Please help me choosing my configuration

[danielman]

Hi everybody,

I'm new to this forum. I'm planning to build a new computer mostly for gaming, programing and testing some heavy load scientific computations.

I'd like this build to be as cheap and quiet as possible. After doing a little research my choices have narrowed to:

Case:
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $69.99

Mother board:
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - 134.99

GPU
VisionTek 900203 Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video - Card - $179.00

PSU:
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply - 118.99

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - 279.99

Memory:
WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2800-2G2K-R (x2=4GB) - $84.99

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $84.99

CPU cooler:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - 21.99

DVD burner:
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - 25.99

Would you people give me some opinions-suggestions? This configuration is on the top end of my budget. Would this be a good value for money? would you change anything?

Thanks a lot!

 

[akhilles]

You want quiet computing. My suggestion is Antec Solo. Take a look at newegg's photos, antec site and a review. It's not expensive. The P150 is about the same, only in while on silver, as opposed to silver on black for Solo.

The 650i is a nice budget board. Do you need 2 PATA/IDE connectors? If not, then pick up an ABIT IP35-E for cheap.

The psu is overkill, unless you plan to upgrade the gpu down the road. A Corsair vx 450w is more than sufficient.

I would go with 7200.11 for the extra speed if the price isn't too much more than 7200.10. Google reviews if you want details.

 

[lolitha]

I don't think IP35-E has SLI ,If you don't want SLI you can find some good cheaps boards like Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L, MSI P35 Neo2-FR: wich supports crossfire

 

[lunyone]

The PSU is a bit overkill, but I'd go with it for the fact that you won't need to upgrade it for quite a while. You'll be able to handle SLI or X-fire GPU's without any issues. The mobo is nice if you want SLI, but if your going to use AMD GPU's than get a X-fire mobo, which the newer ones are the Asus P5k series, if I remember right. They go for about $130 and up. They only support 16x and 4x bandwidths, if I remember right too. Don't know if that is your plan or not, but keep it in mind.

 

[Noya]

Mother board:
MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - 134.99

You need a CrossFire board for ATi cards, SLi is for Nvidia cards.

Memory:
WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2800-2G2K-R (x2=4GB) - $84.99

Go for a better brand, like this Micron D9 chipped Super Talent for $88:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T800UX4GV5

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $84.99

You'll need more than a single hard disk to get the most out of a quad core, go for at least 2 seperate disks.

CPU cooler:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - 21.99

May need more for a Q6600.

 

[medamorg]

I would suggest going with the Gigabyte DS3L for $90 and replacing the 3850 with a 8800GT 256 MB for $210. You will save money by doing so but won't have the ability to SLI or crossfire. Also, as many people have suggested to me, id not get the Q6600 but get a cheap E2180 or if you are blessed with finding one a E2200 for under $99 and overclocking it for now and wait for the new 45 nm's processors to be released and come down a bit. All the reviews I read say that the E2180 is the best price/performance you can find atm.

 

[danielman]

Wow! Thanks a lot for such great suggestions!

Medamorg: do you think the difference between 8800 and 8350 is worth the extra $? I mean, I know 8800 is better but I was thinking on upgrade by adding another GPU in one year or so. (that's why the extra power in the PSU). Do you think it'd be better to just go for the 8800 and assume that having parallel GPUs is not such a good idea?

Noya: Thanks for pointing out the mobo issue! it doesn't make any sense to spend more money if I'm getting the wrong technology! Also, what would you recommend for cooling the CPU?

Akhilles: Thanks for the recommendation! judging from the reviews these cases are impressive.

Almost all of you have pointed out that the PSU is a bit too much. What would you recommend if I stick with the 6600 processor with a moderate oc and get a 8800 instead of he 8350 as Medamorg suggested? (I'm sticking to 6600 mostly because I want a decent gaming machine that *also* can run some very heavy load parallel computations without collapsing!). One of my biggest requirements is a quiet operation so I was considering this bundle:

Antec Sonata III Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
(http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129024)

What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[medamorg]

Personally, and again this is only from what I read as my new parts are coming in tomorow, I would say go with an 8800GT 256 MB unless you are using a res of 1600x1050 or higher.

As for processor, the E2180/E2200 is going to perform very well if OC'd to 3.0 Ghz. In SOME cases it will even beat a Q6600 with the Q6600 at stock speeds. I'd personally buy the cheaper processor and wait and upgrade in about 1 year.

Also, newegg has the Antec Earthwatts 500W for $35 after MIR.

 

[Jim_L9]

Stick with a G0 stepping Q6600 and you should be able to use that CPU cooler up to around 3.0 GHz. The E2180 and E2200 are fast, but for parallel processing the quad core will blow them away and the price is decent.

 

[akhilles]

Basically, more video ram is good for larger screens. It helps to know your target resolution & whether the monitor will be upgraded soon.

The Sonata3 is the same as Solo. Both are quiet. The Earthwatt 500W is a quality psu. It's enough for one 8800gt. Not sure about 2 though. BTW, the case has an empty 90mm fan mount in the front. Just behind the dust filter. You can get a fan to further cool down the components if needs be.

 

[danielman]

Thanks a lot for all the suggestions I've received!

So, analyzing all the suggested changes, here is my revised shopping list:

Case and PSU:
Antec Sonata III Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail - $129.95

GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video - $199

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail - $279.99

Mobo:
ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $126.99

RAM:
WINTEC AMPO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AMD2800-2G2K-R - Retail (x2 = 4GB) - $83.98

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $84.99

DVD:
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM - $27.99

Cooler:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail - $21.99

Any observation/critic/etc. before I order everything?

Thanks!
P.S. does anybody know if Newegg is delivering the G0 stepping?

 

[akhilles]

Excellent selection.

newegg doesn't guarantee cpu steppings, me thinks. Tankguy does.