Upgrade Tiem.

[RandomTask]

So I'm going to upgrade my PC in a month. Wanted to run my hardware choices past you guys to see if anyone has any input etc.

Currently I'm thinking:

CPU: Core i7 920 or 940
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5
RAM: 6GB DDR3 1600Mhz (PC3-12800) Corsair Dominator 8-8-8-24
GFX: 2 x GeForce GTX 260 OCX Maxcores in SLi
SMD: Asus Xonar D2X 7.1
HDD: OCZ Vertex 60GB SSD
CASE: Fractal Design R2 Titanium Grey Case or an Antec P190 + 1200UK
PSU: Zalman ZM850-HP Dual Heatpipe Cooled 850W Modular PSU
HSINK: Noctua NH-C12P Top-Down CPU Heatpipe Heatsink
SPK: Creative Gigaworks 7.1 Speakers
HDD: Drobo + 4 x 1.5TB HDD's
MSE: Logitech G9
KB: Logitech G11 (maybe.. I'ts a bit gay..)
HEADSET: Sennheiser something or other.

In particular some input on the motherboard would be useful as it was pretty tough deciding on that one. Plus I have never had anything from Gigabyte before so don't know how reliable they are?

Also if anyone knows any decent minimalist/not over the top leet omg wtf red led fan gayboyfag cases which have decent sound deadening properties and good airflow shout up.

[King]

Wanted to run my hardware choices past you guys to see if anyone has any input etc.

i.e. Wanted to put you all to shame with a stupidly expensive system that most wouldn't bother to buy? i thought so =P

Looks nice, as for cases, get a full sized tower, stick 120mm fans in it. Get a variable speed heatsink fan for the CPU and it's quiet as anything. Large case for easy component swapping, nice airflow cause of the open space, large fans, spin slower and get the same throughput, hence quieter.

Can hardly hear mine. just a soft hum =)

[RandomTask]

Already got a massive case with 120cm quiet fans in it and it fucks me off whirring away, hence the desire for something quieter.

Plus this thing has 6 bays for DVD drives which is ludicrous as no one anywhere ever needs more than 2.

[King]

so does mine, put HDDs in it =P

[RandomTask]

I've already used all the SATA ports:(

[Razerslash]

thats a nice spec, I don't see the point in upgrading anymore. If my current PC needs any thing upgrading it will be the video card.

Gigabyte are becoming very popular now, so should be a good choice. The case is usualy a self preference, air flow in most cases these days is not an issue unless its a cheap and nasty one where everything is cramped.

[Kidders]

where's windows ME?

[Dimon]

Looks nice, as for cases, get a full sized tower, stick 120mm fans in it. Get a variable speed heatsink fan for the CPU and it's quiet as anything. Large case for easy component swapping, nice airflow cause of the open space, large fans, spin slower and get the same throughput, hence quieter.

Can hardly hear mine. just a soft hum =)

^This^

Gigabyte is pretty good. I'd reccomend you too look at this for CPU coolers. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is a good choice, pretty cheap and good performance, at least if youre going to OC the CPU.

When it comes to GPU, I know nVidia got something new up their sleeves so I could not recommend buying two 260's atm. Well they better launch a new series of cards soon cuz ATI got em by the balls atm. :p

[RandomTask]

I'd reccomend you too look at this for CPU coolers. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is a good choice, pretty cheap and good performance, at least if youre going to OC the CPU.

Getting a top down heatsink as it's my experience that the motherboard heatsinks on the north/south bridges need the airflow down on them to stay cool enough.

My old asus mobo melted three time with a side heatsink and then has worked fine ever since putting the stock topdown intel cooler on it...

[Dimon]

How did you manage to pull that off? XD