Intel Dual Core or Quad

[gruven]

I have a Corsair HX620 modular power supply. The absolute best power supply I have ever owned. It is extremely quiet, and extremely stable.

Corsair has engineered the HX620W with features such as whisper quiet thermally controlled 120mm fan, up to 84% high efficiency, combined 50A on triple +12V rails, and modular cable connections with enhanced flexible cables to provide sustained 620W output even at 50ºC to the most demanding of systems.
The HX Series is the ideal power supply for high performance and gaming PCs, Audio/Video workstations, and file servers.

Compatible with Core i7

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies
Welcome to Corsair :: HX Power Supply Product Information

Modular means that you only plug in the cables that you need.
Also, I would NEVER use a power supply that came in a case bundle unless it was for just testing. For stability, I always go with Corsair now.

Cases are usually personal preference, and I prefer Lian-Li. Lightweight, quiet, cool, aluminum, hugh amount of features, very easy to work with, and extremely stylish.

Newegg.com - Computer Cases,lian li
Lian Li Industrial Co., Ltd.

The biggest downside is that Lian-Li cases are pretty expensive. They are worth it, but expensive.

I cannot stress this enough, but make sure that the motherboard you purchase is completely compatible with Linux.

I have an Nvidia 8800GT, and have never been happier in the video card department.

I know my recommendations are a little expensive, but they are pretty much the most reliable and the best at what they are.

[blueagle78]

Thanks for all your suggestions so far. It seems your suggestions have got me somewhere!
I've pretty much selected everything which I want and its pretty much within my budget which isn't bad. I'm thinking of going with Antec 300 case, it seems its got really good reviews like many other expensive Antec cases. I've never touched a case with a PSU at the bottom. Now shall I get the PSU that has got fan on top of it so the air goes up to the graphics card, processor etc.. or the one back with the fan at the back so it expells the air out of the case? I'm thinking of choosing either a Corsair or an OCZ PSU.

[bigtomrodney]

I'm thinking of going with Antec 300 case, it seems its got really good reviews like many other expensive Antec cases. I've never touched a case with a PSU at the bottom.

Good choice

I love Antec cases. The only thing I'd watch on that is dust getting in through the front, but it should certainly be good for cooling.

Now shall I get the PSU that has got fan on top of it so the air goes up to the graphics card, processor etc.. or the one back with the fan at the back so it expells the air out of the case?

There are two main reasons for putting the PSU at the bottome

• It puts the centre of gravity lower in the case, less likely to be knocked down
• The CPU heat radiation in other cases moves upwards and helps to stifle the PSU.

With that in mind, you don't want to go back into the same situation only this time with the CPU being stifled! If you can get a PSU with a rear fan, or at worst rear and side fans. I'm not sure about the 300, but the P-180 keeps the PSU in a completely seperate chamber in the bottoms with a fan in front of it. It works as a seperate "wind tunnel" so that the air flow from the main cavity and the PSU are completely seperated. That way your PSU is cooled effectively and your main cavity, including your CPU and hard drives are cooled effectively also.

[blueagle78]

There's no seperate tunnel like P180/182 in 300.
Sorry didn't get you, are you saying I should get a PSU that has got fan at the back so it throws all the hot air from the PSU out of the case?
I've got this one in my mind for back fan Welcome to Corsair :: CX Power Supplies
This one if you recommend fan at the top of PSU
OCZ Stealth Xtream 500W PSU - 1x PCI-E 6/8pin, 2x SATA 12cm Fan - Ebuyer

I prefer Corsair though because its got 6 SATA power cables compared to 2 offered by OCZ.

[bigtomrodney]

Yeah I did mean it throws out at the back. Sorry I tend to ramble

That Corsair one looks pretty nice

[Norotso]

I run the OCZ 600 and have been really impressed on how quiet the unit is, actually the whole system is whisper quiet.

[blueagle78]

I run the OCZ 600 and have been really impressed on how quiet the unit is, actually the whole system is whisper quiet.

Looking at your signature, it seems you've got CoolerMaster 690 case. Are you happy with it? This case is within my budget so if you could recommend it,I'll go for it. I like the way it looks.
Has it got removeable mobo tray? Is the PSU sitting at the top of bottom?

[Norotso]

Looking at your signature, it seems you've got CoolerMaster 690 case. Are you happy with it? This case is within my budget so if you could recommend it,I'll go for it. I like the way it looks.
Has it got removable mobo tray? Is the PSU sitting at the top of bottom?

Removable MB tray, I'm not sure. PS sits at the bottom, case comes with two fans. I choose the case base more so on functionality. I use my system for HD video/BRD editing and burning. The case has IEEE/USB and SATA plugs on top that make accessing SWEET. Over all I like the case but have nothing to compare it to. For what was available to me, I would recommend it!