If I order this Sept this will be the rig

Originally posted by pdwe Any suggestions on a mouse and keyboard I should consider.

I recommend the Logitech G15 Keyboard and the Logitech MX518 Mouse. Those are what I use, and I love them :)

In regards to your components, I have a few suggestions:

Tuniq 120

I recommend the Xigmatek S1283 w/retention bracket. Frosty Tech's 5 best heatsinks. The Xigmatek is less expensive and works better.

8 GB OCZ DDR 3 (7-7-7-24)

You don't need DDR3 RAM for Core 2 CPUs. On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is, for the most part, useless, so don't bother trying to do so. Here's an example with the Q9550 (which should be the current price of the Q9450 by Sept):

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

Q9550:
Multi x Actual FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
8.5 × 333MHz, DDR2 667 RAM = 2.83GHz <<== Stock speeds
8.5 × 400MHz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.4GHz <<== Easy OC
8.5 × 450MHz, DDR2 900 RAM = 3.83GHz <<== Good OC
8.5 × 500MHz, DDR2 1000 RAM = 4.25GHz <<== Excellent OC, but difficult to reach on air cooling

As you can see, there is no need for DDR3, since you'll most likely be running it at half it's rated speed.

XFX 280 GTX

The ATI HD 4870x2 should be out in August, if not sooner, and you might change your mind about the GTX 280 then.

Originally posted by pdwe Thanks for info Gary.

You're welcome

Originally posted by pdwe I'm not interested in OC'ing

Then the DDR2-800MHz RAM is all you need, and G.Skill is very good RAM.

Originally posted by pdwe So your saying unless I wait for new chipset 1366 DDR3 is not worth it.

Well, it's more that the Nehalem CPUs will require DDR3. But for Core 2 CPUs, DDR3 is not necessary.

So if I had Ava Direct build me 2 machines like above. One had x48T and 8 GB DDR 3 and one had P35 DSR with G Skill 8 GB of DDR 2 ram and I hooked them up side by side not knowing which was which I wouldn't notice any difference at all.

Originally posted by AndonSage Originally posted by pdwe I understand Gary that DDR 3 is not worth it with Core 2 I just wondered what differences I would see or not between both besides DDR 2 system 700 dollars cheaper. You wouldn't notice any difference, except a smaller balance on your credit card

Edited by pdwe - 06 Jul 2008 at 6:43pm

Originally posted by MattSlagle Pdwe, you are going to wait 8 months for stable drivers just for a wireless usb stick?   With the myriad options of these available, there must be a stable hw option that you can choose from our selection or from somewhere else.   Also, there are X38 and X48 mobos that accept DDR2 memory.  You do not need to go DDR3 unless you want to.  Until Nehalem comes out, you practically have the option of DDR2 or DDR3 with all the newer chipsets.   Btw, if you wait longer than a few months, everything you have just chosen will become obsolete and replaced with bigger and better hardware.  That is the pace of the technology that is computers.  So it is somewhat hard to choose components now for a system more than a single month away.

Edited by pdwe - 10 Jul 2008 at 6:31pm