Opinions about a new system

Hello, I'd like to buy a new computer for gaming, and wanted to ask your opinions about the following system:

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard: Asus Striker 2 Formula (SLI)
GPU: 2* Gigabyte 8800 GTS 512
RAM: 4* 1GB Kingston HyperX DDR 2 1066 MHz

Is this a good computer for playing new games on high settings?
My budget is around 1800$

Thanks in advance

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It's better to get 2x2GB sticks instead of 4x1GB sticks - it'll use less power and you'll be able to run your MCH stable at a lower voltage.

The 8800GTS is not priced well right now - it's more expensive than the 9800GTX, which doesn't make much sense (I know the 9800GTX is just an overclocked 8800GTS, but why pay more for no factory overclock?).

Also, with a budget that high, consider an X38/X48 and dual 4850 or 4870 cards and stepping up to a 45nm Intel. Also, make sure to get a good cooler for your CPU, because you'll want to overclock it to get the most out of the dual graphics cards.

Reply to zipz0p

I agree with the above post. The system you listed would have been great a couple months ago but things have changed quite a bit. I would suggest a X38 or X48
this is my board and it's outstanding
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

Get a couple 4870's in Crossfire and you could stick with the Q6600 because it's a very good chip at a great price but I might go with the Q9450, larger cache and higher stock speed.

Also 2x2gb is a good idea rather than 4x1gb.

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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
-Aristotle
Reply to ausch30

nVidia's Intel chipsets are not very good and have numerous well documented problems. I would avoid them. However, not all is lost! AMD's 4850 beats 8800GT in the majority of tests and is a great buy.

So, I would build this :

CPU: Q9450
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336
GPU: 4870 (if you are running resolutions under 1920x1200 you don't need 2)
RAM: Don't buy 4x 1GB. Get 2x 2GB instead. G.Skill 4GB 4-4-4-12 $90
Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB
Case: P182
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling Quad 750W
OS: Vista Home Prem 64-bit

Total: $1447.66

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ 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

i think would be better for you

CPU: Q9300
MB: 750i Chipset (2 way sli and much cheaper)
GPU: 280gtx ($650) on newegg.
Ram 2x2gb g skill ram.ddr2 1066

CPU: larger l2 cache 45nm more power effcient
MB: no point buying a 3 way sli board with 8800gts cards
GPU: for a new build 8800gts cards are out dated pick up 9800gtx or the 280gtc it will give you more bang for your buck. you should be able to run crysis med-high

ram: g skill has a good oc reputation 2 sticks of 2 gb is more effcient then 4 sticks of 1 gb

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to BlackKnight7891

The GTX280 is overpriced for its performance level.

I think that shadowduck's build is pretty close to perfect. You could probably cut a few dollars off by hunting around on other etailers, and not getting Vista if you already have an OS. Get a good air-cooler, though the Q9450 runs cold anyway. And throw an extra 4870 in there if you need it later (I doubt you will unless you're a Crysis fanatic and have at least a 24" monitor).

Reply to zipz0p

I agree about the GTX 280 being WAY overpriced for the performance, plus it takes tons of power.

I have the 8800 GTS and love it, but they're right - the new cards are not any more expensive and have shown they can perform.

I second that I like most of what shadowduck put on the list.

Good luck with the build.

Reply to huron

I like BlackKnights suggestion, especially if its a gaming rig

Reply to Monsta

BlackKnight7891 wrote :

i think would be better for you

CPU: Q9300
MB: 750i Chipset (2 way sli and much cheaper)
GPU: 280gtx ($650) on newegg.
Ram 2x2gb g skill ram.ddr2 1066

CPU: larger l2 cache 45nm more power effcient
MB: no point buying a 3 way sli board with 8800gts cards
GPU: for a new build 8800gts cards are out dated pick up 9800gtx or the 280gtc it will give you more bang for your buck. you should be able to run crysis med-high

ram: g skill has a good oc reputation 2 sticks of 2 gb is more effcient then 4 sticks of 1 gb

What are you talking about the 750i is garbage and the 280GTX is overpriced, that rig you setected would be a terrible waste of money.

The Q9300 has a 7.5x multiplier and you need a very high FSB to get a good speed out of it and a 750i isn't going to make it. Your best bet is a E8400 or Q6600 and a P45 with a 4870, that setup will be a ton cheaper and perform better due to the CPU being able to reach a higher speed stable and you will have less headaches overall.

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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
-Aristotle
Reply to ausch30

+1 for ausch30!

------------------------------ 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

BlackKnight7891 wrote :

CPU: larger l2 cache 45nm more power effcient

Q9300 6MB L2 cache
Q6600 8MB L2 cache

------------------------------
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
-Aristotle
Reply to ausch30

Edit: I cannot read. Moderator delete this post.

Message edited by shadowduck on 06-27-2008 at 07:11:42 PM

------------------------------ 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

You can delete them yourself. Just click edit and at the bottom check the box for delete and then submit.

Message edited by ausch30 on 06-27-2008 at 07:27:05 PM

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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
-Aristotle
Reply to ausch30

shadowduck wrote :

nVidia's Intel chipsets are not very good and have numerous well documented problems. I would avoid them. However, not all is lost! AMD's 4850 beats 8800GT in the majority of tests and is a great buy.

So, I would build this :

CPU: Q9450
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336
GPU: 4870 (if you are running resolutions under 1920x1200 you don't need 2)
RAM: Don't buy 4x 1GB. Get 2x 2GB instead. G.Skill 4GB 4-4-4-12 $90
Hard Drive: Seagate 500GB
Case: P182
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling Quad 750W
OS: Vista Home Prem 64-bit

Total: $1447.66

Looks good, thanks a lot but still I think I'll take instead 2 of 4850, this Gigabyte Motherboard doesn't support CF right?
And btw, isn't 750W too exaggerated ? Wouldn't a 520W suffice?

Another important question:
I have a graphics card of Radeon 1900XT 512 RAM,
And in about 2 games when I turned the Bloom option On, the graphic was presented blurry.
On Crysis the game wasn't shown good, even when I applied high settings, the graphics quality in the game looked quite poor...
I began to think that perhaps ATI cards are showing games less good than NVIDIA ones....

So the questions is, if there is any diffrence in the graphics quality(not the FPS) between the ATI and NVIDIA cards?

Reply to Steel_Sky

ATI's new cards rock period. They outperform nVidia cards and allow higher resolutions. The 48x0 cards are far and above anything ATI has done in years.

The Gigabyte motherboard does support CF.

For 2 video cards 750W is not exaggerated whatsoever. 520W is underpowered.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ 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 :

ATI's new cards rock period. They outperform nVidia cards and allow higher resolutions. The 48x0 cards are far and above anything ATI has done in years.

The Gigabyte motherboard does support CF.

For 2 video cards 750W is not exaggerated whatsoever. 520W is underpowered.

Ok thanks a lot for your help!

Reply to Steel_Sky

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