Final Build Check Before Ordering Friday

fordparts1234

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Hello everyone. After much research and some great feedback from this website, HERE IS MY FINAL BUILD. I am going to order this on Friday.

Background. I want a system that has great graphics for video games, I download a lot of music, burn a lot of movies, do schoolwork for college, plan on overclocking, and plan on adding another video card (Christmas present). Please give some feedback or any suggestions. Thanks for everything everyone.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail 36.99

XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail 6.99

VisionTek 900250 Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail 539.99

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail 104.99

ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail Combo Deal with motherboard 519.98

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail 319.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail 85.99

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 109.99

Acer P243WAid Black-Silver 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support - Retail 359.99

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model iHAS220-08 - Retail 29.99

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM 24.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM 99.99

Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound - Retail 3.79

Total Cost 2261.60 with shipping
 
A few things:

- Your PSU will never drive two of those video cards.
- Crossfire 4870X2 is very poor bang for the buck. You will get almost no performance boost for a great deal of money... especially at the resolution of a 24" monitor.

You may be able to pick up an i7 and x58 board in a month that will go a long way in improving X2 CF... but only time and benchmarks will tell.

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1541/8/sapphire_radeon_hd_4870_x2_in_crossfirex/index.html
 

fordparts1234

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I do not want to wait because I only have my laptop at those moment. It sucks except for schoolwork. Should I upgrade the PSU to something higher and if so any suggestions. Or should I just not worry about crossfiring and not add the second card?
 

mexpedip

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not to start an argument because I truly do not know the answer but...

The date of the 4870x2 article was 6 weeks ago. Has performance changed due to driver updates?
 

covertxt5

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I would change the memmory - go with corsair xms 4gb 2x2gm modules but look for cas 4 latency at 4-4-4-12 at 2.1v. the cas 4 is very important!

Second - get 3 hard drives - 1 for os - 1 for page file and 1 for games - they dont have to be as large as the 750gb drive but keep the cache at least at 16mb.

the quadcore is debatable - depending on the game the dual core can be better but either way it looks good.

Video card same thing the 4870 can perform just as good or better than the 4870 x2 depending on the game but the 4870 x2 is a nice choice.

all in all - nice build - I guess if money is not too much of a concern two things i would change is the ram and getting 2 more hard drives the rest looks great!
 
I'd bump the PSU to a 1000w Corsair just in case there's another 4870x2 in the future...... The single 4870x2 should rock with that system, maybe you can get something else for Christmas.
 


There have been some improvements I think, but there are also hardware factors limiting performance of 4870X2 in CF. That's why I referenced x58 and i7.

You do understand that this is all just bragging rights don't you? There are only a few games where you can actually tell the difference visually between a 4870, 4870 CF, 4870X2, and 4870X2 CF... and you would never run those games on those settings because it would suck anyway.

Bottom line is a second 4870X2 will not improve your experience in any game currently out. Buy yourself some top of the line water cooling parts instead. Not only will you have more bragging rights, you'll have a cooler system that can be OCed further, and it will look great while you do it.
 

mexpedip

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Proximon - thanks for the clarification.

I was of the opinion that the 4870x2 in CF was a bit (understatement of the day) of overkill but I did not know there were hardware bottlenecks. I have been holding off on my next comp for the i7 but mainly because of the new socket. now I can sound like I actually know something when asked why I don't build now.

TBH, when I built my current system (E8400, 8800gts, 4gb ddr2 800, 7200.11 hdd) the only difference I noticed from my old XPS was the game load times. Visually everything was the same or at least close enough that the difference was negligable.
 

fordparts1234

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Thanks for the input so far. I will research the PSU, memory and additional hard drives. Ill keep you posted. Please keep the comments coming.
 

fordparts1234

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I found a package deal for a new 1000w power supply for only 40 dollars more with the case I had already picked. What is the difference between the mushkin and corsair. The only real difference is the cosair has 4 cas latency and the mushkin has 5 cas latency. Would it be that much of a difference? Just curious. Any thoughts?
 

fordparts1234

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Thanks for the input proximon. Since I have seen a lot of posts from you that helped me decide on some of my hardware I am going to take your advice. I do have one more question. Should I go with the three different hard drives for better performance or stick with the one. I have been doing a lot of research and most places say it is a waste of money. I have never done with with any of my other computers so is it really necessary?
 

fordparts1234

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Thanks for the advice. Well if I do not have any updates by Friday I am going to order this badboy on Friday. Thanks for everyones help on this. This has been a great learning experience and I have learned more in the past three weeks doing research than the last six months of going to school. And it didnt cost me a dime except for the rig. Go figure.
 

Silverion77

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1) Well for one guys, a GOOD (as in premium 850 like Signature or w/e) will be able to run CF of the x2. Things take much less power than many think. For u Id get the HX 1000 (Corsair) or a very good 850. (not the quattro 1000 cause its just an overwatted 850)

2) U dont need 3 drives, not at all. To have a single drive just to run a page file is just a waste of money. 1 is fine. 2 if u add a lot of programs.

3) IMO the 4870x2 is hard to discuss. I was originally planning to buy one (for my upcoming rig (will post for advice later)) but for me I have a 19" and i prob. wont upgrade soon so im gonna stick with the GX2 and pocket the $260 for a future card (that will hopefully beat the x2). For a 24" the GX2s memory runs low = bad performance. Either get the x2 or a regular 4870

 

fordparts1234

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For what the hx 1000 costs I get the quattro 1000 and tower for forty bucks more. Other wise I pay full price. Is there that much of a difference?
 

Silverion77

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Yes
The HX 1000 is a great PSU. Great efficiency and performance
The Quattro 1000 is exactly like the 850 design but with parts that add an extra 150 watts which isnt exactly the best performing way to go. From reviews ive seen the 850 variant is more stable versus its bigger brother and the HX 1000 is even better than that

Edit: the efficiency will save u that $40 :lol:
 

Silverion77

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Also i just checked newegg for the HX1000 and theres a combo deal w/ the Rampage Formula board that gives $30 off.....so then its only a $10 difference which definitely is a deal
 

Silverion77

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Yea with the HX 1000 its a great build the only PSU from reviews i see better than that HX is the Antec Signature but its very pricey (i only got it cause my dad paid (for labor costs) and there was a large combo discount)

But everything is great
 

fordparts1234

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I think I am done. I updated my original list to reflect suggestions and combo deals. Thanks for everyones help. I think I am done with this. I am probably not going to wait till Friday. I am too excited to order. I will let you all know how it goes once I receive everything. Once again thanks to all the great people here for their expertise.