Gaming system, $1200 budget

[Bobik]

Okay here is my system build of under $1200, minus HDD since I already have a raptor.
Also I need it crossfire ready as i'll purchase another 4870 down the line.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017 - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz -$190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219 - ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX - $225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower -$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236 - HIS Hightech H487F512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB -$270
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified -$130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197 - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) -$145
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019 - ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler -$54

Grand total = $1094

Now I have lets say another $100 or $150 to spend.. anyone have any idea where I can spend that?

I thought about the CPU, but the 6600 is so easy to OC over 3.2ghz.

Any input would be great. Thanks!

 

[nishiki]

maybe spend it on the 1gb 4870 (dunno if it's worth it) or simply keep the extra money for the 2nd 4870.

You could also upgrade to the Q9550 cpu(not sure it's really worth it)

A Sata Dvd burner (if you don't already have one)

Btw you do not list a monitor...i assume you have one?

 

[dirtmountain]

Check out Frostytech for cooler
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

 

[billin30]

Get the 1GB 4870, the extra memory will really help.

Just get 800 Mhz RAM, you wont see any benefit from the 1066. These are good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227280

That will save you some cash on yer ram.

Not seeing an OS or a monitor. If you already have those, you probably have room in your budget now for another 4870 1GB right now.

 

[jaysins]

It might be more price beneficial to purchases a p45 motherboard and than a 4870x2 if you plan on crossfiring anyway. That would knock a $100 or more off the mobo cost and save $50 off the gpu total assuming prices are about the same when you purchase your next card. Otherwise I'd go with a 1gb version of the 4870. Also, low latency ddr2-800 might be worth the price saving depending on what your hoping to attain in overclocking. I have geil 2x2 gb ddr2 800 and at 2.1v i'm at 1053 Mhz and 5-5-5-15 timings and would recommend it unless your really going to be pushing the memory. I haven't played around with the timing either to see if I can tighten them.

 

[Bobik]

Thanks for all the replies.

First off, yes I have a monitor... Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24". OS I will be running XP.

Secondly, I was really contemplating the 4870x2 and I think I will get it.

I think I can save like $70 by getting ddr2-800 instead of the 1066.

Now for the motherboard. I read that the x38/48 chipsets are so much better than the P35/45 for crossfire. Is this true? That's why I picked a X38 instead of the P45 like stated above.

Now for the cooler, I really like the Zalman. I have one right now and it cools great and it's dead silent, which is what I want.

I really appreciate the help. I hope to order it all tonight/tomorrow.

 

[nishiki]

If you get a 4870x2, you only use one video card so you do not need a crossfire motherboard with two 16 lanes pci-e connector, so a P45 mb is enough. If you want to get one 4870 and maybe another 4870 later... you should get a motherboard with two full 16 lanes pci-e connector (x48).