How's this build? -advice needed

[esingin]

Hi,

Here is the gaming system I am thinking to build.

I'd like to get your comment/suggestion, compability issues, missing parts, etc ...

I was first thinking to get the Dell XPS 630, Q9400, 4go and dual 4850 for approx $1500 CAN
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=DX630_F_2E

Thanks in advance.


Price are in CAN$

CPU - $365.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail

Motherboard -$186.09
ASUS P5Q3 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

RAM $142.63
CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9DHX - Retail

Case - $344.58 (Combo price with PSU)
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

PSU
Antec Signature SG850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

Hard Drive -$89.49
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Optical Drive - $29.99
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM

Video - $371.99
SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Total Price $1,530.76

 

[esingin]

Forgot to mention

I play wow, first person shooters and always like to try the latest games
I play at 1920/1200

Thanks

 

[aevm]

See if you can get a P45 motherboard with DDR2, for example P5Q Pro or GA-EP45-UD3P. That should save you a bunch.

Also, maybe they have a Corsair 650TX or PC Power & Cooling 750W for less than the Antec Signature 850W. The Signature is a top quality PSU but expensive and way overkill for your build.

 

[Proximon]

yep +1

The Antec Signature is something someone buys that has to have the absolute finest. Even a PSU elitist such as myself doesn't own one.

There is no reason to buy a DDR3 board or RAM.

PC P&C Red:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

UD3P:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&Tpk=UD3P

G. Skill PI Black DDR2:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

Whith the money you saved you might grab a Q9650 (wait for the price to drop as it has here in the US) and a good after market cooler:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835887016

 

[esingin]

Guys,

Thanks a lot for your advice.
It does bring the price down.

I 'll wait a bit and watch the price for that Q9650, actually over 600$

the spec on the UD3P doesn't mention about cross-fire support.
I guess it does since there are 2 PCI Express 2.0 and no mention about SLI, right ?

one more question, when it says 2 PCI 2.0 (one running at x16 model, another one running at x8 model).
Does it mean that we don't get full power/speed from the cards in a cross fire setup ?
in this case is it worth running with dual cards ?

(sorry for this newbie question)

 

[esingin]

Guys,

Thanks a lot for your advice.
It does bring the price down.

I 'll wait a bit and watch the price for that Q9650, actually over 600$

the spec on the UD3P doesn't mention about cross-fire support.
I guess it does since there are 2 PCI Express 2.0 and no mention about SLI, right ?

one more question, when it says 2 PCI 2.0 (one running at x16 model, another one running at x8 model).
Does it mean that we don't get full power/speed from the cards in a cross fire setup ?
in this case is it worth running with dual cards ?

(sorry for this newbie question)

 

[Proximon]

Technically what happens with a P45 board such as that is the two PCI-E slots run at X8 in crossfire mode.

This was an issue for larger video cards and higher resolutions at first, but once the drivers matured there was very little difference between the P45 in crossfire, and the more expensive X48 in crossfire:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/crossfire-pci-express,2095.html

To get a comparable X48 board, you would need to pay at least $40-50 more... and that money is probably better spent elsewhere.

 

[aevm]

Check out www.ncix.com and www.memoryexpress.com too. If you're in Ottawa, also www.shoprbc.com. Newegg.ca has pretty good prices, but it doesn't really rule in Canada the way Newegg.com does in the USA. Some sites do price-matching too.