new to building gaming systems... please help

[frosty97]

I am new to building a gaming system and wanted some input before I start buying parts. Here is what I have come up with and within a reasonable budget. Please list any concerns you have with these parts.

ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail

OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2N1066SR2GK - Retail

2X MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail

COOLER MASTER Centurion 532 RC-532-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model AD-7191S - OEM


All of this prices just at $1100. My goal is to see how much bang I can get for my buck. I have over 3k to spend but really would prefer to get the most for my money. All I really play is CS and WoW so not sure if that helps. I also use photoshop cs3 as well as a few other programs for web editing and programming.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Levi

 

[litlrabi]

Are you looking to overclock at all, or just run stock? Also, do you have access to, or are interested in a 64-bit OS?

 

[frosty97]

I have vista business 64bit and I have never overclocked but would like to yes. I have been looking also at the q6600 for that reason. I wouldnt water cool though because of price and because water+circuits+me = not safe lol

 

[frosty97]

how can I tell when purchasing a q6600 from newegg which version it is? I saw a few other threads talking about one version is way better for overclocking then another. the one newegg has is the q6600 kentsfield 2.4ghz is this the right one?

 

[frosty97]

ok so after reading some posts I changed the setup a little and its still around the same price just a tiny bit more.

samsung 20x sata dvd burner - 31.00

antec 900 atx case w/ bottom mount psu - 120.00

seagate barracuda 7200.10 250gb sata2.0gb/s HDD - 65.00

EVGA 8800GTX 768mb 384bit pci expressx16 video card - 340.00 w/ 50 mail in rebate

PC Power 750w sli ready power supply (not the crossfire edition) - 160.00

G.Skill 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 1066 PC2 8500 dual channel kit - 145.00

ASUS P5K PRO P35 atx mobo - 130.00

Q6600 Kentsfield CPU - 250.00

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
totals at 1241.00 then 20 for shipping and eventually minus the 50 mail in rebate.


thoughts please? I would like to purchase this asap as my old system has died lol and my gaming addiction cant be appeased on this old dell with onboard video.

Levi

 

[PRotypeTR]

mmm If I were you, I would not buy an 8800 GTX , with two 8800 GTS do a SLI works fine. And for Q6600 , I prefer E8400..

Of course mobo I don't believe asus again...

My opinion this =)

 

[frosty97]

the 8800gtx is cheaper then 2 8800 gts in sli and I was reading that the 8800gtx performs just as well... is this not true? and why the e8400?? isnt quad core the way to go?

also if not asus then what mobo should I go with that allows plenty of options and allows it being future proof for about 3 years. I want to be able to upgrade memory ect.. cpu not so much.

 

[PRotypeTR]

Yeah 8800 GTX is a greater. But on analiys 512 MB 8800 GTS with game Crysis the performance is cooler than 8800 GTX (AA , Aniso disabled.)

So it is your choice buy 8800 GTX it is a great card. I don't want say the wrong things about it.

E8400 has a great performance on games. But if you want to buy a Quad series CPU go Q9300 ..

 

[two bit hit]

If you only really play CS and WoW, then SLI is overkill, and for now, I'd go for the E8400 over either the E6750 or the Q6600.

 

[litlrabi]

Gigabyte makes a solid motherboard, and is supposed to be great for overclocking (P35-DS3L, EP35-DS3R). The DS3L is $90 at Newegg.

For processor, dual core over quad is the way to go for the moment because most apps (especially games) aren't built to take advantage of that many cores. You should be able to overclock the dual core more (depending of course on which one) with air cooling. If you can find one, the E8400 is an excellent choice.

If you don't want to change your processor out after you first install, go with a 45nm quad-core (Q9300, Q9450). It will give you a longer life span, and will overclock better.

If you are going to overclock, you'll need to add an aftermarket cooler. The Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme (aka TRUE) is a common, high end choice. The Xigamatek HDT-S1283 is cheaper, and in some reviews and benchmarks has performed at or above the TRUE.

However, to stay in your current price, you'd have to choose a different video card. The 8800GTS (G92) 512MB has shown exceptional performance compared to the other 8800 cards, so shouldn't be a major trade off (and can be upgraded later).

Based on your list, and keeping in the same price range, I would make the following changes.

samsung 20x sata dvd burner - 31.00

antec 900 atx case w/ bottom mount psu - 120.00

seagate barracuda 7200.10 250gb sata2.0gb/s HDD - 65.00

[strike]EVGA 8800GTX 768mb 384bit pci expressx16 video card - 340.00 w/ 50 mail in rebate[/strike]MSI 8800GTS (G92) 512MB $230 w/ 30 mail in rebate and free copy of Witcher

PC Power 750w sli ready power supply (not the crossfire edition) - 160.00

G.Skill 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 1066 PC2 8500 dual channel kit - 145.00

[strike]ASUS P5K PRO P35 atx mobo - 130.00[/strike]Gigabyte P35-DS3L $90

[strike]Q6600 Kentsfield CPU - 250.00 [/strike]Q9300 Yorkfield CPU - $300

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 HSF - $37
----------------------------------------------
Total=$1177 with $30 mail in rebate and game.

Keep in mind, this information is based on research and benchmarks I've seen, not experience. Also, I chose the brand of the 8800GTS based on reviews and the copy of Witcher (it's what I'm getting). Changing brands can cost you $20 to multiple hundreds. The EVGA brand is $260 with a $30 mail in rebate.

 

[PRotypeTR]

That is the perfect choice I agree with litlrabi.

But I doubt the Gigabyte mobo again

 

[litlrabi]

Out of curiosity, why is that?

Which mother board would you suggest?

 

[PRotypeTR]

Out of curiosity, why is that?

Which mother board would you suggest?

No, I don't suggest anything.

I need a suggestion too. In there.

I decided to buy GA - EP35 - DS3R, someguys told me the RAMs is doing issues on this board. And I come here. But in there too many issues with EP35 or P35 .. I'm confused.

 

[rwpritchett]

Slight correction to litlrabi's excellent list: Get the OEM Q9300 since an aftermarket HSF is in his list and save yourself $15.

 

[litlrabi]

Other than not getting the stock cooler, are there any consequences to getting OEM over retail (warranty, etc..)?

I assumed there were, which is why I chose the retail. Also you will want to add thermal compound such as Arctic Silver 5 - $6.

 

[rwpritchett]

Yeah, the warranty is different. Intel gives retail CPU's 3-year warranty while OEM CPU's are warrantied by the vendor. In newegg's case, it's only 30 days.

From my own personal experience, I've had several parts go out on me with the highest failures being PSU's, hard drives, motherboards, and optical drives. I've never had a CPU go out on me, and I'm one who keeps computers longer than most. My last system lasted me 7 years (I still have the CPU and motherboard, they still work.)

For CPU's I think its a very small gamble to go OEM.

 

[RetiredChief]

more a question, or food for thought.

Memory. 800 vers 1066
For eample using Q6600
Over clock, setting bus Freq to 400. 8x = 3.2 GHz (FSB = 1600) normally a given, or 9X = 3.6 GHz (FSB = 16000 Not a given but possible and requires better cooling)
DDR2 800 with CL 4 = FSB of 1600 at a 1::1 ratio. at Approx $40 cheaper.
DDR2 1024 with CL5
Question is this going to provide any performance gain, Back of my mind it did not provide a gain - may be wrong.

 

[uguv]

I could see going with DDR2 1066 ram with the Q9300 because of its low multiplier, but I think you'd probably be ok with DDR2 800.

As far as motherboard manufactures go, I have a gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R in my HTPC and have had no issues with it at all. This machine is not overclocked. I have an Asus P5K Deluxe WIFI in my media PC and have had no issues with it either. I have overclocked the Q6600 in this machine. I have a DFI Lanparty DK P35-T2RS for my new gaming PC but I haven't assembled it yet so I can't offer an opinion on it yet.

Gigabyte seems to have more strict memory compatibility standards but you can check your ram against their list before ordering.

 

[rwpritchett]

Since we're going over compatible memory for Gigabytes, I thought I'd contribute that I'm using PQI Turbo DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 @1.8V on my Gigabyte board without problems and it's not listed on Gigabytes memory QVL. This is on a GA-MA69GM-S2H.

 

[PRotypeTR]

Is this 800MHz DDR2 CL 5-4-4-15 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) RAMs compatible with P35-DS3L or P35-DS3R ??

 

[rsetter1]

I have the GA-P35-DS3L with 2x2gb G-Skill 5-5-5-15 @1.8v, E6750
with Vista 32bit and ran the same system with XP x64 with out any issues what so ever.
This board no RAID, Firewire, and only a single PCIx16 slot

 

[RetiredChief]

Might check the memory manf website as they are update more fequently than MB web site. I check both, then read newegg reviews. Look for compatabily comments, not how great it is or is not.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

samsung 20x sata dvd burner - 31.00 - Consider the Asus model that everyone is so hyped up about over at newegg.com (rec'd Buyer's Chice Award 2 months running)

antec 900 atx case w/ bottom mount psu - 120.00

seagate barracuda 7200.10 250gb sata2.0gb/s HDD - 65.00 - 34% slower than 7200.11

EVGA 8800GTX 768mb 384bit pci expressx16 video card - 340.00 w/ 50 mail in rebate

PC Power 750w sli ready power supply (not the crossfire edition) - 160.00 - seems big and why SLI an issue w/ P35 ?

G.Skill 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 1066 PC2 8500 dual channel kit - 145.00 I favor Corsair and OCZ but that's a personal preference

ASUS P5K PRO P35 atx mobo - 130.00

Q6600 Kentsfield CPU - 250.00 - Most gamers prefer dual cores