Questions about first build

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OGM C Ville TC

New Member
Hows it going? I am building my first computer myself instead of having it built. My current one is not doing so good anymore and I am looking to speed things up. I have gotten stuck and little confused on the video card. I really like nVidia. The case I am getting is an nVidia inspired case so I really want to go with an nVidia card but I want the processor listed below with a nice motherboard. I plan on trying to do a little OCing but nothing major. Just trying to get my feet wet. Anyways I'm not a huge pc gamer but I do play a few games and would like my video card to be good. I either plan on getting two gt 280 or one 295. If I get two 280's then I will need a mobo that supports sli and the one below does not. So should I go with a Radeon? Is there a big difference between the manufacturers?

Case:
Still undecided

PSU:
Still undecided

Processor:
Phenom II x4 Deneb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
I heard this was just about as good as the Core i7 EE and definitely cheaper.

MoBo:
ASUS Crosshair II Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131292

RAM:
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) x2 for 8GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

Heat Sink:
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thulexbled.html

VC:
2 BFG GTX 280's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143141
Who is better BFG XFX or EVGA?

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136161

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

If anymore info is need I can supply it.


Current Price:$1,384
Remaining:$616 to $800
 
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Well for one, the board you picked doesn't support that processor, the Phenom II Deneb is an AM2 socket, not AM3, so you'll need to get different RAM as well; DDR2.

Here's the motherboard I'd suggest; ASUS Crosshair II Formula AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI. It supports 2-way SLI @ x16.

Unless you want to change your processor to an AM3 socket, such as AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz, then you could keep that RAM, and you would have to use a radeon card, because none of the current AM3 boards support SLI, unless someone knows something I don't. The 4870 can keep good pace with the 280 as can the 4870x2 with the 295. Also the board you picked is the best of all the AM3 boards, so if you're gonna go this route stick with that board.

It's up to you, do you want to go for aesthetics or performance?

Performance, get the second option.

Aesthetics, get the first one.
 
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The Phenom II 940 is a really good processor, but really can't compare in most scenarios to the high end i7s, but are a good deal cheaper. Bacon is right about the compatibility though, unfortunately, they have yet to make an AM3 940 for some stupid reason, so you'll either have to swap out your board/RAM or pick a weaker (But by no means weak, just relatively speaking) processor that is compatible. You wouldn't HAVE to use an ATI card with the AM3 board though, only if you're dead set on SLI, which really, if you get a 280, you shouldn't have to worry about not maxing every single game anyway. If you aren't dead set on nVidia, an 4870X2 will smoke just about anything too. what are you thinking about in terms of a PSU? You'll something pretty beefy to handle all of the high end equipment comfortably.
 
Thanks for the replies. I didn't even see the socket type. I guess I'm a little excited and need to take some more time to read. Ok for some more background. I play some games every now and then on the pc but I am mainly a console gamer. I do video editing and conversion. Things like that. I also want to have a visually pleasing and high performance pc. I am leaning more towards performance if I had to make a choice. I went ahead with the board suggested and I have found some different ram. I decided not to get the last case as of yet. I hope I can find one that I can add my own fans and stuff to for a cheaper price and still have it look nice. As far as PSU I have no idea. I reckon I'm going to need at least one with a 1000w. As for an audio card I don't really know. I have an Onkyo 7100 that I could hook it up to with 7.1 surround. How do those cards work out anyways (audio with 7.1 surround)?
 
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yes, reading will be important. Don't worry though, whe I built my first computer I didn't read and accendatlly(i forgot how to spell that) built the eniter system around a open box mobo (meaning it wont come with anything other than just the mobo). While makeing sure everything was OK, I saw the open box.....had to start over :P

Fix up what they said, and it'll be great!
 
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