Yet another rig review request

[oo7b0nds]

I'm looking to start building in about 2-3 weeks, and before I buy the parts I'd like to make sure everything is OK.

■ Intel C2D E8400 CPU
■ Asus P5E3 Deluxe X38 MOBO
■ Either Antec Nine Hundred Case OR Antec P182 Case
■ PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V 750W PSU
■ EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB (G92) 670MHz
■ Samsung DVD/CD Burner
■ LITE-ON DVD/CD Burner
■ Samsung Spinpoint 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache HDD
■ Western Digital 250GB 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache HDD
■ OCZ Reaper X HPC 2GB (2x1GB) DDR3 1333MHz 6-5-5-18 1.85V RAM
■ Arctic Silver Thermal Paste
■ Thermalright Ultra-120 CPU Cooling Heatsink
■ Silverstone FM121 120mm Case Fan For Heatsink
■ Possibly a couple more Silverstone Fans for Case
■ Zalman-MFCI Fan Controller

Now before you go and say I don't need the DDR3 RAM, I realize there is no need (yet) for DDR3, but i don't want to have to upgrade it in 6 months and have to get a new board, and possibly other components just to upgrade the RAM. Also regarding the X38 Mobo, I want to have the option to upgrade the GPU to a PCIe2 card, plus I like the features of X38.

I don't really have a budget on this one, but I'd like to keep it under $2500 USD. Currently I'm estimating the cost to be about $2000 for the computer, and maybe another 400-500 on monitor, keyboard/mouse, speakers, vista and XP.

Thanks!

 

[akhilles]

The overall best hsf would be thermalright 120 extreme. Throw in a Yale Loon fan.

I would get either the GTS512 or HD3870X2. Go with a Samsung LCD.

 

[oo7b0nds]

I'm really liking the 8800GTS 512. It looks like it overclocks really well (Toms review said 44% better than a GTX?!), and even not overclocked it performs well. I think I'll probably go with that.

I've heard some good things about the Thermalright. I'll get that, unless there is something better.

The Samsung 245GW 24" Widescreen 5ms DC 3000:1 1920 x 1200 LCD looks really good to me. The only thing is I don't know if I really want 24". To me that just seems too big. However I can't find any 21-22" that have full HD. I can find 1680 x 1050. Are there any ones a little smaller with full HD?

I can't find any Yale Loon fans on either tigerdirect or newegg.

Also does can anyone recommend either one of the cases over the other? Or even a different case.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Bumping because it fell past the first page. It would be great if I could get some more input, before I buy the parts either tomorrow, or the next day.

Thanks!

 

[bornking]

Looks good, but the PSU is a bit too much. 750W PCP&C is a better choice...and GO 24"!!!

 

[bornking]

Oh and an 8800GTS 512 is a better choice/$ value, and at the resolution of the 24" there is NOT a significant loss in FPS (10% or more is significant...statistically)...save a good $200 - $300!

 

[amd_fanboi]

pretty cool, IMO... try for the 8800GTS, though, the GTX isn't worth the money any more, nor is the Ultra...

the king is dead; it took about damn time

 

[evilshuriken]

I've never heard of Yale Loon Fans
But you might like to use the silverstone fm121 for the same purpose. It has a max airflow of 110CFM and it comes with a fanspeed controller if you don't want it too loud.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999344

I think cases are too much of a personal choice. Both cases you picked look good, but I wouldn't buy either of them. That's just me, the case I would recommend would be the Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP. Check it out and see if you like it.
Nice picks and description on newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999344
Since both newegg and tigerdirect's prices are outright criminal heres a link to it on zipzoomfly.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006342

 

[akhilles]

My bad. A typo. You don't have to have yate loon.

http://www.yateloon.com/

You can go with any high-cfm fans. I prefer Panasonic Panaflo & some other exotic ones that does ~200 cfm available at specialty stores.

You might want to pick up a fan controller for $20 something while you're at it. The fan noise may be too loud for you.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

bornking:
So you are suggesting this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

bornking & AMD_fanboi:
Yeah, I'll be getting the new 8800 GTS 512

Evilshurik:
I've never heard of 'Yale' OR 'Yate' lune fans either xP
I do like that fan though. If I can't find anything better I'll go with that one.

I suppose it is more of a personal opinion after all as I don't really like the Cooler Master. I think I'll go with one of the ones I selected, thank for the suggestion though.

akhilles:
Damn. 200CFM? Those have got to be crazy loud no?
I'll look for one around 100-200CFM.

What do you think about this fan controller?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813999251


I'll be editing my first post with all the updated stuff in a moment.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Bump

 

[akhilles]

Yup. That's why I use a fan controller to tame the beasts. Analog ones are better than digital ones cuz the latter can crap out & doesn't set the exact RPM except for rip-off ones. i.e. I want 1989 RPM, but the controller skips to 2000 RPM. Plus digital ones can lose its memory & all your settings.

 

[oo7b0nds]

I can't tell, is the zalman ZM-MFC1 digital or analog? If its digital, are there any analog ones you can recommend?

 

[akhilles]

ZM-MFC1 is analog. It has dials & switches & no screen. Digital doesn't usually have dials, most likely have only buttons & a LCD screen.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Ahh ok. Should have known. Thanks!

I'll post back once I have built (or need help xP) the system.

 

[ZozZoz]

why pick different makes of dvd-burners?
why pick a 250 and a 750 hdd?

 

[oo7b0nds]

Basically I picked two differant DVD burners so it would be easier to tell them apart.

The 250GB is for OS and programs, and the 750GB is for personal data (video, music, photos, etc.)

I'm considering getting a WD Raptor for the OS and programs, can anyone tell me whether they are worth it?

 

[misterlarry]

I haven't bought yet, but everyone is telling me to go with the P182 case because it is quieter, cooler and easier to manage cabling in. I like the idea of tricking out my case, but in the end, I think quiet and cool is the way to go.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Yeah after reading a bunch up on both of them, and decided to go with the P182.

 

[aevm]

Get your P182 from zipzoomfly, it's only $70+shipping. Move fast...

 

[aevm]

why pick different makes of dvd-burners?
why pick a 250 and a 750 hdd?

It's very smart IMO. You get two CDs with different software rather than identical. You can use each burner for what it does best. (Some write faster, some rip faster, etc.) Some times a game's stupid DRM scheme fails with a burner type and it's great if you have a different second one. Some times you borrow a DVD from the public library and it has tons of scratches and only one of the burners is able to read it.

 

[aevm]

I'm considering getting a WD Raptor for the OS and programs, can anyone tell me whether they are worth it?

They aren't. In most situations a WD7500AAKS will have the same performance, and it's 5 times bigger for the same price and quieter.

Also look at Scythe S-Flex SFF21E fans.

OK, I can't resist. Come on, man, forget DDR3, it's a horrible mistake. P5E or GA-X38-DS4 are excellent X38 boards and they work fine with DDR2, which is much cheaper and offers very much the same performance.

You may need a BIOS flash to get any motherboard to work with E8400.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Ok. No Raptor then, thats what I figured.

I know currently there is no need for DDR3, but like I said in my first post, I don't want to, in the future, have to upgrade the board AND RAM. Why not just spend the $500 on the mobo/ram now, rather than spending $300 now AND in 6 months another 200-300 on a new motherboard/ram.

Also I have an old P4 sitting around here somewhere that I can use if the P5E3 has to be updated (which I don't think it needs, as it says its 45nm compatible on the box)

 

[akhilles]

From an overclocker's standpoint, DDR3 is moot. The only reason to upgrade to DD3 is for Nelahem (Intel) or AM3 (AMD) - next-gen CPU socket. I think X38 is just a transition to DD3. X48 is a patch for X38.

You won't see us overclockers jump on the DDR3 bandwagon. The top overclockers do have DDR3, but they're just for show. We wants 24/7/365 stable overclockers.

 

[oo7b0nds]

Are you saying DDR3 is NOT stable 24/7? TBH I don't think thats true.

And I'm planning on upgrading to Nehalem when it comes out.