Rate my Build -> Haven't built in several years

[Landsharkk]

Hello,

Yes, I'm posting another 'rate my build' post. I hit the submit button on newegg about an hour ago.

I haven't been into the pc home building stuff in a long while, although I've kept up my tinkering skills over the past couple years, since my last home build.

The purpose of this build is for Gaming, but I did not shoot for top end. I wanted to spend around $1,200 and I hit that mark almost exactly with everything listed below, everything ordered on newegg as of today (only exception is I bought my case about 2 weeks ago).

I should also note, this is not meant for file storage or anything else. It'll be used for gaming and application use. I have a 2nd PC with a RAID/mirror setup that I use for file storage/media share and 2 other pc's I use for testing purposes.


Here's the list:

Case: Antec P182 (already bought)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...pk=antec%20p182
Mobo: XFX 780i nvidia 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813141005
CPU: Intel Core Duo E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115037
CPU Cooler: Asus Silent Knight II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16835101018
RAM: Mushkin DDR2 1066 4gb (2x2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146785
GPU: XFX GeForce 9800GTX+ 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814150314
HDD: Western Digital SATA3.0gb 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136073
CD/DVD: LiteOn 20x DVD-R w/LightScribe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827106265
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341002


As you can see I've listed links to the products themselves. I did this so there's no confusion on what I purchased.

The ONLY things missing from that list are keyboard/mouse, monitor, and soundcard.

I already have Logitech G15 Keyboard (v1), Logitech G5 mouse, 20"LCD, and Creative X-fi soundcard.



I plan to OC the cpu to the mid 3's right from the start. I also plan on adding 4 more gigs of the same RAM in the somewhat near future. Next year I'll add the 2nd GPU for SLI purposes. This is reason for the motherboard and PSU choice.


All comments are welcome. Anyone with a similar setup, I'm interested in hearing about how well it's running and what kind of OC you've been able to get.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Sli is the biggest waste ever if not doing it when you hit submit. By next yesr you could have a better single card the two of what you picked.

A p45, or x48 and a 4870 would have been a better choice.

 

[megamanx00]

If you plan on adding another 9800GTX+( soon be called G one hundred something) relatively soon or want to stick with nvidia then the board is a good choice. If you plan on waiting a while it would make more sense to go with a 750i board like the following MSI board, and use the difference in price to get a better CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130159

Personally though, I think you would be better off getting a P45 based board and a Radeon 4850 or 4870.

 

[Landsharkk]

Thank you both for your honest answers.

I can see your point about going solo GPU in favor of cheaper mobo and better single GPU. Perhaps this would have been the better choice, but I still think I'll add SLI GPU sometime around jan 09. We'll have to wait and see if it was worth the cost now.

Regarding ATI vs nvidia, I chose nvidia simply because I've been an ATI fan for years and was looking for something different. I've ton a ton of research regarding the 9800gtx+ compared to other cards around the same price range and I feel confident in that purchase. I think it'll be a good card to OC and also go SLI in the future. SLI drivers may get better as time goes by too.


Anyway, yeah I'm defending my choices, but I do see valid points in both of the replies so far. That system build has been in the works for about a year now. I've swapped so many parts in and out of the list it's insane, lol. I finally just had to hit the dang 'buy' button or I'd never let myself actually buy it.

Coming this weekend I'll have it all put together and we'll see how it works out.

More comments/suggestions on the build are always welcome.

 

[ed777]

How's the new 9800GTX+ working out? I just ordered mine for an HP pavillion Dual Core 2.6ghz. Aside from the tight fit am a bit concerned about the fan noise but we shall see when I get it.

 

[jaypamps]

SLI is unstable/bad unless on a x58 board...

so dont rely on it at all.

 

[jpdykes]

The thread is from last year. I assume that the poster has already bought his stuff...

 

[ed777]

Understood. Just using one 9800GTX+ (it takes up two slots) not interested in SLI linking.