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New Rig ( $2000 - 2500 budget )

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New Rig ( $2000 - 2500 budget )

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IcHLL   06-30-2008 at 05:43:00 AM

Motherboard - EVGA nforce 780i SLI
CPU - Q9450
RAM - ***
Case - Thermaltake Xaser VI
Video Card - Radeon HD 4870
PSU - Ultra X3 800-Watt Modular
Hard Drive - 3 x WD Caviar SE16 500GB (2 in RAID 0 for windows, games, etc and the other one for storage)
DVD - Sony DRU190A DVD burner
Watercooling - Swiftech H20-220 Apex Ultra and a waterblock for the video card

This is my planned buy for aug-sept 2008, what do you think guys, i've done a loooot of research but theres always something new, different and I never make up my mind. These are my primary issues:

* I really don't know what memory to buy. I plan to overclock my CPU and GPU to max and dont know what is the best RAM for it, i'm planning on getting 4gb, what do you think would suit me best?

* I've had two earlier machines with watercooling and I love it, both with thermaltake all-in one kits. The temps have never helped me so I want to go with something more mature and I don't mind expending a little bit more on this. What are your thoughts? Swiftech? Zalman? Koolance? Thermaltake? Internal or external?

*The motherboard is another part I can't make my mind of. If you could suggest me with more appealing ones. I'm interested in DDR2 boards and overcloking utilities, what else should I be looking for?

*The case I'm not to fund of it but it looks nice and has good reviews, I like windows and im planning on buying lots of fans and leds and showing it of a bit. But the primary issue is good air flow, and the space to put the watercooling stuff in it.

I know there are lots of questions but if you could answer at least one I would be really thankful ! :) I love building rigs, hehe...

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shadowduck   06-30-2008 at 05:48:47 AM
- 0 +

Well you are buying a Radeon video card. That means you can ditch the terrible nVidia motherboard and get something great.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336
CPU: Q9450
RAM: G.Skill 4GB 4-4-4-12
Case: Meh
Video Card: Great choice!
PSU: NO on Ultra PSUs. Get a Corsair 750W instead. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] air%2b750W
Hard Drives: Don't RAID unless you do video editing. Offers no speed increase and double your chances of data loss.
DVD: OK
Watercooling: Why?

Overclocking to the "max" is a bad idea. Once you get past 3.6 on a Q9450 there is little benefit to going further and it shortens the life of your CPU.

Good cases don't have Windows/LEDs for a reason. They lower efficiency and waste power. Avoid such nonsense.

Look at the P182 for a case.


Message edited by shadowduck on 06-30-2008 at 05:50:59 AM
------------------------------ 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
Shadowthor   06-30-2008 at 05:56:56 AM
- 0 +

First of all, if you plan to overclock, getting 3.6ghz is already hard enough for some mobo, if you plan to go over 3.6ghz, one you must be lucky enough to get a low VID Q9450 and two it depends on how much vcore you need to add in. Its recommended not to put more than 1.4volts for 45nm.

Reply to Shadowthor
IcHLL   06-30-2008 at 06:04:02 AM
- 0 +

Thanks for the NO-time reply hehe.
Ok, to clarify my post a bit. When I said overclock to the max I didn't mean literally. I don't mind a fine overclock but as long as I can get some improvement I'm happy, I absolutely don't want to to put my rig in any kind of danger. I know having leds/fans/windowed case dosen't help with the cooling but i really like a shiny good looking case and being able to see what's inside. I choose watercooling for many reasons. I live in a very hot place where room temps can be quite high and I always have problems with temperatures. I love the idea of having water run through the PC components, I know it's risky but I still like it very much.

Now, for your tips. What RAM specifically did you mean? 800Mhz ? I saw that the motherboard you suggested runs with 1200Mhz, should I get that?
Why do you prefer Corsair over Ultra? I really like the modular idea...
Oh and another thing I forgot to post, im buying a monitor aswell. I wont to go with 24'' one. What do you recommend? I want to have HD options although I don't understand much how it works with the pc.
Thanks again for the quick answer.

Reply to IcHLL
shadowduck   06-30-2008 at 06:09:00 AM
- 0 +

DDR2-800RAM yes. 1200 won't help you unless you OC high. Going to 3.6 you won't get that high. 800 is fine, 1066 is ok if you find a good sale.

Ultra makes terrible PSUs. I like the modular idea too, and have a modular PSU. However, when HardOCP tests an Ultra PSU and it does damage to their equipment that's enough for me to stay FAR FAR away.

If color is important to you (like color correctness is a requirment) get this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001246 It also fully supports 1080p.

You can get cheaper otherwise, but that is one hell of a monitor.


Message edited by shadowduck on 06-30-2008 at 06:09:34 AM
------------------------------ 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
IcHLL   06-30-2008 at 06:16:08 AM
- 0 +

Nice monitor but quite expensive yeah, I was looking for the 400$ range but maybe I can squeeze some cash a bit if its really really nice!

Are you absolutely against watercooling? Don't you know any good water cooling pieces or kits?

Reply to IcHLL
shadowduck   06-30-2008 at 06:19:02 AM
- 0 +

I toyed around with doing it, then found it would cost $500 to do it right and decided against it.

Other posters might be able to help more. If you room is hot, watercooling might help.

------------------------------ 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
thogrom   06-30-2008 at 06:32:13 AM
- 0 +

similar findings in this thread to
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] good-water

as for a monitor... I actually got this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824014173

except at the time there was a hundred dollar rebate... so it was 300... great steal =D

I love the monitor... nice screen and what not and plenty of controls... only problem is I tend to slouch a lot in my chair (i have a nice foot rest =P) so I'm constantly below the monitor and then the top of the screen looks slightly off... but if you sit dead even or even a little higher than the monitor it looks amazing

Reply to thogrom
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