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New System Build! - Ready for an Upgrade!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New System Build! - Ready for an Upgrade!

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Like most, I would love to play Crysis/ Far Cry II with max settings (and perhaps some AA if possible). I don't mind compromising in the short term, and waiting and upgrading as tech progresses. This approach seems to be the sensible one.

Though I haven't done it yet, I am still working out a budget. I don't have an infinite amount of money to spend, but have been saving up and would like to build new OC'able system. I game a lot, but also use my computer to multi-task while working. If possible, I would like the system to have some future upgradability.

Oh and this will officially be my first water-cooled build.

I plan on building the computer within the next few months. Any advice on the best time to build/buy would be great too.

Here's what I have so far, thanks guys!

~Max

Note: I don't think there are any compatibility issues in the system below, but your vigilant eye is much appreciated.

OS: Vista Ultimate X64

Case: Cosmos S (What do you think? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119150 )

Monitor Resolution: 1900x1200

Graphics Card: Radeon HD 4870 X2

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650

Mother Board: DFI LANPARTY DK ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136047 )

Drives: 2 Samsung CD/DVD Drives: ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151171 )

PSU: COOLMAX CUQ-1200B 1200w ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817159067 )

Ram: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) - ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194 )... I plan for a total of 8 gigs.

Cooling Solution: Water Cooled (Since this is my first water cooled build, I am not sure if I am missing anything below. I was thinking that maybe it would be best to get like a full package instead of all the components separately. If you know of a solid water cooling kit, then I will go with that.)

What do you think of this kit?:
Reserator XT Water Cooling kit ( http://www.zonetronics.com/product [...] 41-30.html )

Non Kit Version:
Swiftech MCP655
Vortex XP Cpu water block
Innovatek Dual Radiator
Rad BOX
XSPC Passive 150mm Reservoir

Storage: 2 74 Gig Raptor Drives Raid 0 (I own one already, and found a second one online for a fair price.)

Raid Controller Card: areca ARC-1210 PCI-Express x8 SATA II Controller Card ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816131003 )
1 Western Digital Caviar 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136284 )

Accessories: Arctic Ice ... Sound Card perhaps?

Any additional recommendations? I was thinking about replacing the fans with cooler more efficient ones, but am not sure what I would need if anything.
I would like to keep the system as cool as possible, but still quite.

Thanks!

Message edited by Diaa on 10-06-2008 at 12:25:31 AM

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The motherboard you list is not a crossfire board and would be a poor choice regardless.

Here you go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131219

Reply to Proximon

Yep, bad mobo choice. Go with the Proximons choice or this Asus Rampage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284
or a DFI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136047
at 1900x1200 i'd start with a single HD4870

Reply to dirtmountain

Great, thanks for the quick replies.

I updated the build with the Radeon HD4870x2, and decided to go with the DFI LANPARTY DK (because of the Intel X48).

What do you think about the rest of the build? Thanks again.

Reply to Diaa

Actually, I was just looking at the parts list. You say you won't be buying this in the next month, so further discussion is pointless on the motherboard, processor, or RAM. Your options will have changed drastically by then.

It's a good case.

The Corsair 1000HX is an excellent PSU, but you would likely need something even larger for 2 4870X2s. Perhaps a Silverstone 1200.

Reply to Proximon

What do you think of the COOLMAX CUQ-1200B for a 1200W psu? It seems to have really good reviews online. I've gone ahead an updated the build with a 1200w psu as per your recommendation.

Also, you think that things will change that quickly on the mobo, processor, and ram if I build next month? Wow, well I may go with the same specs to save some money...unless there is a really compelling reason to hold off.
I've been out of the loop for a while, so I am not really aware of the latest trends.

Really appreciate it.

Reply to Diaa

The Cosmos S is a very good case (the 1 I have)(Srry if that kinda biased)

Reply to cow_moo

Thanks Cow! Hey it may be slightly biased, but the best advice is from personal experience. Cool man, thanks!

Reply to Diaa

because you are gettting a quad not a dual core so i think there isnt any future upgradable path for the system in a whole apart from DVD drive,HDD and graphics card you can upgrade!LOL

because this is the last decade of the socket 775.

Reply to iluvgillgill

iluvgillgi ll: I think I follow what you mean, but could you elaborate a little?

Any advice on what the best approach to take with be? When do you think socket 775 will be obsolete? & Finally, is there a different mobo that you recommend?

I hate to admit it, but this is news to me.

Thanks!

Message edited by Diaa on 10-05-2008 at 05:06:40 PM

Reply to Diaa

its not say this thing will be useless in 6 months but i just wanna tell you that the next gen CPU is just around the corner which use socket LGA1366. so apart from the graphics card and HDD and DVD drive and possible PSU can be use in the new socket if you do want to do a full upgrade. other parts such as mobo,CPU(obviously) and memory will be incompatible with the new socket

by no mean the Q9550 you got now is slow compare to Nehalem.it will be still very fast specially when you OC.

the build you got now is pefectly fine!good choice on parts!

Reply to iluvgillgill

Thanks iluvgillgi ll! Hm, that's something to think about. I'll probably be rebuilding the system in about 3-4 years (that seems to be the general cycle), and so I wonder if it's better to wait a bit.

I've done a little research and read that Nehalem may be released in the coming months. This site even predicts an october release ( http://www.houstonbeats.com/board/ [...] p?t=106830 ). ...I'd hate to have 8 gigs of ram , a cpu, and a mobo that won't work with the next generation (especially if it is a substantial improvement).

Any idea if compatible motherboards/ram sticks are available, or is it dependent on the cpu's release? I'm guessing the motherboards won't be backwards compatible.

hm, ok I think I may be waiting for a little while unless I'm missing something. Maybe 2-3 months?

Thanks a lot iluvgillgi ll , you've been a huge help. I wouldn't have thought to even consider Nehalem until you brought it up.

Message edited by Diaa on 10-05-2008 at 05:31:59 PM

Reply to Diaa

I found this thread to be really helpful: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ng-nehalem

It seems to suggest that the DDR3 ram I chose would work with the new mobos? If so, then I'll probably upgrade now. It's easier to switch out a mobo and processor when I can keep the (relatively expensive) DDR3 Ram.

Also something that caught my eye was that (according to the thread), gaming improvement may not really be seeing a huge jump...at least not for a while.

Thoughts?

Thanks again all!

Reply to Diaa

The new CPU class, renamed i7, will run on the x58 chipset initially, although others will follow.

Since you are looking to crossfire and prefer to use the system for a number of years, it only makes sense to wait for x58.

I can't say much for the Coolmax PSU. I see no good tests on that model. Some models of lower wattage from them have bad reviews, while the higher wattage PSU they offer has good reviews.

This Tuniq has good reviews and is a good price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817611004

Reply to Proximon

Thanks Proximon, im looking into the Tuniq now as a possible alternative.

I think I may wait for the i7 to come out just so prices drop a bit. Everything I've read suggest that the new chips won't be geared towards gaming, and will most probably be out of my league at release.

Thanks again!

Reply to Diaa

or you can always get the 45nm chip as they will be substantially cheaper when i7 is out and offer similar performance at a much lower price hence better value for money.

Reply to iluvgillgill

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