System in construction - is it any good?

[Morideen]

Hi all,

this is the gaming system I'm planning to assemble. I'm not thorougly convinced it's fully optimized for gaming at high visual level so I kindly ask you guys to give me some feedback. My budget is around 1700$. Thank you in advance.

Intel - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500, 3.16GHz, LGA775, BOX

ASUS - ASUS P5N-E SLI. -Intel® Quad-Core -Dual-channel DDR2 800/667/533 -Great performance and overclocking -ASUS O.C. Profile -ASUS Fanless Design -2 IEEE 1394a connector onboard (1 in back + 1 on board) -5 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s (including 1 x SATA On-the-Go) -ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS - ASUS-EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M, HDTV, HDCP, PCI-E

ZALMAN - ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED, Copper,S775/AM2/754/939/940

Western Digital - WD 500GB, SerialATAII, 7200rpm, 16MB

Kingston - Kingston DDR2 2GB/800

NEC - NEC AD-7191S-OB LightScribe (DVD-/+R: 20x, DVD-RW: 8x, DVD-/+R DL:8x, DVD-RAM: 12x, DVD+RW; 8x, DVD-RW : 6x, DVD+R9: 8x, CD-R: 48x, CD-RW: 32x) S-ATA interface

Samsung - Samsung 22" TFT, SM226BW, Black 2ms 3000:1 300cd/m2 DVI RGB

Codegen - Codegen ATX Power supply 550 W Dual 12V CB CE V2.03 TUV PSU & 20+4PIN, SATA

 

[darthvaderkenneth]

I'm getting a new system to around that cost but i'm going for the e8400 since its $100 cheaper with only .16ghz performance. Since games rely more on the video card you can get a better card if u chose the 8400, u should consider getting a hd3870x2 or a gf9800gx2.

 

[akhilles]

*bow down to Lord Vader*

Agreed. Go with e8400 for about 100 less. Pick out an 8800GTS 512 or better if you play crysis. Drop the Zalman if you don't overclock. The rest are good.

 

[Morideen]

Thanks for the tips, guys.

Did some fine tuning and came up with this:

Seagate - Seagate 500GB SATA, 7200,32M
Samsung - Samsung 22" TFT, SM226BW, Black 2ms 3000:1 300cd/m2 DVI RGB
ZALMAN - ZALMAN CNPS9500АТ, Copper, S775
Thermaltake - Thermaltake ATX PowerSupply, 420W, Silent, 120mmFan, W0062R
Gigabyte - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L - s. 775, Intel® P35 + ICH9, 1333/1066/800 MHz, 4xDDR2 1066*/800/667, 1 PCI Express X16, 3 PCI Express X1, 3 PCI, 8 Ch Audio, Gigabit Lan, 1 x IDE, 4 x SATA 3Gb/s, 4 x USB 2.0/1.1, ATX
Kingston - Kingston DDR2 2GB/800
ASUS - ASUS-EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M, HDTV, HDCP, PCI-E
Intel - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3GHz, LGA775, BOX

I opted for a cheaper MB (might be better in terms of overall quality according to some reviews), and I followed your advice on the CPU. Also changed the HDD because the Seagate is said to be more reliable.

I might get the 8800GTS but I kinda like the new price (~ 150-200 less).

 

[akhilles]

Still, if you're not overclocking, drop the Zalman.

The psu is a no no. Go with Corsair/Earthwatts 450W or:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088

Go with 8800GTS 512 if you can afford it. Not 320/640 oddies.

 

[mstaxi]

Go with the E8400 it will easily overclock to 3.4GHz on air

 

[Guest]

420W PSU should work for you with that setup. But think in 2 years you may have a power power hungry cpu, more ram, more hdds, and a more power hungry video card. All that may need more from your PSU.

To futureproof your system a bit, go with an Antec/Corsair/PC Power & Cooling/Seasonic 550W-650W PSU. It will be slight overkill, but you may thank yourself later on.


Nice choice on the mobo though, I built my dad's system with it, great mobo. Also, if you're not OCing, drop the cooler, you won't need it unless you decide to OC.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

On the Seagates , make sure it is the 7200.11 not the 7200.10

I like your 1st MoBo choice better, especially with the Asus Vid card (single source tech support). For a similar reason, I'd use a Thermaltake case....or an Antec Case / PSU combo. If you were doing SLI or OC'ing, then I'd follow duece's advice on PSU. I'd check newegg for Corsair RAM, they have had some big daily specials and rebates lately.

Oh and forgot.....The Lenovo 22" is 1920 x 1200 and S-PVA. IIRC that Samsung model is 1650 x 105o or something and it's a TN (not full color) design. TN designs "claim" to be full color but there are not 24 bit, they are 18 bit and "simulate" full color by dithering.

 

[amd_fanboi]

Case: Antec 900
maybe the P5n 32-E SLI?
a Zalman CNPS 9700LED / the xigmatek cooler whose name i can't remember atm
Corsair HX620
and an 8800GTS from Evga

the rest looks good

 

[Morideen]

I totally changed the scope of the system - did put it in another thread.

Thank you very much guys you've been very helpfull.

P. S. If I haven't bored you already could you please take a look at the other build (the thread should be close to this one on the page).