Hello, Gentleman. A moment of your time? Final Build!

Edit: Changed Hardrive to 500gb(up from 250), Decided on Corsair DHX memory


Hello, all. This is my near final list of desired parts for my new desktop. Primary purpose would be for gaming. This is my first time building a PC so I don’t know all too much about it, but I did leave OC and Crossfire options open…I think. But yeah, critique my build, let me know if I could go better on some spots or if things aren’t compatible. I have some questions at the end of the list

Motherboard - $159.99
ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131296

Processor - $169.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037

Video Card - $289.99
POWERCOLOR AX4870 512MD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131117

RAM - $105.00
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194


Hard Drive - $69.99
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148136

Processor Cooler - $34.99
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ek%20S1283

Processor Cooler Bracket
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233019

Thermal Compound
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - $6.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186020

Power Supply - $119.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

DVD Drive - $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106263

Case - $84.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

OS
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Total : $1172.89

Questions:

1. Does the manufacturer of the parts have any effect of the compatibility of the parts? Are certain manufactures known for better quality and effectiveness? If so, are there any in my list that I should stay away from?

2. I have three different RAM listed. I’m pretty sure the last two would be better than the first because of their better timings (the #-#-#-#). Which one would you recommend?

3. Are there any tips on getting good deals through Newegg? I know they have the rebates… Do they actually work? Would it be foolish to calculate my total cost after all rebates? I know they have special offers at certain times, but other than waiting for said offers… are there any other ways I could save some bucks?

4. Case(sigh). I’m torn between a couple of cases. I want it to be somewhat quiet. Of course, I want it to have adequate cooling/temp and obviously have it be able to fit all my parts. I was thinking Antec 900(scared of possible noise), Coolermaster RC-690, and also, on the expensive side Coolermaster Cosmos 1000(Reviews say it’s big and quiet). What would you all recommend?

5. Monitors. I’m building this new PC from scratch and I will also need a monitor. I’m looking in the area of 20’’ – 24’’. Does 22’’ plus stretch your games out if they don’t support the aspect ratio? I think most games are 4:3 aspect ratio, but sometimes offer it for 16:10, which is what I think the big monitors use. I would like to have a 22’’ or 24’’ monitor, but I don’t want to worry about the game being stretched out. (Games I want to play at max settings are some FPS like GoW or Half Life 2, World of Warcraft, City of Heroes, Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3(when they come out), of course all at highest possible settings). Additionally, I hear that you want a sub 5 ms time. High contrast ratio 3000:1 +, and brightness around 330cd/m2. So, yeah. You guys know of any good big LCD gaming monitors

Sorry for all the questions. I’m really excited, almost going to order my parts, but just checking to see if everything is good to go.

Thanks in advance.
I look forward to hearing your responses,

Jeff

(1) Your build looks good. Don't see that you'd have any compatability issues.

(2) I'm going to suggest the Corsair DHX, Corsair is great memory, typically solid reliability, and the timings are good. The cooling ability on the DHX is a bonus.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

(3) I'll agree with the above poster. Search around for your best deals. Sometimes it's Newegg. Sometimes its not. I usually pick the part I want, and search for it through www.pricegrabber.com That way you can find the best price on individual parts. Sometimes you can save a bunch, sometimes just a little. I usually end up buying from www.tigerdirect.com as they have typically had good deals when I've been ready to buy.

(4) I haven't done much research on cases for a while. Can't help much there. Just make sure it is big enough to fit modern (huge) video cards, and has lots of places for extra cooling fans.

(5) I play all my games (older and newer) with a 16:9 (widescreen) 19" monitor at 1440x900. Never had any issue with stuff becoming stretched or distorted. In fact, its when I try to run 4:3 aspect ratios on my monitor that stuff gets squished.

For gaming purposes, buy a monitor with a good response time (usually rated like 5ms, 8ms, etc). Lower is better. Get a good contrast ratio as WR2 recommended above. Contrast ratio will be XXX : 1 format, the higher the XXX value the better your contrast ratio is (better black/white & colors usualy).

Get a monitor that hooks up to your video card directly through DVI (no VGA) so you can get better quality and higher resolutions.

*EDIT* Oh, by the way. Was going to suggest a larger hard drive. 250GB isn't a whole lot when you consider most games now days are 8GB+ for installs. Plus all your music, pictures, whatever else you do. Personally, because I like to have a few games installed so I can play whatever I feel like, I think 250GB is a little short of space.

The bigger you go, the less likely you'll be to fill it and want to buy a new harddrive soon. The Seagate brand you have chosen now is good. Western Digital is also good (mostly what I've always had). I've had some Maxtor drives too, which are fine, but every Maxtor drive I've ever owned has made audible noise. My Western Digital (WD) drives are always pretty silent.

I agree here. Or, you could get a second hard dive. I personally have games on one and OS and other apps on another. I've reformatted a lot and get tired of having to reinstall all the games each time.

I don't think you'll have any problems with aspect ratios in most games. I've got 16:9 and 16:10 aspect ratio monitors and the games I play work on either one.

Thanks for all the replies! Really good info.

@WR2
Thanks for the ram choice. I definitely hear good things about Corsair and I'll use that one.

As far as monitor budget...I don't really have one. Nothing too outlandish, but I could go a little higher(into $400's) than the one you linked, but the one you linked looks really good. Have any others you know of that are good for gaming?

Thanks a bunch for all the informative responses


@jerreece

Thanks for your responses.

Yeah after reading WR2's posts you definitely reassure me on both the ram and monitor questions. Thanks for the great link to compare prices. I will most certainly use that to hopefully get some better deals. Is Tigerdirect as good as Newegg? I just hear so many good things about Newegg, so I don't know how well the others are.

And good call about the HD space, I should probably get more. Since i'll have a comp to run all these games, I will probably need more space.

@slayeron444

Thanks for that heads up. How much more would a x48 or x38 board be? I'm wondering if I should go that rought. Or just stay with this board and possibly get enough courage to overclock it. What does everyone else recommend?

@titaniumcloud
Thanks! Yeah I was thinking I could do that at a future time, because I hear it increases speed to have one drive for boot and games and storage on other.

@jpdykes
Thanks for your reply!

Also, for anyone out there who would know or has heard of this...I posted my list on another forum and someone mention how my Asus's mobo's auto voltage will undervolt my CPU and will frequent crashes and lockups. He said it's easily manually adjusted, but I don't know how "easy" is for a first time builder like me.

Has anyone else heard of this problem. It seems pretty specific because he mention it was an Asus board. I think he had it happen to him. Is this a concern? Should I look for something else?


And on peripherals. I'm looking at the Microsoft Reclusa Keyboard($60) and Logitech G5 Laser Mouse($50 on newegg). Anyone have suggestions for keyboard or mouse i'm all ears. Looking to go cheap on both...so if you know any. Also, last thing I need are speakers. Looking to get some good quality, but also inexspensive stero speakers.

Thanks for all the help.

Hi, I am considering a nearly identical build! My only questions:

I want to do minimal modifications/installation. Do I really need a thermal compound/cooler/bracket with this build if I don't overclock? Would heat be a problem? Since I'm not OCing should I get something different?

Is this the right power supply? Any bang per buck of going lower?

I will never crossfire (I'm a 1-video card man), is this still optimal or can I downgrade xfire support and save money?

Is this stuff low risk to assemble? Haven't built a PC since the 80s, don't wanna fry anything.

shadesofgrey, how did the build go? Did they all fit in the case well? Performance good? I want to order a near-identical system next week...

Hey guys! I’m back. I found these three monitors that are suppose to be good for gaming? Would you guys recommend them? What do you think of them?

BenQ G2400WD Black 24" 5ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824014173
or
LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824005109
or
SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001096
or
SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001268


These look to be ok gaming monitors?

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah I have heard good things about the 226BW, but it says it is deactivated on Newegg. I wouldn't know where to get it. I also have heard great things about the LG L227WTG-PF. I don't know what to do!!! Once when I know which monitor, I will then order all my parts.

Anymore input from people would be appreciated!!