Build Advice

[adnorton]

I am putting together a new computer and have the companents picked out. I just need some help reviewing the items. Please critique and let me know if anything should be reaplced/upgraded/disgarded.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
SILVERSTONE ST1200 1200W Power Supply
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 3.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
(2)mushkin XP ASCENT w/ eVCI technology 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
(2)EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896-P3-1262-AR Superclocked Edition Video Card
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(2)ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T


Thanks
Aaron

 

[Proximon]

Just what I've written here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-what-parts-choose

 

[Priv]

I'd go for a E8500 or even an E8400 instead of the E8600, it should be quite easy to get those 2 at 3.33 GHz and it will save you quite a bit. Also, why 8 GB? 4 GB is more than enough unless you plan to use memory intensive programs.
I'd go for these modules:
Mushkin DDR2-800 5-4-4-12 rated 1.8v

The PSU is also overkill, rather go for an 750W from corsair or the 850W from corsair.

 

[adnorton]

oops yeah I changed it to 4GB just the single set. I also changed to the E8500

Changed to this.

Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Thermaltake W0131RU 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
mushkin XP ASCENT w/ eVCI technology 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
(2)EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896-P3-1262-AR Superclocked Edition Video Card
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(2)ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T

 

[adnorton]

Updated config to an Antec 1200 Tower

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Thermaltake W0131RU 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified
EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
mushkin XP ASCENT w/ eVCI technology 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
(2)EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896-P3-1262-AR Superclocked Edition Video Card
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(2)ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T

 

[jpdykes]

Some comments:

- Good change to E8500.

- Drop to DDR2-800 ram if you aren't planning a massive overclock, the difference to 1066 RAM is only noticable in benchmarks.

- Have you considered an Intel / ATi build?
- Intel motherboard chipsets are considered superior to their NVidia counterparts. The 780i seems to be the only half well regarded thing out there from NVidia. Try a P5Q Pro board from Asus.

- 4870 vs 260, generally differentiate based on specific games you play, look at benchmarks. Over the large range ATi probably has the upper hand.
- In terms of multi GPU, no-one seems to be suggesting anything other than 4850's in Xfire and For the price of 2x 260's you could have a 4870X2 which will eat anything you throw at it.
- If you are running anything less than 24" screen you probably only need a 4780 or 260, >24" 4870X2 or 2x 4850.

- Maybe slightly unclear, basically reassess GPU choice.

- WD raptors are fast. But you will probably want a storage drive as well. The WD Caviar 640Gb HDD is very well regarded and fast!

- Maybe take another look at the PSU. Corsair, Enermax, PC Power and Cooling. Generally the best out there.

Jeremy