First PC build - gamer

[ktolle31]

Hey guys!

I am looking to put together a new pc for pretty much just gaming that will last a few years and wanted to get some insight and opions. My budget is $1500.

I do not need a monitor as well as a keyboard and mouse. Just a new tower. Also don't need a sound card.

First off is the processor. Ive been looking at the e6850 but still cant decide if I should go with that or the q6600. From what I hear the duo has slightly higher benchmarks for games but the quad is more futureproof. What do you guys think?

Ill just list some of the other parts im looking at and let me know what you guys think:

Case (Raidmax Smilodon) $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811156062

Mobo (Gigabyte P35) $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128050

RAM (G.Skill PC2 6400) $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

GPU (8800gts vs 8800gtx) $380 - $540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130071
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130072

Is it really worth it to go with the gtx or will the 640mb gts be fine for gaming for the next few years?

HD (WD caviar 250gb) $68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

Drive (Sony NEC Optiarc) $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152079

Altogether this comes out to just under $1100 with the 8800 gts before tax. If I am not overclocking do I need to upgrade the cpu cooler or get some more fans? Is the 500w psu with the tower enough or should I upgrade that?

Also Windows XP or Vista?

Just a few more questions, haha. Am I better off waiting a few months for the new stuff to come out to see if these prices drop? Also I am a little hesitant to build this comp since I have never built one before. Are there any good companies out there that will put together this system for me at a decent price or am I better off trying to do it myself?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated since I am noob at this, haha. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bobsama]

The case is really all up to you--I don't know your personal taste so I won't recommend my personal favorite. I would grab a quad-core over a dual-core--XBitLabs did a Q6600 v. E6850 review (http://xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2quad-q6600.html) and the Q6600 is actually better at 3.6GHz, beating the E6850 at 3.85GHz. Quad-core is more future-proof, as new games will start to take advantage of the 3rd and 4th processing cores.

I'd grab WinVista over WinXP--WinXP will have support dropped in about 18 months (iirc).

 

[Guest]

Read the reviews on that case. Numerous owner had issues with the power supply. I'd look for something else it was me. Your call.

 

[WR2]

Ive been looking at the e6850 but still cant decide if I should go with that or the q6600. From what I hear the duo has slightly higher benchmarks for games but the quad is more futureproof.

If I am not overclocking do I need to upgrade the cpu cooler or get some more fans? Is the 500w psu with the tower enough or should I upgrade that?

Also Windows XP or Vista?

Just a few more questions, haha. Am I better off waiting a few months for the new stuff to come out to see if these prices drop? Also I am a little hesitant to build this comp since I have never built one before. Are there any good companies out there that will put together this system for me at a decent price or am I better off trying to do it myself?

E6850 vs Q6600 - thats about right. In "most" games 3.0Ghz beats 2.4Ghz regardless of the # of cores.
There are a few games out there now, and some games coming in the future where slower Quads will beat faster Duos.
No need for upgrading the HSF/Cooler - its good for stock and light overclocking. Same for extra fans - not necessary, or can be added later. A quality 500W PSU should be good for your system with either GTS or GTX video cards. GTX wants 450W min PSU with 28 amps available on +12v rails.
- XP or Vista - your choice. But you'll probably get Vista someday anyway and so end up playing for both XP (again?) and Vista too.
- 8800GTS 640/320 vs 8800GTX Check out these comparisons (especially for GTS 640/320) 8800GTX/GTS 640/320 comparison in 6 games and 7 games tested with different CPUs and 8800GTX/GTS 640/320
If you play games at screen resolutions of 1600x1200 or above GTX should be considered. Under 16x12 you'll probably be happy with GTS. Not all PC cases can fit a GTX.

IMO on your budget it would make more sense to step down a CPU to E6750, and use that $100 savings to upgrade the video card to GTX. You can always learn to overclock the E6750 to E6850 speeds, plus a bit more.

An online e-tailer who will build your system for you ($80) is Mwave.com Look under Build Your Own System

If you need a system now there is no real reason to wait. But if you can wait you'll have more options on how to spend (probably more!) your money in a few weeks.

 

[ktolle31]

Awesome. Thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it. Ill consider the e6750 WR2, and I guess I can always upgrade to the quad down the road since the mobo supports the core 2 duo and the quad. Thanks again!

 

[lunyone]

If your building now:
CPU: e6750 Save $85 now and upgrade or OC later.
8800gtx Get eVga's video card, so you can use the upgrade option within 90 days to upgrade to the latest video card by the end of the year.
PSU: $95 after $10 MIR Plenty for what you need.
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W Power Supply Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100

Mobo is fine, could save $30 and get the DS3L for $101 shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Case: I would definately get a good (roomy) case for the 8800gtx. Not sure what to recommend here, since I don't know which case will fit a 8800gtx comfortably.

If you use the 2 items that I suggested to save some $ with, you would save at least $110 on them, thus giving you more for Case/PSU/GPU, since you only had $90 for case/PSU.

I would build your system yourself, if I were you. You would learn ALOT about your system and thus give you knowledge that you wouldn't otherwise know. This information would allow you to understand what you should get next time you build or add something to your system. This information for me is PRICELESS. Knowledge is everything!

My 2cp's

 

[sharp910sh]

ah if you are going to OC to 3.6ghz with the q6600, i would get the quad, but if not get the e750 a very good cpu, very OC'able

 

[stickmania]

Make sure whatever case you get has some decent cooling, cos 8800s (gtx and gts) get pretty hot. Other than that either of the processors you considered will give you good gaming performance for a while yet so dont worry about it too much.

 

[smoothy1974]

hi all can anyone help,this is my first time ive built my own pc,but when i install windows and put all my drivers in,my system has random crashes and is very unstable..

the board the i bought was a foxcomm N570 SLI skt Am2,my memory is DDR2 2x512mb ram 533mhz AMD athlon X2 Am2 64 3800+dual core.nivdia 6600 gt 128mb ram

 

[harry_callahan]

hi all can anyone help,this is my first time ive built my own pc,but when i install windows and put all my drivers in,my system has random crashes and is very unstable..

the board the i bought was a foxcomm N570 SLI skt Am2,my memory is DDR2 2x512mb ram 533mhz AMD athlon X2 Am2 64 3800+dual core.nivdia 6600 gt 128mb ram

This is most likely one of 3 things, memory, power supply, heat. Check your temps and remove the side panel of your case. If the problem still persist check the hsf is mounted properly and you have enough case fans to keep the temps down. 2nd, google Memtest x86 and follow the directions. I noticed you didn't say what "Brand" it was. You also neglected to state what power supply you are using? The problem is most likely #1 or #3 but could be #2.

 

[Onus]

Smoothy, please do not try to hijack this thread; start your own.

@OP, I agree with WR2 and lunyone. Specifically, the PSU that comes in that case should not be trusted. The one lunyone linked is a good choice, or you may select one from tier-3 or better from this list:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

Edit: just noticed that RaidMax PSU only provides 22A on 12V+. That isn't enough, regardless of quality. A decent PSU would just cut off on your load, but this one might let the magical blue smoke out of [parts of] your rig too.

 

[smoothy1974]

sorry to forget to mention my psu and memory type
my psu is just a standard one made by Q-tec 400watts
and my memory is 2x512mb 533mhz VDATA
when i mention system crashes i have parimeter errors,what ever that means ive no idea? my system constantly restarts and when windows loads up,it says my system has just recovered from a serious error..

 

[ktolle31]

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it. Does anyone have a recommendation for a different case? One that is reasonably priced and will comfortably fit the 8800gtx? I have been told by a few people that the cooler master centurion cases arent bad for the price, any opinions? Thanks again!

 

[Onus]

I've used three of the CoolerMaster Elite cases and liked them. The Centurions are similar, but already have the front fan mounted. I understand from someone who has one that it is a 120mm; the newegg pics of it suggest only an 80mm, but he says there was a design upgrade.

 

[rwpritchett]

...The Centurions are similar, but already have the front fan mounted. I understand from someone who has one that it is a 120mm; the newegg pics of it suggest only an 80mm, but he says there was a design upgrade.

That goes for the Centurion 534 - newegg says 80mm but it's actually 120mm. I don't know if the other CM models such as the Centurion 5 have switched to a 120mm fan in the front.

 

[doghills]

If I were you I would go with the power supply lunylou suggested. The one you have currently won't work as already pointed out.

Also I wouldn't go with a centurion case because it will probably be to small for a 8800. I would go for an Antec 900. I personally like it a lot and it has excellent airflow.

 

[Gurak]

I have a centurion 5, bought it like 1 month ago, and it has 1x 120mm rear fan and 1x 80mm front fan, and I got to say that I really like it

 

[harry_callahan]

sorry to forget to mention my psu and memory type
my psu is just a standard one made by Q-tec 400watts
and my memory is 2x512mb 533mhz VDATA
when i mention system crashes i have parimeter errors,what ever that means ive no idea? my system constantly restarts and when windows loads up,it says my system has just recovered from a serious error..

I stick with my original diagnois. follow the steps as stated. You a good 550watt power supply to start with. 400watts ain't going to cut over time. As stated, you need to start your own thread. There will be no more post here about your problem from me.
good luck.

 

[WR2]

There are enough customer reviews on the Cooler Master cases that you should have no trouble confiming which ones fit the GTX. Some PC cases at NewEgg. Someone mentioned the Antec 900 which is a popular case at the moment.
I've been looking at a new arrival from Cooler Master - the RC-960. It's slightly larger than the 900 and the current $20 rebate makes the $50 price seem like a major bargin. It has 3 fans included. And Cooler Master says its designed with 8800GTX cards in mind, both size wise...and cooling wise. And its got some nice cable management featuers that Im looking forward to seeing reviewed. Also has the bottom mounted PSU which improved case stability vis center or gravity.

 

[ktolle31]

Thanks again for the info guys. Did you mean the RC-690 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137) WR2? That does seem like a nice case for the price, I'll have to look into it.

 

[smoothy1974]

thanks harry ive give that a try n see how i get on..........

 

[ktolle31]

Alright one more question guys, haha. If I go with the Q6600 how can I be sure its the one with G0 stepping, since I dont see anything on newegg saying it is. Or are all the q6600 on newegg the G0 models? Thanks.

 

[rwpritchett]

If you buy the Q6600 from ClubIT.com, they actually say what the stepping is. You might pay a little bit more, but you're guarranteed to get the one you want.

 

[WR2]

Yes - the RC-690.
ClubIt Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield BX80562Q6600 SLACR

 

[Guest]

Some people that have posted reviews of the Q6600 over the last few days say they got a G0 and others a B3. That's why I went with ClubIt.