Hi all - new to the site - reading it a lot on recommendation of a friend while researching a new system. I am just looking for any advice/input on a system I am hoping to build. Some background:
-I am estimating to spend around $1500 Canadian (prices listed in CDN $). If I can stay in that price range or less, I will be happy.
-This is the first major new system I've built in some 7 years. I'd like my new system to be trailing edge or better so it will last me for some time (or be easy to upgrade).
-This will primarily be a gaming rig with focus on multitasking via web browsers, multiple MSNs, Winamp, and games running simultaneously sometimes.
-I will likely have the store I am going to purchase from (www.cedgec.com) build the system for me.
Knowing the above - I am looking for as much bang for my buck as possible, while also being mindful of having longevity in the system. Below is what I have my eye on, but I am also listing alternatives as well in the hopes that I can narrow my options down (and maybe save a few bucks).
Help? It would be much appreciated!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CPU - Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz LGA1366 Bloomfield 8Mb Cache Quad Core Processor ($380)
(Could I do just as well with a high powered duo-core right now? Will it last me some time?)
Mobo - ASUS P6T X58 LGA1366 DDR3 3PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI CrossFire SLI Sata2 ($310)
(Flexible on this...I just want something that will support my components and allow me to upgrade a wee bit?)
Vid Card - Asus or Sapphire Radeon 2Gb HD 4870x2 PCI-E GDDR5 Dvi/Tv ($550-650)
RAM - Ocz (2x2Gb) Gold XTC DDR3 PC3-1066 Dual Channel Memory ($145)
(My mobo might force me into DDR3, but again, if I switch up some components, can I get away with some fast DDR400?)
Power Supply/Case - This one is tricky as I am not overly picky with a case - other than it needs to be decent for cooling and if it has power already....great. I was aiming for 600w, but have been advised to go higher. I have not done any calculations as to what I WILL need for components. (Could be anywhere from $60-200)
Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200Rpm 32Mb Cache Sata2 ($130)
(Flexbile on brand. I've never used SATA before and have a 500gb IDE drive I could use for whatever reason)
MISC - I am ok with onboard Sound and LAN. Assuming any MOBO will have USB 2.0. I want to have an # in 1 memory card reader (Flash etc) installed. I already have mouse, keyboard and monitor.
I would PREFER to continue using Windows XP home 32-bit. Not a fan of Vista. But if there are advantages, I will move OS.
Cooling - what fans/heatsinks can I add (or need)? And can I get away with a funky LED fan? Do I need to consider water cooling?
Thanks!!
-I am estimating to spend around $1500 Canadian (prices listed in CDN $). If I can stay in that price range or less, I will be happy.
-This is the first major new system I've built in some 7 years. I'd like my new system to be trailing edge or better so it will last me for some time (or be easy to upgrade).
-This will primarily be a gaming rig with focus on multitasking via web browsers, multiple MSNs, Winamp, and games running simultaneously sometimes.
-I will likely have the store I am going to purchase from (www.cedgec.com) build the system for me.
Knowing the above - I am looking for as much bang for my buck as possible, while also being mindful of having longevity in the system. Below is what I have my eye on, but I am also listing alternatives as well in the hopes that I can narrow my options down (and maybe save a few bucks).
Help? It would be much appreciated!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CPU - Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz LGA1366 Bloomfield 8Mb Cache Quad Core Processor ($380)
(Could I do just as well with a high powered duo-core right now? Will it last me some time?)
Mobo - ASUS P6T X58 LGA1366 DDR3 3PCI-E16 PCI-E1 2PCI CrossFire SLI Sata2 ($310)
(Flexible on this...I just want something that will support my components and allow me to upgrade a wee bit?)
Vid Card - Asus or Sapphire Radeon 2Gb HD 4870x2 PCI-E GDDR5 Dvi/Tv ($550-650)
RAM - Ocz (2x2Gb) Gold XTC DDR3 PC3-1066 Dual Channel Memory ($145)
(My mobo might force me into DDR3, but again, if I switch up some components, can I get away with some fast DDR400?)
Power Supply/Case - This one is tricky as I am not overly picky with a case - other than it needs to be decent for cooling and if it has power already....great. I was aiming for 600w, but have been advised to go higher. I have not done any calculations as to what I WILL need for components. (Could be anywhere from $60-200)
Hard Drive - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200Rpm 32Mb Cache Sata2 ($130)
(Flexbile on brand. I've never used SATA before and have a 500gb IDE drive I could use for whatever reason)
MISC - I am ok with onboard Sound and LAN. Assuming any MOBO will have USB 2.0. I want to have an # in 1 memory card reader (Flash etc) installed. I already have mouse, keyboard and monitor.
I would PREFER to continue using Windows XP home 32-bit. Not a fan of Vista. But if there are advantages, I will move OS.
Cooling - what fans/heatsinks can I add (or need)? And can I get away with a funky LED fan? Do I need to consider water cooling?
Thanks!!