[Jackalope]

as far as cases go I LOVE my Antec 900.

looks good, has good cooling, and plenty of space (for me at least)

[demonizeZ]

CORSAIR DOMINATOR are not that good for overclocking. Assuming you going to OC. Since that motherboard is specifically design for overclocking. OCZ probably be better for overclocking, from what i have read.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Thanks but I think I am going to go with the Cooler Master HAF-932

Is 750 Watts enough for everything I picked out?

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by demonizeZ

CORSAIR DOMINATOR are not that good for overclocking. Assuming you going to OC. Since that motherboard is specifically design for overclocking. OCZ probably be better for overclocking, from what i have read.

I've never overclocked RAM. Only the CPU


also does umm "vista 64" pass all the "tests" and let me get updates?

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Should I go with this Heatsink

Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

For this processor

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Or should I go with something better?

[demonizeZ]

I am using zalman 9500a. I like the copper look. It goes with my mother board. And blue led is cool too. Runs great i have it set as manual speed control instead of temp base. Installing is pain if you already have the board in the case you will have to put a bracket on the back of Mother board.

I am planing on adding iflash fans on my case.

[MSP]

Originally Posted by demonizeZ

I am using zalman 9500a. I like the copper look. It goes with my mother board. And blue led is cool too. Runs great i have it set as manual speed control instead of temp base. Installing is pain if you already have the board in the case you will have to put a bracket on the back of Mother board.

Me too, and Miller has the 9700. There are a few coolers that outperform them, but not many, and virtually none at that price point.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by MSP

Me too, and Miller has the 9700. There are a few coolers that outperform them, but not many, and virtually none at that price point.

but how well will that cool my Q9550? Will I be able to get up to say 3.2-3.5ghz

[MSP]

MaximumPC still uses it as the golden standard in their benchmarks of coolers, both liquid and air. This review of their top rated cooler for example shows the 9700 is still the best when under 100% load:

Thermaltake DuOrb | Maximum PC

[demonizeZ]

Originally Posted by Scrubbin_Bubbles

but how well will that cool my Q9550? Will I be able to get up to say 3.2-3.5ghz

your processor is already at 2.8. I doubt your temp will go more then 7 degrees if you oc it to 3.2. The tower i have Zalman, is over a chip E6420. Extremely overclockable chip. By default its 2.13 i have it OC to 3.2 and the temp on max load is 41degrees. Where on default setting, temp on max load is 32degrees. I think its the Zalman that is doing a good job in keeping the chip nice and cool.

So i think it can keep your processor cool too. Also i am using Artic silver ceramique. I wanted to compare it with the Artic silver 5 i have on other towers. No big difference least that i can see.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

another dumb question. The card I'm getting has an 8 pin connector and a 6 pin connector. do I need to use both? or just one?

[MSP]

The manual will tell you, but generally I don't think so.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by MSP

The manual will tell you, but generally I don't think so.

Yeah you do lol I just looked. The Card uses 200watts of power. I'm going with this PSU

Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE DA800 800W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Still need to know about the 64bit OS and If there are any other ways to "purchase" it and get past validation

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Bah I should really edit but I'm too lazy.

Should I even go 8GB of ram or is that just crazy? Maybe get some $$$ 4GB ram?

[James K]

I went 8GB and vista loves me for it. If you are just playing games 4GB is probably enough.

[ShabazKillaX]

Ultimate CPU Cooling Solutions! USA

The most badass heatsink

I'm using one and have my Q6600 up to 3.4ghz. And I didn't do anything crazy like lap the cpu or heatsink.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

Originally Posted by ShabazKillaX

Ultimate CPU Cooling Solutions! USA

The most badass heatsink

I'm using one and have my Q6600 up to 3.4ghz. And I didn't do anything crazy like lap the cpu or heatsink.

I went with the arctic freezer pro 7 after reading many people having trouble with large heatsinks and the Asus Rampage.

Not quite what I wanted but I don't plan on pushing the CPU that much anyway.

I can purchase this correct and use it on my machine?

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - Operating Systems

someone said you could only use that if you were reselling the machine. Which I don't plan on doing

[MSP]

Originally Posted by Scrubbin_Bubbles

Yeah you do lol I just looked. The Card uses 200watts of power. I'm going with this PSU

Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE DA800 800W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

Holy fuck, that thing's a pig!

[sims]

Originally Posted by Scrubbin_Bubbles

I went with the arctic freezer pro 7 after reading many people having trouble with large heatsinks and the Asus Rampage.

Not quite what I wanted but I don't plan on pushing the CPU that much anyway.

I can purchase this correct and use it on my machine?

Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - Operating Systems

someone said you could only use that if you were reselling the machine. Which I don't plan on doing

that sucks the Thermalright ULTRA-120 is one of, if not the best heat sink out there. I'm running my Q6600 @ 3.2 and I idle around 44C, using a low noise fan.