Help! New Build (need help cutting costs or suggestions)

[ryanb213]

Hello all, this is my first post on TH. Well i have a system that i want to build within the next few months (DEC, JAN), and i have a list of parts that i have come up with. I was wondering if any you guys had any other suggestion for what i have. I am on a budget and would not like to spend much more than i already have here.

Well enough of the BS lets get too it!!!

Case (With PSU):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119142

CPU:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2905631&CatId=2758
( I am not going AMD i want intel, 65nm is fine i will eventually watercool it )

Motherboard:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3761586&csid=ITD&body=MAIN
( I want an SLI board w/ support for 45nm and one that can overclock)

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Graphics Card:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3990171&CatId=1826

DVD-DRIVE
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3970770&CatId=1624

Hard Drive:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005939
( i want 500GB, if i can get a 400GB one that will be $15-20 cheaper ill get it)

Yes this machine will be used for games. the Q6600 will be overclocked to 3.5Ghz with the watercooling im getting, i do not want to push it too far and anything over 3.5 is simply not needed atm.

if any of you have anybetter suggestions or price cuts that would be great

thanks, ryan

 

[lunyone]

Here is my concerns:
Case/PSU combo: the case is a good one, but the PSU isn't what I use for your OC'ing setup. Cooler Master PSU's are highly regaurded and have had quality issues in the past, so I'd recommend getting the Antec 300 case and the Corsair 650tx PSU (currently going for about $130 combined at Buy.com).
CPU - Nice solid CPU there. You could go with a Core 2 Duo instead and OC them to 3.8-4.2 ghz on AIR!! Not sure if you've considered that or not, but alot of the C2D's are good OC'ers and will give you the best bang for the buck when it comes to 95% of games right now!!
Mobo - A good p45 mobo will be much better than the nVidia based mobo's right now, IMHO. If your wanting to use X-fire/SLI, I'd recommend going with a X-fire setup over SLI. I'd consider a x38/x48 based chipset, if you going to want 2 x 16x PCI-e slots. Otherwise I'd stick with a good p45 based mobo.
Memory - Good memory, but I'd consider these Mushkin ones that are faster and still run at 1.8v. They are $68 - $20 MIR = $48!!
GPU - I'd consider getting a 4850 or 4870 over the 9800gtx+ GPU that you selected. The one you linked, isn't currently available, so I don't know how much you were wanting to spend, but I'd guess around $160-200. In that budget range I'd go with the 4850.
DVD Burner - I'd get a RETAIL version, so you get the software with it that allows you to read/burn DVD's.

 

[dirtmountain]

One problem is that prices will change over the next 2-4 months, some will go down, a few others might go up. New components may become available. One thing you might do is buy a few items when prices are great, ones that aren't going to be superceded by new developments. Case, power supply, RAM (if DDR2), hard drive and DVD burner. Leave the CPU/GPU and motherboard to buy at the same time. That will spread the wallet pain out over a few months. Prices usually drop after Christmas.

 

[ryanb213]

Here is my concerns:
Case/PSU combo: the case is a good one, but the PSU isn't what I use for your OC'ing setup. Cooler Master PSU's are highly regaurded and have had quality issues in the past, so I'd recommend getting the Antec 300 case and the Corsair 650tx PSU (currently going for about $130 combined at Buy.com).
CPU - Nice solid CPU there. You could go with a Core 2 Duo instead and OC them to 3.8-4.2 ghz on AIR!! Not sure if you've considered that or not, but alot of the C2D's are good OC'ers and will give you the best bang for the buck when it comes to 95% of games right now!!
Mobo - A good p45 mobo will be much better than the nVidia based mobo's right now, IMHO. If your wanting to use X-fire/SLI, I'd recommend going with a X-fire setup over SLI. I'd consider a x38/x48 based chipset, if you going to want 2 x 16x PCI-e slots. Otherwise I'd stick with a good p45 based mobo.
Memory - Good memory, but I'd consider these Mushkin ones that are faster and still run at 1.8v. They are $68 - $20 MIR = $48!!
GPU - I'd consider getting a 4850 or 4870 over the 9800gtx+ GPU that you selected. The one you linked, isn't currently available, so I don't know how much you were wanting to spend, but I'd guess around $160-200. In that budget range I'd go with the 4850.
DVD Burner - I'd get a RETAIL version, so you get the software with it that allows you to read/burn DVD's.

Well i like my case and it is available without a psu so ill compare prices etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

as for c2d over c2q i already have a duo laying around and im not in the market for getting another one i can prob get it up to 4GHz

the P45 was a motherboard i was considering it was the intel extreme, and the asus versions but im not sure in which direction to go with those motherboards, this is my first build from scratch sooo... if you could link some that would be nice..

the memory looks better that wat i have ill make sure to pick some up

the 9800GTX+ was $169.99 and i compared it to the 4850 and it looks good but i also seen you posted the 4870 things a monster!!! just one question tho ... is the 4870 better than the GTX 260 and is the 4850 better than the 9800GTX+??? i understand that around the time my build will occur their will be prce drops so im not really worried about the $250 price tag right now

ill get the retail it makes more sense i didnt think of that

 

[lunyone]

Well the 4870 will beat any of the GPU's that you listed. You can even get the 1gb version of the 4870 that will add about 10% more performance!! Of coarse it's not $250 right now, so the 512mb will do you just fine. Also the p45 mobo's are crossfire capable (8x,8x) so you could use 2 x 4870's or 2 x 4850's in crossfire, if you so desire. In a couple of months who knows what will be out there for $250!!

I'd look at any of these mobo's that are linked here. Find the options that you want and buy it. Asus/Gigabyte/Biostar (T-series) are all good mobo's. Been hearing some rumblings about MSI recently, so don't know if that is one that I'd consider.

 

[ryanb213]

found a new psu take a look:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276573&CatId=1483

 

[jpdykes]

These questions are difficult to answer given the market fluctuations due to the release of Core i7 and the consumer wars in the run up to Christmas.

However, generally the choice between 4870 and 260 is decided on benchmarks for specific games, whether you are running CUDA compatible software (eg CS4), and motherboard chipset.

So Intel has the best and most stable chipset, Intel only has the option to run two ATi cards (xfire) hence lots of builders choose to go with ATi 4870's.

It is very difficult to put together a list that will be good for two months time. We could design one now and the adapt nearer the purchase point if that would be helpful?

Jeremy

 

[ryanb213]

i have a pretty good idea of what i want, not by any means top of the line but "good enough", the 4870 is ~$250, but in late december-january it probably wont and thats what im looking for, anything that comes out in that period of time will probably be too expensive so im going to leave those alone. nahalem is not on my mind and have no intentions of upgrading this build toward that. everything in this build is out today, ive decided to go with either of the 4850 , 4870, GTX 260, or 9800GTX+. For the ATI config. i would want an intel chipset, but for 9800 i need a nvidia. i am not going to run apps like CS3 or video editing either i want to game and multitask. i also stated in the first post i want support for 45nm i do plan to upgrade in 2-3yrs. i have been looking for mobo's for a while, i want a mobo that can get me to 3.5-4.0GHz

 

[ryanb213]

i seem to take intrest in this motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

 

[ryanb213]

i seem to take intrest in this motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131317

coupled with a 4850 doesnt sound bad, or the EVGA 750i with a 9800GTX+ are my two options unless a suggestion pops up thank you all who have helped me so far i appreciate it

 

[bobbknight]

I would go with an Antec 300 with a PCPower 610watt Silencer PSU.
You want SLI so anything by ATI is out of the question, as is chipsets from Intel.

 

[ryanb213]

Intel chipset vs nVidia chipset, whatever one is cheaper atm is the one i am leaning on thanks for all your help guys