New Gaming Rig - comments/suggestions/opinions are much appreciated

alisheraz19

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Sep 20, 2007
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Hey guys, i'm inching closer to my final specs for my new gaming computer. Let me know what you guys think, I'd really appreciate it.


CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Socket LGA775, 2.40 GHz, , 1066 MHz FSB, 8MB L2 Cache, 65nm (Retail Box) (BX80562Q6600)

MotherBoard - Asus Striker Extreme Socket 755

Memory (TWO OPTIONS - please help me decide)


OPTION 1 - Corsair XMS2 Dominator TWIN2X2048-6400C4D 2GB 2X1GB PC6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Memory Kit
(http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21294&vpn=TWIN2X2048-6400C4D&manufacture=CORSAIR)

OPTION 2 - Crucial Ballistix PC2-6400 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-800 CL4-4-4-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24641&vpn=BL2KIT12864AA804&manufacture=CRUCIAL%20TECHNOLOGY

Monitor - Samsung SyncMaster 226BW Black 22" Widescreen TFT-LCD, 1680 x 1050, 3000:1, 2ms, Analog, DVI-D HDCP, HDTV Ready

Video Card - EVGA 8800GTX

Power Supply - Silverstone Zeus ST75ZF 750W ATX12V 24PIN Power Supply W/80MM Fan Active PFC Quad SLI Certified

Windows Vista - Ultimate 64-bit

CASE - ANTEC Nine Hundred

HDD - Western Digital Raptor SATA (WD1500ADFD) 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM)


What RAM should I choose out of the two??

I’m not really worried about the media drives right now.. just let me know what you think of the above so far %uF04A thanks…

Again, if you guys have any suggestions or comments at all I’d appreciate it. It's my first build so any input will be much obliged. If you have suggestions for parts please (if you don’t mind) include a detailed description or even better a link. Thanks a lot...

I'm mainly just trying to figure out if all of my hardware will be compatible with eachother and run smoothly ... so if someone could kindly verify that for me or add suggestions for components that will run well togheter i would be much obliged.

On a side note.. I'm not looking for SLi at the moment, and I prefer Intel and nVidia Cards (no Ati- therefore please don't suggest a better motherboard that supports crossfire).

Thanks a lot guys.
 

nickc07

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Aug 23, 2007
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I have a couple of questions:

1. What are you going to be using this for? From the looks of it gaming but who knows if you dont tell us.

2. What is your budget?

3. Do you want to Over Clock?

4. If you are a gamer what games do you want to play?
 

alisheraz19

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Mostly for gaming. I play Counter-Strike Source, Call of Duty 4, Word of Warcraft and soon Crysis.

I don't have a set budget, I just want something that will last me a couple of year and something that will handle the upcoming DX10 games.... I want decent parts... good quality... for a good price... if it costs a bit extra to get something extra, its not a problem.

I do want to overclock, however i am a beginner overclocker so i don't want to .... leave my machine in a heap of ash....

Also I like to watch downloaded DvD's ..... uhh which i pay for ofcourse ... so yea... :)
 

chookman

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Dont you mean CrossFire...

If you arent going with SLI today or in the Future you are better off with P35 chipset or X38 when it comes out.

The Striker is overboard with little to gain, better off with the one under than P5N32-E. Cheaper and same board really
 

nickc07

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Aug 23, 2007
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I actually just posted this on another thread too but I am lazy!!

MOBO: Gigabyte P35 DS3R - $130
CPU: E6550 - $176
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Ultra 120 - $65
RAM: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x1GB) x2 - $220
GPU: EVGA 8800GTX - $610
Case: Antec P180B Black - $130
PSU: Corsair 620HX - $170
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB x2- $160
DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R with LightScribe Black SATA Retail - $38

Total - $1700
MIR - $146.50

If you actually get all rebates you cost = $1553.50

Now I know you are going to flame me bc I am not going Quad core but why do you need that much power. I would wait for the new Intel chips coming out on Nov 12.
 

alisheraz19

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is there a good p35 board that supports Sli ..... because i will eventually be running SLi... maybe in a couple of months..
 

alisheraz19

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nickc07 - disregarding the price... would you take the EVGA 680i or the Asus Striker... cause if i have to pay more for the striker and I'm getting a better board.. I would honestly like to take the striker.
 

nickc07

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Aug 23, 2007
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"DONT QUOTE ME ON THIS"
Once again I am not 100% sure but I think the Striker is just holding on to its name riding it out. I think for SLI purposes EVGA680i is better.
Please do not just take my word on this do my research.

If I had to buy today it would be the EVGA 680i
 

tlmck

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For what it is worth I have two friends with EVGA 680i boards, Quad CPU, single EVGA 8800GTS 640(for now), and 2gb PC6400 Crucial Ballistix. They also went with twin 160gb Seagate 7200.10 drives in raid 0. Something about single platters and perpendicular recording, and not liking the heat or the price of the Raptors.

They swear that these machines are the greatest things ever made. They are also thinking about holding off on SLi until the DX10.1 cards come out next year.

I have a lowly e4300@2700Mhz, P35-DS3L with a EVGA7600gt, WD1600AAJS, 2gb OCZ Platinum, 19" NEC LCD1970GX. Works for me.