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Time for my second build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Time for my second build

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Hello everyone! Its about time for a new PC, the one I currently have which was my first build is about four years old, so its about time for a new one. Its primarily going to be used for gaming. I'm looking to stay around 1300 including monitor, and will probably build the PC around mid november so some stuff could go down in price that I have listed. Quick note, I wont be doing any overclocking.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 ($189.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] _-Homepage

Case: Antec 1200 ($164.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129043

Power Supply: Corsair 750TX ($129.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

Hard Drive: Western Digital 640gb ($84.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

RAM: G.Skill 4gb ($66.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro ($139.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131299

Graphics Card: Visiontek HD 4870 ($279.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129113
*I'll be grabbing another one of these cards later on after I build my PC to crossfire.

DVD Drive: Asus drive ($39.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135156

Monitor: Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1 ($199.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009094

Total: $1,296.91 (Naturally this may go down as I'm gonna shop around there is a Microcenter nearby I'm gonna visit to but just to get a rough estimate.)

I have a mouse, keyboard, and speakers which i'll upgrade down the road but they will suffice for now. As far as the OS goes I can get a copy of windows vista 64 bit business version for free. My college is in the microsoft academic alliance which allows us to download free copies of certain microsoft software. Would that be fine to use, or should I just get home premium?

Also if anyone has an antec 1200 and could recommend getting some longer cables or whatnot since its a pretty big case.

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You nailed it.

Get the V64 ultimate if possible. It comes with everything + 32 & 64-bit.

Reply to auscanzukus

Thanks I'll look into Vista Ultimate and compare

Reply to Arsis

One question I've been reading up on Crossfire technology and with the P5Q Pro mobo that I have if I decide to get two 4870's they will both run at 8x. Now is it that much of a big deal that I should upgrade to a X48 mobo so that they would both be running at 16x?

If its just a few FPS increases in games that isnt that important to me.

Reply to Arsis

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 761-4.html

It depends on the monitor resolution. At 1050, HD 4870 is more than enough. CF is overkill.

Reply to auscanzukus

Yea I'll stick with one HD4870 and the p5q pro, seems like CF would be overkill for what I'm going to do with the machine. Thanks for the help! November cant come fast enough I'm itching to build this thing

Reply to Arsis

Hmm well apparently one of my friends is willing to sell me a evga 780i SLi motherboard for $140. He bought it new from microcenter to test and see if his old motherboard was causing problems. They wouldnt take it back becuse it was opened.

Should I go for it? or stick with the p5q pro?

Reply to Arsis

Yes, go for the 780i. It's like $250 new. 780i is capable of overclocking as well as the Intel chipsets. If you need help o/cing, go to:

http://www.evga.com/community/mess [...] aultmb.asp

However, nvidia can't crossfire. They do SLI. You can't cf 2 ati cards on that board, but you can plug 1 in.

Or, if it were me, I'd get that nvidia board, ebay it, make a quick buck, ($200-ish), then buy the P45.

Message edited by auscanzukus on 09-25-2008 at 04:44:16 PM

Reply to auscanzukus

Ok making a few adjustments, I"ve decided to up the ante a bit. I'm spoiling myself since this is a college graduation/xmas present from me to me .

New RAM: mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

New Monitor: SAMSUNG TOC T240 Rose Black 24" 5ms HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 20000:1(1000:1) - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 5&Tpk=t240

* I made the monitor switch because I'm gonna put a blu ray drive in this and use it to watch movies also.

Should the single 4870 be fine for this monitor?

Reply to Arsis

To me, yes cuz I max out games when I game. At least the resolution. If it still lags, then lower the image quality. However, some would recommend lesser cards for a large screen cuz they can live with smaller resolutions and lower IQ.

Reply to auscanzukus

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