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building a new system, advise please

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - building a new system, advise please

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waterhoze   09-12-2008 at 11:53:31 PM



Near ready to build my system. Need help / feedback with the components.
This system will be used for video editing, games , and of course other less demanding applications.
I want a well equipped system. I lean to conservative settings. I don't intend to overclock right away,
but may try at a future date. My CPU and Harddrive choice I am not changing.
I have had good success with the WD raptors. I am concerned with motherboard choice.
I want a reliable no fuss motherboard. I don't intend to crossfire or sli the video cards.
I have been thinking of vista home premium 64 bit, however, I have been reading various forums
about problems with the 4870X2 (and GTX 280?) with vista 64 bit. Has anyone first hand knowledge
if there is a problem? This is my first complete system build and I want to get it done correctly the first time.
Looking forward to your opinions.

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz $549.
Zalman thermal Grease

Cooling
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler $34.99
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket $6.99

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 $139.99

Video card
ASUS EAH4870X2/HTDI/2G Radeon HD 4870X2 $559.99 ..OR..
XFX GX280NZDF9 GeForce GTX 280 1GB $449.99

Hard drive #1 program Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB $289.99
hard drive #2 data Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB $84.99

ram
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $79.

psu
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V $154.99

optical dvd (will use 2)
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R $23.99 ea (X2)

case
Antec Nine Hundred 139.99

operating system
windows xp pro
or vista 64 home premium

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emp   09-13-2008 at 12:02:01 AM
- 0 +

Even though you stated that you want that CPU, I'll warn you about it anyway. That CPU (3Ghz) will cost you $550 for the sole reason that it has a 9x multiplier, while the Q9550 (2.83Ghz) is $325 and has an 8.5x multiplier, regardless of how you look at it, it just isn't worth it, but it's your choice.

 

I would most definitely go for the HD 4870 X2 over the GTX 280, if you don't want to spend that much, I'd recommend a pair of HD 4850s for $330 that will still beat the GTX 280 performance. However get the Visiontek branded HD 4870 X2, it has a lifetime warranty.

 

Get Vista 64, and pretty good choice on the rest of your parts, I would get an X38 board (DFI Lan Party X38-T2R for $185) in case you feel the need of dropping a second HD 4870 or HD 4870 X2, but that's your choice.

 

If it was my PC I was building, I'd get:

 

HD 4870 X2 or Dual HD 4850s (depending on my budget)
DFI Lan Party X38-T2R
Q9550
Vista 64
Zerotherm Nirvana (CPU cooler)

 

Maybe even change the ram for OCZ Reaper HPC ( 2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066


Message edited by emp on 09-13-2008 at 12:04:17 AM
------------------------------ Anxiously awaiting the Hydra 100 and the Hydra Engine...
www.lucidlogix.com
 Reply to emp
huron   09-13-2008 at 02:23:50 AM
- 0 +

I would save some $$$ and get a Q6600 if you want a Quad. You also wouldn't need DDR 1066 if you aren't going to overclock (and it's questionable unless you are really overclocking a lot). If you wouldn't mind overclcking, the Q6600 overclocks great, and you still wouldn't need DDR2 1066 (you can overclock the memory as well).

 

I'd get a Xigmatek cooler only if I was overclocking and an X48 board (for crossfire) or a P45 board - not full bandwidth for crossfire, but OK.

 

+1 for the GPU selection.

 

I'd stick with 640 GB HDDs and ditch the Raptor - they have negligible performance gains for the extreme cost. You could get a few disks and make a RAID 0 array for cheaper and get good performance as well.


Message edited by huron on 09-13-2008 at 02:25:32 AM
Reply to huron
waterhoze   09-14-2008 at 05:01:06 PM
- 0 +

thanks for the advise. I am now debating to wait for the new nehalem? corei7 to be released and start at that point. What are thoughts of building now with my list of components or waiting for the newest release of technology?

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