Please rate my new system!

[jamay]

Hey guys!

I've been planning on buying a new system for almost a year, and I feel like the time has come to take the plunge and order the new computer.
I'm upgrading from an AMD64 3000+, 1gb DDR400, radeaon X800 pro system, so the jump in performance will be astronomical whatever system I choose, but I tried to stick to the best price/performance items I could find.

My aim was to pay 1000-1200$ for the box since I already have a monitor, sound system, keyboard and mouse...but I decided to upgrade the peripherals too since I'm using a cheap 10$ mouse and a 6W sound system that is barely enough for my room.

Here are the parts:

I am planning on overclocking the processor (Q6600) to 3.2Ghz, so I chose a good heatsink as well as a case with great airflow. I'll be using a 32 bit OS so 8GB of RAM is overkill, but I still want this system to last me 3-4 years so I went with 4GB of CAS4 RAM. After a 35$ MIR they are about 75$...pretty good price.

I was also supposed to buy an ATI 4870 to play on my 24" monitor, but the GTX 260, at 300$ minus 40$ of MIR and free shipping for the entire order (value of 60$ bringing the price of the card to 200$) is too good of a deal to miss.

After 5% tax, some insurance and substracting the MIRs, the total for the new build is 1265$.

What do you guys think about the selection of components for the computer? What about the keyboard, mouse and sound system...are they good choices or overkill?

Thanks for the input!

*edit* changed image to higher resolution one

 

[jpdykes]

Comments:

- You will only get 3.5Gb of RAM if you use a 32 bit OS. You need a 64 bit. 8Gb for general use is overkill, you won't see much benefit over 4Gb. Using 2Gb sticks is a good plan though so you could at more later.

- Fair reason for GTX260, not usually the case though.

- Forum users tend to prefer the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $34.99, to ease fitting add the retention bracket ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $6.99. Thermal paste is optional.

- You suggest that you are planning an overclock on the Q6600. You may wish to invest in DDR2-1066 RAM to enable a bigger overclock with matched bus speeds.

Jeremy

 

[jamay]

Thanks for the comments Jeremy.

I read some reviews on the Xigmatek cooler and it seems like a really good buy (especially since I can get it for 25$). Is the retention bracket really necessary?

As for the Q6600 overclock...I'm planning on going to FSB 400, with 8x multi to achieve 3.2Ghz. This would result in DDR2-800 running 1:1 with the processor.

 

[Nik_I]

looks like a solid build, but i think a 4870 may have been a better buy than the GTX 260 that you ordered.

 

[eklipz330]

you can;t order from newegg? they're usually cheaper

and i dunno i would go for a 45nm cause they're cooler in temp... but hey your choice really

and the retention bracket is for your own benefit, to avoid the clips intel gives you

and shipping is free for the whole order?? yeah than i guess the gtx 260 is a steal then

 

[jpdykes]

Some say yes to a retention bracket others aren't so keen. There are comments that the bracket makes it much easier to fit.

At 3.2GHz you are fine with DDR2-800, if you want more rather than overclock your RAM as well you could choose PC8500.

Jeremy

 

[jamay]

I haven't ordered the system yet...but as soon as I get the green flag from the community I'll place my order.

As I said the HD 4870 is better than the GTX 260...but I can get a 4870 for 280$ whereas the GTX 260 costs 300-(40 MIR)-(60$ free shipping)=200$.
As much as I want to try the new generation ATI cards the nvidia one is just too good to pass

I forgot to mention. I plan on keeping the system for 4 years, and only upgrading the video card in 2 years if necessary. That's why I went with a PCI-E 2.0 mobo and no cross fire support...I'd rarther pay 200$ to max out everything except crysis now, and pay 200-300$ in 2 years to max out the games at that time than pay 500-600$ now for a X48 mobo, and Xfired 4850's or 4870's.

*edit* I can't order from newegg since I live in Canada. Too bad newegg.ca isn't open yet

 

[jpdykes]

Logic sounds solid to me. Looks like a good build.
You can always pop in upgrade here and there along the way. Maybe watch the LGA775 socket processors when Core i7 gets started because you might be able to prolong the thing with a nice fast processor for a low cost.

Jeremy

 

[jamay]

Is Core i7 the official name of nehalem?

If so, I thought they will use a different socket than LGA775...

 

[jpdykes]

Yeah, i7 = nehalem.

They will use a different socket and hence current processors will start to fall in price. And you might be able to pick up a fast one cheaply (as you can with a pentium now) when i7 takes over.

Jeremy

 

[Nik_I]

Is Core i7 the official name of nehalem?

If so, I thought they will use a different socket than LGA775...

it is, and it will. (LGA1366)

 

[jamay]

Do you guys think getting that mouse and keyboard is overkill? Will I see a noticeable difference in games and desktop applications compared to a generic mouse and keyboard?

 

[foxhound009]

I like my G15.. if you play a lot of different games for which you would like have specific makro's... it's ok
Though I would order 4870 x2 instead of the mouse keyboard combo....

 

[jamay]

4870 X2's are almost 600$...compared to 200$ for a GTX 260+50$ mouse+50$ keyboard = 300$.

As I said, I'd rather buy a 200-300$ card now and upgrade to something that dominates the 4870X2 in 2 years, than to buy a 4870X2 right now. I paid 580$+tax for my X800 pro at the time, and I regret it.

 

[jamay]

Any other thoughts on the build?

 

[jamay]

One last bump before I buy the rig!