New Build need advice

[panther_base]

So far I've got:

CPU - Phenom X4 9950 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103291)

Video - ATI Radeon 4850 w/Crossfire (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770)

RAM - 4GB Dual Channel SDRAM (haven't decided exact brand yet)

HDD - 250GB Western Digital (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113)

I need advice on a Mobo and I also want to try liquid cooling this time around, though I'm not sure what setup would go good with what I have here. Suggestions on a PSU would also be helpful.

By the way, whatever happened to the parts/price list that used to be stickied here?

[panther_base]

All this was found on Newegg, building an affordable decent gaming system.
so far I've found:

Motherboards: Biostar ("http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128) and Gigabyte ("http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128075)
Which one would be the better choice? Both have what I need to start, or will need later.

I tried to find a water cooling system, but I don't know enough about them to select a kit that will work.
What size power supply would I need to push all this?

[saphalline]

I would suggest you leave your options open for CrossFireX and pick the 790FX chipset (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130136).

RAM = 4 x 2GB kit, DDR2-800/1066, timings of 4-4-4-12, 2.2V max. Should run you about $60-80 USD. For the manufacturer, I suggest: Kingston, Corsair, Crucial/Micron, Patriot. There are other good manufacturers, too.

Liquid cooling!? Are you sure you know all the caveats that come with that? It's kind of a high-end intense activity, you know.

By the way, whatever happened to the parts/price list that used to be stickied here?It was mine and it took an insane amount of time to compile. I couldn't sustain it anymore.

[panther_base]

It was mine and it took an insane amount of time to compile. I couldn't sustain it anymore.

It was really helpful to me back then is why I was wondering, I imagine it took a lot of time to update.
It's kind of a high-end intense activity, you know.
At the moment I'm just running case fans, and heatsink, my system acts like it's constantly overheating how can I fix that without upgrading the method of cooling? (2 - 120mm case fans)

Would a 750W PSU work for this setup?

[saphalline]

Yeah, 750W will be fine. The Corsair unit comes highly recommended these days.

But what's this about overheating? Can you explain in more detail? What makes you think your system is sweating?

[panther_base]

I can run my system fine for about 30-45 min then I start getting major hang ups in opening and closing programs, also graphics freezing up. I've tried pretty much every fix I could come across and nothing improves the performance any. I clean my fans and case openings about once a month, so they're clean, or at least not ever dirty enough to cause these issues, I've rerouted all the wiring in the case to allow for maximum air flow. Then again it may just be my system getting old, I did run it pretty hard for the last 3 years or so. I used to run this system night and day for months at a time.

[Rick]

If the hangs and freeze is heat related
I'd look at three things first
Video card heat, HDD and memory

Easy test to see if it is heat or wear and tear
Open the case and place a small fan pointed into the case direct the air flow toward the video card and memory
Run the fan and see it it helps any

if it does then you just need to direct the air flow in the system a little better
Even a small fan mounted to direct air at the video or the memory can help

[panther_base]

Open the case and place a small fan pointed into the case direct the air flow toward the video card and memory
Run the fan and see it it helps any

one of the first things I tried when it started doing this, also at the same time I rearranged the wires to provide better air flow, all to no effect it still has the same problems

Even a small fan mounted to direct air at the video or the memory can help
Video card has a fan mounted

I just figured liquid cooling on my new system could help prevent this from repeating

[saphalline]

one of the first things I tried when it started doing this, also at the same time I rearranged the wires to provide better air flow, all to no effect it still has the same problemsThis, coupled with the 3-years straight runtime of the system, suggests it's time to pull it apart and re-do the thermal grease on the CPU's HSF unit.

[panther_base]

HA! didn't think of that, probably because I don't have any to hand, I'll have to get some and try it, I'll still be building a new system (anniversary gift ) so do you think regular cooling methods will suffice? If so I could just pick a case suited to my needs

[hockey man]

Unless you plan to overclock it, the regular stock cooler should suffice.

[panther_base]

I'm not sure if I'll OC this one, depends on how it runs, that's the reason I was asking about water cooling all I need to know about it is, what brands are good and an example of a "everything you need" type kit

re-do the thermal grease
tried it and still get the same problems, I'll probably end up replacing the cpu, and vid card

[panther_base]

I'm going to leave off the water cooling until I find out for sure if I'm going to really need it or not. I do have one more thing I need help with, what OS to use. I've been running WinXP but thought about going Vista with this build, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

[mjc]

If you have a version of XP that will allow you to transfer over to the new build...stick with XP. Then wait for Windows 7...skip Vista entirely. 7 will be out, probably, around the end of this year early next (yeah, a whole year, but the jump to Vista and then moving to 7 isn't worth it if you are happy with XP).

If you are going to have to buy a new version of Windows for this build...then go with Vista. XP is getting harder to come by and last I looked was slightly higher in price than Vista.

[panther_base]

If you have a version of XP that will allow you to transfer over to the new build
how will I know if it will transfer? check windows compatibility?

[mjc]

Basically, if it isn't a full retail version of XP, it isn't transferable.