Help! Building a new rig need some advice before buying :)

[x1aznxfuq]

Hello guys and gals, as you can see I'm fairly new to this forum and would like to ask you fellow mates for some advice. I'm about to build a new rig in these few up coming weeks and just want some feed back on my build versus price range.

I went to a local store and asked for a quota on the following:
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.5GHz 1333MHz FSB
-Asus P5N-D SLI ready mobo
-4GB DDR2 800MHz
-500G 7200rpm SATA2 HDD
-Internal Cardreader
-Antec Gaming Case 300 w/ 600W
-LG 20X DL DVD+/-RW
-Logitech Wireless Keyboard
-Logitech Wireless Optical Mouse

The owner quoted it about 914$ before tax. That's the best he could offer. So after tax that'd be around 1100ish. My ultimate goal is to tone it down to around $1000 near or below.

Note: I already have 2 x BFG Geforce 9800GTX+ OCX so it isn't added in the price.
Purpose of computer - mostly gaming.

If I wanted a smaller harddrive, the difference would be -20$
If I didn't want the internal cardreader, the difference would be -6$ lol
If I didn't want the keyboard / mouse combo, the difference is about -30$

My Questions:
1.) With you guys's experiences, is there any possibilities that I can find a better deal let's say...via Newegg/NCIX/Tigerdirect?
2.)Do i need a bigger PSU for the two cards? 600W a bare minimum for the 2 9800 GTX OC's?
3.) Any advice on decreasing or finding cheaper alternative for let's say...CPU, MOBO, CASE? ETC?
4.) Last but not lease...do i really NEED the Q9300? Biggest bottleneck at the moment. The CPU is probably the most expensive part in this system so I'm asking for advices on alternatives or maybe pro's and cons.


Any response will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[lunyone]

Well not sure if this any better, but I'd go with the Antec 300/650w PSU for your minimum on your SLI setup. It's going for $129 at Newegg.ca
3rd combo from the top

I'd consider getting a e8400/e8500 or even the q6600 for your build. The q6600 should OC to 3-3.4 on the stock cooler, but I'd consider getting an aftermarket one if your going to OC much. The e8400/e8500 will do a bit better on most games right now over the quads, due to the higher stock speeds.

I like these RAM sticks below. They are fast (5-4-4-12) and run at stock voltage (1.8v = less heat).
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I like the WD AAKS HD's for their speed and cost.
$104
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

I have had good luck with LiteOn DVD/CD drives, so I'm recommending them. If you don't want LiteOn than there are others, but please get the "Retail" version, so you'll get the software to read/burn DVD's with!!!
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - Retail

If your going to do some good OC'ing, I'd recommend the Xigmatek s1283 CPU HSF w/retention brackets!!
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Not 100% sure this is the correct retention bracket. 1 review says it isn't and the I7751 is the correct one.

Adding all of the above (q6600 selected for CPU) and using a Montreal postal code (H1A 0A1), I get a total of: $948!! Now I don't know if that is with tax or not. I'm sure there are better deals out there, so check NCIX/Tigerdirect for better deals.

 

[john_antonio]

Drop the q9300 and get a q6600.. Oveclock it over the speed of the q6600.. feel free to ask more...

 

[Zecow]

+1 to the Q6600 - i've recently purchased my rig.. went for the q6600 OC'ed it to 3.6Ghz. Best bang for the buck.

 

[Proximon]

lunyone covered everything. However, I like the Antec TPQ 850W combo better for your build. The Antec EA 650W will do in a pinch though.

The 780i chipset is probably the better one, but that would run you more. We don't really recommend SLI here much... the nVidia chipsets are bad. Nothing wrong with your video cards though so you'll have to make do.

The bracket lunyone linked is not the right one... looks like they are out right now. However, you can get the 4-heatpipe version which is just as good, and use the linked bracket:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023

 

[lunyone]

lunyone covered everything. However, I like the Antec TPQ 850W combo better for your build. The Antec EA 650W will do in a pinch though.

The bracket lunyone linked is not the right one... looks like they are out right now. However, you can get the 4-heatpipe version which is just as good, and use the linked bracket:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233023

The Antec 650w PSU has 52A on the combined rails, so it's plenty, but yes the 850w one is nice too. Not sure if that is what the OP is going for, but thought I'd give him options.

The retention bracket I linked wasn't the correct one, I stated the correct one in the comments. I just wanted to show the OP what it looks like. Not sure why they don't have it online, but what do I know.

 

[Proximon]

Hmmm ya when I looked it wasn't there but when I followed another link, there it was... odd.

 

[Proximon]

Just in case the OP is confused:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Those two are the CORRECT combination.

 

[x1aznxfuq]

Thanks alot for all the tips guys.

So as of now, this is what I've come up with at newegg.ca and boy...what savings!

Drive
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail
31.99$

PSU
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$128.46 + $35.00 USD Mail-in Rebate

RAM
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
$83.99 + $20.00 USD Mail-in Rebate

MOBO
ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$164.99

Harddrive
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
$51.49

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
$232.49

Subtotal: $689.42
Canadian sales taxes paid on your behalf: $$83.36
Shipping & Handling: $19.28
Grand Total: $$796.05

I'm planning to buy a Antec 900 gaming case here locally to save myself the big shipping fee due to the weight of the case.

Feel free to give me any further advice or tips
I'm still looking at possible CPU coolers as well

 

[lunyone]

To get an upgrade on the stock cooler and for mild OC'ing this one will do well!! $33 shipped!! It's pretty good and doesn't cost too much.
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail

Only 1 problem with your PSU selection. If your going to SLI your 2 x 9800gtx's, you'll need 4 x 6 pin PCI-e power connectors, IIRC. The OCZ PSU only has 2 x 6 pin PCI-e power connectors and you won't have enough to power your SLI configuration. If you going with just a single GPU than you would be okay. I'd recommend getting the Corsair 650tx over the OCZ. The OCZ has 43A on the 12v rails and the Corsair has 52A on the single 12v rail, which is much better, IMHO.

 

[x1aznxfuq]

Alright sounds good. I'll take that into consideration. Thanks a whole bunch lunyone!

 

[lunyone]

Glad that we could help you out. Nice that we can get you ~$300 in savings!!

 

[Zecow]

600w is more than enough. That setup wouldn't take up more than 420w.