First Build: Final Review (please critique)

[efx92]

So this is the final parts for my build please check and make sure everything is compatible.

The only thing I have not yet decided on is the case.

Case: Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=Antec%2bNine%2bHundred
OR Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evolution http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119122
Is it worth the extra money to get the full size tower? Also, I like the look of the CM stacker better.

HD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136

MOBO: Gigabyte P35 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128086

CPU: Q6600 2.4GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

GPU: XFX 8800GT 512mb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150252

RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

DVD Drive: Samsung DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

HSF: Cooler Master 120mm CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103040

Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Please review this build and tell me if everything is compatible and please help me make up my mind on the case

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[houstonserenity]

The hard drive can be better try this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

I would wait on the GPU till the new ATI hit the market in a few weeks if you can not try a GTS here is one for the same cost as that GT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325

Your PSU is ok but I like this one a tad better for the same cost

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

And if your into gaming and not a big time OCer then a faster duo core will suit you better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

and for cooling look at this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

 

[efx92]

Ok, thanks. Any other opinions?

 

[Yoosty]

Both cases are good, but the 830 Stacker has been out for over 2years. CoolMaster has 2 other cases you should check out and also Thermaltake have 2 new ones out also that you should look at.

COOLER MASTER cosmos S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119150

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

Thermaltake Xaser VI VG4000BWS Black / Red Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133052

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $204.99
should be back in stock 6/04/2008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056

also at www.performance-pcs.com for $199.99
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=114&products_id=23113

and then there is the Antec Twelve Hundred Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $214.95
but it is out of stock until 6.20/2008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

So there you go, these are the best full tower cases out now. Hvae fun deciding!!!

 

[huron]

I'd check out the Antec twelve hundred also (the 900 is great) and look at the in-depth reviews of the Xaser - it looks pretty cool too.

The Antec case was cheaper and in stock at Microcenter a week or so ago, so you can check there too.

The PSU you had was intended for SLI - it's a little more power than you'd need for only one GPU - you could probably get one with less output.

 

[godless]

your set up is pretty nice, but i would upgrade the hd to 7200.11 32mb cache seagate 500gb.

ram ,psu, gpu look good

 

[alfrido]

Go with the ocz its better in my opinion.

 

[spotless]

for gaming use e8400, i did & 3d mark (at stock) jumped from 11.000 (e4500) to 19.000 (e84) & when oced 13.090 to 21.k sumthing using e84

 

[alfrido]

Go with this one.
its actually a 670 wattage. And when you buy it they tested it out for you already you get a paper that shows you. Its silent. Cables are long and can fit those huge towers. And the best brand.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

 

[alfrido]

But how does one oc a 8400 on a gigabyte ga p35 ds3l with a Artic cooling pro. Message me if you do know.

 

[Zorg]

Go with this one.
its actually a 670 wattage. And when you buy it they tested it out for you already you get a paper that shows you. Its silent. Cables are long and can fit those huge towers. And the best brand.

That's]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

That's a killer price on on that Silencer610

But how does one oc a 8400 on a gigabyte ga p35 ds3l with a Artic cooling pro. Message me if you do know.

The same as you OC a Q6600, You might need to increase voltages to get the same percentage of OC though, I haven't looked at it.

 

[efx92]

Both cases are good, but the 830 Stacker has been out for over 2years. CoolMaster has 2 other cases you should check out and also Thermaltake have 2 new ones out also that you should look at.

COOLER MASTER cosmos S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119150

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

Thermaltake Xaser VI VG4000BWS Black / Red Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133052

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $204.99
should be back in stock 6/04/2008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056

also at www.performance-pcs.com for $199.99
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=114&products_id=23113

and then there is the Antec Twelve Hundred Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $214.95
but it is out of stock until 6.20/2008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

So there you go, these are the best full tower cases out now. Hvae fun deciding!!!

Ok, what's the difference between the Thermaltake Armor and the Thermaltake ArmorPlus?

 

[efx92]

Also, I went with the E8400 and the 32mb cache HDD after so many people recommended it even though I wanted to somewhat future proof the CPU with a quad core

 

[efx92]

Bump. Still can't decide on the case =/ I still really like the look of the CM Stacker but is it just too old of a case now?

 

[p0isonapple]

Hey efx, nice original build.

It's not so much that the CM Stacker is too old, its just that the newer cases are more efficient and ergonomic, and your probably going to get cooler system temps, and in turn better airflow from the newer cases.
However, at the end of the day it's your rig, and if you like it go with it.

I would change that HDD to a WD 5000AAKS if you can afford it, great HDD and not so expensive.

I also agree that you should hang tight for the benchmarking results of the new ATi and nVidia cards during the next few weeks, while the 8800GT is a reasonbly cheap solid performer, I think this new gen of cards will really benefit you price / performance wise.

Hope I helped!

 

[efx92]

I think I'm going to go with the 8800GT for now and then wait like 6-8 months to upgrade it and the prices on the new ones should be down by then.

 

[p0isonapple]

Yeah, well i'm pretty much playing the same game as you, except i already have a Q6600 8800GT system right now, i'm going to wait till x-mas and spend about $3500AU on a new high spec rig

 

[efx92]

Nice, wish I had that kind of budget I only have $1500 for the desktop and then $500 for my monitor,keyboard,mouse, and speakers so $2,000 total.

 

[p0isonapple]

Haha, well i can tell you with that rig your getting above your going to get very nice performance out of it, even with that Q6600 on stock speed and the 8800GT. Are you gonna overclock your CPU?

 

[efx92]

I'm thinking about it but, like i said, it will be my first ever build so I just want to make sure everything works before i even think about overclocking lol but I'm still going to get a CPU heatsink/fan in case I do OC it in the future.

 

[p0isonapple]

Yeah good idea, my new rig coming up in x-mas will be my first ever OC'ed one, but i'm going SLi GTX280's so I think I need to overclock not to bottleneck them.

You're going to be happy with your rig but, and i've been reading about that CM 830 Stacker, and it's a great case mate, you will definantly be happy with it, will also come in handy for that big 120mm cooler which you also made a really good choice on.

 

[efx92]

Awesome, thanks for all the help p0ison, appreciate it
And I bet those new cards will be awesome in SLi, lucky you.

 

[p0isonapple]

Haha thanks mate. Goodluck with your system buddy i hope you enjoy it. One last question, where abouts will you be placing your rig?

 

[efx92]

I'll probably be building a shelf next to my desk because I don't think my desk will hold it haha

 

[p0isonapple]

Haha yeah, I was just gonna say make sure you check those dimensions cause that 830 CM Stacker is a big unit! haha