How-To Geek

hey bryce0044
if you're willing to spend $10 more i'd go with a Antec 900
Ive heard the cooler master you picked also has good airflow, expect for the front fan, but dont take my word

as for a videocard, read this article from HardOCP
it'll help you decide on getting the best bang for your buck

okay thanks for the help guys, but now i have a few more questions. The HardOCP article has me leaning towards an ATI video card now, would i need to switch motherboards then? If not, would i need to if i were to try and utilize CrossFire? Another thing is which manufacturer of video cards would you recommend?

Bryce, the nForce 750i chipset on that Asus P5N motherboard is designed to support multiple nVidia graphics cards in an SLI configuration. In theory, it should be able to support a single AMD card in a PCI-E x16 slot. However, if you decide to go with ATI graphics, you should choose an Intel chipset instead. They are more common, nForce chipsets have more compatibility issues, and you will have the option to use CrossFireX later.

Intel's Core i7 CPUs have been released and if you were looking at high end components, I would also suggest that you take a look at them. However, as they are just released, an i7-based system will be very expensive. One benefit to a mid-range build, such as yours, is that the prices may come down.

Like ScottW said you would need to find a intel chipset motherboard if you want to use crossfire.
For your price range i'd suggest an Asus p5q pro, it uses a intel p45 chipset. However though it does support crossfire with 2 pcie slots, both slots go to 8x from 16x once 2 cards are used. If you dont mind shelling out around $50 more you can get a Asus p5e or p5e deluxe, it uses the intel x38/x48 chipset which allows full use of the 16x slots.

These suggestions are for your price range, if you want top of the line crossfire performance then go with rapheonix's suggestion and get a x58 motherboard with a intel i7 processor.

Just a little warning though. If you plan to go ati, be wary that getting two 4850's in crossfire may cause you unwanted grief. The latest drivers (8.10 & 8.11) for 2 4850s in crossfire may cause your computer to go bat-shit crazy, meaning to say bsod.

Agree with 0z !!!!

Cussing is a sign of Poor Personal Hygiene.
@SSSammy,

Thanks for Backup.
Hate to see folks purchasing old X48 stuff wasting their money now that i7 and X58 has been released.
Different CPU, socket, technology and everything involved now.
Tried to warn folks two months ago BUT very few listen to us old builders anymore.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦:)

@madmacs,

I AGREE !!!!

Think those high introductory prices are going to "drop like rock" in about a month as the world economy gets worse.
If anything, I suggest building "Nothing" right now and making do with what one has.
As a Pensioner, for sure I am NO wealthy person and probably the poorest in our group.
Just don't want to see others get "taken to the cleaners" in the middle of a technology change.
"Been there and done that" so know how expensive that can be in the long run.
Looking out for (ALL) members with my suggestions and recommendation. :) :)
Anyone can tell me to "shove it" and that's their propagative if they care to ignore an old man's advice. :)
My feeling are impossible to hurt as most know from my postings and profile. (LOL)
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦:)

Here are your Intel i7 CPUs at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....3&y=31
Here are your Asus X58 1366 boards at Newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/.....;name=ASUS

Here are your Antec PSUs and Cases at Antec
http://www.antec.com/InternationalWelcome.php
After the Intel i7 CPU release Monday, everything else is out dated now.
Kindest Regards,
Rick P.♦:)