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OntonGard   09-06-2008 at 10:39:53 PM

So I am building a new gaming system, I already have the peripherals, hard drives and sound card bought, I am planning on Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit. The parts I have so far are these:
Palit Radeon 4870 X2 link here
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.00GHz link here
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W link here
2X mushkin 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM link here
Antec Nine Hundred link here

The questions I have are: What motherboard should I get? I have seen the nforce 790I mentioned but that seems like it is geared towards SLI which I am not getting. The other question I have is if I am going to need the 750W PSU, or if a 650 will work. The 750 I have linked there has really good reviews and it was recommended to me but I am not sure I need it. Also any comments on any parts I have listed would be nice too.


Message edited by OntonGard on 09-06-2008 at 10:41:31 PM
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lunyone   09-06-2008 at 11:26:03 PM
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Only a few questions that I have.
1) Do you really need to spend $500 on a quad core CPU? I'd go with the lesser quad core CPU or a faster Core 2 Duo, if it was up to me.
2) I'd go with 2x1 or 2x2 gb's of DDR2 800 mHz DDR2 instead of the 1066mHz DDR2 that you have listed. You'll spend about the same (2x2gb's) and you won't see any performance difference either.
3) I think Vista Home Premium 64bit is sufficient for 99% of people, so save the $ and use it elsewhere.
4) Get the Corsair 750tx here: $93 - $20 MIR = $73!!!
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-tx [...] 78324.html
5) Antec 900 is much cheaper here: $99 shipped!!!
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-nine [...] 97579.html

As far as the mobo goes, I'd get one of the following:
(minimum) $109 shipped
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128345
You can decide, but that is what I'd consider for options and prices.

(better) $140 - $20 MIR = $120
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128344

$140 shipped
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131299

Obviously there are alot of similar boards out there. I'd probably stick with Gigabyte/Asus/MSI/Abit generally.

------------------------------ PSU Tiers
GPU Power
8800gtx w/e6600 OC'd will run on Antec 380w w/27A on 12v rail, PSU!!
 Reply to lunyone
realyeti   09-07-2008 at 12:15:23 AM
- 0 +

Totally agree with lunyone, hardcore quads like the 9650 are true muscle but not entirely for gamming, Intel core 2 duo E8500 is what you need, and that way the 1066 would be a good choice (but only if we are talking about overclock)

If you are not playing on a resolution higher than 1680x1050, take just 1 4870 and put it on a x48, those around 220$ like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131317
because at that resolution the 4870 will eat most of the game at high setting for dinner. And taking the x48 will allow you to upgrade to a second 4870 and get advantage of double pcie x16 2.0. But if youve got a huge monitor, well the 4870x2 will be just fine.

All of that said will save you like 680$ and get the best of the best for gaming, but as you see, its all about the monitor resulution you be playing on!

Reply to realyeti
OntonGard   09-07-2008 at 09:03:29 AM
- 0 +

Thanks for the suggestions, I was going with Vista ultimate as I am getting it cheap through a Uni, so the cost difference isn't really a problem. Yeah I have a large monitor, so the 4870x2 is what I wanted. Also hopefully once they get some of the driver issues worked out it will be even better.

For the memory would this be good?
For the CPU would like a Core 2 duo E8600 or E8500 be all that much better? The cost on the CPU isn't all that much a problem if the quad core will get a better performance. I want this to last a while. And thanks a ton for the case and PSU links.

Reply to OntonGard
Bronze Home Brew badge Proximon   09-07-2008 at 12:01:13 PM
- 0 +

I would not buy RAM from a company I had never heard of.

This is good stuff:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

Quad core is fine for your price range. The Q9550 is far better bang for the buck. You are paying a lot more for only small performance gains.

ASUS P5Q -E has some nice features such as eSATA, dual LAN, Drive Expert.
Most of the P45 boards will serve you well, just look them all over for features you want or don't.

Reply to Proximon
OntonGard   09-07-2008 at 08:50:23 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the RAM link and the Motherboard suggestion, they were what I went with. I got everything ordered so hopefully it will all get here soon and work ;). It was close though I almost forgot to order a CD/DVD drive.

Reply to OntonGard
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