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1683.00 build buying tomarrow is this worth it.

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need complete computer besides mouse and keyboard. speakers. not sure if i should go with quad core please give me your opinion. i got dvd/cd rom drives. what would you change in this build? and why?Mostly used for gaming but some photoshop and webpage building. media files ect...

HP w2408h Black 24" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ Height & Pivot Adjustments 400 cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824176090

LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Special Lian-Li case savings, ends 10/31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811112154

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136074

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Special savings w/ combo, while supplies last
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227289

EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Special savings on AMD CPU combo, ends 11/5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130370

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341010

ASUS P5Q SE/R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
An EPU model w/ RAID and 100% long-life solid capacitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131335

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
Great savings w/ EVGA motherboard combo, ends 10/31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115037

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116493.\

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233003

Message edited by kiznar on 10-23-2008 at 02:49:46 PM

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I think I might be getting tired of answering these questions. No one can truly answer this if we don't know what your going to use it for. If all you want to do is surf the net, scan and upload photos to photobucket, chat on IM, and listen to music, this computer is horribly overpriced. (not to mention your missing the scanner.) This computer wouldn't make a bad gaming computer, though I am unimpressed with the monitor and GPU. (take a look at the other 24" panels, and get the 4870 instead.) Tell us what you'll use it for, and we then have a clue as to what you need.

------------------------------ The voice of REASON
Do NOT feed the TROLLS!
Always a DEMON!
Reply to 4745454b

Agreed - without knowing what you will use the computer for, it's hard to say.

If you're doing mostly word processing, e-mail, etc, then it's a fantastic waste of money - OVERKILL.

If it's for video editing, it will be average.

If it's for gaming, it's OK, but there are some things I would change.

I would get the WD 640 GB HDD instead of the 320. It's only $70-75.

I would get a better PSU - OCZ is OK, but the Silent ones are on the low end of power. Check out the Elite or Gamer Xtreme. Or, get a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling.

Do you really need Vista Ultimate? If you won't use the few extra features, you should be OK with Vista Home Premium (x64 of course). That will save you some $$$ and allow you to get a better PSU and HDD.

Also, +1 to the 4870 suggestion. I would also say look at the other monitors as well.

Good luck. Let us know if we can help any more.

Reply to huron

mostly for gaming but i dibble and dappble in everything. curious about the monitor and 4870 is ati ive never used anything but nivida for years my last non nivida card was a voodoo pci card back in the day. enlightin me.

tell my what to swap and why and all parts must be from new egg

Reply to kiznar

HDD - +$15, faster and you almost double your storage for $15.
Western Digital Caviar Green WD6400AACS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136298

RAM - -$50 standard 1.8v DDR2 800 is more then enough
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731

Monitor - -$200, save the money and drop 2". The size difference will not be noticeable but the price difference is huge.
SAMSUNG 2232BW+ Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 DC 8000:1(1000:1) - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001310

GPU - same price as your card above. This is the 1gb version of the 4870. There is no large difference in performance. I am basically betting that with future driver updates the additional memory will become a biger advantage. Plus the 1gb version is only $30 more then the 512mb version.
SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102795

CPU - +$150 even though most games can only use 2 cores there is still a 10%-20% improvement in FPS with a quad core. And a quad core will help tremendously with video.
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041

MOBO - +$95 this will give you some future proffing by allowing for full x16 crossfire. The P45 you have above lowers the to x8 when in crossfire.
ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131219

Total system price is now +$10. If you need to get rid of that $10 you could switch the case to the Antec 300.

Reply to mexpedip

go with the q9550 for future proofing and with the hd4850 or 4870 (1gig version, esp with larger screens) for better quality/price but keep the 24 inch screen! The reasoning is simple:
24inch = 1920x1200 (1080p native resolution, blueray/hddvd content)
22inch = 1680x1050 (not able to see full screen HD content natively).

Also, the price difference for a quality panel will be minimal and you'll be happier in the long run
For the motherboard, go with the one you chose, you simply won't see the difference with a x16/x16 vs x8/x8 since the current situation (and quite possibly all future cases) won't be bottlenecked by the pcie bus size.

I also advise in favor of bigger HDD, esp with content that is ever increasing in size. double size for 15$ is a pretty damned good offer, however you phrase it.

Message edited by antiacid on 10-23-2008 at 04:51:37 PM

Reply to antiacid

+1 @Mexpedip on the JEDEC standard 1.8V RAM, and on the 4870.
Only the OP can say if he would notice 24"-->22". Personally, I think multiple GPUs are an unnecessary extravagance, but I am not a professional gamer. A P45 mobo and a single video card should be fine.
As much background crap as there is now (e.g. firewall, anti-virus, anti- poopware, IM, downloads, a player, etc. etc...), I'd be inclined to prefer a quad on a new build.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
Reply to jtt283

Posted after antiacid, +1 on the excellent observations about the monitor.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
Reply to jtt283

Do not get the "GREEN" version of the WD 640GB hard drive unless you want to get lower speeds for a small saving in power consumption.

Quote from Hardware secrets review of 500GB HDs about the "green version of WD drive"

"Western Digital Caviar GP (WD5000AACS): This is a “green” drive with variable rotational speed in order to save energy. We didn’t measure power consumption, so we can’t talk specifically about energy savings. Its performance was one of the worst and thus we can’t recommend this product. Don’t buy."

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by dirtmountain on 10-23-2008 at 05:01:59 PM

Reply to dirtmountain

I didn't mean to drop down to a 22" monitor. I simply noticed Newegg had other 24" monitors that had identical or better specs, for less money. (Not to mention I think his monitor was out of stock when I checked.) I didn't see a point in buying a monitor that costs $420, when you could get this instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009125
(this one even has a better contrast ratio, and is only $350.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824014181
There is also this one, that is "full" 1080. 1920x1080, no issues watching 1080 content. Lower brightness, better contrast, better price at $382.

He can drop down to a 22" screen, but if your going to spend $200+ on a screen, I'd rather drop the extra $100+ to move up to full 1080. If your going to drop $1600 on a system, might as well go for it.

------------------------------ The voice of REASON
Do NOT feed the TROLLS!
Always a DEMON!
Reply to 4745454b

what is crossfire im guessing sli but ati calls it crossfire? i dont plan on ever running 2 video cards in my system. As for the monitor i am lost ive seen the 22" version of the hp monitor and i loved it ive never seen acer or benq monitors are they really good? i know samsung but there is much as Hp does brand really matter..? and why the downgrade in ram as far as 1066 to 800 for 50bucks cheaper. also im on a 17" Crt monitor lol view sonic it has served me well i havent seen a 24" before only 22" should i get a 22" to save money?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Show [...] 20Speakers

Message edited by kiznar on 10-23-2008 at 07:59:57 PM

Reply to kiznar

Here's my current wishlist:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=11725467

Reasons for choices:

Mobo has a 5 star feedback rating.
VelociRaptor choice is for reliability more. I need one that will last 3+ years of daily use.
HD 4850 will easily handle my 1600 x 1200 res monitor for games.
Mushkin RAM operates at 1.8V.
Not sure about case yet. I may get the Antec Nine hundred instead for better cooling.
Q9550... Why not?

Message edited by DXRick on 10-23-2008 at 08:48:17 PM

Reply to DXRick

dx, are you tring to hijack this thread?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to eklipz330

o and about the ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231209

cas of 4 and 1.8 v at ddr2 800.. @ 60 bucks

Reply to eklipz330

PC2 6400

as opposed to PC2 8500

why?

Reply to kiznar

pc2 8500 brings no real benefits, and pc2 6400 is cheaper and cooler.... you can probably overclock the set that i picked out to pc2 8500 speeds easywhen needed

Reply to eklipz330

dirtmountain wrote :

Excellent catch. I just grabbed the 640gb version and was not paying attention enough to notice the "green". I have read similar reviews regarding green versions and would not recommend it to anyone except green peace members.

Reply to mexpedip

Yes, CF is SLI but for AMD video cards.

I'm not familiar with Acers, BenQs are good. Go to CC or BB and look at them there.

"downgrade" to 800MHz ram if its cheaper, no point in the faster stuff. Want an easy overclock? Set your CPU:RAM ratio to 1:1. Set your FSB to 400MHz, which will run your 800MHz RAM @ 800MHz. Adjust the CPU multiplier to has high as stability allows. Overclock done. Nearly all recent motherboards should be able to run 400MHz, 533MHz isn't as certain. Why pay an extra $15-$20 if you don't need it?

As for 22" vs 24", I suggested the 24" for two reasons. One, the video card and computer you are getting are good enough for that resolution. If you were looking at a weak CPU with an 9600/8800GT, you shouldn't go that high. 4870 is fine for that res however, so there isn't really a reason to avoid it. Second, if you wanted to watch any 1080P content, you'd be able to do it on a 24", not a 22" Again, if you have the money, you might as well do it.

------------------------------ The voice of REASON
Do NOT feed the TROLLS!
Always a DEMON!
Reply to 4745454b

is it possible to hook my 360 up to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001275

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to kiznar

kiznar wrote :

is it possible to hook my 360 up to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001275

If you have an HDMI cable, yes.

Reply to antiacid

eklipz330 wrote :

dx, are you tring to hijack this thread?

Nope. Since my build is similar to the OP's, and my uses are similar (games, Photoshop, and programming), I offered my choices along with my reasons for them. I am not looking for feedback for my list.

Reply to DXRick

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