Will this system work? My first Home build, plz help!

[0Avatar0]

Hi,
First off I would like to apologize, what I about to ask will probably make you think I am very stupid. But I would really appreciate your help!
I am a Digital Effects artist by trade (I use Photoshop, Avid and Aftereffects a lot)
And I want to build a fairly good home system that will run these apps well, but will also allow me to play ‘Spore’ and ‘Supreme commander’ when they come out.

I have about £1200 to spend and have never bought or built my own system before. (Used work provided macs and dedicated Avid systems)
But Unlike the computers I use at work, this one is for fun! So I would like a rig that will allow me to put ‘in game’ settings to High.
Below is what I am considering, Will this do the Job? Any advice about what I should change?

I am also rather confused, I’ve had the E6600 recommended, though will 2x 2.4 GHz Clock speed be enough to run games coming out early next year? (‘Spore’ and ‘Supreme commander’)

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Motherboard: MSI 975X
RAM: Novatech 1024Mb 667Mhz DDR2 240pin (X2)
PSU: JEANTECH 600W Modular ATX PSU 24 pin (20+4)
HD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 250Gb 16Mb Cache Hard Disk Drive SATAII
GPU: GeForce 7950 GX2 1024MB PCI-E
DVD Burner: Sony Black AW-G170AB2 Dual Layer 18X DVD+/-R/RW
Case: ThermalTake Armour Junior Case Black with Window

Thanks in advance!

 

[horstmann]

The only processors that beat the e6600 are the e6700 and e6800 right now. Each clock of the core 2 duos gets way more done than every other processor out there so it can be clocked slower and get more done. So the processor will definately be up to the challenge.

 

[0Avatar0]

Thanks, thats what i thought!
I've been looking into Power supplies and I think I'll play it safter and get

OCZ NVIDIA SLI-Ready 600Watt GameXStream Power Supply

Instead of the one in my list above, but I am still unsure of the compatibility of the rest of it!

 

[horstmann]

Definately a wise decision. Always get a good power supply or you will be replacing your expensive computer parts when the power supply dies.

 

[wiz83]

GBP1200 is a lot.

Get the DS3 model motherboard for the extra RAID support. I don't know about the 975 chipsets on MSI, but haven't read good reviews regarding the MSI's board being good overclockers for the C2D's. Gigabyte is currently leading the $/overclock on C2D, and some Asus boards are milking every MHz out of the C2D's.
Get 2x1GB module instead (Low Latency DDR2-800)
Get 2x HDD to run RAID-0.

Then overclock the shit out of the processor.

I don't know if it's worth paying great money for current graphic cards, but what I could suggest is, buy a cheap card now, and wait for DX10, then buy a great card for it.

Good luck.

 

[0Avatar0]

Yeah WiZ83, what your saying regarding the graphics card does make sense, I wanted to get something that would blow me away (hence the 7950 GX2.) But I didn't know DX10 was out soon. Will a 7950 GX2 not work with DX10? If I just got a 7900 GX (512mb) would it be enough to tide me over till DX10? and when can i expect DX10? If it is soon then is it better i hold off buying?

I'm looking into the C2D overclocking on the Asus mobo atm, and seriously considering swapping the MSI for one.

 

[melarcky]

Yeah WiZ83, what your saying regarding the graphics card does make sense, I wanted to get something that would blow me away (hence the 7950 GX2.) But I didn't know DX10 was out soon. Will a 7950 GX2 not work with DX10? If I just got a 7900 GX (512mb) would it be enough to tide me over till DX10? and when can i expect DX10? If it is soon then is it better i hold off buying?

I'm looking into the C2D overclocking on the Asus mobo atm, and seriously considering swapping the MSI for one.

I would get something that will hold you over tell DX10 Comes out... the GF8800GTS and GF8800GTX are coming out in a few weeks and they will support DX10, and they should be able to blow anything out of the water for now.

 

[purdueguy]

The best bang for the buck currently is the X1950Pro. In the states it's selling for 200 bucks. Since the $/£ is around 1.9, this would put the X1950Pro at around £105. I'm assuming it'll probably be more with VAT (what exactly is this? )

One site already had the 8800GTX for $800 which translates into around £420. DX10 will not be affordable until ATI releases their DX10 cards next year. No competition, therefore really high DX10 card prices.

The 7950 GX2 will not use DX10 functionality. Any DX10 games you use will be played using DX9. Using DX10 software or DX9 software is hardware dependent and a DX10 card is backwards compatible with DX9.

 

[0Avatar0]

I have put together a new system
I think is better, any further suggestions? Will this ‘Gigabyte’ mobo support an OC’d E6600? I’ve considered the X1950Pro, but I think I’ld prefer to spend a little more and get a single 7900 (512mb) for now, then upgrade to a DX10 solution around April (tax rebate time!) I still am unsure of this mother board though!.... and will this cooling be enough for OC’ing?

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2 x 2.4Ghz 4Mb Cache 1066 FSB Dual Core Processor

MOBO:
Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 Socket 775 DDR2 PCI-E

RAM:
Corsair XMS6400 2GB DDR2 (2x1GB) 800Mhz Non-ECC

PSU:
OCZ NVIDIA SLI-Ready 600Watt GameXStream Power Supply

GPU:
MSI GeForce 7900GTO 512MB GDDR3 Dual DVI TV Out PCI-E (650MHz Core Clock) (1320MHz Memory Clock)

Cooling:
OCZ Tempest Cooler Supports 478, AM2, LGA775, and 754, 939, 940

Hard Drive:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250Gb 16Mb Cache Hard Disk Drive SATAII 300MB/s

DVD Burner:
Sony Black AW-G170AB2 Dual Layer 18X DVD+/-R/RW 12X DVD RAM Burner

Case:
ThermalTake Armour Case Black With 25cm Fan Side Panel

Total cost (including VAT) = £1105.27

 

[wiz83]

Yes, the DQ6's are great C2D overclockers. They'd definitely OC your E6600 really well.