I was recently on the Neogaf forums and came across a post entitled "The $900 PC Crysis Challenge (By Crytek)". I watched the videos that were posted and was amazed that you can get it to run on HIGH settings with a pc at that price point. I decided it was time to upgrade my computer and I was it was going to be one that I built. The components they recommend are:
CPU Intel Core2Duo E6750
GPU GeForce 8800GT 512MB
Motherboard NVIDIA nForce 650i Socket 775
PSU 600W ATX12V
RAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
HDD SATA 250GB 7200RPM
DVD 20x DVD±R Burner
Case ATX Midi Tower Computer Case
OS Microsoft Windows XP Home with SP2
By going through some of the previous post I was able to get a general idea of what brands to look for. I now have some general questions for you guys.
1.) Is there anything you guys would change? This is just around my price point
1. I'd get a name-brand PSU and Case. Cheap PSU = poor performance, headaches, and annoyances*. (I bet the fan in that PSU is going to vibrate, squeak, and make high pitched noises all day)
2. That would allow you to SLI, but something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188024 will allow you to have SLI support as well as support 45nm CPU's. (Just look for the 780i chipset. Any of those boards should have SLI and 45nm support)
3. If you're talking about the one that comes with the CPU, yeah. (Make sure you get a retail box though, not OEM. OEM does not come with a fan)
4. Depends. We need to see what case you're getting.
It is a very good case. I have it my self. You can ignore most of the negative reviews on it, as they are mainly about the first revision of the case - it would cause some trouble with graphics card using the top slot on the back of the case. It's fixed now though.
Quote :
Would that motherboard let me use the Core2Duo E6750 or will the new chips be around the same price?
If you want something cheap but good, try the GA-P35-DS3L. It also supports the E6750 as well as the new 45 nm chips. (As advertised on their website here: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Product [...] uctID=2599 )
That being said... if you can wait a few days, try the E8400. It costs a little more than the E6750, but it's better than it's big brother, the E6850. I think you may even be able to purchase them now. It's 45nm, which means it has a lower core voltage, runs cooler, and it just is an all around better chip.
Message edited by rgeist554 on 01-17-2008 at 08:06:19 PM
It's the newer 7200.11 revision, bigger obviously, and will be a bit faster than the drive you chose.
Everything else looks great! I think you'll be really happy with it. Good luck with your first build.
Regarding your questions. I'm personally sticking with XP Pro for now, as I'm rarely an early adopter of Operating Systems. But it's your call. If you do decide to go with Vista, I'd suggest you go with 4GB of ram instead of 2GB.
For cables you should be all set, except OEM hard drives usually don't come with a cable. So you'll need a SATA cable if you don't already have one lying around.
I know there cheap but do I still need to buy a floppy drive for it?
Need? Probably not. But for like $7, why not? The only downside is it's an extra cable to run through your case. If you prefer a cleaner look to the front of your case, don't want another place to blow dust bunnies out of, and don't want to run an extra cable ... don't use one. If you don't care, it'll give your system a tiny tiny tiny bit more flexibility.
Just a quick note about the cables. Even if you get an OEM hard drive (no cables) every motherboard will come with at least 2 SATA or PATA cables so that's no problem.
Only get the 780i if you plan on SLI, otherwise stick with an intel board (P35 and X38)
If you are getting only one video card, the 8800GT performs better, but if you plan on getting a second than 2 HD3870s perform just as well as 2 8800GT's
---------------
Antec 1200|Antec Signature 850...nothing in it D;
If you want a mobo that will support the E8400, check out the mobo web site and see if it is on their supported list. I recently checked this out for gigabyte, and in general all the P35 mobo's need to be at revision 2.1.
If your use is for gaming, see if you can squeeze the 8800GTS-512-G92 into your budget . It is THE most important component. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130312 Not only is it a bit faster, but it has a very good cooler that expels hot air directly out of the back of the case instead of recirculating it and heating up the cpu. Consider EVGA to preserve your option to step-up to a better card if it should become available in the next 90 days.
The crucial memory has good timings, but at 2.2v. I recently built a system with a GA-P35-DS3R rev 2.1 and 4gb corsair ddr2-800 memory(1.8v). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184 It worked fine, right out of the box. I would spend more for 4gb instead of faster 2gb memory. Memory speed does not help c2d cpu in applications hardly at all.
Unless you are looking for bragging rights level overclocks, the X38 boards do not seem worth the price. Put the $100 saved elsewhere. You can't do sli on any intel chipset, including x38, for that, you would need an nvidia chipset board. The equivalent onthe intel chipset boards is crossfire which requires ati vga cards.
SLI has been a poor upgrade path in the past. It should be used only by
those who will not currently be satisfied by the fastest available single vga card
which is currently the 8800GTX-OC. The more modern 8800GTS-512-G92 is very close in performance, and has a good cooling system.
To get SLI. you have to spend more up front for a SLI capable mobo, and a
more powerful SLI capable PSU. Upgrading a single card later with a
second equal card does not get you 2x increase, it is more like 1.1x to 1.5x depending on the game.
At that time, you will still be paying top dollar for a card that is closer to
being obsolete. It would be better to sell the old card and use the proceeds
A floppy is cheap, but you won't need it except perhaps if you need raid and XP, neither of which appeals to me. I also don't like the clunky cable it needs. Any decent mobo will include all the cables you need. Look at the newegg photos to see what is included.
I don't see the sense of investing in XP today. It clearly is not where microsoft will put their development dollars.
towards a better new generation single card.
For a first time builder, I suggest that you download the manuals for the case and mobo. It should answer many questions.
Message edited by geofelt on 01-19-2008 at 11:19:08 PM
---------------
E8400-stock, GA-P35-DS3R(rev2.1), Corsair 4x2gb 6400C5, EVGA 8800GTS-512-G92, Vista home premium-64-bit, WD velociraptor-300gb, PC P&C silencer-610, Antec SOLO, 2 x Samsung 275T, Samsung-203b-dvd
So if only one card then get the 8800GT.
I love mine.....atm I can run Crysis on Very High, but I have to restart before hand to wipe memory and its only at 1280x1024
Edit: Didnt see geofelt's message above, but I totally agree with him. The P35s will be able to support 45nm Cpus and you can put the saved $100 towards the GTS which has a better cooler
Message edited by Silverion77 on 01-19-2008 at 11:18:14 PM
---------------
Antec 1200|Antec Signature 850...nothing in it D;
Just switching my motherboard to the P35 was able to save enough for the extra 2gb or memory and the GTS. Will the new revision on the motherboard be available soon or will I have to get the different BIOS? Never built a pc before that is why I am concerned about a motherboard that won't work with the processor out of the box. Is the difference between the 6750 and the 8400 that great? Was thinking just get the 6750 now and still upgrade in the future. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116142 Is that the version of Vista I should get?
Message edited by Dirtdog15 on 01-19-2008 at 11:54:59 PM
If overclocked the 8400 will perform better than the E6750. how much Im not sure.
If I were you I'd get 64-bit Vista (Home Premium) so if you wanted to you could get 4 gigs of Ram. 32-bit will only use about 3-3.25 depending on other hardware, but 64-bit will use all of it
Also, save $100+ and get an OEM version
Edit: I took a look at the P35 motherboards. The Rev.2 Gigabyte P35-DS3L/R/P all support the E8x00, but require the new Bios updates. F11 for the R, F9 for the P and F8a for the L which is beta
Message edited by Silverion77 on 01-20-2008 at 12:10:17 AM
---------------
Antec 1200|Antec Signature 850...nothing in it D;
Here is a list of mobo's from gigabyte that support the E8400 The mobo should come with the latest bios, but if it is not fresh stock, then it might not. In that case, you will have to update it yourself.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support [...] 20775_1208
The E8400 is somewhat(5-10%?) faster than the E6850.
Message edited by geofelt on 01-20-2008 at 12:07:54 AM
---------------
E8400-stock, GA-P35-DS3R(rev2.1), Corsair 4x2gb 6400C5, EVGA 8800GTS-512-G92, Vista home premium-64-bit, WD velociraptor-300gb, PC P&C silencer-610, Antec SOLO, 2 x Samsung 275T, Samsung-203b-dvd
