Building a new computer, obviously, its to be an upper middle range gaming computer. I don't really have any experience with overclocking, but I am planning on trying a bit with this rig. Hopefully finding some guides to help. Everything is most likely to be ordered off newegg.


PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V Power Supply - Retail

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Mobo: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450 - Retail

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM

Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM

Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail, and ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail


What is left out of the above, is the video card. I been planning on getting a 4870 in a couple of weeks when it comes out, and just using a temporary card in the meanwhile. Ideally, I want this to last several years. My current computer is from 2002, so this is a massive upgrade to be sure.

Some questions. Any problems with the arctic cooler? I've read that the xigmatec rifle cooler doesn't fit that well into the Antec 900 due to the size. Which is why I've chosen this one, or is there a better cooler for this case?. Assuming I get the 4870, and a few years down the road I might want to crossfire, would a 700 watt PSU support it? Or by then is it better just get a newer video card altogether.

And finally, any conflicts or problems with this build? Or any improvements/recommendations? Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

ocz is a good pick some say its bad due to that funny tier list but i have ocz psu and it never failed and i leave my pc on 24/7

Everything looks good. 700w psu should do fine for 4870 crossfire. Not sure about the cooler. But if the case don't fit a proven high performance cooler, get another case. There are lots of good cases out there.

Nice motherboard- the one I have. Great overclocker.

However, you don't Crossfire "a few years down the road." That is a terrible investment, you either buy both now or stick with one and replace it every 2 years or so.

also good pick on the acer screen. just got mine in 2day and it looks so s3xy but i wont use it till i get my dx10 built .

also get it from here.

its cheaper then newegg.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2775

I don't especially like tiger direct. For a $10 difference ill just stick with newegg.

I was considering the Thermaltake Armor, but thats a full tower, which I doubt I need, and also costs more. Is the Arctic cooler with the antec 900 decent? Or should I look into the other case more?