[sli4]

Hey so im making a new build after my old (6 year old) computer just spontaneously set on fire...
Im looking for advice on final touches to the kit. mainly if i can
1) do better with the memory and
2) looking for the best sound card i can get for under $130.00 that would be optimal for listening to music and watching movies. - i do a lot of audio editing. right now im looking at the X-fi Titanium for $99.00 (i dont need midi ins or anything - i have a firewire interface for that.)

also wondering if i need to buy a fan/heatsink for the cpu.

trying to keep budget to $550.00 but its okay if i go a tiny bit over.

Here's what i have lined up:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037 E8400 164.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119106 cool master case 54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359 gigabyte GA-ep45-ud3r 104.99 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161262 HD4650 vid card 39.99 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703015 500w power 59.99 (after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106263 dvd burner 21.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148160 crucial 2x 2gb 37.99
+ the addition of the audio card approx. $99

total $583

UPDATE: im now looking at the Asus Xonar DX sound card which i hear is much better than the X-FI and is 10 bucks cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829132006 xonar dx 89.99

[DerekC]

Don't really know what speed difference it would make, but the Motherboard specs list DDR2 1366+/1066 as compatible ram. The ones you picked are only DDR2 800.

[BG-0]

The specced RAM is the max speed it supports, so no problem there. Still, you could go for faster RAM too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166
You won't need and extra fan/heatsink for the CPU.
You could also save 10 $ on the case if you don't mind another MIR hassle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156091

[sli4]

Originally Posted by BG-0

The specced RAM is the max speed it supports, so no problem there. Still, you could go for faster RAM too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166
You won't need and extra fan/heatsink for the CPU.
You could also save 10 $ on the case if you don't mind another MIR hassle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156091

i've never heard of g.skill is that good ram? i've been out of the computer game for a while i suppose.

also, casewise i'd love to save some bucks on it - but i'd rather stick to a plain black case with no shiny lights or frills.

[Frank4d]

also wondering if i need to buy a fan/heatsink for the cpu.

The one that comes with the CPU should be fine for most applications.

[BG-0]

This case then? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147114

[sli4]

Originally Posted by BG-0

This case then? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147114

not bad. i think i want to have the usb/firewire options in the front.. they are pretty handy.
i was thinking maybe this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068

[DerekC]

Oh geez...I'm having flashbacks seeing that Cooler Master case.......

I used to work at a company that sold pre-built computers on tv. We used that Cooler Master case for about 1/4 year. Like it says, the case is Aluminum, so you have to go easy on it. Over all, it's big, has plenty of free space, and a lot of air flow.
But I had to replace (or send out) a few bezels a day because of broken power buttons or USB ports, but that could just be dumb customers being too rough with computers.

[DerekC]

Don't get me wrong, it's a great case for the price, like I said before, "Over all, it's big, has plenty of free space, and a lot of air flow."

If you choose to get it, just don't kick it, or be too forceful when plugging in a front usb device or pressing the power button.

[BG-0]

I would get the Centurion 534, the one you linked first, from those two... They're the same price anyways. aannd basically exactly the same case with a little different front panels.