New Gaming Build - Let Me Know What You Think !!! - New-System-Build

I just put together my new gaming build. Please feel free to comment or suggest on anything you see and why you would make the change. Also let me know what you would replace it with. I held back on the video card knowing a new line is going to be released in about a month. Is it wise for me to wait or should I just spend the cash now and get a 9 series now. The only things I'm a bit shady on are the motherboard & video card. Keep in mind I do not plan on building another computer for a few years! Looking to order tommorrow while the memorial day specials are still running so please all imput is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129021

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $354.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115042

Motherboard: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $224.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131219

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820231122

Video: MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814127325

Power Supply: XIGMATEK MC NRP-MC751 750W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V Ver. 2.92 Power Supply 100 - 240 V cUL, CE, TUV, FCC - Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817815002

Harddrive (1 TB): Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $94.99 x 2 = $189.98
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822148288

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6832116204

Heatsink: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Keyboard: Saitek PK02 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys USB Standard Eclipse II Keyboard - Retail $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6823175001

Monitor: SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 DC 8000:1 - Retail $269.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6824001268

Mouse: Logitech G9 Black 5 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB Wired Laser 3200 dpi Gaming Mouse - Retail $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6826104079

CD/Burner Drive: SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6827151154

Message edited by Doostur on 05-29-2008 at 09:57:41 PM

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A couple of comments:

- Do you really need a sound card $85 is a lot for something that will be provided for by the motherboard.

- $160 seems a large amount for a graphics card you are going to replace when the new ones appear. You are already half way to 9800GTX by the time you spend $160 on a graphics card. I would suggest either waiting until next month or going for the 9800.

Reply to jpdykes

I am with jpdykes.

If this is a purely gaming machine, you don't need 8GB of RAM. 4GB is more than enough.

Make sure you like that mouse. The G9 is a claw grip- is not like a normal mouse. It is VERY different.

I would go X38 on the motherboard chipset to official FSB1600 support among other advantages. I would buy a el cheapo video card now say 8600 or just hold the entire build off until the new video cards are out.

------------------------------ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ate-modode <-- Computer Builds
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."-John Wooden
Reply to shadowduck

Thanks for the replies guys. A few quesions. What motherboard would you get and why. If you had to buy a video card now which one would it be and why? Lastly when are the new video cards expected to be released? Is it really worth the wait?

Reply to Doostur

Ok so I replace the following parts, let me know what you think:

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $139.99 (Just 4GBs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

Motherboard: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $224.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131219

Reply to Doostur

Good calls on both.

New cards should be out in June. Currently 8800GT owns everything pretty much and will last you for quite a while.

------------------------------ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ate-modode <-- Computer Builds
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."-John Wooden
Reply to shadowduck

Does anyone have any experiences with the Zerotherm heat sink I picked out? Are there any better ones out there? I'm considering the following as well:

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail $26.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134

ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail $53.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118019

Also is it worth doing dual 8800 GTs?

Reply to Doostur

the Freezer is a nice cooler, I have been using them for years.

on dual 8800s: NO NO NO

------------------------------ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ate-modode <-- Computer Builds
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."-John Wooden
Reply to shadowduck

I was reading some of the reviews from here and decided to switch my heatstink to:

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail $36.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Frostytech has some really good reviews and was impressed with this one. Also got rated #2 on their best heatsinks list.

Message edited by Doostur on 05-27-2008 at 08:47:58 AM

Reply to Doostur

Any last minute changes? I'm about to place my order right now!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Doostur

Doostur wrote :

Any last minute changes? I'm about to place my order right now!

Assuming you are planning to upgrade to one of the pimp new video cards in mid-late june, I would get an EVGA 8800gt. You can use their stepup program when the new **** is released. Of course this assumes the EVGA versions of the new cards are any good. If you do not plan on this upgrade, then the MSI you picked is definately the best card for the money I have seen.

Reply to darkdisciple

I do plan on upgrading as soon as the new cards are released. Really think its worth getting the EVGA 88000GT? I figured I'd wait another day before I ordered because I'm having my daubts.

My questions are this:

Should I keep my DDR2 1066 ram or get the DDR2 800 instead, and why? If 800, what brand?

Reguardless should I do 4 GB or 8 GB? I will be running Windows Vista 64 Bit Premium.

Message edited by Doostur on 05-29-2008 at 04:31:16 AM

Reply to Doostur

I just changed my Ram (1066 now 800) & Video Card (8800 GT now 8800 GTS). Tell me if this was a wise choice, or what you would change. I also upgraded to 8 GB of Ram.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $169.98 (2x4GB $84.99 ea.) - x2 = 8 GB
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820231122

MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814127325

Reply to Doostur

Quote :

Shadowduck:
If this is a purely gaming machine, you don't need 8GB of RAM. 4GB is more than enough.

You will not see a prefomance benefit from 8Gb. A much better idea is to go with 4 at the moment and then upgrade to 8 at a later date, RAM prices will fall over time so you can pick up more for less money later. Make sure that you go with 2x 2Gb modules to allow for extra later.

Did you decide on whether you needed that sound card? Onboard sound is very good. You can always put a card in later if you feel that you need to.

My instinct says wait 2 weeks on video cards or use an upgrade system. New cards are expected to be a good improvement on current ones (to be honest they better had be NVidia haven't given us much for a year!!). A price war is probably inevitable over the summer as well.

Reply to jpdykes

Ok I went back to 4 GB of RAM

Is it 100% official on the two week release date for the new video cards or is that still up in there air? I heard mid June-July, some people say a 1-2 weeks for sure, others say 4-6...

I wanted to build a computer now but I guess I could wait if its only two weeks. Here are my options.

- Buy the EVGA G92 GTS 8800 now ($230) and use their "Step Up Program" when the new cards come up? Do they give you full value for the card? Thats if EVGA comes out with a good new video card.

- Stick with my current MSI G92 8800 I have listed, and just buy a new card when they do come out. The MSI is only $179.99. I could always resale it.

Reply to Doostur

Also since I plan on doing some overclocking I switched to the Antec Nine Hundred case.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129021

Message edited by Doostur on 05-29-2008 at 06:06:35 PM

Reply to Doostur

After doing some research and thinking long term I have decided to go with a Q9450 instead.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail $354.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115042

Since I will be overclocking my question now is: Ram - 800 or 1066? If so what kind? Assuming most of you will say get the 800, I'm debating between the following unless someone thinks something else is better:

CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $114.99 with a timing of 4-4-4-12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

or

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $84.99 with a timing of 5-5-5-15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

Next is the motherboard. The best for overclocking is what I'm after. I don't plan on SLIing. Should I keep the current board I have picked (ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38) or is there something better?

I also dropped the sound card, I guess I'll use the mobo sound and see how that goes for now.

Message edited by Doostur on 05-29-2008 at 06:10:18 PM

Reply to Doostur

Between those two RAM types, I'd pick the G.Skill. It's known to reach 1000MHz (found several reviews at newegg saying they did that). For the Corsair I found only one saying 998MHz. Also, the G.Skill doesn't have heat spreaders so I'm sure it won't interfere with other things. Mind you, the Corsair might fit too, I just don't know.

Motherboard: I personally tend to prefer Gigabyte to Asus, but that's mostly because I found Gigabyte boards to be a bit cheaper while still having similar features. Do some shopping around and compare features. With a single video card, which doesn't even need PCI-E 2.0, and a single hard drive, even the GA-EP35-DS3L would do and it's less than half the price of the P5E X38. On the other hand, if you're willing to spend $75+$50 on keyboard and mouse, you can probably afford a MB with more features too. Check out the aBit IP35 Pro and GA-EX38-DS4.

Message edited by aevm on 05-29-2008 at 07:39:04 PM

Reply to aevm

I have my G.Skill DDR2-800 RAM running at DDR2-667 3-3-3-10, it also will go to 1000 4-4-4-12.

------------------------------ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ate-modode <-- Computer Builds
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."-John Wooden
Reply to shadowduck

Nice!!!

Reply to aevm

The Q9450 just became instock on newegg. Time to order!

Reply to Doostur

New Gaming Build - Let Me Know What You Think !!!

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