbles flowing down? That's amazing.

Just like in the commercial.
I see you got two of your machines with gigabyte mobos. Got any suggestions when it comes to ram?