Intel Build - AAR

[hyperjoe]

All,

I recently purchased and put together a system with the following components:

Case:
NZXT Tempest
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146047
$120

PSU:
Corsair 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
$180

MOBO:
Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128331
$290

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042
$340

CPU Cooler:
Xigmatek 120mm Rifle & Retention bracket:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
$44 Total

Memory:
Corsair Dominator DDR2-1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197
$189

Video Card:
EVGA Geforce GTX280 Superclocked edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130367
$660 (yea, a lot of money for a product that reviewed poorly... oh well )

HD:
2 x 300GB Velociraptors in Raid 0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136260
2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 7200RPM 750GB in Raid 1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148298
Total: $860

Audio:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty Champion 70SB046A00003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102014
$180

I have a couple of comments.

First, the NZXT case is QUIET with a capital Shhhhh!. Well it is compared to the Gigabyte 3D aurora (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233013) I had prior. Six fans plus the HSF, and I can barely hear it!!!

Second, my CPU/System temps are down by a factor of 2-3!!! My CPU temps of my AMD FX-60 (admittedly a hot CPU) were usually at 65C CONSTANTLY! The room my PC is in is an order of magnitude cooler now that I don't have a convective oven sitting next to my desk! My CPU temps are at 25C and system temps around 38-40C. Now, with my Xigmatec HSF, I'm thinking of OC'ing my CPU to at least 3.0GHZ (anyone tested the Q9450 higher?) so the temps may increase, but it's still alot better than my old system, despite the fact that I'm now on a single GPU vs a SLI setup last time.

Third, an oddity was that my Mobo shipped with the 2x4 power connector half covered. I had to uncover the ports and connect the secondary psu cable to get my system to POST for the first time. A minor inconvenience turned into a hassle due to the size of the HSF.

I am really glad I picked the NZXT case, it is really turning out well so far. I've tested FSX and Oblivion on it and at the same settings as my prior PC, I'm reaching my 30FPS target on FSX instead of 9-12FPS with my old system. With Oblivion, with 4x AA and high quality settings, no problem - 60fps easy!

Cheers

JR

Edit: Fixed links

 

[efx92]

edited(the links work now, must've been my internet )

 

[shadowthor]

GTX 280 is not worth it in my opinion, good choice on cpu, mobo, psu, ram.

 

[1haplo]

I have the X3350 (Q9450 Xeon) at 3.6 (450X8) with 1.3V in Bios. My temps at full load are around 60-64C with a Zalman 9500LED. Your cooler is alot better then mine.

The cover on the 4 pins on the CPU 8 pin is normal. Some PSU only have 4 pins.

1Haplo