Which qualifies as "verifications" within the setup day you're mentioning, i guess.

Compatibility is more than just a performance boost. DDR3 is 4 to 5 times as fast.

7, Ultimate. Or you'll downgrade memory slots whatever G is in. But, i've just re-checked you 4G in reply #22... Vista, barely.

I will assume you know the steps of bios detection and how many "beeps" you need to hear once the drive is snapped in BEFORE you install the OS -- but, i'll risk a last suggestion; connectors FIRMLY inserted or you'll blast it all in a split second with static filled hands.

If you already have an OS, you want to stick with it till windows 7 comes out.  You want to get 64 bit vista or, preferably, windows 7.  I might go after a copy of xp even now just to wait for windows 7, but it would depend on the cost.  You've got the hardware to take advantage of vista, but 7 will likely be much much better since they're supposed to be removing some of the bloatware.

The memory clock speeds aren't getting any faster, which has lead to some confusion with the claim that DDR3 is twice as fast as DDR2.  It's twice as fast at the same memory clock speed, not the same rating.  DDR3 and DDR2 800 are the same speed.  I believe the current max on DDR2 is only 1333, while DDR3 has 2k in the works.

ok, heres the entire thing, os and all.

HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM

AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX920XCGIBOX - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Thermaltake Purepower W0121RU 600W ATX12V V2.0 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model X2

HEC 6A34BB Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

total w/ shipping came out at just under 1000. About 980

8_Bit adressing is similar to 4_Bit? Huge latency gain aside, i guess we won't be benefiting from that much voltage sparing (2.1 to 1.5, IIRC) until matched caching makes that memory four times faster as the 2X width could allow.

added a last minute thing...

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

windows xp for now until windows 7 comes out

The eight bit prefetch is why DDR3 800 is DDR3 800 instead of DDR2 400, otherwise it's basically the same stuff.

Our ram isn't much faster than it was ten years ago.  DDR3 1333 has the same clock speed as the good old pc 166 memory did in the late 90's.  It's just transmitting eight times as much data with the prefetch.

Without that prefetch, DDR3 2k would be pc 233 SSD ram.

okay, i changed alot so ill re-list what i got, please tell me if they will not work, or if they are incompatable, i really need this info.  like if they wont all fit in the case, thats pretty important...

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Seagate ST310005N1A1AS-RK 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - Retail

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retai (x2)

HEC 6A34BB Black 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX920XCGIBOX - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

HIS Hightech H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video

 Card - Retail

Logitech G15 USB Wired Standard Gaming Keyboard - Retail

Thermaltake Purepower W0121RU 600W ATX12V V2.0 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply - Retail

MASSCOOL 5C12B3 50mm Ball CPU Cooler - Retail (x2)

MASSCOOL FD08025S1M4 80mm Case Fan - Retail

I think you oopsed your list.  Those replacement cpu fans are niether the right size nor worth having.  The stock cooling will be better than that.  Those are replacements for old junkers.  You definitely wouldn't use two of them since you only have one cpu.

I can't find out for sure, but I'm pretty sure the extra case fan slot is for a 120mm fan as well.  You'll want to call those tards up and ask them for details on that case.  They aren't publishing full specifications for some reason and the pictures say differently from what's listed.  It's a funky case too, designed for the standard prescot board, that thermal advantage thingy may be a problem.  I think it lines up, but thinking gets you in trouble after you get it.  If you don't harrass them and get a clear answer on everything, I recommend a case change unless someone here can personally attest to it's compatibility.  Your alternative will be modifying it when you find out that stupid pipe is an inch off.

If you're after a replacement cooling system for your cpu, it needs to be an AM2+ compatible cooler, these should all be such.

True, speed or quantity -- CPU (quads, btw) must keep up with memory capacity "cached"!

 so, can anyone here tell me if it works or lead me to a better one for the same or less? please no more expensive. im already straining my $$$ limit so far...

okay then, how about this case, a little more expensive but i think i can pay a teeny bit more for more room

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

When I built my PC back in January, this was the case I bought. It's a little cheaper, same brand, a few less slots but has more options in the front because it has the fan in the back. And if you get either of these cases, you aren't going for looks. So unless you're going to use up all 9 5.25" drive bays, why not save $15?

Also, you may want to go alittle above 600W PSU just incase you wish to add anything else in the future (even if you're replacing a part, new parts typically need more power)

Yeah, the 534 is a much better case unless you plan on having half a dozen cd players in that thing...  9 is major overkill, I'd never go with less than 4 myself, but wow...

I can't believe I missed that on the PSU.  The 12v rails are a little too low.  You should aim for 24 or higher.  If that's combined wattage it's ok for one card, just not crossfire, but I can't say for sure.  This would be excellent but it's a little more expensive.

Gee, 10 days already and not even a screw turned in a metal hole or cables snapped to and from variable components... what was my initial estimate for verifications, again?

This is a solid unit. If you need a new DVD, this would be a good choice.

Seagate is a good company. I prefer Thermaltake, but that is personal preference. You don't need this much storage on a single drive. At any rate, you shouldn't trust this much storage on a single drive. You can buy 3 drives for ~this cost. One for the OS, one for gaming, and one for personal storage. If you have only one HD, and it fails, you are frelled.

Acer makes great monitors. I use the 22" version of this, and it shipped without a single dead pixle.

Solid company, solid memory. XP can't utilize this much mem, but this is a good investment for the near future.

I'm sure that this is a very nice case, but can you re-use the case you have now? This can save you over a hundred bucks.

I have the dual core version of this proc now, and it has handled everything that I have thrown at it. The quad should do even better.

Gigabyte is a solid company. If you have chosen to go with AMD, then go with the 790 chipset. I have the FX version on my mobo, and it is a flawless match with my proc.

Go with the Sapphire 4870 version. It is solid, it is tested, and it is less expensive. I think that the price will drop soon, and you will be able to double up.

Go with a backlit keyboard; You'll thank me.

Solid as a rock. More than enough power for most any use. I have a 430W Thermaltake.

As far as cooling fans go, you can't have too many.

so is this more like it?

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250310AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM (x3)

Acer X193Wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

I reccomend vista if it's going to be a completely new system

Choose a different case like we've suggested. And we don't need to know what screen or keyboard you're getting but 19" is a bit small for that card. That video card will actually do better at higher resolutions! You could save some money by not buying a "gaming" keyboard and instead putting that money twards a bigger screen with a higher resolution (I myself have an ASUS that's 22" and can go up to full 1080p). Or you can get a different, cheaper video card if you want to save money. You don't need the latest cards to have a great gaming experience.

Ready, set, GO!

One last suggestion...

1TB partitioning...

a--) Leave some dual booting space for alternate OS'es beside Vista or not (Linux, XP, etc)

b--) Here's my 500Gigs "solution"; C:Core (140_OS'es), D:Data(43.8_Personal files, texts, graphics, working on projects), E:Extra(18.6_Programs), F:Filer(20.8_Downloads, temporary backups, ISOs, VOBs, personal web sites), G:Games(227.0_fun, movies, mp3s, etc), H:DVD(not autorun for me!), I:IO(4.7g space for quick DVD content saves), J:Reserved(empty, for now... often used by USB sticks), K:L:M:N(Daemon Virtuals as needed), O:P:Q:R(Cards when snapped in).

c--) Watch for static sparks off your hands when you handle Mobo & Memory.

d--) See you in about two weeks.

not quite sure what ur gettin at, im brand new to this so i dont even know what 1tb partitioning is, i dont know what you were saying in the b comlumn.   no offence, its just i have no clue

 im going to use xp until windows 7 comes out and becomes all debugged...

He's talking about setting up multiple partitions.  You can turn one drive into three fake drives, it's a common practice, and rather intelligent one at that, to have the system install, program files, and storage separate.  It eases the pain of a format if your system gets hosed.  You can just fix whichever partition got messed up and avoid wiping, the storage partition will generally never mess up because of the relatively low read/write use.

In your case, I'd suggest a twenty gig partition for the OS on one drive, use the rest of it for storage, and stripe the other two drives.  Partitioning is very easy to do when you're setting up the install.  Which brings to mind something else.  Don't do a stupid and use the old format.  You want to use NTFS, fat32 sucks donkey balls.

A better display.  Same price too...  You should shop better.

You do have to get a more powerful power supply to do crossfire with a second 4890.  That psu has niether the other two pci-e connectors nor the wattage on the 12v rails to do more than one.  You'll get 29 amps out of it between them, more than the 24 you need to play it safe with a single 4890, but only with a single 4890.  It might have enough juice to get two of them out using a molex adapter, but that's just asking to get your ass kicked by a power down every time you actually use them.  600 is marginal for crossfire.  The one I linked in that last post is perfect for the job if you're planning on that second card.

Hey check this out

Brilliant video.  Not a crossfire mobo to start with, but mentions adding in a second card with a power supply that can't handle it...  It's definitely an excellent bargain, but zero upward mobility with that setup.  The cpu is dated, and you can't expand on it without replacing half the system.

Depends, if you plan to get Windows 7 I would get a cheap version of xp if you can find one, if you dont plan on getting W7, get vista because you will want to take advantage of DX10.1-11 with either Vista or W7.