Final thoughts on the build before order

[gleb]

Hello,

I plan to use this for gaming, maybe video editing, I might overclock, but not right away. If I do do it right away, it will be a very minor overclock, so the stock cooler should hold (I think).

I decided to wait for the new cards to surface and now that they have, I think I can start ordering.
Old Thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/251877-31-first-build-comments
Heres the revised list:

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Corsair TX 750W ATX 12V Power Supply (I am planing on going multi-gpu in the future)
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx-750w-atx-12v-power-supply/q/loc/101/206178325.html

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (I think this motherboard should be fine for my needs)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043

SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail (In the future I might add another one for crossfire)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102748

I already have a case and hard drive(s).

I'm open to suggestions.

Also, anyone have any experience with the monitors from Dell and/or HP. I'm considering possibly buying from then.

Thanks for the help.

 

[dirtmountain]

Nice system, looks good. Head down to a local big box store and check out monitors side by side. I've heard good things about the Dell, LG, Samsung and a friend says his new Acer looks great and was a good value.

 

[aevm]

Excellent build.

Maybe a small improvement: $60 more buys you a Q9450 instead of Q9300. It's about 10% faster, thanks to higher clock and a bigger cache. If overclocking, the Q9450 has a better multiplier which helps. It comes with World in Conflict too, just like the Q9300.

Here's a nice monitor from Dell. $380 for a 24" is a good deal.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-6095

The only problem with it is that playing at 1920x1200 will need that second video card soon.

 

[hyperjoe]

+1 on the Q9450. I run the Q9450 and it runs as cool as my outside ambient high temperature forecast today (77F/25C). I have the Xigmatech S1283 120mm cooler and retention bracket, so that might help cool it down as well over the stock HSF.

Keep that in mind.

 

[gleb]

Nice system, looks good. Head down to a local big box store and check out monitors side by side. I've heard good things about the Dell, LG, Samsung and a friend says his new Acer looks great and was a good value.

Thanks for the recommendation. I have tried going to the stores to check them out, however, they are not configured properly, so I can't really use that to judge unfortunately.

Excellent build.

Maybe a small improvement: $60 more buys you a Q9450 instead of Q9300. It's about 10% faster, thanks to higher clock and a bigger cache. If overclocking, the Q9450 has a better multiplier which helps. It comes with World in Conflict too, just like the Q9300.

Here's a nice monitor from Dell. $380 for a 24" is a good deal.
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Monitors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-6095

The only problem with it is that playing at 1920x1200 will need that second video card soon.

Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will go with Q9450. As for the monitor, Its a hard choice. And to make it worse my friend is now telling me to get a Samsung T220 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001273. In any case, its not that high of a priority item since I have a 19" Dell CRT which I can use for an extra week if needed while I find a good monitor.

 

[gleb]

+1 on the Q9450. I run the Q9450 and it runs as cool as my outside ambient high temperature forecast today (77F/25C). I have the Xigmatech S1283 120mm cooler and retention bracket, so that might help cool it down as well over the stock HSF.

Keep that in mind.

Thanks for the input. Didn't see your reply at first, you posted while I was replying. And decided to get the Q9450, I might get an aftermarket cooler for it a little later. And I wouldn't mind having 77F here today, NWS says its 88F today, yuck. Plus the higher speed means there is less need to OC it. Which means I can maybe wait until winter to OC it, the extra heat during that time wouldn't hurt.

 

[atrain]

If you want to game nicely with one 4870, might I recommend this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009108

It's what I'll be getting soon for my rig which is similar to yours.
The 4870 will handle 1680x1050 quite well.

 

[gleb]

Thanks for the suggestion atrain, but I think I might be going with at least a 22" monitor since I am planing on having it last for a while and 20" seems kind of small.

 

[jpbg]

id say go with the same samsung it looks really cool and it has a 2ms response time

 

[andyc52042]

Since you said you're planning on going multi-GPU in the future, pick up this motherboard instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

It's the x48 version of the P5E, and it's actually $5 cheaper.

And +1 to everyone about the Q9300. Either drop to a Q6600 and OC or take the step up to a Q9450. (I personally am about to do a build with the P5E I recommended, a Q6600, and the 4870.)

 

[gleb]

From what I have read about that Samsung monitor, it lacks some features and I can get a dell with more features for cheaper. But I'm still looking.

I might move up to X48 motherboard, but I'm wondering why is it cheaper than X38.