Hey all thanks for any help in advance. Anyways this is going to be my first build and was hoping for some feedback on components, and if maybe I'm getting myself in over my head (this is not as big a problem as I will have help if I need it). I will be building around thanksgiving time when I am home from school, so I have time to play around with different ideas. Alright here goes

NZXT Zero Black/Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
MOBO- BIOSTAR TPower I45 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0 Ghz
Video- VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit
RAM- 2x Corsair Dominator (2X2GB) 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM 1066
Hard drive- Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS SATA
DVD- Samsung 22X DVD+R Burnere SATA
Power Supply- Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V
CPU Cooling- Zalman CNPS 9700 NT
Video Cooling- Zalman VF1000 (probably a bit unnecessary but figured why not)

Vista Ultimate 64-Bit

Just want to make sure everything will work together. Also If there's a component that I picked out that is too much or not enough for the rest of the system.

Thanks again for the help

ajh,

NOW we are talking a Real Build !!!!
1. Add some "Raptors" on that machine. Use a minimum of at least (4) in Raid configuration.
2. Ensure CPU is the latest with the Largest Cache and highest speed plus head room for O/C and Over/Volt.
3. Check out Asus P46 or wait a couple of weeks for Asus X58 Chipset MBs.
4. Keep air moving through that case. Can never have too many fans.
Be Da** the noise. Folks will get use to it.
5. Run Machine CPU and other other components 10 degrees below thermal shut-down.
6. Zalman is a GOOD idea from ScottW.
Crank up the Build just a bit and also be sure you have Fastest speed and most Bandwidth you can get from ISP.
Could go on and on but think you are moving in correct direction with this Build.
Just do a bit more thinking.
Post Back for sure.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦ :)

I do plan on doing some overclocking, as far as the fans go, my current computer is experiencing some pretty major problems (MoBo, GPU, possibly CPU) that stem from heat issues so at the moment you could say that I am heat paranoid and I didn't take the time to actually add up all my fans total haha. Chances are that I will not be using the fans that come with the ram but it was the same price without the fan bundled so I figured if I got bored some day maybe I would put on the fan. I plan on using this mainly for gaming with some school work on the side ;). Also I was looking at a system with a budget with a top end of $2K including a monitor. What type of compatability issues are we talking about with vista 64? Just software as I am assuming that the drivers that come with my hardware will not be a problem.

Actually, it is the drivers that are problematic with games in 64-bit Windows. Video drivers for 64-bit Vista are lagging behind drivers for 32-bit Vista, which only recently came up to par with XP. See this article about gaming with Vista:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=458

In a similar fashion, the 64-bit video drivers for Vista are not as good as the 32-bit ones, but they are getting better. Testing games in 64-bit Vista shows less compatibility and sometimes lower performance:
http://www.anandtech.com/syste.....7&p=16

If you stick to newer games that have been tested with Vista 64-bit, you will have better luck. All games that carry the Games for Windows, logo should run fine. Also check this list, keeping in mind they don't always discuss whether they are using 32- or 64-bit Vista:
http://www.vistareadygames.com/

Scott thanks for the websites to check out vista compatability issues

Raphoenix yeah I was looking at a 22" sony with 8000:1 and 2ms. Just a little joke on the priorities.

I keep seeing things about intels new chipset and Core I7's. Is it safe to assume that these items will be pretty pricey when they first come out and hence out of my price range?

geesh, that's a B/A motherboard. is there more than two sata power connections? what's the 100% korean words? and how much?

0z,

This picture was just a prototype pulled off a review testing site.
Given the history of Asus, am sure there will be probably be 4 or 5 editions and revisions of the series.
If you go to http://asus.com and look at the selection of MBs they produce and their variations, it's awesome.
Even matching specs on Newegg is a chore which almost requires a spread sheet analysis before one buys.
Hate to see folks make a Build and then a week later, find out they should have just waited a few days to get the latest product.
Got caught a couple of times in that position myself with Intel and Asus and it is NO FUN plus is an expensive mistake to say the least.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦:)

@0z,

EXACTLY but one does want to have something new for at least a couple of weeks. (LOL) (LOL) (LOL)

Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦:)