Stuck on my spec+spec check

[Amrit]

hey guys, im hoping you can give me a quick spec check on the things im sure on getting and then help me where im stuck:'#(

Basically I know these are the components i will get:

• 
  CPU: Intel Core 2 DUO E6600

• 
  RAM: Corsair 2GB DDR2 XMS2-6400C4 TwinX (2x1GB)

• 
  PSU: Seasonic M12 Modular 700W Silent ATX2.0 Power Supply

Also included is 2x SATA dvd-rw drives, floppy drive. Think thats all of the most important info u need to know.

Right my problems:

1)
What motherbaord:S

Im so confused on which one to get so i realy need ** help on that.
Here is some info that you may need to know:

1. Im NOT going to overclock
2. I want the best one for a e6600 in terms of performance and future proofing taking into account the no overclocking.


2)
Another problem is the garphics card.....dx10 or not:S
The problem is like said above...to go dx 10 with the 8800 or not. Whats the chances of games, software being fully adapted eliminating a card such as the x1950xt x?
Im ordering this pc in febuary and heard the ati r600 is coming out then....
also i cant decide to go ati or nvidia due to the motherboard problemas i would like to go CF or SLI in the future with the motherboards.

3)
HDD: Raptor or Seagate 7900.10? Im looking for a 320gig hdd but heard too manny raptor is better than seagate and vice-versa and that has thrown me offcourse.
Also i would like to know if you have 2 hdd, one for system and other for programs, files etc or do u just partition the hdd? Would like to know the benefits and disadvantages of each.

4)
Cooler: So you know im not going to overclock but i still want my e6600 to be cool as a cucumber. Again im a scardy cat and wont go water cooling heh so im going for the air flow cooling.
I dont mind some noise but not something extremely loud.


Thanks for all you help. Its greatly appriciated

 

[Shydave]

1. EVGA 680i. - I have this board and when I ran my new 6600 and ram in it, it blew me away at how quick it was. (Dude seriously look at oc'ing though)

2. Don't go for DX10 cards yet. You will need vista and wait for some decent game also. Plus the cost of the cards are dropping every week. So wait for a DX10 card and get something cheaper now, that will serve you well for a while. The Nvidia 7950's etc are cheap as chips now due to the release of the 8800's. Though some will still say the ATI cards are worth it

3. You could run a couple of raptors in raid if you don't mind the noise from them. As they are rapid. If you have 2 HDD's then you dont need to partition them. Unless you want 2 drives to appear as more than 2. If you are running in raid though, the pc sees 2 drives as one and therefore will need to be partitioned.

4. I have the Arctic Freezer 7 and its icey cool

I hope the above maybe of some use, from my limited (compared to some of the forum whores ) knowledge.

Enjoy!

 

[Amrit]

1. EVGA 680i. - I have this board and when I ran my new 6600 and ram in it, it blew me away at how quick it was. (Dude seriously look at oc'ing though)

2. Don't go for DX10 cards yet. You will need vista and wait for some decent game also. Plus the cost of the cards are dropping every week. So wait for a DX10 card and get something cheaper now, that will serve you well for a while. The Nvidia 7950's etc are cheap as chips now due to the release of the 8800's. Though some will still say the ATI cards are worth it

3. You could run a couple of raptors in raid if you don't mind the noise from them. As they are rapid. If you have 2 HDD's then you dont need to partition them. Unless you want 2 drives to appear as more than 2. If you are running in raid though, the pc sees 2 drives as one and therefore will need to be partitioned.

4. I have the Arctic Freezer 7 and its icey cool

I hope the above maybe of some use, from my limited (compared to some of the forum whores ) knowledge.

Enjoy!

THANKS!! Awsome reply mate. I will use your advice along with others who reply.

3) Do you have your system on one hd and programs, downlaods etc on the other?

Would also like to get more opinions and advice please guys so i can weigh everything up.

 

[Shydave]

Currrently i haven't set up my raid again so I have 2 drives. One with Windows on and one with my games / apps / music on.

That way when you re-install you don't loose stuff on the other drive.

Its just really a pysical partition when you look at it

 

[Tritium]

I pretty much agree with what has already been said DX10 cards aren't really worth it right now imo - unless you have money to burn and like to be ahead of the pack an x1950XT-X will do you proud and eat up most of that you can throw at it, especially when used with a 6600

Artic Freezer Pro 7 is an awesome CPU cooler for the cash. If you're willing to spend a little more, then I personally would try a Thermalright Ultra-120.

You don't mention a PSU. Make sure you buy something adequate to power that spec

 

[Amrit]

I pretty much agree with what has already been said DX10 cards aren't really worth it right now imo - unless you have money to burn and like to be ahead of the pack an x1950XT-X will do you proud and eat up most of that you can throw at it, especially when used with a 6600

Artic Freezer Pro 7 is an awesome CPU cooler for the cash. If you're willing to spend a little more, then I personally would try a Thermalright Ultra-120.

You don't mention a PSU. Make sure you buy something adequate to power that spec

Cool guys
OK, the Thermalright Ultra-120 is what im gna get, gna stick to the x1950xt-x.

PSU im looking at the Seasonic M12 700w, think that psu will future protect me right? Any stories of it blowing up and taking components to pc heaven with it?



Ok so u say EVGA 680i motherboard. Is that the best of the 680i set? Im looking at the benchmarks for the Asus Striker which seems to be better of the chipset but again I need that additional support and advice.

 

[Amrit]

ooo 1 more thing. What fan should i use with the Thermalright ultra 120? and should i use 2, with one pointing so air moves into the HS and one pointing so air is sucked out? or does the HS only allow one fan to be mounted on it?

 

[Amrit]

Cool guys
OK, the Thermalright Ultra-120 is what im gna get, gna stick to the x1950xt-x.

PSU im looking at the Seasonic M12 700w, think that psu will future protect me right? Any stories of it blowing up and taking components to pc heaven with it?



Ok so u say EVGA 680i motherboard. Is that the best of the 680i set? Im looking at the benchmarks for the Asus Striker which seems to be better of the chipset but again I need that additional support and advice.

Has the BSOD been fixed on the EVGA motherboards?

 

[Amrit]

Ahh found out the BSOD has been fixed, so its just those other questions i need answering Please

 

[Amrit]

*bump*

 

[Amrit]

Hmm changed my mind about the HSF, goign to go with tuniq tower sicne is had better rating, unless someone would like to prove my research wrong?