This is my first post to TomsHardware.com's Forums --- I love the site, and it seems you all got a great forum environment too!
I've built systems in the past, but this is the first Intel box I will be building EVER [well, I think you can classify my 8088 - x286s intel based, but I guess I'm referring to; since it's been AMD and Intel as CPU manufacturers, circa 1998], I been partial to AMD for a long time, so here goes nothing with the Intel box...
================================ I'm hoping some forum-goers wouldn't mind weighing in with their thoughts on my order, I went thru newegg, and my budget was $1000.00, but as you can see, it went over with shipping by $11.74
Message edited by agentdcooper on 02-25-2008 at 04:18:03 AM
I have just built a very similar system for a customer, with the 8800GT(s) X 2 in SLI
I had to tweak NB and HT voltage to get it over 1100FSB, but once I adjusted it, it's rock stable and effortless overclocker.
Here is my second attempt at 3DMark06 with stock clocked cards. The rest of the details are here: http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=5364003 This thing will see 20,000 plus with little to no effort. Core 2 duo at same clock speed is 2000 points less on the very same system.
I can't say what the difference would be for the 8800GTS as a single card, but those parts are an extremely good foundation and for the price; I can't find anything even close.
The Quad is the only way to go. Quads can be had for $210-$220 on ebay and (last week) at microcenter. E8400 will cost you that, and I wouldn't trade any Intel Quad for any dual core.
This is a MUCH better power supply than what you have selected: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703011 I have this PSU on a 3.6GHZ Q6600 and an 8800GT. Runs 100% CPU load 7 days a week for the Tom's hardware folding team.
I wouldn't trust the one you linked any further than i could throw it.
Message edited by doubled on 02-25-2008 at 06:14:59 PM
I dont think he wants to scavenge ebay and deal with all of that...... the e8400 is great!!! With the extra money maybe he can spring for a better case.
Microcenter in-store, front page: retail Q6600 $199. No screwing around there. E8400 is more expensive anywhere I can find, not to mention dual core is yesterday's (2005 actually), technology. In almost every real word application, the Q6600 will own an E8400 at stocks speeds. With a little (easy) overclocking, the Quad really shines. Dual is old tech, Quad is current, 8 core is tomorrows tech. Overclocking the E8400 might result in a higher FPS in SOME games, but new games will be multi-core enabled. A dual core is a crutch.
Oh, and that case is a 5 Egg because it's a good case. Cooler Master has very good cases for the $. I have $50-$70 Cooler Master cases that are built just as good or better than my $200+ cases.
I agree with doubled, stick with the q6600 for now. Everybody was tellin me to go with the 8400 also, but I stuck with my guns and got the q6600 and I couldnt be happier. the 8400 will clock higher, but at stock, the q6600 wins. only thing i see i would change is the psu and the cooler. stay with the gts on the card, it runs cooler than the gt, due to the rear exhaust.
Thanks for everyone's input - especially "doubled", your 3DMark06 scores was hugely helpful, I can't wait to get my score posted up here once everything is said and done =) I will definately let ya'all know.
I agree with most in this post; regarding the Q6600 as opposed to the E8400, but what irk's me a bit is the fact that MICROCENTER has it for $199!! Man, that woulda helped save me some cash, and I coulda went with a different case, or PSU. I had a heck of a time with deciding which case+PSU, the reason I went with the "hec Zephyr 650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply" was it has FOUR +12v rails, this to me was the best deal for the price. I was gonna go for the OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply, but just couldn't afford the extra cash - so I hope this will be good enough [the hec PSU].
USS12pak: regarding the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler, you don't think it'll be enough for a Q6600? I'd like to hear your thoughts, and maybe an alternative option --- I wasn't sold 100% on the cooler I went with, but the rating on newegg plus the price, I just couldn't pass it up ... Do you know what I coulda went with as another option?
Thanks all for everyones suggestions - this has been an eye opener!
Thanks for everyone's input - especially "doubled", your 3DMark06 scores was hugely helpful, I can't wait to get my score posted up here once everything is said and done =) I will definately let ya'all know.
I agree with most in this post; regarding the Q6600 as opposed to the E8400, but what irk's me a bit is the fact that MICROCENTER has it for $199!! Man, that woulda helped save me some cash, and I coulda went with a different case, or PSU. I had a heck of a time with deciding which case+PSU, the reason I went with the "hec Zephyr 650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply" was it has FOUR +12v rails, this to me was the best deal for the price. I was gonna go for the OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply, but just couldn't afford the extra cash - so I hope this will be good enough [the hec PSU].
USS12pak: regarding the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler, you don't think it'll be enough for a Q6600? I'd like to hear your thoughts, and maybe an alternative option --- I wasn't sold 100% on the cooler I went with, but the rating on newegg plus the price, I just couldn't pass it up ... Do you know what I coulda went with as another option?
Thanks all for everyones suggestions - this has been an eye opener!
You do not want multiple 12V rails. You want a single 12V rail. The problem with mulitple 12V rails on a smaller PSU is the individual rails dont have enough amperage to properly power your video card. Bad PSUs can take out your mobo, CPU and/or video card. Don't save a buck on a PSU, you will be sorry. I would think long and hard about using that PSU.
Message edited by doubled on 02-25-2008 at 10:08:53 PM
If you're not planning to run SLI I'd go with a P35 or X38 motherboard over the 750i. Intel's chipset is pretty solid and seems to be the preferred one over nvidia these days (unless you need SLI.)
An 80GB HDD? Get at least a 250, there's no way an 80gb will hold you down.
I wouldn't go with the 750i. If you're into SLI, get the 780i chipset. If you're not interested in SLI, go for a P35. I wouldn't go X38 unless you're an overclocker.
