Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > Final specs for new build - first time- please critique

Final specs for new build - first time- please critique

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Final specs for new build - first time- please critique

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jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 06:01:41 PM

Thoughts please:

CASE
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

MOTHERBOARD
EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] VGA%2b780i

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017

CPU COOLER
ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118223

MEMORY
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231148

HARDDRIVE
Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3500320NS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive – OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148294

POWERSUPPLY
Corsair Memory, Inc. News Room
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] iar%2b650w

VIDEO
EVGA 640-P2-N824-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130327

DVD DRIVER/WRITER
Samsung SH-S203N Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL18X/12X Lightscribe DVD Writer OEM W/ SW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 03N%2bSATA

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asymetriccircle   03-07-2008 at 06:12:52 PM
- 0 +

looks pretty nice. im assuming your running a 64bit os since your getting 4gb of ram? also, get the g92 512mb version of the 8800gts, its better than the 640mb version.

Reply to asymetriccircle
othellomcbane   03-07-2008 at 06:26:06 PM
- 0 +

Yeah, don't get that video card, for sure. I'd personally recommend the MSI 8800GT OC, it performs very barely under the G92 512 and has a much better cooler than the other 8800GT's. Only $200. The G92 512 is very good too, can't go wrong either way, but the main appeal is the better cooling, which the MSI covers. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

Any reason you're getting the more expensive version of that hard drive? The regular 7200.11 for $120 is fine for most people, and has better reviews.

Reply to othellomcbane
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 06:30:58 PM
- 0 +

that's why i posted...to get last minute recommendations

Reply to jettmorrison
Cpt Deadboots   03-07-2008 at 06:37:51 PM
- 0 +

That build is perfect; you could not have made better choices on the components.

The guys are right though; go for a G92 based card. The 8800 GT is probably the best value right now.

------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.06 GHz/1.275v - Zalman CNPS8700LED - Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L - 4 GB A-Data DDR2 800 @ 850 MHz/5-5-5-15 - XFX Core Edition GTS 250 1GB @ 738/1836/1100 - Seagate 250 GB 7200.10 hdd - Silverstone ST400 - Vista Ult. x64
 Reply to Cpt Deadboots
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 06:59:07 PM
- 0 +

Every GPU from the above list has G92 and 8800GTS. I'm guessing you are talking about one of these two:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130312
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127325

Reply to jettmorrison
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 08:13:56 PM
- 0 +

New specs:
1. upgraded to full tower
2. upgraded GPU
3. What the deal with the 'stepping' for the Q6600
4. What version of Vista should I pickup?
5. Do i have enough power for the new GPU?

CASE
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133021

MOTHERBOARD
EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] VGA%2b780i

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017

CPU COOLER
ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835118223

MEMORY
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231148

HARDDRIVE
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

POWERSUPPLY
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] iar%2b650w

VIDEO
EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130072

DVD DRIVER/WRITER
Samsung SH-S203N Black SATA DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL18X/12X Lightscribe DVD Writer OEM W/ SW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 03N%2bSATA

Reply to jettmorrison
pous   03-07-2008 at 08:55:38 PM
- 0 +

1. - why full tower?
2. - good choice
3. - Q6600 has 2 steppings, B3 and G0. B3 was there first, and ran hotter overall than the G0's, G0 is recommended more for OC'ing due to its lower overall temps. You can get a G0 for sure from ClubIT.com or you can take chance on Newegg. I'm pretty sure most of them should be G0 by now though. The one I got from newegg was G0.
4. - Vista Home Premium (or windows xp 64 bit if you don't want vista)
5. - that psu should be fine, might also want to look at Corsair 620HX model.

------------------------------ I has compyoutorz
 Reply to pous
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 09:03:56 PM
- 0 +

Went with a full tower because:
1. Want more room for install...I'm new so more room will help
2. Better ventilation
3. More room for GPU
4. Only $10 more after MIR

Reply to jettmorrison
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 09:10:08 PM
- 0 +

this version of XP 64-bit?
Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64Bit SP2C - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116378

Reply to jettmorrison
pous   03-07-2008 at 10:02:03 PM
- 0 +

Yea that's the XP you want for 64 bits. My friend uses it and has been enjoying it quite a bit.

Understandable reasons for wanting a full case. The Armor is an awesome case, same friend I know, uses that case for 2+ years and says he'll never go back to mid or other cases. (his doesn't have side fan, but case shape/size etc are all the same.)

------------------------------ I has compyoutorz
 Reply to pous
jettmorrison   03-07-2008 at 10:11:22 PM
- 0 +

Just ordered the above system...yay!!!

Reply to jettmorrison
pous   03-07-2008 at 10:14:34 PM
- 0 +

That's one badass PC man, have fun with it :D

------------------------------ I has compyoutorz
 Reply to pous
jonb16   03-08-2008 at 12:37:45 PM
- 0 +

I'd be really interested to know how silent / cool it runs once you've built it!

Reply to jonb16
Zenthar   03-08-2008 at 01:34:41 PM
- 0 +

Since

  • You have chosen an EVGA card;
  • Are clearly building a high-end system (to me);
  • Invested quite a lot of money on that card;
  • GeForce 9 is around the corner.


I though you migh want to know about EVGA's Step-Up Program if you didn't already know about it.


Message edited by Zenthar on 03-08-2008 at 01:35:10 PM
Reply to Zenthar
ryanthesav   03-09-2008 at 02:03:43 AM
- 0 +

I have free time, let me make you a great/cheap computer for about 1000$:


AMD X2 5000+ $99.99:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103194


ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe $134.99:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131013


CORSAIR XMS2 (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 $102.00:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145034


Antec TPQ-850 850W $150.00:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371011


Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $119.99


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ntec%2b900


PNY 8800GT in SLI 2X($213.00) = $426.00:


http://www.techonweb.com/products/ [...] 3KR&src=FG


ViewSonic VG2230wm 22" $206.25:


http://www.superdigitalmedia.com/p [...] ts_id=2360


Logitech G51 155 watts RMS 5.1 Surround Sound $129.99:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6836121012


Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard Mouse Included $21.99:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823109156


Well I added this all up and this computer costs about 1400$ which is 400$ over what I estimated. This is just about the best/cheapest gaming computer that you can buy currently. I know this is way over ur price ceiling...i just wanted to let you in on what the best/cheapest gaming computer would look like and how much it would cost. By the way...my computer was worth about 2000$, in its day...and this computer would kick my computer's ass. Have fun :).

------------------------------ AMD X2 6000+ @3.2Ghz | Asus crosshair | 4gb corsair xms ddr2 800 | BFG 8800GTS (g92)x2 SLI 805/1080 | SoundMax HD | (160gb)x2 sata in raid 0 | 500 gb sata | Lian-Li PC-6070 | antec 850W PSU | thermaltake water cooling | Vista 64bit | LG 24" | Logitech 5.1
 Reply to ryanthesav
0gab0ga   03-09-2008 at 02:06:53 AM
- 0 +

since you had so much sparetime, maybe you should have taken the time to read through the previous posts. he has already ordered his parts..... which by the way is better than what you proposed


Message edited by 0gab0ga on 03-09-2008 at 02:24:13 AM
Reply to 0gab0ga
ryanthesav   03-09-2008 at 02:13:32 AM
- 0 +

My b, ill go back in my hole now :(.


Message edited by ryanthesav on 03-09-2008 at 02:14:04 AM
------------------------------ AMD X2 6000+ @3.2Ghz | Asus crosshair | 4gb corsair xms ddr2 800 | BFG 8800GTS (g92)x2 SLI 805/1080 | SoundMax HD | (160gb)x2 sata in raid 0 | 500 gb sata | Lian-Li PC-6070 | antec 850W PSU | thermaltake water cooling | Vista 64bit | LG 24" | Logitech 5.1
 Reply to ryanthesav
jerseygamer   03-09-2008 at 04:11:23 AM
- 0 +

That full tower has worse cooling then the Antec 900 fyi. If you are an Intel/Nvida guy you picked some good parts. One thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to mount a side door fan on the 900 you can not use the larger Zalmans without sanding the corner of the cover fan down. The 9500 is the largest that will fit with no mods.

Oh and if you go Vista make sure its 64bit. There is no performance hit in 64 bit compared to XP. In alot of cases is faster. Drivers are pretty damb good atm as well.


Message edited by jerseygamer on 03-09-2008 at 04:14:58 AM
Reply to jerseygamer
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