perfectpoo

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I would like some assistance in building a machine for gaming and internet use. I will be playing two games mainly, Eve online, and Flight Sim X, with the majority of my time going to Eve.

I dont like cheap stuff, but I'm not going to break the bank because I don't use the PC to game primarily. (I'm a console guy)

Here's where I'm at so far.

CPU:

Either the Intel Q6600, E8400, or E8500

MB:

Need help here. I want support for either CF or SLI. I would like support for 1066 ram since I'll likely be overclocking. I would like 2 pci-e 2.0 x16 slots for SLI or CF (no 8 x 8)

Graphics:

Either the ATI 4850 otr the 9800GTX. I've had lots of issues with ATI, but everything I read on this forum bows down to the ATI card. I'd like consideration placed on both.

Memory:

Not sure. maybe mushkin 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $63.99 and for 1066 I don't know.

Case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=Antec+900 $79.99
Antec 900

PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341001 $89.99
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI 600W ATX12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CB/CE/CSA/UL/FCC - Retail

If I go to Crossfire or SLI setup, I'm worried this may not be enough power, but I wont be doing this right away so no worries.

Hard Drive:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $89.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Cooling: Need help.

Basically I'd like this setup to be around $800 - $950. I would like recommendations based if the knowledge I will most likely overclock, and I am a heavy multitasker.

Please make any and all recommendations.


 

thepowerofdonuts

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Mobo suggestion: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128336
Alternatively, you could save some money and go with an X38 instead.

All of those CPU's would be great. The E8500 would be easiest to OC though, with its 9.5 multiplier, and the Q6600 would probably be the best multitasker.

I'm really reccomending ATI. Not only are they better performers, they're also cheaper. The Sapphire and Powercolor versions are cheapest at $155 after rebate.

That RAM you chose is great. You will easily be able to overclock it to 1066 with a good mobo, maybe even with 4-4-4-12 timings.

For the PSU, you shouldn't even consider that as enough, since you're overclocking. ATI reccomends 600 for CF 4850's. Since you'll be overclocking go with at least a 650W ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 ) or a 750W ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 ).
These PSU's are great; single rail, 80+ certified, and they're from a top quality manufacturer.

The hard drive you chose is great.

For cooling I reccomend the Xigmatek S1283 and this mounting bracket: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

It'll be hard to stay under $950 with the need for a x16/x16 mobo and plans to overclock, but maybe with rebates you'll be able to.

Whoa that's a sweet rebate on the Antec. Is that new?

I also notice you don't have an optical drive. If you need one, consider this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173
 

perfectpoo

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thepowerofdonuts, thanks for the quick reply.

That is the fan I was going to go with. As for an optical drive, I wasn't going to be getting one, but thanks for the link, as I know a friend who is in need of one.

The E8500 and the Q6600 is a tough call. I feel like the Q6600 would benefit me slightly more. But I fear it won't perform as well on the few games I run on the PC. What do you guys think???

Also, that motherboard is awesome. I have heard lots of good things for it. However, I really wanted it to be a bit cheaper. Does anyone know of a close, cheaper alternative? (I don't need many sata ports, or anything fancy. Just CF or SLI compatible with 2 pci-e 2.0 x16 slots.
 

Wanker79

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The case has a combo deal with an Antec TPQ-850. It'd only be $20 more than you're currently spending on the case/PSU and you'd be getting 250 more watts of power.

edit- Actually, I didn't see the MIR on the OCZ PSU so it'd be $50 more. It's still a pretty good deal, though.
 

MysteriousWind

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Unfortunately, to do PCI 2.0 x16 in crossfire/sli, you need an X38/X48 chipset. Right now I don't believe there is a board that does that that is under $200.

If you're looking to save some money the 7200 is only $125.

I'd also recommend the ATI 4850. Hard to beat at $155 after rebates.

The Xigmatek S1283 is great price/performance, just don't forget the mounting bracket.

I put together a build. $1000 and $125 in rebates, so $875.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=6658874&WishListTitle=CPU

Edit: For an extra $50ish you could go with the 8400 and an extra $70ish would be the 8500/Q6600
 

perfectpoo

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Alright, thanks Mysterious. I'm going with the Gigabyte board for sure. That leaves just the cpu to be decided. I don't want to go with the E7200, but thanks for the idea.

Q6600 or E8500. Pros and cons of each??

Q6600 Pros:

Multitasking
Future gaming will support 4 cores

Cons:

for current gaming, it will be outperformed by E8500

E8500 Pros:

Better for current / older gaming
High clock speed (w/ overclocking)

Cons:

Worse than Q6600 for multi tasking
Arguably older technology

What do you guys think?
 

Wanker79

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember reading that Flight Sim X is one of the few games that actually take advantage of quad-cores. I'm not sure if that's enough to sway your decision, and I could easily be wrong, but it's something to think about.
 

perfectpoo

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Thanks Wanker, I didn't know that and that strongly influences my decision. As hardware intensive as that game is, it would not surprise me.

This question may be better asked in the overclocking forum, but what speeds would I see out of the E8500 vs the Q6600. With moderate overclocking.
 

Wanker79

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Like I said, I'm not entirely sure about Flight Sim X utilizing quad-core architecture. Before you use that in any desicion making you should do some more research on that (or hopefully someone else here will chime in). I'd hate for you to make a disicion based on my inaccurate information.
 

MysteriousWind

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I did a little googling, and the Flight Sim X does utilize other cores, as long as you have the game's service packs installed. Here is a developer talking about it.

"The latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator* X, Service Pack One (SP1), due out later this month, is a great match for the extreme multi-core processing delivered by the new Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor," said Phil Taylor, Flight Sim Program Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. "Flight Sim X SP1 greatly increases multicore utilization and will scale as more threads are available leading to reduced load times as well as frame rate improvements and greater visual complexity during flight."
http://www.pcper.com/comments.php?nid=3782


The E8500 has a 9.5 multiplier, a 450ish fsb is reasonable, so an overclock of 4+.

I've seen the Q6600 reach 3.2 Ghz easily, and around 3.6 Ghz...


If you plan on keeping the system for a few years (which I assume because you wanted the option to add a second video card) then the Q6600 is probably better as it's performance will get better and better as more programs utilize all the cores.
 

will14

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I'm going to be a punk and say get the 8400.
Easy 3.6
Q6600 will be an easy 3.2
You can get higher but I'm talking OC's anybody can do.
 

perfectpoo

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So I went with the e8500. Everything is ordered. Last minute benchmark chart reviews swayed my decision. I can always upgrade to quad core when applications are more tailored to utilize all 4 cores.

Thanks for all the help guys.