[icu222much]

This is my first time building a computer and I was wondering if I can have any suggestions as to improve my tower. I have a budget of about $1000. I plan to use this tower for casual gaming, design (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash...), and a slight bit of 3D modeling and video editing. In the future, I am planning to upgrade my RAM to 8Gb. I also do not want to SLI my video card (I heard you cannot duel-mon, which I find useful when designing). Here are my current specs:

Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L or ASUS P5K SE
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz
BFG GeForce 8800GTS 650MHZ 512MB 1.94GHZ
OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN
LG G-H20NS10 Black DVD+RW 20X8X16
OCZ StealthXStream 600W or Corsair TX650W 650W
Antec Three Hundred

I am not sure which motherboard to pick. Currently, I am deciding between the Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3L and ASUS P5K SE. I also do not know which power supply to pick. I am deciding between OCZ StealthXStream 600W or Corsair TX650W 650W.

All in all, this set-up is costing me around $1000. I don’t mind slightly going over my $1000 budget if it will dramatically improve my computer’s performance.

Any comments and advice is greatly appreciated. I am also wondering if the motherboards I have picked are any good?

[Bubba]

If you are going to upgrade to 8GB's of RAM then you will need a 64 bit operating system. I recommend Vista. I use it and have had no problems. I have not heard from any Vista users who give it an objective try of any problems. Some things are different but once you learn you'll be good to go.

For the slight price difference (79.99 after rebate for the 900 and 59.99 for the 300 on NEWEGG.COM) I would go with the larger, more fans included Antec900. I actually have a 900 and have zero heat problems even running an nVidia 790i Ultra MoBo, Q9450 chip, and two nVidia 9800GX2's with only the cooling from the Antec 900 fans.

I know, you live in Canada and can't use Newegg, but I have never NOT seen the 900 on sale at a brick and mortar store. I actually paid 69.99 for mine. I think you will appreciate the larger case (more room for expansion) and the extra fans.

[Carbon]

OCZ Reaper

Ripoff RAM. Just get DDR800.

Get the Corsair PSU. Four rails at 18A is utter trash. No way that can be balanced.

Both of those motherboards are P35. P35 has been superceded by P45 which also allows for x8 x8 Crossfire and more SATA ports.

[icu222much]

Originally Posted by Bubba If you are going to upgrade to 8GB's of RAM then you will need a 64 bit operating system. I recommend Vista. I use it and have had no problems. I have not heard from any Vista users who give it an objective try of any problems. Some things are different but once you learn you'll be good to go. For the slight price difference (79.99 after rebate for the 900 and 59.99 for the 300 on NEWEGG.COM) I would go with the larger, more fans included Antec900. I actually have a 900 and have zero heat problems even running an nVidia 790i Ultra MoBo, Q9450 chip, and two nVidia 9800GX2's with only the cooling from the Antec 900 fans. I know, you live in Canada and can't use Newegg, but I have never NOT seen the 900 on sale at a brick and mortar store. I actually paid 69.99 for mine. I think you will appreciate the larger case (more room for expansion) and the extra fans.

If I am going for 8Gb, will Windows XP - 64 bit support it?

I was auctually thinking of going for the 900, but it seems so big. I don't plan to expand anymore (other then inserting a few more sticks of RAM). I also was thinking that a smaller case would mean a better air flow as there is less volume inside the case for the air to travel through. I'm also trying to keep my system as quiet as possible, so I was hoping that the two fans that come with the 300 will be sufficient.

Originally Posted by Carbon Ripoff RAM. Just get DDR800. Get the Corsair PSU. Four rails at 18A is utter trash. No way that can be balanced. Both of those motherboards are P35. P35 has been superceded by P45 which also allows for x8 x8 Crossfire and more SATA ports.

Why is the RAM a rip-off? I thought the faster the RAM the better it is?

Are P45s much better then P35s? What does "x8 x8" mean? Does that mean it can support multiple video cards? Oh... I don't think I'll need another hard drive - the four SATA ports that come with the mobos are enough for an additional three hard drives if I ever need 'em.

[Carbon]

If I am going for 8Gb, will Windows XP - 64 bit support it?

Yes. It's also not a bad idea to get that much RAM.

Why is the RAM a rip-off? I thought the faster the RAM the better it is?

Not at all. DDR 800 is fine - the higher rated RAM is only useful for overclockers.

Are P45s much better then P35s? What does "x8 x8" mean? Does that mean it can support multiple video cards? Oh... I don't think I'll need another hard drive - the four SATA ports that come with the mobos are enough for an additional three hard drives if I ever need 'em.

Yes, it means multiple video cards (ATI cards) are possible at slightly reduced speed. Note that optical drives use SATA too, and having more is always better if they're similar price.

[Bubba]

I'll answer even though Carbon covered it so i can add one more piece of advice. Yeah 64 bit XP will work, but if you are having to buy another OS to drop in, why spend cash for an OS that will be unsupported very shortly?

As to the 880 RAM? I don't know as much as Carbon has forgotten lol, but he explains the reason for 880 over the 1066 in the sticky thread: Recommended Computer Parts Guide I forget what page it's on but all the info there is good. I "met" Carbon after I did my first build and as such spent a whole lot of unnecessary cash on DDR3 memory (as well as on a second 9800gx2 which I really don't need). I did more research and 8 gb's of 800 RAM is smoking, I spent a whole lot more for 8 gigs of DDR3 (1333MHz) and although I am a heavy gamer, it never really gets used. Good luck and have fun building. I know I did.

[icu222much]

Originally Posted by Carbon Not at all. DDR 800 is fine - the higher rated RAM is only useful for overclockers.

I thought the different RAM speed represents how fast they are, just like how the different CPU speed represents how fast they process.

Originally Posted by Carbon Yes, it means multiple video cards (ATI cards) are possible at slightly reduced speed. Note that optical drives use SATA too, and having more is always better if they're similar price.

I'm planning to only get one video card, one optical drive, and I don't think I'll exceed my 500Gb drive.

[thingie2]

I agree with going for the 900 over the 300. Also I would recomend the Corsair PSU rarther than the OCZ because I find that Corsair is make very good power supplies.

[serverguy]

Don't even think about XP 64. Its utter trash and has virtually no support.

Get 64 bit Vista.

[icu222much]

Originally Posted by thingie2 I agree with going for the 900 over the 300. Also I would recomend the Corsair PSU rarther than the OCZ because I find that Corsair is make very good power supplies.

The Antec 900 > Antec 300 ? Is it because it is larger meaning I can put more fans on it ? I don't plan to add any more cards or drives in the future to my tower.

Yea... I've been reading up on PSUs and Corsairs > OCZ.

Originally Posted by serverguy Don't even think about XP 64. Its utter trash and has virtually no support. Get 64 bit Vista.

Hmm... sounds good. :D

[thingie2]

Well I say get the Antec 900 because it is a little larger, meaning you have more room to work inside, and can have better air circulation, also in my opinion, the Antci 900 looks nicer than the Antec 300.

[icu222much]

I've been doing a lot of looking around for a quiet computer case that will provide me with good air flow.

Originally Posted by thingie2 Well I say get the Antec 900 because it is a little larger, meaning you have more room to work inside, and can have better air circulation, also in my opinion, the Antci 900 looks nicer than the Antec 300.

Is the 900 very loud? I was also looking at CM590/690. What do you think?