New PC build (gaming)

But that board only has one PCIe 2.0 slot, doesn't it?

Also, as I said, my monitor doesn't need to be replaced. It's an HP w2207h I bought a couple of years back for ~$150.

As for SSD's, what should I look for? I found this. Is this a good example of what I should look for?

Checking up on that monitor its native resolution is 1680x1050 which is definitely perfect for a GTX 460 even OC'd. The point I'm trying to make and sorry if I wasn't clear is that IF you want to SLI down the road to take full advantage of it you will need a larger resolution which means a new monitor. I'm not trying to imply that you need one now as what you have it perfectly fine with your card.

I'd say if you are investing in an SSD try and get something bigger so you can run the OS + several key applications without much hassle. This 60GB Corsair Force is something I'd say is pretty good, but I'm sure others have better suggestions.

Oh I wasn't trying to be harsh, I realized I was too vague, so I posted what screen it was.

But I'm still wondering about that MOBO you suggested, did I miss something?

How big is an OS, usually?

Also, I guess I could just dump an HDD together and leave my brother with only 250GB and keep the other 250GB for me.

Although, I just noticed the MOBO I picked out doesn't have a SATAII connection, which means I probably can't use an SSD with it.


EDIT: I figure I'm gonna need somewhere between 90GB/120GB

So I found these. Seems like the G.SKILL one would be my best choice for GB per $.

I could also wait for the 90GB Mushkin to restock.

Windows 7 with all the file-swapping, temp files, etc., will eat up around 30GB of hard drive space. And there are some programs that simply won't allow you to direct save files to anything but the C: drive. For example, I have all my games installed on my mechanical drive, but for many of the games, the save files end up on the C: drive which eats up space. Right now, I have my SSD stripped of everything but the OS and whatever residual files I have no control over (like the save game files), and it's taking up 40GB of my 120GB hard drive. That's why I recommended the 60GB minimum drive.

If you want to go larger, by all means. It really speeds up applications, that's for sure.

I'm thinking I will change my case/power supply to something slightly cheaper to make up for the price of the SSD.

Well, I have a normal hdd, partitioned in two, and my windows drive only takes 30GB, including some programs and files.

Change your my documents path to your mechanical drive, and most save game files should be placed there instead. Also, just don't store stuff on your desktop.

Does anyone have any experience with 10000-15000 RPM HDDs?

I'm starting to think SSD might be a little out of my league for now, maybe next time I build a computer.

High-RPM HDDs are not recommended, since they're noisy and they get hot very fast. Also, 15K RPM drives are only available for the SCSI interface, so you'd need an (usually) expensive add-on card to be able to connect them; not worth the ridiculous price.

I see. Well, the increased speed time would be nice, but a sizable SSD is just barely out of my reach. I *did* find a cheaper case without sacrificing much, I don't think. Seems like it has good reviews all around and is well made so I added a 120mm fan from Scythe to fit on the front, to aid air flow. (At least, I think there's a space on the front. It says it has 3 additional slots for fans, and I only see 2 extra mounts (top), so my guess is the third one is in the front)

Also, since I won't be needing much memory, I guess I'll go with the SpinPoint F4 320 GB (7200RPM), which is another $20~ off the price tag.

EDIT: Another question, and this is purely theoretical; if I bought a Hyper 212, could I mount a more powerful fan like this one on it? Then obviously use the fan the cooler came with on another part of the case. If yes, is it a good, a meh, or a bad idea?

This case is a much more inexpensive, decent-quality choice.

Also, get this cooler instead of the Hyper 212 Plus. It's a push & pull style cooler, and it comes with two fans, as well as a backplate, and it's basically a newer version of the fantastic HDT-S1283.

And yes, you can mount your choice of fans on the HSF. I would, however, recommend one or two units of this fan; it pushes slightly less air than the Ultra Kaze, but it's signficantly quieter and a little cheaper as well. How many you buy depends on what configuration you want; obviously, two fans will yield better performance than one.

Well, for $10 more, the one I picked out has an extra fan and all the doodads on the front, as well as the acrylic window. I'm really looking for the best bang for buck I can get, but who knows, if they put that one on discount during Christmas I'd take it.

Hmmm, as far as I can tell they both look alike and seem to serve the same function and have the same price. What made you choose it over the 212? (Again, not doubting you, just trying to educate myself.)

Yeah, I had actually picked that one for my extra 120mm fan, but since the Kaze moves more air, I thought it'd be a better choice for a CPU cooler fan. And two fans would probably be overkill.

What I'd do if I bought either cooler would be, install the Scythe on the CPU cooler, move the CPU cooler fan to the side slot, then move the side slot fan with the LED to the front. For added bling.

OS Win 7 - 64-bit
Case + PSU
MOBO + CPU
CPU Cooler
Card Reader
HDD
Video Card
RAM
DVD

$965

EDIT: Posting what I have to show Relic. Feel free to pitch in if you see something out of place or something you don't like.

EDIT2: Updated after talking to Relic.

The Gaia delivers better cooling performance compared to the Hyper 212+, despite having 3 heatpipes instead of the Cooler Master's 4 heatpipes, while costing exactly the same. It's simply the better buy.

EDIT: Also, the Kaze doesn't much THAT much more air, and it's louder at almost 46dBA compared to the 37dBA of the Slipstream. (roughly about twice as loud, in audio terms)

Still, if sound isn't a concern, then the Kaze is also a great choice.

That really isn't true in the US. The CM Hyper 212 has been a promotional football, with prices descending to as low as $15.00 USD.

After a slew of good reviews, Newegg tried to extort $59.95 for it, but Microcenter's price remained at $24.95, on a walk in basis.

In a minor thread hijack, I would like people's thoughts about the backplates on these heavy coolers. On my Gigabyte H-55 board, the Hyper 212's backplate covers two solder points. I appreciate that there is insulation on the plate, but I wonder if over time, and heating and cooling cycles, the clamping pressure will force the solder tabs though it, and cause a short....?

Possible, but unlikely, from experience. To be on the safe side however, I'd just use some cheap electrical tape to insulate the contacts from the backplate.

Huh?
I'm on XP and I just changed my my documents path to my I: drive, everything else went with it, including game saves and media.

The 212 is actually $15 after MIR