New 2k Gaming Rig post 4870/280 Release!

[DeepSeaDoc]

Ok, here she is. Please tell me what you think and any suggestions. I have put allot of thought and have waited…waited…for next GEN cards and here we are.

Thermaltake ArmorPlus ATX full tower case $204
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056
Gigabyte-GA-X48-DS4 motherboard $224
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 chipset $329
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042
Mushkin 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066 PC2 8500 $134
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785
Seagate 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0 32MB Cache $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148302
HIS Hightech Radeon HD 4870 $309
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236
ABS Tagan 900W Power Supply $239
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817814013
Zalman 9700 110mm CPU cooler $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019
Zalman VF1000 VGA cooler $49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118037
Scythe S-Flex 120mm Case Fan x3 $44
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185005
Lite-On 20X DVD/CD Optical Drive SATA $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit $179
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116493
Asus 24” LCD Monitor $489
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236033
Artic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound x 2 $13
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020
Total: $2261

Ok there she is. I looked highly at all reviews on the Egg and elsewhere. My budget was 2k with a monitor. I plan on adding another 4870 in Crossfire once the figure out the drivers. Please tell me what you think before I click the buy button.

Thanks,

DeepSea

 

[Ketchup_rulez]

I would say that looks very nice! Well done and good luck!

EDIT: If you want to save a bit of money, you could drop the 1066 ram and just go for 800 DDR2 as you won't notice the difference and it will save you $50

LINK: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231112

 

[DeepSeaDoc]

Thanks for the help!

DeepSea

 

[shadowduck]

Yeah you don't need 1066 RAM *unless* you want to overclock past FSB1600.

Great choice on the 4870. Over $300 less than the 280, but 4870 beats 280 in some benchmarks. Hell 4870 CF still costs less than 280 and really smokes it in some games.

 

[DeepSeaDoc]

What speed RAM would be the best choice for this RIG?

Thanks

DeepSea

 

[shadowduck]

Cannot really answer that question until we ask another:

How far do you plan to overclock the Q9450?

 

[Guest]

the ram is great ram... I have my ram at 1200 mhz 5 4 4 12 =D

don't utilize it because my fsb isn't high enough... but w/e XD

Motherboard doesn't support high fsb... doesnt' go over 450 =(

 

[kawininjazx]

4GB G.Skill DDR2-1066 at New Egg for $85 plus free shipping. I have it in my X38, works like a champ.

 

[DeepSeaDoc]

Ok after some more research and nukeing this to death this is what I have now.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450
GIGABYTE-GA-DS4 X48 Motherboard
Mushkin 4GB (2x2) DDR2 1066
Seagate Barracuda 250 GB 32MB Cache x 2 in Raid 0
Antec Twelve Hundred ATX Full Tower Case
Sapphire Radeon 4870 512 MB GDDR5
XIGMATEK 750W PSU
LITE-ON 20X DVD/CD-R Optical Drive
ZALMAN 9700 CPU Cooler
ZALMAN VF1000 VGA Cooler
ARTIC Cooler Thermal Compound MX-2 x 2
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64

I changed the case, psu, switched from HIS 4870 to a Sapphire "realy dont know why I did that", and went with 2 smaller 250GB drives in RAID 0. I took out the monitor. This will be easier to sell to the wife! Now my price is under $1600 bones. Not bad!! I do think this is the one!

DeepSea

 

[shadowduck]

Skip the RAID 0- it will not increase your speed in a gaming setup- will slow down some operations and doubles your chance of failure- either drive fails all your data goes with it.

Skip the Zalamn cooler its not that great. Get this one instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Unless you plan on overclocking past FSB1600 you don't need 1066 RAM. 1066 RAM has issues with some motherboards- it seems to random almost, but 800 does not have such issues. I would stick with DDR2-800 RAM.

 

[DeepSeaDoc]

Ok tell me what you think about this?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450
GIGABYTE-GA-DS4 X48 Motherboard
Mushkin 4GB (2x2) DDR2 800
Western Digital Caviar 640 GB 16MB Cache
Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) ATX Full Tower Case
HIS Radeon 4870 512 MB GDDR5
XIGMATEK 750W PSU
LITE-ON 20X DVD/CD-R Optical Drive
XIGMATEK 1283 CPU COOLER
XIGMATEK RETENSION BRACKETS
ZALMAN VF1000 VGA Cooler
ARTIC Cooler Thermal Compound MX-2
Microsoft Windows Vista Home SP1 64bit

Ok that about does it price now is $1500, seems good to go.

Thanks,

DeepSea

 

[shadowduck]

Looks good sir. Enjoy!!