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$1800 Gaming Build

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used   11-22-2008 at 03:08:35 AM

Hi all, just wondering what a nice $1800-$2000 build would look like.

I was considering getting a P45 with a Q9650 but I've heard that the 920 i7 outperforms the core 2 extremes.
The price of a i7 board and triple channel ddr3 is pretty crazy though.

I was looking at this case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119184

And I'm positive on the Spinpoint F1 for the hd and the 4870 x2.

But any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.

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Proximon   11-22-2008 at 03:55:57 AM
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Antec 1200 in combination with an Antec Signature 850W:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129043

Same price, better case, the highest quality PSU you can buy in the US.
If you needed the extra 150W for something then the CM PSU would be OK, but as it is you do not. In fact, a Corsair 750TX would be an excellent choice for a single 4870X2

The Q9650 is not very efficient use of funds. Q9550 costs a great deal less.

My guide to choosing parts.


Message edited by Proximon on 11-22-2008 at 03:57:00 AM
Reply to Proximon
used   11-22-2008 at 04:35:34 AM
- 0 +

Thanks proximon.

I've been doing a lot of looking and this is how stands now:

CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
RAM- 2x OCZ Flex XLC 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1200 at 5-5-5-18
CASE- Antec Twelve Hundred
PSU- HIPER Type M HPU-4M880 880W
MOBO- ASUS P5Q Deluxe
VIDEO CARD- 4870 x2
HD- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 1TB

OR

CPU- Intel Core i7 920
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 at 7-7-7-18
CASE- Antec Twelve Hundred
PSU- HIPER Type M HPU-4M880 880W
MOBO- Foxconn Renaissance LGA 1366 Intel X58
VIDEO CARD- 4870 x2
HD- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 1TB

For about the exact same price.

Or is the Q6600 a better choice for the first one?

Reply to used
aevm   11-22-2008 at 05:14:24 AM
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You can use 2x2GB with the x58, but it would be a bit faster with 3 RAM sticks.

 

The second build will be somewhat better. If you later add a second HD 4870 X2, the second build will be MUCH better. Is that in your plan? 880W should be enough for Crossfiring HD 4870X2, but a 1000W PSU would be a better choice.

 

If you get the first build, and adding a second card is in the plan, then change the MB to P5E Deluxe X48. The P5Q Deluxe is a P45 and not ideal for Crossfire. Also, it has trouble fitting some larger coolers because it has cooling pipes that get in the way.

 

Edit: BTW, DDR2-1200 but no after market cooler is a bad combination. If you get the first build, add a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 or a NH-U12P if you want to overclock. If not, DDR2-800 is enough.


Message edited by aevm on 11-22-2008 at 05:16:53 AM
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Proximon   11-22-2008 at 05:20:12 AM
- 0 +

You need three sticks of RAM for your i7 build. If the G.Skill you listed is the 1.5V modules, it will work, but you need 3 sticks. i7 works optimally with three or 6 sticks of RAM.

The Hiper M is a good choice. It's largely ignored around here because it's a lesser known company, but reviews have been good.

You could trim all sorts of fat off the first build by getting a less expensive MB and PSU.

On the PSU - you seem to be drifting around in the 850W range, but I'm not sure why.

Do you intend to add a second 4870X2 in the future for quad crossfire? If so, you will need at least a Corsair 1000W.

Do you not intend to ever get a second 4870X2? Then a 750W will be more than enough.

An 850W is a good choice for 2 GTX 260s in SLI or 2 4870s in crossfire... but don't get me wrong. A good 750W is enough for those. I'm saying 850W would be better.

Reply to Proximon
used   11-22-2008 at 06:14:11 AM
- 0 +

Thanks guys. Yeah a little later on I plan to get another 4870 x2, and I wanted to be able to maybe take my psu with me on my next build whenever that happens.

Even though I'm really skeptical about DDR3 ram the second build keeps looking nicer and nicer. Especially since I can just pop in a future i7 if I really wanted to (right?) and get better DDR3 later on.

Although triple channel DDR3 is crazy expensive and most are at 9-9-9-24.

What would you guys recommend for some decent triple channel ram at reasonable price?

Reply to used
aevm   11-22-2008 at 09:07:46 AM
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Crazy expensive indeed. I found a 6GB kit for $250 for example. Maybe you should wait until Black Friday, see if there's a sale.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145220

Reply to aevm
kurtyboh   11-22-2008 at 09:21:05 AM
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quite a few of the ram is 7-7-7-20 (although it may be selling out so not showing on sites?) even the 9-9-9-24 isnt bad considering you get 6bits of transfer for every clock cycle vs 4 bits for ddr2

Reply to kurtyboh
aevm   11-22-2008 at 10:21:24 AM
- 0 +

Yeah, but the 7-7-7-20 is often achieved at voltages higher than 1.5V. Something listed as 9-9-9-24 at 1.5V will probably do 7-7-7-20 too if you raise the voltage enough, for example to 1.7V. I wish they'd all just report the timings at the same voltage, so we can compare them fairly and without needing a Ph.D. in maths...

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used   11-22-2008 at 06:09:11 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for all the help guys. I guess I'll see if there are any Black Friday sales on DDR3 ram and go from there.

I did find this though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145221

But I'll wait a little while and see if I can find a better deal.

Reply to used
jkool55   11-22-2008 at 08:34:43 PM
- 0 +

Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

It is only 160 bucks with free shipping. That is only 25 bucks more than the 880W and the 1000W should be sufficient for 4870x2 xfire. It is only 80% efficiency certified, the Hyper is 80% bronze. Here is the thing, the antec quattro psu is designed for a bottom mount psu. That might be something to consider, dont want the psu suck warm air from the gpu, and if you put it facing downwards you need to be careful it gets enough air and is not sucking in dust from the outside. i am in your same situation acutally, debating between the i7 or q9550. as of now i am leaning towards the i7.

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