New gaming rig - advices needed

[wieslaw]

Hi there,

In few/several days i'm going to order the stuff to build my gaming rig.

Here's how it looks like:

_________________________________________________________
Updated:

Case: Antec 900
PSU: Corsair 750TX
Motherboard: Asus P5E Deluxe
CPU: Q9450
HDD: WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 rpm
RAM: TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX
GPU: Asus HD4870, Asus is one of the cheaper in my place
Display: Samsung 226BW (thinking about 226CW at the moment)

Cooling stuff:

CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9700
Thermal Compound: ZALMAN ZM-STG1

_________________________________________________________

Outdated (first one):

Case: Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

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

Motherboard: Asus Rampage Formula
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284

CPU: Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

HDD: WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 rpm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218&Tpk=WD6400AAKS

RAM: TWIN2X4096-9136C5DF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145205

GPU: HD4870 one, waiting for newegg user reviews

Display: Samsung 226BW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096

Cooling stuff:

CPU Cooler: ZALMAN 9500A LED
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

Thermal Compound: ZALMAN ZM-STG1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118010&Local=y

HDD Cooler: TTC-HD90

________________________________________

Some thoughs:

GPU:
I'm going to crossfire with another 4870 later. I guess the PSU is alright for it.

Motherboard:
I'm doing next upgrade in 2-3 years, is it ok to go with DDR2 now?

Motherboard/CPU/RAM:
Could you check FSB/MHz thing?

HDD:
I had decided to go with Raptor 150GB first, but changed my mind because of price/performance/space ratio.
I've got WD 500GB USB drive (I mean, I could live with single 150GB Raptor + that USB drive for now), so maybe should I switch back to Raptor? Is it worth it?
________________________________________

I really need your advices!
Any suggestions on the build would be nice as well.

Thanks for your help, I greatly appreciate it

Wieslaw

Edited after Shadowducks reply:

Mobo: P5E Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

RAM: I will look at cheaper ones. Problem is I can choose from these manufacturers only:
Apacer, CISCO, HP, Corsair, FUJITSU, Kingston, PQI, Codegen, Asus, A-Data, Olympus.
Is there any you can suggest?

CPU: Is Q9450's 2.66Ghz so worth getting over 2.4Ghz Q6600. Price difference is like 330/210.

Waiting for next reply Thanks!

 

[shadowduck]

All 48x0 series are reference cards. They are 100% identical. Buy the cheapest one with the best warranty.

Motherboard is overkill. Look at the P5E Deluxe instead. Consider upgrading to a Q9450.

PSU is fine.

What the hell is all I can say on the RAM. Vastly overpriced and won't provide benefit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 Buy this instead.

 

[wieslaw]

Mobo: Getting P5E Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

RAM: I will look at cheaper ones, as you suggested. Problem is I can choose from these manufacturers only: (no mushkin there :/)
Apacer, CISCO, HP, Corsair, FUJITSU, Kingston, PQI, Codegen, Asus, A-Data, Olympus.
Is there any you can suggest?

CPU: Is Q9450's 2.66Ghz so worth getting over 2.4Ghz Q6600? Price difference is like 330/210.

Waiting for next reply Thanks!

 

[guanyu210379]

I use mushkin DDR2 1000 on P5E X38, I know that mushkins DDR2 1000 is not on the supported memory list, but hey! I don't encounter any problem.

I have to say go for Q6600 and OC it to 3GHz for daily usage, but your CNPS9500 is not enough, go for CNPS9700, Xigmatek HDT-S1283, or Scythe Orrochi or get Q9300 if you want an increase of performance, Q9450 is not worth the money right now.

 

[wieslaw]

I guess I'll go with Q9300 then, probably..

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197, hope it will work on P5E mobo.
(Well, at least http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=555631 says it does)

What is I'am afraid of is the chance that ZALMAN 9700 will not fit in in P5E Deluxe (X48), will it?
9500A should be fine on Q9300 (even overclocked) though, could set it at higher %, it's more silent that 9700 one. And smaller, lighter.

By the way, shouldn't I get 1066MHz RAM? Please be sure about it.

I think I'll get raptor 150GB and seagate 500GB instead of WD 640GB one.

P.S. RAM brand thing is not really compatibility issue I'm concerned at this point, it's rather the country I live in.

 

[guanyu210379]

I guess I'll go with Q9300 then, probably..
-Yup! Q9300 is a good choice.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197, hope it will work on P5E mobo.
-It will work out fine, but don't waste your money on 1066 DDR2, just get DDR2 800. It doesn't make any big difference. BTW : My Mushkin DDR2 1000 is working on 667 at 9x333=3GHz Q6600.

What is I'am afraid of is the chance that ZALMAN 9700 will not fit in in P5E Deluxe (X48), will it?
9500A should be fine though, could set it at higher %, it's more silent that 9700 one. And smaller, lighter.
-I see, that the lay out from P5E X48 Dlx is not very different from my P5E X38, I think, it has the same lay out. I don't have any problem using CNPS9700.

I think I'll get raptor 150GB and seagate 500GB instead of WD 640GB one.
-Raptors don't worth the money. They are fast but not a significant increase in speed compared to Seagate 500GB 32MB or WD 640GB. Seagate 500GB and WD 640GB have about the same performance, just pick the best deal.

P.S. RAM brand thing is not really compatibility issue I'm concerned at this point, it's rather the country I live in.
-What does this mean? Where do you live?

 

[guanyu210379]

Almost forgotten :
CNPS9500 is an old design that was meant for procs before quads are on the market.
CNPS 9700 is a little loud on maximum rpm but has better performance than CNPS9500.
I have try to use Xigmatek HDT-S1283, this one is cheaper and more silent and has almost the same performance as CNPS9700. Why don't you choose this one.

 

[shadowduck]

You are wasting your money on that Raptor. It is slower than the WD640GB drive. But suit yourself.

DDR2-800 RAM- you don't need 1066- it offers ZERO benefit until you raise the FSB over 400 (1600).

 

[wieslaw]

P.S. RAM brand thing is not really compatibility issue I'm concerned at this point, it's rather the country I live in.
-What does this mean? Where do you live?

Lithuania. I don't feel like ordering whole rig from the web, so I'm using local store services. And yeah, they got limited supplies (f.e. no EVGA, VisionTek, Mushkin).

Some changes due your comments:

HDD: WD6400AAKS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

RAM: Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194

CPU Cooler:
Kind of confused right now You see, I'm buying the stuff from local store, and they seem to miss Xigmatek. Would it be ok if I leave cpu speed stock for a month (with stock cooling), then get Xigmatek HDT-S1283 from newegg, and then overclock?
More simple way is getting CNPS9700 though.

Does it seem to look allright now?

By the way, would be great if you could explain FSB thing a little bit. What are perspectives of effective overclocking with Q9300 and DDR2-800? There's what I think:
1. DDR2-800 needs no more than 400 FSB.
2. With 400 FSB Q9300 will have 400x7.5=3GHz.
3. At this point there will be FSB:Memory 1:1.
4. Later overclocking is just for CPU speed.

Do I really got that right?

Huge thanks

 

[shadowduck]

Q9300 is a poor overclocker. If you really want to o/c and cannot afford the Q9450 go to the 6600.

See 400FSB on the 6600 gives you 3.6. And the 6600 has more cache.

 

[wieslaw]

Well, what's the Q9450 win over Q6600 in my case?

 

[shadowduck]

If you have the money the 9450 runs cooler and overclocks better.

Q6600 works just fine also, if budget is a concern as the difference is over $100. $199ish vs $330

 

[guanyu210379]

Off Topic : Ach so! you are living in Lithuania. So you are in europe eh mate? how are the prices there? are they nuts, like here in germany?

Newegg doesn't ships outside USA, so you'll have to obtain your components not from newegg.

So you've done your math. I think it might works, but shadowduck is right and Q6600 at 3GHz (9x333) works stabil as hell, even on daily usage.

 

[jpbg]

+1 for the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 if you can find it

 

[wieslaw]

Thank you for help, I feel a way better now

I still need your opinions about the final build:

Case: Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

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

Motherboard: Asus P5E Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

CPU: Q9450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

HDD: WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 rpm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

RAM: TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194

GPU: Asus HD4870, Asus is one of the cheaper in my place

Display: Samsung 226BW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096

Cooling stuff:

CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

Thermal Compound: ZALMAN ZM-STG1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118010

Well, and some thoughs:

One thing I fear is I might have problems with installing CNPS9700 on P5E Deluxe.
Kind of stupid question, but still: will it be possible to use Antec 900 front usb ports?

 

[effel]

Looks like every other freaking build on this forum.

 

[wieslaw]

Off Topic : Ach so! you are living in Lithuania. So you are in europe eh mate? how are the prices there? are they nuts, like here in germany?

Newegg doesn't ships outside USA, so you'll have to obtain your components not from newegg.

So you've done your math. I think it might works, but shadowduck is right and Q6600 at 3GHz (9x333) works stabil as hell, even on daily usage.

Offtopic as well:

Yeah, prices are kinda nuts indeed. It's ~270Euros (423$) for Q9450, ~230Euros (364$) for HD4870. Well, it could be worse though.

 

[bnbader]

um... consider a newer screen... There is a new 22" samsung that replaces the 226BW...

 

[wieslaw]

Like 226CW? 2232BW?

226BW has awesome reviews/ratings though.

 

[bnbader]

Like 226CW? 2232BW?

226BW has awesome reviews/ratings though.

ya but it is old the newer versions are better

 

[wieslaw]

By the way, is this memory ok for P5E Deluxe?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134582
Corsair one seems to be out of stock at store, might never come.

 

[guanyu210379]

By the way, is this memory ok for P5E Deluxe?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134582
Corsair one seems to be out of stock at store, might never come.

It won't be a problem, but...can you afford better RAM, I mean with heatsink and all?
Those on your link is value RAM, don't get me wrong, it has a good quality but if you can still afford something better then go for one.
Hmmmm....since you are in lithuania, I guess you'll buy your components not from newegg.
Hmmm.....
Can you find patriot, or crucial ballistix? they are also good. or get Kingston HyperX series, not the one that you've chosen.

 

[wieslaw]

Well, I could afford, but there's no much choice at the moment
Do these RAM really need heatsink? Would it increase overall performance?

 

[guanyu210379]

Hmmm...Overall performance? not really. But RAM with heatsink tends to live longer, because it stays cooler.
You live in lithuania right? Care to buy things from germany, england or other countries near you? Perhaps, if you can't find any good RAM, you can try to buy only the RAM from one of the online stores from other countries that deliver to you.

 

[JamietheDon]

This is just my 2cents...

I am currently deciding on what I want to upgrade to, and my buddies and I have discussed this at lengths. I honestly believe that if you are building a true gaming computer, there is no need for a Quad core processor. First of all nothing supports it, and if you are thinking you are going to buy now for the future keep this in mind. 1-3 years from now when you plan on upgrading do you really think that the Q9450, Q9300, Q6600 will be worth a crap? They will prolly have 6x, or 8x processors out there that are not being supported by games and people will buy them. Now if you are into other things and programs that will support the Quad core, by all means get one. That would be a good purchase for the price. But if you are like me and alot of gammers you build your system to play games. Now lets say Quad cores are being utilized when you plan on upgrading...I can promise you that your current speed you are planning on purchasing now, will be on the low tier. My suggestion would be the Intel E8500. It overclocks very well and is only $229.00 at Newegg right now. The Q9300 is a 2.5gig vs. E8500 3.16 gig. Now I am sure some people will disagree with this philosophy but imo those are the ones playing for future systems that they do not get use to its fullest potential now. As far as the rest of your system goes I totally agree with all the advice given here. Once again this is kind of a personal choice but I just wanted you to see another side of the possiblity. In the end make sure you purchase what will make you happy for the next 2 years or so. Oh and once you make your purchase do not go back to Newegg or Pricewatch till its time to buid your new one to avoid becoming sick rofl =p happens to me after every build lol. I am just so dang happy I didnt purchase a GTX 280 two weeks ago! Oh one other thing...if you do go with the Quad core get at least the Q9450 so you can get that 12mb L2 cache, plus others have said it over clocks better with lower temps.