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New Gaming Build - Please Critique

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Well my old PC died, so I'm going to design a new one and I want to put some coin into it.

I've heard from a friend that an ASUS Striker II MoBo was good, so I thought I'd start there. I've heard mixed reviews about half the boards not starting, on newegg.ca (I live in Canada so all prices are $CAD) but I gather it's due to the rarity of compatible RAM so I've checked Corsair's site and they say the RAM is compatible. The board's QVL is close.

Motherboard
ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor
Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor
or
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

GPU
2 x GeForce GTX 260 SSC Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3

RAM
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

HDD
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

PSU
Rosewill RX850-S-B 850W ATX12V v2.2 & EPS12V v2.91 SLI 8800GTX SLI CrossFire Ready Active PFC PFC Power Supply
Does this work with cards other than the 8800s? I may go with this one:
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Cooling
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

I'd like any input on the system... suggestions, if anything's overkill, or needs upgrading or is incompatible. Also of course if anyone has any more insight into the CPUINIT and other problems with the Striker II Formula board and how to avoid them. Something with the CPU or RAM or both being incompatible before flashing BIOS.

So any feedback is appreciated.

Add a reply

I have several suggestions, all covered in this thread:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] rts-choose

Check it out, I make the same suggestions many times a day so I thought I could be clearer and have less finger pain typing it once

Save a little cash and get an x38 and two 4870s.... that's the short answer, but have a look at the post.

Reply to Proximon

I probably should have mentioned that I plan to use the GTX 260s. It's the only component that I've already bought (one of them) because I'm getting a good deal on them. I've read your updated Video Card buying guide that you've linked and the 260 ties with the 4870, so I'm going to stick with the 260s. I really appreciate your feedback and it's helped out my research, but you recommended I replace the two parts that I've pretty much decided on. The only thing making me reconsider the 780i board is the numerous problems people seem to be having with them, but I thought it would suit my SLI setup better than a x38 and it comes recommended from a friend.

What I'm really concerned about is that everyone will run smoothly together. Does anyone think I need more cooling? Less power somewhere? Do I need that much of a CPU? Because I've seen systems with more affordable processors, but I don't mind paying the extra money as long as it will give me a performance increase that isn't negligible.

Reply to stewscott

Better MoBo:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813130158

Same specs, better price, equally (if not moreso trusted) company. CircuPipe II (the Northbridge cooler) is a little more elaborate, but equally as functional and decently effective.

I also prefer the OCZ Vendetta II for cooling:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6835202007

Otherwise not bad. Would probably go with an Antec 900, better cooling, but the 300 suffices.

Personally I'm a bigger fan of the E8500 for gaming, about the same benchs in most games, a little better sometimes, too. And it overclocks a little better:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819115036

Cheaper, too. May not be up to feeding the GFX though.

Reply to hardwarekid9756

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Rosewill PSU. Rosewill is not a quality PSU manufacturer. Newegg.ca has the high-quality Cosrair 750TX for $150 - $20 MIR.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] &Tpk=750tx

The Q9550 is a much better choice than the Q9400.

Reply to shortstuff_mt

Rosewill would not be a great choice in PSU.

This is a top rated PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817128010

So is this one, and it's less money and enough power for two 260s:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] &Tpk=750TX

The OCZ is a good PSU... I'm sure it's technically enough power but I would not recommend it. I prefer a bit more margin.

The Corsair may be nifty with it's fans and all, but it's 2.1V. If you are not overclocking you just need 800Mhz. If you are overclocking this is far better RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231194

Reply to Proximon

Thanks everyone for all the tips so far, I'll be getting a better power supply and most likely a different fan thanks to your recommendations. hwkid, I'll definitely consider that MoBo as a replacement if the DOA issues with the Striker II Formula scare me enough, and possibly the Antec 900 case (looks cooler, is 'cooler' but will everything fit?) thanks for the input.
As for the RAM, I chose the Corsair because it's compatible with the board, and I wouldn't mind the ability to overclock once I get everything up and running. What's wrong/unsuitable with 2.1V? Seems to me my setup would be decent for OC potential.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to stewscott

stewscott wrote :

...and possibly the Antec 900 case (looks cooler, is 'cooler' but will everything fit?) thanks for the input.

As for the RAM, I chose the Corsair because it's compatible with the board, and I wouldn't mind the ability to overclock once I get everything up and running. What's wrong/unsuitable with 2.1V? Seems to me my setup would be decent for OC potential.

Higher voltage on RAM chips means less headroom for voltage when you're trying to overclock and you need more power to the chip. Also, it draws more power, and can be more of a strain on the MoBo power draw. If you have weak rails on your PSU, this will cause stability issues.

I have a P6N platinum with 2 2xslot 8800GTs in my Antec 900. Fits like a glove. I've built about 10-12 computers inside the 900 (full builds for some, helped a few clients with others, helped a few friends with yet others). One warning though, it sucks up dust like a hoover.

PS: The MSI board does have X-Fi integrated Audio.

Reply to hardwarekid9756

The G Skill RAM is not on the QVL for the Striker MoBo, I know it doesn't completely rule it out but I understand this board is finicky with RAM. I should probably read up more on overclocking if I plan to make it OC ready.

As for the board, I wouldn't mind an alternative to the Striker II Formula but I've read a Newegg review that said two 260s will not fit on the MSI board.

Reply to stewscott

As long as it's just 2x2Gb you are fairly safe with any major brand 1.8V 800Mhz RAM. No guarantees, but pretty safe. When you populate all the memory slots on a board, they tend to get more finicky and that's when I personally start worrying about matching the QVL.

Think about the QVL for a minute:
The vendor has these support people. These people have a drawer full of RAM modules (this is all speculation, but you get the idea) and when a new board comes off the line they start throwing these modules into the slots to test them.

Most of the RAM works. They never mention what DOES NOT work. They only have those specific modules that someone shipped to them... and maybe when they get a complaint they go out and get some for testing.

Reply to Proximon

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