Gaming PC Project

Hi, I would just like to have your views, comments and opinions about the configuration I am slowly building;

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 {2.66 GHz, 1333 FSB, 12 MB Cache}
• EVGA nForce 780i SLI Motherboard {3 PCI-E x16 = 3-Way SLI, up to 8 GB PC2-9600 Ram, SATA-300 (Raid)}
• CRUCIAL PC2-6400 DDR2 4096MB BALLISTIX KIT Ram {CL4 (4-4-4-12), 2.2V}
• CRUCIAL PC2-6400 DDR2 2048MB BALLISTIX TRACER KIT {SLI Ready}
• SEAGATE SATA2 500 GB {7200 RPM, 16 MB Cache} x 2 RAID {Mirror}
• EVGA GF9 9800GTX 512M {Core Clock: 675 MHz, Memory Clock: 2.2 GHz} x 2 in SLI
• CREATIVE LABS X-FI Xtreme Audio PCI-E Card
• PLEXTOR External DVD+/-RW
• OCZ 700W GameXstream SLI Power Supply {I believe this is enough for SLI}
• ACER 24" Black WS Monitor {5ms, Brightness: 400 cd/m2, Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (dynamic)}
• LOGITECH X540 5.1 Speakers
• SAITEK Cyborg Keyboard {Green Glow}
• LOGITECH Laser G9 Mouse {Green LED}
• ANTEC Nine-Hundred Gaming Case {All fans switched to green, Power Supply Fan Switched To Green, 3 Cages to Accomodate 3 120mm Green Fans At Front; No 5,25 Drives Showing = Reason for External DVD, Cable Sleeves, Green Case Neon}
• Windows Vista Ultimate x64 Edition

As you have probably noticed I am going all out on the green as a theme color, which is inspired from the Borg in Star Trek

Tell me what you think of this setup, it will cost me around 2500$... It will take approximately 2 months for me to build it. Some parts might end up being different considering costs and new comings... But this is my goal.

i dont think that power supply is going to cut it for sli'd 9800s
was going to mention waiting for the new cards but i see you did at the end there
also...awesome theme you are going for

That's like an extra 1000$ right there, I wish I had that money... feel free to donate eh!

I already have the Antec 900, which I am customizing. It's the only case that suits my fancy.

For the rest I am debating it, I do think I might go for that EVGA 790i and get 2 kits of OCZ 1333MHz at the low Latency of CL7 (7-7-7-20). That would be an increase of about 75$, you think the 2 GB's DDR3 CL7 Ram will compensate for the 6 GB DDR2 CL4 Ram?

I completely agree for the motherboard though, that is probably the part we stick with the longest, so better to get best! Too bad I can't upgrade the wallet to a self-replicating one!

For now though I believe I will stick with the Q9450, maybe next year if I see something much better for cheap I'll go for it, but I believe the Q9450 will beat my prior intention to buy the Q6700...

Thanks for the advice on the S.Card btw. I do not intend on doing much overclocking, if the system performs well on stock settings, I'll leave it at that. But I might change mind later on.

All the parts I am buying at a specialized computer store at 5 minutes from my place. I get very good service, and avoid the hassle of ordering online and waiting... The 600W OCZ GameXstream PSU I will go for is only $105 and has a led fan which I will be changing to green. And it is SLI certified as well.

The Corsair 750TX will be fine for SLi 9800GTX, however I would hope you would wait for the GTX280s coming in a few months, and then get a mushkin PSU around 800W or go for a higher wattage OCZ. All 3 brands are very reliable though.

If this is PC for gaming then get X-Fi Titanium. It is PCI express card but unlike X-Fi Xtreme Audio or Xonar it can actually do all processing in hardware. If budget matters than consider X-Fi xtreme gamer (PCI not PCI express - same good for audio if you have a spare PCI slot) - I have used mine for over 2 years and it is great hardware. I'd buy Titanium if I was shopping now though.

Bah... for now I believe I'll stick with the onboard, maybe once the PC is fully built and a few paychekcs later I might get a good sound card, it isn't like I won't have sound.

um well its hella expensive and bad timings, and no cpu can use its clockspeed right now
that is one huge power supply maybe a 750tx from corsair
with the extra money grab logitech z-5500 and a good sound card and you'll be set

ok, as for ddr3, do you really think you will get a new mobo and proc without getting new ram?

@ gators1223 :

I do not understand you're question.. :S

I was doing a little bit of research and came to the conclusion that you we're right, there is absolutely no point in DDR3 for now. Actually this link talks about it pretty well...
http://www.legionhardware.com/docu [...] id=674&p=0

... so I believe I will go for 4 GB's of CL3 {CAS3} 800MHz Ram, and it will cost me cheaper to get the EVGA 780i motherboard as well...

Thanks for your tips gators1223...

yes, I do agree. I'm pretty sure DDR2 will last for the remainder of the year before really becoming outclassed I guess... When it does then I will upgrade.