Final Review for my System

[pawn]

I have a budget of $1500. I had some help about 3 months ago, and this is what I came up with.
Just wondering if I should keep it the same? I need everything plus a monitor, but no mouse or keyboard.
I'm just wondering if I should change anything out? I will be Gaming, most likely will be playing Age of Conan when it comes out in may.

Mobo: ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030&Tpk=ABIT%2bIP35%2bPro%2bLGA%2b775%2bIntel%2bP35%2bATX%2bMotherboard
Price: $179

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817139001
Price: $129

Case: Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811129021
Price: $109

CPU: Intel E8400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
Price: $229

Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176
Price: $129

HDD: WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144701
Price: ($69) x 2

Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325
Price: $314

DVD Drive: SAMSUNG DVD Sata Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151153&Tpk=Samsung%2bSH-S203B%2bSATA
Price: $28

OS: Vista 64-Bit Ultimate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215
Price: $179

SAMSUNG 225BW Black 22" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001083
Price: $299

 

[rgeist554]

Could you repost a link of that monitor? It didn't quite paste correctly. I just wanted to check the specs.

Other than that, the build is "VERY NICE!"

 

[amd_fanboi]

take out the E6750, and swap in an E8400 ^^

also, the link for your gfx doesn't work - i suggest an 8800GT, or an 8800GTS 512

 

[pawn]

Ok I fixed the links, And changed the CPU to the E8400 Anyone know what CPU Fan I need? Also Is that 8800GTS to big? its 640
I know nothing about graphics cards, except the clock speed. Can anyone fill me in? Like use Less ram cards and go SLI or use one big card?

Also what should I do about sound?

 

[tricky trees]

Monitor is great in my books. Get an 8800gt save a bit of cash on the GTS (don't do SLI) and get 4 gig of ram to run vista 64bit. Don't know if vista ultimate is or isn't 64 bit (never looked into it) but if it's not then they are the changes i'd make. System would be solid for time. People say getting sound cards is a waste of time unless you spend heavily or really need it but i got a soundblaster audigy and i could notice the difference for not a lot of cash.
Just my ten pence worth.

 

[rgeist554]

Ok I fixed the links, And changed the CPU to the E8400 Anyone know what CPU Fan I need? Also Is that 8800GTS to big? its 640
I know nothing about graphics cards, except the clock speed. Can anyone fill me in? Like use Less ram cards and go SLI or use one big card?

Also what should I do about sound?

Ah, my bad. I didn't notice that you chose the 640MB version of the GTS. Get the 8800GTS 512MB (G92). It's much faster than the older G80 version (640MB / 320MB versions). It does have less memory than the 640MB version, but I guarantee you that the 512MB GTS will outperform it in any benchmark.

Also what should I do about sound?

I'd use onboard for a while. If you're not satisfied, swap to a sound card. Also, changing to a sound card with cheap speakers / headphones will notice little to no difference in sound quality.

 

[grieve]

OS: Windows Vista Premium

I would defiantly go for 3-4 GIGS of Ram. Vista eats up 1gig all by itself. Just yesterday I was testing my system with 2 gigs compared to the 4 I normally have and I noticed a huge difference with only 2GIG. (I use ddr2-800, Vista64Ultimate)


On a side note to ‘’tricky trees’’:
You can get a 64 version of premium or ultimate as well as a 32.

 

[pawn]

Ah, my bad. I didn't notice that you chose the 640MB version of the GTS. Get the 8800GTS 512MB (G92). It's much faster than the older G80 version (640MB / 320MB versions). It does have less memory than the 640MB version, but I guarantee you that the 512MB GTS will outperform it in any benchmark.

I looked at some 8800GTS (G92) at newegg.com but there are so many.

I would defiantly go for 3-4 GIGS of Ram. Vista eats up 1gig all by itself. Just yesterday I was testing my system with 2 gigs compared to the 4 I normally have and I noticed a huge difference with only 2GIG. (I use ddr2-800, Vista64Ultimate)

What kind of ram were you useing?

 

[rgeist554]

I looked at some 8800GTS (G92) at newegg.com but there are so many.

I suggest EVGA, XFX, or BFG. They're all pretty much the same, but those companies have really good warranties w/ their products. Just make sure you get the 512MB G92 version and not the 320/640MB G80.

 

[pawn]

Ok cool thanks. I saw on that Mobo on newegg alot of people said it cant run 4gb anyone know of a review on this board? or suggest a diffrent one? I know i want a board that will last for upgrades in the future.

 

[rgeist554]

Some motherboard don't like 4x1GB sticks of RAM. They'll only work with 2x2GB sticks, that may be where people were having issues with the board.

 

[mlaporta]

If you don't plan to OC or just a little:
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

If you plan to get stupid silly with OC:
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme + Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fan

Yes check the onboard sound first if it doesn't cut it:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels Sound Card

These are very good rated drives:
Samsung SH-S203B SATA

 

[mlaporta]

oops forgot the compound: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound

 

[mlaporta]

As rgeist554 suggested get this card "you won't be disappointed":
EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported

 

[pawn]

I updated everything. I'm a little over my budget but, I'll probly wont start ordering for another month. Unless i see some deals. Do you guys think i need to change the Mobo out for something else Cause i dont care about Wi-Fi? I will be running Raid 1 or 0 cant rember. And i probly will do SLI down the road.

Also should i trade my Video card for this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319
Saves me $65 and its only 20 mhz diffrent
what you guys think?

 

[mlaporta]

Take a look at these 2 mobo's, the Abit has received many, many positive reviews and is very much recommended:

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS4 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Motherboard

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Motherboard

 

[pawn]

Thanks i'll take a look

Do i have the Correct PSU for that Video Card?

 

[pawn]

Heres the Gigabyte http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128087
Doesnt lsay it has Rear eSata Port, Other then that looks good.

Heres the ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030&Tpk=ABIT%2bIP35%2bPro%2bLGA%2b775%2bIntel%2bP35%2bATX%2bMotherboard

Looks Good, but what are the Duel Lan Ports for?

 

[mlaporta]

Don't worry too much about the extra port, the Abit is a "rock-solid" mobo with awesome reviews and will fit your usage perfectly and I would not change the video card maybe wait a little for it to go on sale but replacing it with a GT shouldn't be an option.

EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB

p.s. They include 2 ports for many reason. One is to share your internet connection out to another computer for online gaming without having to buy a router, or for creating a firewall and passing the internet connection through it.

A lot people are starting to use that second ethernet port for many reasons and so many manufacturers are starting to include two ports rather than one.

 

[mlaporta]

As Silverion77 said:

"GO FOR IT!!!"

 

[pawn]

Do i have the Correct PSU for that Video Card?

 

[mlaporta]

If you aren't going to go with dual video cards or lots of hard drives then a CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX will be more-than-enough if you do plan to upgrade then a CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX will take care of pretty much everything.

Also you should look at 2 hard drives to increase performance 1st for OS AND 2nd for Games, Video, MP3'S, Data, etc depending on your budget 2 250bg's or 1 250gb & 1 500gb:

Seagate Barracuda ST3250410AS 250GB 7200.10 RPM 16MB Cache

Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB 7200.11 RPM 32MB Cache

 

[mlaporta]

See what you think about this case: Antec 900 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (Probably one of the best there is).

Considerations: 1st Cooling 2nd Looks

 

[rgeist554]

You may need some cable extenders for the 520/620HX inside the Antec 900. I've seen a few people saying they had trouble getting the motherboard / cpu cables to reach.

 

[mlaporta]

rgeist554 - What do you think is a "better" alternative for a PSU that will fit better in the Antec 900 and is modular???