Rate my $2,000 Gaming Computer

[silasmoon]

THAR SHE BLOWS!!!

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=6981385

Will be used for gaming such as COD4, Crysis, Bioshock, World of Warcraft, Diablo 3.


Concerns I have:

Case - Would it be better to downgrade (say the case) to Armor Regular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133154 and save the $$?

RAM - Would I see the benefits of 8gigs of RAM over 4gigs? I don't use heavy programs for video / photo editing. I do run 10 browsers, a game like WoW, iTunes, etc simultaneously. I am a big multi-tasker.

Video Card - Wait for a 1gig edition of the 4870? I will pull the trigger around August 17th.

Screen - Native is 1900x1200 - will a single 4870 be enough to hand games at that resolution? Am willing to downgrade to a 22'' but had a hard time finding a quality one.

PSU - 750w be enough?

Feel free to tear me apart - I can take it!

 

[ilovebarny]

well your link does not work. that's your first problem as for your ram i would suggest getting 4gb now and if you need it you can allways upgrade later. i don't know what you have but an 750watt-850watt psu is almost always more than enough. i personally have a samsung 22" monitor and i absolutely love it. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2881203&CatId=2775
its really a vary nice screen.


oh and i dont know which case you origanaly planned on getting but the antec 900 is like WAY better than the one you posted above.

 

[silasmoon]

Whoops - here we go - sorry about that

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=6981385

 

[WR2]

Your link is working now - it has both the Q6700 and Q6600 in the list.
Case is largely a matter of personal preference. It really doesnt "add performance" to the build. My own choice would be the CM RC 690
Use the difference in case price to upgrade your monitor choice. Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP

RAM - silasmoon's advice is good. You can always add more later. I don't think you'd see a significant increase in performance with 8 over 4GB.
Video card - HD 4870 - get the best price you can even if its 512MB - you'll probably want to do CrossfireX later. A 22" monitor could save the need for a CF system and the X48 motherboard. A single 4870 and P45 motherboard should work unless you're fanatical about your gaming. A pretty big cost savings with just 1 4870, a P45 board and a 22" monitor. Maybe a dual monitor setup for real multitasking?
PSU - can handle a 2x 4870CF system with plenty of power left over for some future upgrading.

 

[silasmoon]

Odd - I can't edit anything on Tom's Hardware >< - also the dell link didn't work - what is the model number?

I am looking for good cooling on most everything. I am not ZOMG fanatical about my graphics but I would like High on most settings in say COD4 level games.

I want a Full ATX case - preferably with a MoBo tray.

 

[huron]

Your build looks good. I would suggest searching around for Vista - I have seen it as low as $80 - OEM - www.directdeals.com.

I agree with the other suggestions.

 

[ilovebarny]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141366
just saw this ram was cheaper but i dont know as its any better.

and i run 1680x1050 on a 8600gt 256mb graphics card. so the 512 will work really well. on toms review seems like thats the best performing resolution.
and i would defiantly get a different case. the one wr2 posted is a nice case or as i said earlier the antec 900 has a better air flow than the thermaltake you selected.


i play cod4 maxed on 1680x1050 with no jumping at all. vary smoothly. but not 60fps.

 

[silasmoon]

OEM Vista for $80 dully noted!

Perhaps 22'' monitor suggestions?

Also I desire a Full ATX for max cooling. A mobo tray is a plus as this is my first build in years.

 

[ilovebarny]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec%2b900
you could go up to the antec 1200. thats a full tower case and it will get way better cooling but it cost a little more.

i already posted this link but here it is again. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2881203&CatId=2775

heres the 1200.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043&Tpk=antec

 

[ilovebarny]

http://tech-lobby.com/2008/07/antec-twelve-hundred-gaming-case/
never heard of that web site but i found it off of antecs website.

 

[silasmoon]

Trying to find reviews on the monitor and on the case - people seem to demand the "S" version of the monitor - maybe I can get it through a best buy. I am in Germany right now so all this is a bit difficult.

So any other suggestions?

 

[ilovebarny]

nope not that i can think of. i got to run. heading home from work. hope it works out for ya.

 

[Guest]

by august 17th the 4870 x2 should be out... thats what i'll get if it absolutely trumps the gtx 280 and i'm also running 19x12

 

[silasmoon]

4870x2 should be at least $500 though - ><. Can't quite afford that. Might consider dropping down to a 22'' to hold off on Crossfire. Still would like the Rampage board though in case I do want to CF in the future. It also provides nice OCing schtuff.

Antec 1200 def. has more fans. Getting decent reviews - you think it's important to get a side fan if I am already getting a heatsink for the 4870?

 

[arson94]

Yea, the 4870 X2 will be 2GBs of DDR5. Man, can't wait. But then again, the 4850 X2 will be 2GBs of DDR3, it might be sweet as well.

 

[silasmoon]

Hrmm 4850x2 you say - any word on that?

Also really want more case and 22'' monitor recommendations.

Will do more homework on this tomorrow!

 

[Nik_I]

Hrmm 4850x2 you say - any word on that?

Also really want more case and 22'' monitor recommendations.

Will do more homework on this tomorrow!

there's gonna be a 4850x2? i've never heard about that before...

 

[shadowthor]

get the wd640 instead of the wd500.

 

[eklipz330]

why dont u get the q9450 insted of a q6600/q6700? it has a bigger cache, and games like big caches...right?

 

[kelfen]

Think I would just keep the 22" monitor, I Have http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2881203&CatId=2775 and It is more than enough to keep me satisfied. Don't think it is worth the extra cash.

 

[arson94]

I got wind of the 4850x2 from Fudzilla http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8348&Itemid=1

I read amdzone.com and they get most of their news from fudzilla.com. I've seen it somewhere else too, just can't remember where.

 

[subliminalaffect]

q6600>9450 you won't see a relavent difference in the basic tasks to justify the $150 premium
one 4870 and a 22inch samsung sync master is great for gaming
(i own both, can max out all games i play at 1680 by 1050)
2gb ram for 32bit operating system and 4 only if ur using a 64bit operating system
(8gb is a stupid move in single user oriented pc's because you won't see a performance increase at all, only on servers is this rule negligible)
People have tendencies to over spend on hardware when the software they use isn't designed to take advantage of it. The computer industry is lagging behind in the software engineering segment because hardware evolves so rapidly that it's always being programmed for old hardware. But in the end, it's ur $
good luck

 

[silasmoon]

Think I will stick with the 6600 - it's much better for overclocking anyhow.

Still want more case recommendations and possible 22'' screens as well!

Thanks everyone!

 

[silasmoon]

More thoughts - just got back from Prague -

 

[thurst0n]

I am curious...
Does that mobo support dual x16 crossfire?