FINAL BUILD Critique and Advice needed. A monster of a PC, for $1200+

hehe i think i'll copy your build it looks awesome for the CPU is E8400 better for OC

Good Build and here are just some thoughts........

#1 - That build will really limit the 4870 on Xfire. So consider a lower PSU since that is more power than you need. (But that is a good deal you found.)

500watt Top Notch PSU for $65 Shipped. No Rebates.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703015

#2 - If Going for 64-Bit, Consider another 4gb for 8gb Total.

#3 - Consider a Non-CF Mobo and save a little money.
This is a good one with nice power to handle a highly OC'd Q6600.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131322

#4 - Consider a more powerful CPU Cooler with the money saved.
That is a good cooler, but depending on how hard you want to push the Q6600 a slightly better one could give you more headroom.

Again, I think your build is good as is.
But I thought I would just give you food for thought.

I know I will probably be rated down for this but..... DEPENDING on the types of games you play, you COULD get a 9800gx2 for about $20 less that WOULD be much faster in a lot of games but might be slightly slower in some.

Just a suggestion. I got a 9800gx2 to replace my 4850 and it is night and day, and so i imagine it would still make a noticeable improvement over the 4870.

But a really great build! Good Job!!!

That is actually a Good Suggestion............
w/o Spending more money and upgrading the board to an X38/X48 for a future 4870CF that would work well.

I'm not really sure upgrading the board to X38/X48 is worth it since an 4870x2 would actually be faster.
I would keep the Mobo he had and get the fastest Single card that is in his price range.
That would be the 9800x2 in most cases. (Even faster than the 280GTX in many cases.)

I had the core contact freezer a while back on the list, but many suggested the one I have. lol Is it a preference thing or is it really better? I would not be OCing the CPU until 6 months after the build and I still would only get it to 2.8. What are your thoughts? Plus, I would like to keep the mobo I have now, so is Xfiring 2 4870s not a good idea? Or is the 9800gx2 a better option?

Actually, I'm pretty sure two 280GTX cards won't work with a 550W PSU. nVidia recommends 1000W for that. The recommendations are padded, but not that much.

Anyway, if you can afford a 4870X2 go for it. If not, upgrade the MB to P5E Deluxe and keep the 750TX, and then you'll be able to add a second HD 4870 later.

+1 for the Core Contact. I like the Xigmatek too but the price is too high when you add shipping for the cooler, the retention bracket, and shipping for the bracket.

+1 for x38/x48 mobo if your planning to cf 4870s.

Kind of. I wouldn't go as far as "perfectly fine". It will do Crossfire, but it loses some performance, especially at higher resolutions. This article shows some numbers for HD 4850. For HD 4870 cards expect the difference between P45 and X48 to be larger.

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/ [...] index.html

Woot, thanks! Thats a huge difference and with the X58 coming out, the 48 may drop in price? 16x16 is waaay better than 8x8. Thanks!

Bumptacular +1