New Build

[Argoth126]

Just wondering what anyone thinks of this build. Wanted to get some opinions before I go and spend $2K. I'll post the Newegg wish list once its become public.

Antec 900 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
ASUS P5N-D http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043
OCZ Vendetta 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202007
OCZ DDR2 800 SLI Ready RAM (2x(2x2Gb)) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227269
Scythe S-FLEX Case Fan x 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006
Razer Diamondback 3G Mouse http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153027
Saitek Keyboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103
XFX GTX 280 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150309
Encore Wireless Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833180052
Acer 22" LCD Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009145
LG DVD RW w/Light Scribe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136147
Link Depot 6ft DVI Cable http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189047
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 750gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152100
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488
Antec 850w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371009

I was going to replace all the fans inside the case with the scythe ones. I think the blue LEDs are over rated. I basically made this build for upgradable purposes. Maybe when my GPU cheapens a bit, I will pop another in and do Sli. I'm considering upgrading my 750i Mobo to a 780i. That way if I really want to I can buy two more GPUs and do tri-Sli. Thanks for any help.

 

[rammar16]

ok so over all nice build...

i would recommend the xigmatek cooler and the retention bracket about the same but xigmateks just preforms better...

i would think about an p45 board with a 4870X2 the x2 just destroys the GTX280 is a lot of benchies

everthing else looks good i am accually typing from my 900 right now and the LEDs aren't that bright even at night which it is now the top 200mm fan doesnt have leds and the fans are already really quite so if you want to save like 60 bucks that is a good way...

last note if you do go 4870X2 path and think you might crossfire i would recommend a little more PSU and a X38 or X48 board i have a gigabyte X48 and it's great

hope this helps...

 

[Argoth126]

i would agree with you on the xigimatek retention bracket. I was thinking about adding that on for a few more dollars.

I was considering the 4870x2. That is until i read a review by Hot Hardware. http://www.hothardware.com/Articles/ATI-Radeon-HD-4870-X2--AMD-Back-On-Top/ The card did just as well as a 280. Personally I would rather go with nVidia since nVidia has PhysX.

I currently have the same led lights in an antec 900 in my case right now. Just have trouble sleeping with them on all night and the scythe fans have a much better performance.

 

[kad]

As I say always: Stay away from nForce chipset mobos, you'll face lot of issues

Go for X48 or P45 mobo and 4870X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131297

And good Mushkin RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146726

Also get TRUE cooler

 

[Argoth126]

I thought the nForce chipsets were necessary for Sli. Before I switch to the 4870x2 I need to see some benchmarks that out perform the gtx 280.

 

[kad]

Yes nForce chipset is necessary for SLI
but who needs 2 cards gtx280 ??
and besides nVidia is famous of poor support of SLI driver
and lot of games will run on one card better than 2SLI
You can google to find out that 4870X2 kills gtx280

 

[bdollar]

agree the build is looking nice. ultimately your choice on gtx280 or 4870x2. however i have yet to hear much bad stuff on the p45 or x48 whereas from time to time still seeing issues with the nvidia chipset. one other thing to consider:

4870x2 also has the newer directx 10.1 which if/when games have that makes it outperform by evenmore. also when you are looking at benches look at your resolution. also are you planning on turning on AA? that is where it seems to really shine. x48 mobo and an x2 which would allow you to add another at somepoint (not that you will need to at that resolution but who knows in a future game). would be my recommendation on a 2k build.

+1 mushkin ram and make sure to get 1.8v (standard set then you can oc if need be but better than buying one already adjusted)

if you end up going sli and really think tri is an option then you will need a bigger psu. but at your resolution that is really overkill.

 

[Argoth126]

Just wondering what wattage i need for this build with two gtx 280s. Sli-Zone certifies two gtx 280s around 1000 watts. I did some research and went to this PSU wattage calculator, http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php. It had 850 watts as the minimum for more than two 12v rails. Any comments would be great.

 

[Argoth126]

bump