anyone want to review my choices for first build?

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jbourne84

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Just looking for comments or suggestions on alternatives for anything

This is what i got so far

(with win vista home premium)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache (still debating whether or not to go with the Q9300 for 60$ more)
motherboard -ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel
4 GB ram -G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000
320 GB HD
CPU Cooler--XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle
tower -COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW
PSU -CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V
video card -SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit
DVD/CD
19" flatscreen
M-audio soundcard


i just want a good fast machine that will handle most anything i try out on it, photoshop and autoCAD to Cakewalk sonar for recording projects
 
J

jbourne84

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meant to mention, this is my VERY FIRST build... and most of what i have chosen so far is based on what i THINK i need and what has been suggested to me
 
kawininjazx

kawininjazx

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Put some money into a WD raptor 150gb and use the 320 for your backup. The q6600 is a great cpu, the q9300 isnt that much better, you could use the dough to go with an 8800gts 512mb.
 
J

jbourne84

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yeah not too bad of a deal for the better monitor, thanks

i guess i didnt realize that could be an issue with the cooler,
how can tell if it will fit or not?

and other than that, why the other case
 
MegaBUD

MegaBUD

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Mmmm i cant help you with that... im a OCZ and asus fanboi so...

-1 for vista64

stay with xp32

be honest with you... raptor or not... wont make a big difference... get a 2nd HD same size and raid0 it if you really want a performance boost... or do like me... be a chicken and just move the page files to the 2nd hard drive...
 
skittle

skittle

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Yes, the xigmatek fits in the centurion... but do spend a little more money on a better case. I have a similar model that I tore apart with a dremel because i hated it so much.

The RC-690 was a pleasure to work with.

Also for a dvd drive, look no further than the Samsung SH-S203B.
 
aevm

aevm

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Why the RC-690?

Because it's the best case I can think of under $100, and I know that Xigmatek fits in it.

It also gives you more room for large video cards (which may be important for your next upgrade). The Centurion "barely fits" an 8800GT according to a newegg reviewer. I'm 99% sure that the 4870x2 for example will be larger than the 8800GT.

Also, the RC-690 comes with three 120mm fans, while the Centurion has one 120mm and one 80mm.

Mind you, the Centurion is great value for that price. It's just less future-proof, with all these parts getting bigger and hotter every year.

BTW, I'm talking about the $85 version without PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
If you do go for the RC-690, stick with the 550VX PSU, it's very good.

 
D

deviant1

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yeah, i'd rather have a decent raid0 setup than a single raptor. and not a big fan of vista here, but to each their own. and i'd probably go with an nvidia 8800 if it were me.
 
aevm

aevm

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Just to clarify: the OP said Vista in the first post, and when I recommended Vista 64-bit I meant 64-bit Vista is better than 32-bit Vista.

Between Vista 64-bit and XP 32-bit, XP will give somewhat better fps, but it won't have DirectX 10. He's got to decide which matters more to him. In Bioshock for example DirectX 10 makes no visible difference. In Crysis it does.
 
J

jbourne84

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yeah im def getting vista 64-bit

and i think im going to take the advice on the RC-690... seeing as my biggest initial motive for the home build was to ensure more flexibility with future upgrades

thanks
 
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jbourne84

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any thoughts on my choice in motherboard?

it was recomended to me and seems to have good reviews, though some that complain of awkward placements requiring extended cables

i had seen some Intel boards that seemed comparable for a little less but wasnt sure, Like this one

 
J

jbourne84

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and other than for better gaming, why win xp 32-bit?

im certainly not gung ho for Vista, but the way i see it is sooner or later vista will become dominant. so rather than buy xp now and vista later, ill just make the jump now

but i'm all ears to be convinced otherwise
 
aevm

aevm

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Don't know how you managed to paste that link, but it didn't work. Anyway, it's a G33, i.e. with onboard video, better avoid.

The aBit IP35 Pro has VERY good reviews. A bit slower LAN than other P35 motherboards, but apart from that it's great.

Look at the GA-EP35-DS3R too, if you want. It's normally cheaper than the IP35 Pro. On the other hand, the IP35 Pro has Firewire and a second PCI-E x16 slot (useful for a second video card). OK, the second video card seems pointless, running at only 4x, but it's handy if you ever want a 3-monitor setup.

Also look at the GA-EX38-DS4 or GA-X48-DS4. If you get one of those, and the HD 3870, it gives you the ability to do Crossfire later, maybe adding a HD 4870. If that sounds interesting, also spend $30 more on the PSU and get this Silencer 750W:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011&Tpk=silencer+750w

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128086
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089&Tpk=GA-ex38-ds4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336&Tpk=ga-x48-ds4
 
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