First time and of course New System build (US$ 2400). ADVISE.....

[2Hytec]

First time and of course New System build.

PROCESSOR:
Intel Q9450 C2 QUAD BX80569Q9450 (Penryn Quad Core 2.66 GHz 1333 FSB)
@ PCMALL $376.99

MOTHERBOARD:
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
@ NEWEGG $249.99

MEMORY:
(x2) Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - Retail
@ NEWEGG ($64.99 x2) $129.98

GRAPHICS CARD 1:
XFX PVT88PYDD4 GeForce 8800GT XXX 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
@NEWEGG $249.99

HARD DRIVE 1:
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM
@NEWEGG $104.99

HARD DRIVE 2:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM
@NEWEGG $149.99

HARD DRIVE 3:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM
@NEWEGG $149.99

SOUND CARD:
Included in Motherboard

OPTICAL DRIVE 1:
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
@NEWEGG $33.99

CASE:
COOLER MASTER cosmosS RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
@NEWEGG $249.99

POWER SUPPLY:
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-850-EMBA ATX12V / EPS12V 850W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, cUL, TUV, NEMKO, BSMI, FCC - Retail
@NEWEGG $199.99

MONITOR:
SAMSUNG 245BW Black 24" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height Adjustment 400 cd/m2 1000:1 (DC 3000:1) - Retail
@NEWEGG $469.99

TOTAL COST = US$2,365.88
n.b. the prices of course are subject to change depending on the store and date the product is ordered from.

Hard drive 2 and 3 will be for a RAID setup. I'm looking to add a Blu-ray burner/player when those become more mainstream (cost wise) than they are now. Also, a 2nd graphics card for SLI, if not CF, depending on purchase for 1st gfx; (optional total graphics upgrade when the next generation cards come into play).

I'll be installing Vista but I'm wondering what is/are the hype/benefit(s) of 64 versus 32bit, and if 64 bit, would it be better to go with the 8 GB RAM than the current 4 GB I'm looking at. Finally, Monitor help for a 1920x1200 resolution would b a great help. N e further advice is greatly appreciate.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ImajorI]

... Also, a 2nd graphics card for SLI, if not CF, depending on purchase for 1st gfx; (optional total graphics upgrade when the next generation cards come into play).

I'll be installing Vista but I'm wondering what is/are the hype/benefit(s) of 64 versus 32bit, and if 64 bit, would it be better to go with the 8 GB RAM than the current 4 GB I'm looking at. Thanks for the help.

I went with 1 larger card versus SLI.

I went Vista 64 Ultimate with 4 gigs (2 x 2) DDR2 800 and have been very happy. Some will say XP and some will say Vista 64 with 8 Gigs. In your price range, I would consider Vista 64 Ultimate with 8 gigs. The Vista versus XP debate has raged here for awhile. XP and Vista 32 bit can only use 3.5 gigs of ram versus vista 64 bit being able to use 8 gigs.

Consider a Tier 1 PSU from this list http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088
Not Yours: Tier 4 - Coolermaster Real Power

I like the PC Power & Cooling 750 Silencer.

 

[0gab0ga]

2 things, go with the 8800 gts 512 g92 instead
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325&Tpk=EVGA%2b512-P3-N841-AR%2bGeForce%2b8800GTS%2b(G92)%2b512MB
or go for the version with crysis included (30$ more)

secondly go with 2 x 2 gb even if you decide for 32 bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
cheaper and easier + the option of 8gb if you want 64 bit

 

[intrepid_admin]

What will you use this rig for?

 

[Someguyperson]

If you want SLI, you'll have to go with a Nvidia board like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131255

But if you want to stick with a X38 Motherboard, there is always the HD 3870 X2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102723

The Q9450 would overclock a little better than the Q9300, but I don't know if they are actually shipping right now.

(Q9300 review: http://xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2quad-q9300_6.html#sect0)

If you want to overclock you'll need a better cooler too. I have the Freezer 7 Pro, but if your budjet is $2400, you might want to look at a Thermalright Ultra-120 with some nice fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835109125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006

 

[2Hytec]

ImajorI, thanks alot for the power supply rating heads up.

Reason I put the 1GB Crucial RAM was due to the lower timing of 4-4-4-12. I couldn't find 4-4-4-12 timing in the 2GB versions. However, is the 5-5-5-15 timing for the ram not noticeable when compared to the 4-4-4-12?

The rig will be overclocked (looking at 3.6 - 4 GHz); at this range it looks like a new processor cooler is in order. The rig will be used for gaming, encoding movies/videos. CAD work will also be done on the rig.

 

[grieve]

I would go for a Q6600 processor and with the money saved choose the 3870x2 video card seeing as you have a crossfire board there.

 

[rickkipp]

As far as memory, get this Crucial 2 x 2gm cas 4 for $109.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820148183