Please help me finish my build, quad or dual, asus vs evga, and etc.

[Thunderbuckus]

Hello,

Okay, so I have been trying to piece this together for a long time now. I have been patient and calm. I've done research and took advice from friends. I want to build a Gaming PC. My primary use will be for gaming such as Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat, Battlefield 2 and 2142, Counter Strike: Source, Bioshock, and I intend to play Crysis.

I don't use Photoshop very much. I do use AIM and MSN for chatting. I use Firefox a lot for surfing. I have a a download client. I use Winamp for watching movies and listening to music, both of which I do a lot. However, I will still have my last PC as a workhorse to do all the minor stuff like downloading, AIM, and Winamp. While I want my new computer to be able to multitask well, again, the primary focus of my new PC is going to be gaming.

Here is what I have so far, (I used to work at Best Buy, so I got discount on all of these items, which influenced my buying decision):
-Antec 900 Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021)
-Western Digital 320 GB 7200 RPM SATA HD (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136039)
-LG DVD-R 18x SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136120)
-BFG 800w Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702004
-BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB 320-Bit GDDR3 SLI Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143092)

I received the video card today, and have been meaning to order the rest of the parts. However, I stumbled upon some interested articles about the Quad Core, which is what I was going to buy. They are saying that higher clocked Dual Cores are better than the Q6600 Quad Core for gaming...

Here was the rest of my original build:
Processor:
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017)
Memory (I want 2 x 2 GB sticks for a total of 4 GB of RAM):
-2 x 2 GB G.SKILL 240-Pin DDR2 800 PC2 6400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231121)
Motherboard (Was already having trouble deciding between the below. Need one that I can SLI in the future):
-EVGA LGA 775 Nvidia 680i SLI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013)
-ASUS P5N32-E LGA 775 680i SLI (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131073)
-ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus 650i (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131153)

I had decided to go with the EVGA, I thought, until I read the article about the processors. I imagine that the motherboard is still great whether I would go with a Dual Core, though. Also, note, I have never overclocked anything myself. I wouldn't mind learning, but I also don't want to end up spending a bunch of more money to water cool or anything like that. Is my Antec 900 Case fan enough to cool something when overclocked? It has 1 x 200mm fan and 3 x 120 mm fans built into the case.

So, here are the other two Processors that I looked at.
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029) (But for only .22 GHz more, I just assume go with the quad core... Right? I guess unless I can overclock this one better?)
-Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0 GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029) ($10 more than the Quad Core, but if it is that much better in performance for games, its worth it.)


If there is something I overlooked let me know. Some last questions that I have are: G.SKILL is a good brand of RAM, right? If there are alternatives to the RAM, please let me know. I selected it for its price and size.
If there are other Processors or Motherboards I overlooked, please let me know.
The things I have bought I think are pretty solid buys, so I guess Im asking you guys to help me build around what I already have. Namely the video card.

Importantly, I want something that will last me for a very long time. My last computer has lasted me for about 6 years now, with various upgrades or repairs, which is why it is time to buy a new one. It still works, just not for video games...

Thank you in advance. If there is anything that you need me to clarify let me know. A friend referred me here, said you guys were the best.

Thanks again,

-Dylan

 

[roadrunner197069]

If you want to learn to OC grab a E2180 for 90-100 and OC it to 3.4-3.6 easy and it will run faster then the e6850. Then when more apps are out for multi core switch to quad as prices will be lower by then also.

 

[Thunderbuckus]

If you want to learn to OC grab a E2180 for 90-100 and OC it to 3.4-3.6 easy and it will run faster then the e6850. Then when more apps are out for multi core switch to quad as prices will be lower by then also.

I see. If I were to Overclock the E2180, would I have to buy more components, or would the case and fans and etc that I have now be sufficient for it to not overheat?
The E2180 works with everything else Im buying, right?


Also, I forgot to mention that I'll be playing on a 21.6" Samsung LCD monitor, if that makes any difference.

I want to be able to play on high settings and still run very smoothly. Im kind of leaning towards the E6850, but I would like to hear more opinions here. =)

Do all of my components mesh and work together well?

=) Would love to hear more feedback guys. Thank you.

 

[Thunderbuckus]

Please? I'll love you long time. =)

While waiting, Im doing a lot of reading. Im thinking that maybe the best course of action is to buy the Q6600 and overclock it to 3.0 ghz. I've never overclocked before, like I said, but Im reading up on how to do that. I can use the $100 I "save" by NOT buying the 6850 to spend on a better Heatsink or other cooling devices.

But if thats a crappy idea, let me know. Also, the E2180 idea still isnt a bad idea...

Please! Feedback!

 

[plguzman]

Why not a P35 MOBO? It overclocks the Q much better.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Id go with a p35 as well. If it was me I'd buy the E2180 and OC it to learn what I was doing then when the apps i like to use take advantage of quad core I would upgrade. At the moment quad is a little overkill except for maybe Crysis but we wont know til we get some benches.

 

[Thunderbuckus]

Okay. That is what I will probably do. Does the 2180 OC just as good as the 2160? I read several threads on the 2160 as well as a TH.com article on how well it OCs.

Also, someone in another thread told me that the Evga 680i A1 is a good board for overclocking the Quads. But they also said that p35 is the best. The reason for my selection of motherboards that I listes was because they had 3 x PCI Express slots, so that I could SLI later down the road, as well as possibly add a physics card. I guess 2 x PCI Express slots wouldn't be bad, but it would have to be able to SLI.

Thats why I would like to go with the EVGA 680i A1. Is the difference between a p35 and this motherboard that huge of a difference as far as overclocking goes or?

 

[Thunderbuckus]

Also, is my BFG power supply okay? I got it at Best Buy on discount, so I paid like $140 for it... I can still return it if there is one that is better that isnt too much more expensive.

I was reading http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=375886, and saw that BFG were lower tiered... IT says only use it for stock or low voltage?

Could I get a E2180 to 3.0 - 3.4 on a 800w BFG PSU? Also, a Q6600 to 3.0 - 3.4?

 

[aevm]

Go with the eVGA 680i SLI. It is the best choice if you are serious about using two video cards.

If you overclock, the Antec 900 is great. You will need a good CPU cooler too, you can't rely on the case fans alone. Get a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme with a Scythe S-Flex fan, for example.

I'd just get the Q6600 and overclock it a little. Long-term it will pay off. Right now most games don't take advantage of quads properly, but that will change.

 

[hurt]

Go with the eVGA 680i SLI. It is the best choice if you are serious about using two video cards.

If you overclock, the Antec 900 is great. You will need a good CPU cooler too, you can't rely on the case fans alone. Get a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme with a Scythe S-Flex fan, for example.

I'd just get the Q6600 and overclock it a little. Long-term it will pay off. Right now most games don't take advantage of quads properly, but that will change.

yeh i agree, i just recently purchased the Q6600 G0 version, evga 680i mobo, antec 900, evga 8800gtx and the tuniq tower 120. Its a really good system. Wasn't that hard to put together but if u decide to go that route, put the heatsink on first then put it in the case, and makesure the powersupply cpu plug is long enough to reach to the cpu at the top of the mobo...mine was really really really tight fit.

 

[pous]

Here's my various opinions on what you should do:

1. Get the Q6600 Kentsfield with G0 stepping. It runs cooler overall and is better for OC'ing (If you end up learning/doing that, but as others have said, for now it's not even necessary)

2. G.Skill is a great brand for RAM in my opinion, I've got 2gb of it and I love it.

3. I'd recommend a Gigabyte P35 DS3R Mobo, because they're awesome and easy to OC if you decide to learn or do it. If you REALLY feel like you're going to need SLI with 8800GTS640's then get the eVGA 680i SLI or look into an Asus board. (But honestly... unless you're gaming on a HUGE monitor it's not really necessary I think)

4. PSU should be alright, BFG is a good name brand... although I'm rather partial to Antec/Corsair currently. The Antec Neo HE series and the Corsair HX series are excellent and would power your system nicely.
Although if you're really really going to OC then you could look into a PC P&C 750W silencer... they're amazing.

5. Case is a good choice, and as others have said if you are OC'ing you're going to want a third party CPU cooler... Tunique is supposed to be real good, as well as Thermaltake... I've also heard good things about Scythe's coolers... it seems to come down to personal preference from what I've read and heard. You can always look into a cooler later if or when you decide to OC.

Best of luck with your build, I hope my rambling helps a bit (=

 

[hurt]

if ur gonna spend some money might as well get more future proof and get the q6600 thats what i did.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Okay. That is what I will probably do. Does the 2180 OC just as good as the 2160? I read several threads on the 2160 as well as a TH.com article on how well it OCs.

Also, someone in another thread told me that the Evga 680i A1 is a good board for overclocking the Quads. But they also said that p35 is the best. The reason for my selection of motherboards that I listes was because they had 3 x PCI Express slots, so that I could SLI later down the road, as well as possibly add a physics card. I guess 2 x PCI Express slots wouldn't be bad, but it would have to be able to SLI.

Thats why I would like to go with the EVGA 680i A1. Is the difference between a p35 and this motherboard that huge of a difference as far as overclocking goes or?

The 2180 is better slash easier to OC. The 2180 has 10x clock and the 2160 has a 9x while the 2140 has a 8x.

You can get 3.6 with the 2180 with a good fan. The q6600 runs way hotter. On the Q6600 I personally woundnt push harder then 3.0. Quad is great for future but not needed atm. If you wait til the future the prices will be lower. Buy the 2180 now and pop a q6600 in its place when the day comes that its needed. Thats what I'm gonna do. The money you save will almost buy you a 8800GTS.