Ready to take the plunge...New rig specs; seeking suggestions

Greetings!
I'm finally ready to take the plunge and build a new rig. I've been lurking for a while now and thought I would run these specs past all you gurus to see where I'm going wrong...

Here is current spec:

1 x Asus Striker II Formula 780i mobo
1 x Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0 GHz proc
2 x Corsair Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1800 ram
1 x BFG Tech GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB gpu
1 x Apevia X-Pleasure-BL case
1 x ABS Tagan BZ1300 (1300 watt) psu
1 x Zalman Reserator XT liquid cooling system

I'd really like some thoughts on the case and cooling system, as I'm new to liquid cooling.

Thanks in advance!

::edit::
Mobo changed to the 780i...

Greetings!
I'm finally ready to take the plunge and build a new rig. I've been lurking for a while now and thought I would run these specs past all you gurus to see where I'm going wrong...

Here is current spec:

1 x Asus Maximus Extreme X38 mobo
1 x Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0 GHz proc
2 x Corsair Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1800 ram
1 x BFG Tech GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB gpu
1 x Apevia X-Pleasure-BL case
1 x ABS Tagan BZ1300 (1300 watt) psu
1 x Zalman Reserator XT liquid cooling system

I'd really like some thoughts on the case and cooling system, as I'm new to liquid cooling.

Thanks in advance!

JrnyThruTime

Why get X38 if you are going with an 8800, why not 780i? Also the 3870x2 is better then the ultra and olny costs $450. Power supply is way overkill, so is processor. For liqiud cooling look here:

http://www.swiftnets.com/

I agree, the processor and video card are overkill. The Extreme version of processors are usually way overpriced for mainly offering unlocked multipliers. You'd be better off getting an Q6600 or new quad coming out and overclocking it with that liquid cooling kit.

That Ultra is also a big waste of money. That card is at the end of it's life and will soon be beaten by multiple cards. Right now the 3870X2 can beat it at a $450. Soon nVidia will release 9-series cards that will really make that Ultra look dated.

Oh, and 1300 watts is major overkill as well. Even with the Ultra.

Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board...and here I thought I'd got a good base going.

Thanks guys, you've given me a ton to think about.

Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board...and here I thought I'd got a good base going.

Thanks guys, you've given me a ton to think about.

JrnyThruTime

You're on the right track and have great ideas with the quad-core and high end GPU. The only problem is a lot of those items are uneccessarily expensive. You can get practically the same performance as those high-end parts with newer cards or a little overclocking.

Don't get me wrong, that would be a sweet setup. But we don't think it's a smart use of money as there are much better options out there.

[QUOTE="JrnyThruTime"]

Greetings!
I'm finally ready to take the plunge and build a new rig. I've been lurking for a while now and thought I would run these specs past all you gurus to see where I'm going wrong...

Here is current spec:

1 x Asus Maximus Extreme X38 mobo
1 x Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0 GHz proc
2 x Corsair Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1800 ram
1 x BFG Tech GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB gpu
1 x Apevia X-Pleasure-BL case
1 x ABS Tagan BZ1300 (1300 watt) psu
1 x Zalman Reserator XT liquid cooling system

I'd really like some thoughts on the case and cooling system, as I'm new to liquid cooling.

Thanks in advance!

musclesforcier

Why get X38 if you are going with an 8800, why not 780i? Also the 3870x2 is better then the ultra and olny costs $450. Power supply is way overkill, so is processor. For liqiud cooling look here:

http://www.swiftnets.com/

[QUOTE="JrnyThruTime"]

Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board...and here I thought I'd got a good base going.

Thanks guys, you've given me a ton to think about.

Fignewton50

You're on the right track and have great ideas with the quad-core and high end GPU. The only problem is a lot of those items are uneccessarily expensive. You can get practically the same performance as those high-end parts with newer cards or a little overclocking.

Don't get me wrong, that would be a sweet setup. But we don't think it's a smart use of money as there are much better options out there.

i agree, but there are SOME ppl out there that just have a crap load of money and spend on whatever they like and go overkill on everything, not saying your onw of them,

and the way i think of it when I have to pay for something for my cmputer (normally my dad pays) i just make it seem like im getting one less Adidas or Nike shoe or something like that,
i LOVE my sneakers and have a lot but will probably sell some to get money for a 9 series

[QUOTE="JrnyThruTime"]

Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board...and here I thought I'd got a good base going.

Thanks guys, you've given me a ton to think about.

Fignewton50

You're on the right track and have great ideas with the quad-core and high end GPU. The only problem is a lot of those items are uneccessarily expensive. You can get practically the same performance as those high-end parts with newer cards or a little overclocking.

Don't get me wrong, that would be a sweet setup. But we don't think it's a smart use of money as there are much better options out there.

Yeah. It's all about the rate of diminishing returns. You get to a point where you're spending like a huge amount of money, but the performance gains you're going to get are pretty negligible in real-world situations(ie. not synthetic benchmarks).

Greetings!
I'm finally ready to take the plunge and build a new rig. I've been lurking for a while now and thought I would run these specs past all you gurus to see where I'm going wrong...

Here is current spec:

1 x Asus Striker II Formula 780i mobo
1 x Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3.0 GHz proc
2 x Corsair Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR3 1800 ram
1 x BFG Tech GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB gpu
1 x Apevia X-Pleasure-BL case
1 x ABS Tagan BZ1300 (1300 watt) psu
1 x Zalman Reserator XT liquid cooling system

I'd really like some thoughts on the case and cooling system, as I'm new to liquid cooling.

Thanks in advance!

::edit::
Mobo changed to the 780i...

JrnyThruTime

Wow!

Thanks gang for all your input. This is why I wanted to post before doing anything. So many good suggestions. And I'm all about saving money! My ultimate goal was to have a rig that would hold-up for the next couple of years.

I will starting over using your advice and see where I get from there.

Again, thanks for all the great advice!