I used to build computers by myself a long time ago, but i've kind of fallen out of the loop. I know i can do a ton of research through the boards and find the perfect build, but i have a time limitation, and need help. (please no read 3 threads below msgs) I will use this computer for gaming, music, movies. I will be buying a 40" 1080p TV in a month also to hook up too. Right now i got a 24" 1080 monitor. I might SLI with another GTX later, maybe. I'm also looking for a quiet build which the 9800 GTX doesn't help.
BUDGET: 1400-1500 CANADIAN
What i have: 500gig hdd, burner, monitor, keyboard, mouse
My build as of now.
Vid Card: BGF 9800GTX $ 239.99 (All prices Canadian) (recommend another brand? i always bought ATI)
CPU: Intel C2D E8400 $219 (Rather have higher clock speed over quad core)
Mobo: Asus Striker Extreme 2 Formula NF78i SLI $300 (eStata would be nice )
Powersupply: OCZ 600SXS 600 $ 78 (recommend a better one for about 100?)
Ram: OCZ 2RPR800 C44GK 4gig $120
Case: Antec P182 $130 (dont want lights or clear windows, just want quiet and good)
Total $1177.95 + taxes = $1331.08
Can someone help make my build more efficient? Or tell me if i spend 10-15 more on something i might get something better?
Tell you what, I'm not as much of an intel guy so I can't tell you as much. But you may check out tigerdirect.ca
I don't know where you shop, but I've shopped on their American site, and they always seem to have decent prices, as well as their customer service treated me pretty well.
NCIX has the Silencer 610W for $110, for example. That can handle two 9800GTX cards.
They also have the eVGA 780i mobo for $260.
BFG is fine. eVGA and XFX are also good brands for nVidia cards.
You're getting a 780i mobo and 9800GTX cards and use a large resolution. That is, you have the Triple-SLI option, i fyou get a large enough PSU. THink very carefully now before you decide on a PSU. If it's likely you'll want a third 9800GTX later, invest now in a PSU that can handle it. NCIX has an Enermax Galaxy 850W for $261, for example.
I might do SLI later, but 2 cards MAX i think. I'm buying everything from a cheap local shop filtechcomputer.com. I just need to choose the right parts.
Also i know ATI's cards send video and sound through their hdmi dongle. How does it work with Nvidia when i will plug it into my HDTV? Will i have to send sound seperate from the mobo spdif out?
OK, for two cards max, the Silencer 610W or Corsair 620HX would be great. The StealthXStream 600W can do it too, and it's cheaper, it's just not rated as high quality-wise as those other two. I'm not saying it's bad, I even bought one for my Dad recently in fact, it's just not making reviewers get that excited.
More importantly, if you are sure you never will have 3 cards, you can get 8800GTS 512MB cards instead of 9800GTX cards. They are very close in speed and cheaper and all you really lose is the Triple-SLI ability.
You can connect an nVidia card to an HDMI input on a TV by using a DVI to HDMI adapter, and then the sound gets from the mobo (or sound card) to the TV (or home theatre or speakers) through separate cables.
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In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?
I concur, get the Silencer or Corsair. For the P182, I think the Corsair would be a better choice, because there isn't a ton of room in the PSU bay. Both of those PSUs will fit nicely, but removing unnecessary cables would help.
Thanks for all your feedback. Would you guys recommend any extra cooling if i don't Oc or to make it quieter? Heatsink for the CPU? More fans for the case?
Maybe an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for the CPU, to make it quieter and keep it cooler.
The P182 is a bit cramped if you try to put two 8800-series cards in it. You may have to remove some hard drive cages. If you're going for SLI you should probably look at some full-tower cases. Sorry about that... I really like the P182. I wanted one myself last year but then it turned out I couldn't have an 8800GTX and lots of hard disks in it at the same time and I got something bigger instead.
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In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?
NCIX has the Silencer 610W for $110, for example. That can handle two 9800GTX cards.
They also have the eVGA 780i mobo for $260.
BFG is fine. eVGA and XFX are also good brands for nVidia cards.
You're getting a 780i mobo and 9800GTX cards and use a large resolution. That is, you have the Triple-SLI option, i fyou get a large enough PSU. THink very carefully now before you decide on a PSU. If it's likely you'll want a third 9800GTX later, invest now in a PSU that can handle it. NCIX has an Enermax Galaxy 850W for $261, for example.
If you're not planning on putting more than 4 HDDs in, a P182 should work with no trouble. The lower hard drive cage (by the PSU) has room for 4 disks.
Also, I don't know about length of the 8800GTX, but my 8800GTS 512 fits with room to spare.
Keep in mind, from that discussion, if you don't use drives in the upper bay, you won't have trouble.
The cable management in that picture is terrible. I'll get a pic of my case internals tonight and post it.
However, a different case would have fewer possible issues down the road if you keep upgrading. It's a choice if you really like the P182, or just picked it from reviews.
Keep in mind, from that discussion, if you don't use drives in the upper bay, you won't have trouble.
The cable management in that picture is terrible. I'll get a pic of my case internals tonight and post it.
However, a different case would have fewer possible issues down the road if you keep upgrading. It's a choice if you really like the P182, or just picked it from reviews.
I picked that case for three reasons. 1. It supposedly really quiet because of the insulation. 2. Its sleek and doesn't have flashy lights and window (grew out of that) 3. Price
If anyone can recommend a very quiet case with cable management, sliding trays ect. that might work better for me i'll def check it out! (this is going to be on all night in my room and i dont want to hear it)
Message edited by xChaoSx on 04-23-2008 at 07:11:35 PM
You're going to have a rather nasty electricity bill with two high-end video cards on all night, even at idle How about getting a separate $300 PC from Best Buy if you just need to do large downloads at night?
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In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?
I have a P182se with one 8800gtx card in it. As others have said, I had to remove the upper drive bay to make room for the video card, but the lower drive bay holds 4 drives and that was plenty for me. I really like the case. The cable management is pretty good and the case remains fairly quiet even after I added an extra 120mm fan where the upper HDD cage used to reside. The one thing I would change about the case is that the manual is really poor, but otherwise I'm very satisfied.
My computer shop might not be able to get the Corsair 620HX in time. Is their any other PSU anyone would recommend that would fit nicely my case and is modular? The Silencer 610W is nice but i've been told its quite big, and its not modular.
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