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Sub 1400 Gaming Rig, first time builder

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Sub 1400 Gaming Rig, first time builder

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I was hoping some qualified eyes could critique this build. A online friend is steering me away from ordering online to building myself, and this was what we put together.

Ram: 4GB (2 x 2 GB) Corsair XMS2 DHX PC2-6400 (4-4-4-12

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130317 EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
EVGA SSC Edition overclocked at 576MHz x2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112025 LIAN LI PC-61 USB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186134 ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188024 EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139002 CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829102012 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152052 SAMSUNG SpinPoint T Series HD501LJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

how does this look? any advice about a cd/dvd burner? did i miss anything? this is my first system build, so any advice would be appreciated!

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1) If you plan on running SLI...which you must otherwise you would have never chose that motherboard, then I suggest this case down below for few more dollars. It has much better airflow, and when your running SLI heat is your #1 enemy.

2) Seeing how you plan on running dual vid cards, I suggest you get the 750w Corsair. Right now it's on sale and it's actaully cheaper than the one you chose....take the extra money you saved and put it on that case.

3) Seeing how your going to use an aftermarket heatsink (smart idea btw), then save yourself another $10 and get the OEM Q6600. You don't need two cpu heatsinks do you? Now take the money you saved on this, and apply it towards that case.

4) These new mobo's actually have as good if not better sound than the afermarket sound cards these days. And lately there have been issues with Vista and the aftermarket sound cards. Hold off on buying that sound card for now until you see if you like the onboard sound.

5) If you do not plan on running SLI/dual vid cards then stay away from that motherboard, and we can build you another rig on here for alot cheaper, and just as good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112100 $129.99
LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006 $129.99 ($119.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018 $199.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - OEM

Message edited by Why_Me on 06-20-2008 at 04:10:44 AM

------------------------------ "God invented Google so you would stop asking stupid questions."
Reply to Why_Me

OEM cpu aren't a good choice in my opinion. First they come with 1 year warranty instead of 3(or something like that, point is retail got a much better warranty). and if your after market cooler isn't working for X reason, you still have a backup ^^.

+1 on #4

Reply to BigBurn

GTS is a bad card. It is based on the old G80 core. The 8800GT based on the new G92 core can beat the GTX in a lot of cases. Avoid this older video card.

Avoid SLI motherboard altogether- buggy and have a lot of problems. Just search this forum for many examples. If you are running 1920x1200 or higher resolution and need SLI, yes this is one of the "Better" SLI boards. Otherwise, stay far away.

Go P45 or X38 instead. Save money and get a better motherboard that overclocks better and is MUCH more stable.

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------------------------------ http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ate-modode <-- Computer Builds
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."-John Wooden
Reply to shadowduck

shadowduck wrote :

GTS is a bad card. It is based on the old G80 core. The 8800GT based on the new G92 core can beat the GTX in a lot of cases. Avoid this older video card.

The GTS which vassago has choosen is a bad card.

A 8800GTS 512mb (G92) is an awesome card, one can be had for $159.99 on newegg right now!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814134037

I would get any G92 GTS over a 8800GT.

Reply to grieve

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