4300$ BUILD...NEED ADVICE

[Guest]

I have searched and compared and sifted through forums. I have come up with this configuration for my new build. This being my first true build, can anyone suggest any changes? Anything I might have overlooked? Thank you.

CASE : LIAN LI PC-A70B--- 210$

FLOPPY BRACKET: LIAN LI FLOPPY BRACKET--- 15$
TOP PANEL: LIAN LI T-70 TOP PANEL WITH DUAL 120MM INTAKES--- 45$
SIDE PANEL: LIAN LI SIDE PANEL WITH WINDOW PC-75B--- 40$
COOLING: LIAN LI MULTIFUNCTION FAN CONTROLLER BLACK--- 55$
COOLING: SILENX IXP-74-14 120MM LED FAN X 2--- 50$
COOLING: COOLER MASTER SILENT 120MM LED FAN X 2--- 20$
COOLING: HIPER PREMIUM LED 120MM FAN X 2--- 20$
COOLING: THERMALTAKE THUNDERBLADE 120MM X 2--- 30$
COOLING: LIAN LI BS-03 SIDE FAN FOR VGA CARDS--- 25$
COOLING: WATER COOLING KIT ***(SEE BELOW)***---455$
COOLING: THERMAL COMPOUND ARCTIC SILVER 5--- 5$
COLD CATHODES: LOGISYS COLD BLUE LED CATHODES X 2--- 30$

POWER SUPPLY: TAGAN BZ ESA 1300W--- 330$
MOTHERBOARD: EVGA 780I FTW (WATER COOLED EDITION)--- 300$
PROCESSOR : INTEL CORE 2 DUO E8500--- 275$
MEMORY: OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 REAPER HPC 8GB (4 X 2GB)--- 320$
GRAPHICS CARD: ASUS 8800GT TOP 512M X 2 CARDS--- 550$
HARD DRIVE: SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.11 500GB X 2--- 240$
SOUND CARD: SOUNDBLASTER X-FI XT-GAMER--- 100$
TV TUNER: HAUPPAUGE 1800 + REMOTE--- 135$
DVD BURNER: PLEXTOR PX-810SA--- 80$
FLOPPY: MITSUMI FLOPPY DRIVE + CABLE--- 15$
FAX/MODEM: 56K INT A-OPEN FM56-PX V92--- 25$

MONITOR: SAMSUNG 2253BW 22" 3000:1 2MS -- 315$
KEYBOARD: LOGITECH G15--- 65$
MOUSE: LOGITECH G5--- 45$
PRINTER: EPSON ALL IN ONE CX6000--- 125$
WEBCAM: LOGITECH QUICKCAM ULTRA VISION SE--- 110$
ROUTER: D-LINK DIR-625--- 85$
HEADSET & MIC: SPEEDLINK MEDUSA 5.1 HEADSET + AMP--- 135$
SPEAKERS: LOGITECH STEREO SPEAKERS X-230--- 45$


GRAND TOTAL: 4295$ BEFORE TAXES

***WATER COOLING KIT***

BLACK ICE GTX 240 RADIATOR (120MM DUAL) + 1/2IN FITTINGS--- 100$
COOLER MASTER SILENT 120MM LED FAN X 2--- 20$
D-TEK FUZION CPU WATERBLOCK 1/2IN--- 65$
SWIFTECH MCP655 12V INDUSTRIAL WATER COOLING PUMP 1/2IN BARBS--- 65$
XSPC 150MM PASSIVE ALUMINIUM RESERVOIR + 1/2IN FITTINGS--- 65$
THERMALTAKE CL-W0012 WATER FLOW INDICATOR 1/2IN --- 30$
DELRIN FILLPORT + DELRIN T CONNECTOR 1/2IN --- 20$
TYGON TUBING 1/2IN 10 FEET--- 30$
KOOLANCE ANTI-KINK SPRINGS--- 15$
FESER ONE BLUE COOLANT--- 20$
METAL HOSE CLAMPS X 13--- 25$

 

[darthvaderkenneth]

wtf ur only getting a dual core and two 8800gt and u hav to spend $4300, thats stupid.

 

[chuckm]

You're kidding ,right?

 

[Guest]

I was thinking of overclocking the e8500 to 4.75ghz with a fsb of 2000. Also have the ram going at 1000mhz. When the new 45nm 1600fsb quads will be affordable, then and only then will I buy a quad. I am trying to keep this build for at least 4 years. Only thing I see changing would be going to a quad when the prices are ok and eventually getting better graphics cards. The GT's I chose come to within 5% of the GTX for half the price. Other than that I seem to have everything and won't need to upgrade for a hell of a long time. The computer I am on right now is 5 years old. I am aiming to do the same with this new one.

 

[pous]

You could do the same without going so far overboard, but if you've got the money... why not

Looks like a good set up/game plan if you don't mind the money. (Which it seems like you don't).

 

[Guest]

Where could I cut the costs? Any suggestions?

 

[pous]

You could skip water cooling and do a decent overclock on air only, that'd save you the $450 on the WC set up.

You could fit the rest of your stuff into just the case you ordered or a less expensive Antec case or the Thermaltake Armor. That would save you money as well, + you wouldn't have to invest in so many extra expensive fans.

5.1 headset seems excessive $135.. you can get a regular one for $35 and just use the money saved to upgrade to 5.1 speakers when you want big sound. 56k modem seems un necessary because... who dials up? And since you're getting a router that kind of implies you have broadband (or that you LAN). If you do dial up... I'm sorry.

Other than that you could get a less expensive DVD Burner for about $35-40.

So between all that you could save a nice bundle of money. There's plenty of people building with E8400 and SLI cards that you could learn from their builds. This is all assuming you're ok with dropping the water cooling though, that's ultimately your choice I guess, but it just seems not to be necessary with a chip that OC's so well on air.

 

[evilshuriken]

Well, a more suitable question would be
Where can't I cut the costs?
Your selection makes me think you deliberately chose the most expensive components you could find for most of the items on the list. One example is that power supply, overkill doesn't even begin to describe it.

 

[amd_fanboi]

for that price i would be thinking skulltrail.

get 2x 8800GTSs, a quad (9650 if money is no object and q6600 if it is) or an E8xxx (the higher the better).

antec 900 case (personal preference, that one is)

take out the sound card and put it in later, adn also that ridiculous headset... there's a start

 

[lunyone]

Let's see... Most $2k builds will be just fine for now and use the $2k for GPU upgrades later. Just my opinion, but that is what I'd do with $4,300.

 

[Guest]

For air cooling, would a thermalright ultra 120 extreme be good vs the water cooling? I could keep the lian li case and drop the fans though. The fax modem is for sending faxes and a must. DVD burner could be cheaper yes. The headset comes with an amp which can connect both my computer and tv to the headset, this is important since I cannot make to much noise and I want surround sound.

 

[amd_fanboi]

not much better... you could be getting a lot more power for that kind of money...

this is luyone's build; it is for $1000 but should give you an idea of what you can get

CPU - $250
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor 2.4GHz, 1066FSB, LGA775, 8MB cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] Code=80864

Mobo - $98 - $30 MIR = $68!! One of the best budget p35 mobo's out there.
ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813127031

GPU - $277 - $30 MIR = $307!! You can upgrade within 90 days using the "Step Up" program, if you want to get the latest GPU. Limited Lifetime Warranty!
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130325

PSU - $120 - $20 MIR = $100!!! One of the best PSU's you can get in this price range. Has plenty of connections for your upgrade needs! Has 5 yr. warranty too!
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139005

Memory - $107 - $15 MIR = $92!! Cheap and fast CAS 4 DDR2. Allows you to upgrade to 8gb's later, if you like.
Patriot Viper 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220293

HD - $100!! You'll enjoy the extra space. If you need more, just buy more now or just buy another HD later.
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073

DVD Burner - $29 shipped!! This is the retail version, so you can view/burn DVD's, because the software is included!
PHILIPS 2-Tone 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827248008

Case - $57 shipped! One of the better budget cases out there. Currently there aren't any really good steals, so this is what I found. I'd go for a Antec 900 or Cooler Master 690 case, if they were on sale. They usually are around $60-70 when they are on sale, so consider those when they hit the sales rack!
COOLER MASTER CAC-T05-UB Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case (Blue) Retail
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] ode=141783

Total ~$1,023 - $95 MIR's = $928!!! Not bad for under $1k. You can obviously find better deals if you go hunting for them, but these are from reputable online vendors, so take that into consideration. Newegg seems to have the best customer service, but doesn't always have a good price on things, so shop around before you purchase.

Edit: Forgot to mention that you could get a aftermarket HSF for your CPU if you like. This would lower your temperatures on the q6600 and also allow better and more stable OC's, if you decide to go that way. At a minimum I'd go with the AF7 Pro and the TT120 w/120mm Scythe fan for the best results. The Arctic Freezer Pro goes for about $25 and the TT120 w/120mm Scythe fan is about $65-75 or so.

 

[Guest]

Good ideas. But I am trying to keep this build for a long while therefore I need sli. When the gpu nears it's limit on the mother board I will be able to have two of them. I also need a system that I can grow into without having to buy new parts in two years therefore I am thinking high watts for the psu. You have lots of good ideas for parts. I will look into them. Thank you very much to you and everyone else.

 

[amd_fanboi]

like i said before, it's luyone's build...

obviously you need to boost the PSU - look at the PSU tiers link in his signature, and use something that will supply maybe 8, 900 watts... maybe even more... you should be able to slap in a second GTS now, and since you'll (i hope) buy eVGA, you can upgrade to the new video cards that come out soon from nVidia...

once they are past their usable lifespan, you can again upgrade, and it'll still be cheaper than the $4300 you want to spend now.

 

[amd_fanboi]

still not much better.

 

[Guest]

CASE : LIAN LI PC-A70B--- 200$

COOLING: SCYTHE 120MM X 1--- 10$
COOLING: THERMALRIGHT ULTRA 120 EXTREME--- 55$
COOLING: THERMAL COMPOUND ARCTIC SILVER 5--- 5$

POWER SUPPLY: THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850W--- 200$
MOTHERBOARD: EVGA 780I--- 250$
PROCESSOR : INTEL CORE 2 DUO E8400--- 200$
MEMORY: OCZ Platinum XTC PC2-8000 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-18--- 120$
GRAPHICS CARDS SLI: EVGA 8800GT 512M X 2 CARDS--- 500$
HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB--- 100$
SOUND CARD: SOUNDBLASTER X-FI XT-GAMER--- 90$
TV TUNER: HAUPPAUGE 1800 + REMOTE--- 115$
DVD BURNER: LG 20x--- 30$
FAX/MODEM: 56K INT A-OPEN FM56-PX V92--- 25$

MONITOR: SAMSUNG 2253BW 22" 3000:1 2MS -- 315$
KEYBOARD: LOGITECH G15--- 60$
MOUSE: LOGITECH G5--- 40$
PRINTER: EPSON ALL IN ONE CX6000--- 120$
WEBCAM: LOGITECH QUICKCAM ULTRA VISION SE--- 110$
ROUTER: D-LINK DIR-625--- 80$
HEADSET & MIC: ZALMAN 5.1 HEADSET + MIC--- 50$
SPEAKERS: LOGITECH STEREO SPEAKERS X-230--- 40$


GRAND TOTAL: 2715$ BEFORE TAXES

I have cut down on the looks and the fans as well as the psu. I am not facing what seems to me the end product. I cannot see throwing away any more pieces. Maybe a less expensive case. Thermaltake armour + or Antec 900? I want a real good one for air cooling. The lian li is supposed to be real good.

 

[mihirkula]

You can still cut down a total of $100 or even more on keyboard, mouse and webcam. And use the dough for BOSE Companion 2 Series II multimedia speaker system ($99). These BOSE speakers make the Logitecs look like poo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836166006

Or if you don't mind spending $250 which i certainly think you don't, get the BOSE Companion 3 Series II multimedia speaker system

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836166005

The companion 3 series make everything else in d world look like poo.

 

[Champcar]

DVD Burner - $29 shipped!! This is the retail version, so you can view/burn DVD's, because the software is included!
PHILIPS 2-Tone 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827248008

Do not buy that burner. Some are only coming with a 30 day trial of the codec software which Phillips has confessed to.

 

[evilshuriken]

A $4300 build with dual 8800GT's is like buying a Hummer with plastic wheel caps. You could build a system just as fast for half that.

If you had bothered to read his last post instead of just replying to the original, you would see that his last update seems to a bit more sensible now.

 

[Guest]

CASE : LIAN LI PC-A70B--- 200$

COOLING: SCYTHE 120MM X 1--- 10$
COOLING: THERMALRIGHT ULTRA 120 EXTREME--- 55$
COOLING: THERMAL COMPOUND ARCTIC SILVER 5--- 5$

POWER SUPPLY: THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850W--- 200$
MOTHERBOARD: EVGA 780I--- 250$
PROCESSOR : Core 2 Quad Q9550--- 530$
MEMORY: OCZ Platinum PC2-8000 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000mhz--- 120$
GRAPHICS CARDS SLI: EVGA 8800GT SSC EDITION 512M X 2 CARDS--- 550$
HARD DRIVE: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB--- 100$
SOUND CARD: SOUNDBLASTER X-FI XT-GAMER--- 90$
TV TUNER: HAUPPAUGE 1800 + REMOTE--- 115$
DVD BURNER: LG 20x--- 30$
FAX/MODEM: 56K INT A-OPEN FM56-PX V92--- 25$

MONITOR: SAMSUNG 2253BW 22" 3000:1 2MS -- 315$
KEYBOARD: LOGITECH G15--- 60$
MOUSE: LOGITECH G5--- 40$
PRINTER: EPSON ALL IN ONE CX4450--- 60$
WEBCAM: Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000--- 60$
ROUTER: D-LINK DIR-604--- 30$
HEADSET & MIC: ZALMAN 5.1 HEADSET + MIC--- 50$
SPEAKERS: BOSE® Companion® 2 Series II--- 100$


GRAND TOTAL: 2995$ BEFORE TAXES

I decided to go with a new quad coming out this week. I also went with the bose speakers. I also cut down the price on certain less important parts. I have one question though...people keep going on about how a pair of GT's is not that great. The two GT's I have selected are overclocked and on benchmarks the are equal and sometimes surpass a gtx and this at half the price. Am I missing something? Also thank you for all the responses. Even the smart ass ones.

 

[Champcar]

Bose.....ehh. Most audiophiles (which I am not) can't stand Bose.

 

[joex444]

WHY do you have a 56K modem included? That's retarded.

Do you really need to buy the modem, tv tuner, sound card, printer, webcam and router?? A router is for DSL/cable, so you either need a modem or a router but not both.

Also, I would go with an Antec P182 case for about $100. Your PSU is a good one, but you can find a good 700W for about $110.

You can definetly get a cheaper motherboard. Gigabyte and Asus are longstanding quality brands. eVga is new to mobos, but apparently does make good ones. You can get a high end Gigabyte for about $175. If you're not doing RAID, $120.

I don't see any need for SLI. With all the issues of getting it to work, and game compatibility (that is, a lot don't make use of SLI so you have only 1 8800GT in those games). Put your money into an 8800GTX 768 or a single 8800GT.

RAM's fine, if you intend to overclock. Otherwise get 800MHz. With 4GB, it's a slippery slope. You get about 3.3GB in 32 bit OS, but in a 64 bit OS the additional addressing overhead makes programs use more RAM. So, yes, you have 4GB but it's not the same as having 4GB in a 32 bit OS. Expect that to be worth about as much 3GB.

WHY THE HECK DO YOU HAVE A SINGLE HARD DRIVE??!? You should strongly consider getting another one and running RAID1 so a hard drive failure doesn't kill everything. At the very least, 500GB is too small. I have 1.5TB, and I'm looking to expand.

Your monitor is nice, but an Acer 22" for $220 is a good monitor.

 

[Guest]

If you're spending $3,000 on a computer. Please do yourself a favor and at least get 8800GTSs (G92) to SLI with.

It will add $100 to your total cost and will make your computer that much better.

As stated earlier, its ridiculous to spend that much money on a computer and only have 8800GTs.

Its like buying a Ferrari and putting a Mustang engine in it.


Let me put it this way. The way of the world for gaming computers these days is this. You spend more money on your graphics card/cards than any other component.

For my build it went like this:
8800GTS 320 (Stepped up to 8800GT)
Q6600
Samsung 22" LCD (Got a good deal)
Memory (My 2x2GB memory kit was $215 when I bought it, sadly its below $100 today)
PSU
Mobo
Case
HDD
Cooling
Media/Peripherals

 

[boonality]

Holy crap that's a lot of money. I have sitting in my wishlist now a build thats quite similar for $2,000.

Lian Li case
Q6600
Gigabyte X38 board
Corsair dominator DDR2 1066
8800GTS

With some other goodies like 1 7200.11 and 2 optical drives, vista 64bit, and a logitech momo steering wheel.

$4300 seems like a serious waste of money.

Now $2900 seems a LITTLE more realistic, but still whew a ton of money, I could replace my Q6600 with a QX9650 and be at $2900.

 

[can007]

You can buy a QX9650 with that money plus some 8800 Ultras (I don't know if they are still on sale or not ) the rest just buy what you want