Building My First Rig

Hey everyone I'm about to build my first rig and I was thinking about starting with some small Overclocks with air cooling. My goal is to build the fastest PC possible for under 1300$. I really don't have too much money to burn so I don't want to do anything too risky. I would like to use this thread to ask all my stupid questions.
heres what i'm thinking

Stuff I have already ordered:
CoolerMaster Centurion 5 case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119077
X800gto2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102595 (got it while it was still 200 )
zalman-VF700 vga cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118117

Stuff I'm considering
San Diego 3700+ w/ Thermalright Xp 120 Sync
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/thxpforinp4.html
1 74 gig Raptor
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=101222&affiliate=cnet
Asus K8N4-E Deluxe Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131533
BenQ DW1640 16X Dual Layer DVD±RW
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=173827&ps=ho10
Fortron AX500 500W PSu
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-FS500A

any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

I really am not sure which ram to get if anyone could give me a suggestion that would be great? I want 2x1gig dimms. Here is what I was thinking so far:
2gigs OCZpc3200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210

Overclocking wise I would eventually like to get my proc up to 2.5-2.6, the x800gto2 to 16pipes and 500/580, and decent ram timings.

Thanks,

The X800 refurb @ Ati.com is $179.
You might concider a Venice core or wait about...2 weeks and look into the 939 Optrons.

-a Venice on newegg is less than $200. - $150 - 180 I think.

Find some PC4400 for memory, that give ya some "leg room" to OC.

The mobo & PS look ok.



Welcome to the Forums too.

thanks for the reply
I think the x800gto2 is the way to go, reguardless i already bought it

If someone could recommend a specific 2g ram set that would be awesome

also, why do you say venice core, isn't the san diego better? And what would be the benefits of an opteron San Diego.

OCZ PC4000 http://www.ocztechnology.com/produc...pc_4000_1024mb_gold_edition_dual_channel-2gb_
very good quality and overclocks well.

-1cem4n

K, well I ordered everything, Should be here soon. Heres what i ended up with:

Cooler Master Centurion 5
Fortron Ax500 PSU
x800gto2 w/ zalman cooler
Asus A8N-Mobo
AMd San Diego 3700+ w/ Thermalright Xp120 heatsync
2 gigs crucial Ballistix DDR500
74 gig raptor
160 gig maxtor
Sound blaster audigy 2 zs

I can't wait till all my stuff comes.

Any suggestions or advice would be awesome

that really close to what i was going to buy until i read about the magical s939 opteron 144 and 146

i was thinking about the opteron but i dont think i want that big of an OC and I also wanted to get my parts ASAP.

c'mon...c'mon.... *nudges elbow*

kwago said:

c'mon...c'mon.... *nudges elbow*

Click to expand...

don't spam please, not saying you are but i'm not connecting this post with anything else. another thing is that "heatsync" is spelled heatsink you should gotten the creative x-fi.

-1cem4n

i'm terrible at spelling but i'm just taking the audigy zs off my old computer along with the 160 gig maxtor. I would have gotten the x-fi if i was buying a new one though, thanks.

When I'm installing my CPU and Video card, should I use the stock cooling to make sure I dont void the warranty if they are D.O.A. Or should i put the xp-120 and the zalman VGA cooler on right away?