Thoughts on my build?

[vasant56]

Hi guys,
I've got the summer off and that means I need a new computer. Right now I'm upgrading from a 5 year old thinkpad, so i think it's time. Anyways, I'll probably do a mix of things on it.. moderate gaming, encoding, software development, tv streaming (/w a cable card). I don't need to overclock. While I understand that the core 2 duo is slightly better for gaming, I think the quad core will be of benefit if I want to encode/record something while doing other tasks. I know computers, but probably not to the specifics that you guys do, so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'd really don't want to pay more than I am, but if a small amount of money here and there will go a long way then I'm a little flexible. If there are cheaper alternatives that offer the same performance I'm open as well, though.

On a side note, I'm really thinking about about getting an SSD to boot off of, although I hear the OCZ Vertex is the only way to go, and it's a little out of my price point.. any thoughts on SSD's?

Anyways thanks for the help, and here's my build.


Case
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025
$179.99

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro ATX LGA775 P45 DDR2 2PCI-E16 CrossFire 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN eSATA
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q%20Pro&manufacture=ASUS
$148.59

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.33GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 4MB Retail Box
$209.98
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31415&vpn=BX80580Q8200&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1060

Video Card
EVGA E-GEFORCE GTS 250 756MHZ 512MB 2.2GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out Video Card
$189.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36772&vpn=512-P3-1150-TR&manufacture=eVGA

Hard Drive
Western Digital WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 4.2MS 32MB 3.5IN Dual Proc Hard Drive OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31000&vpn=WD1001FALS&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1060
$133.99

RAM
OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel EPP Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28786&vpn=OCZ2RPR10664GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology&promoid=1060
$63.99

PSU
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W Power Supply (RS500-PCARA3-US)
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=021875&cid=PS.731
$45.99


Total
$972.52

 

[irkjab]

I wouldn't go with an SSD, the WD black drives provide great performance for a lot less. I'd wait a few years for SSD prices to fall

 

[xthekidx]

Get this ram instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk
And a better PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

 

[vasant56]

Get this ram instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231219&Tpk=g%20skill%20hk
And a better PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

Why the drop to DDR2 800?

 

[xthekidx]

The difference between DDR2 800 and 1066 is negligible, Core 2 CPU's can't use faster ram. AMD chips and i7 can because the memory controller is integrated into the chip, on LGA 775 its on the MB. Getting DDR2 800 with low timings will give you better results than DDR2 1066 with average timings. Although if you can find good DDR2 1066 for a good price then you can get it, but you won't see a performance gain from it. You could probably get that ram you chose down to DDR2 800 at 4-4-4-12 timings if you wanted.

I didn't see that you were in CAD, I though we were talking USD. For CAD that is a good deal. Make sure its a low voltage set though, like 2.0v and below.

 

[vasant56]

The difference between DDR2 800 and 1066 is negligible, Core 2 CPU's can't use faster ram. AMD chips and i7 can because the memory controller is integrated into the chip, on LGA 775 its on the MB. Getting DDR2 800 with low timings will give you better results than DDR2 1066 with average timings

Thanks for the info. Will this bottleneck my system? Should I consider going AMD? Is the jump to i7 still extraordinary?

 

[xthekidx]

I think that the CPU you chose is ok, but I would overclock it. At stock it may feel a bit sluggish. Another good option would be the PII x3 720. The i7 is an excellent CPU for encoding and video editing and things like that, but it will cost you much more and if you don't have $1500CAD to spend you probably shouldn't attempt it.

 

[vasant56]

Oh okay, thanks. what are your thoughts on the video card?

 

[xthekidx]

It depends on how good you want your games to look, and what resolution you play at, as well as the games you play. The GPU you chose is not exceptional but its not bad either. How well it performs will depend on your answers to the above questions. I think I would go for the ATI equivalent GPU though, a 4850 instead. You chose a xfire motherboard, but an Nvidia GPU. If you use an ATI GPU then you can run two of them at the same time if you want to upgrade your graphics performance later.

 

[sontan]

I agree with xthekidx

I would keep everything the same except change to a ATI video card (4850) and get a better powersupply. 600w or higher.

 

[vasant56]

[accidently deleted]

 

[xthekidx]

The WD drive will be more reliable, but I think the Spinpoint is actually faster. Its up to you, I think I would personally go with the WD.

 

[vasant56]

Hey guys, I think i've finalized my parts. I've changed quite a bit. Can I get your final thoughts before I order? Essentially I sprung for a cheaper case and upgraded the video card and CPU.

Thanks again for the help.


Case & PSU
Antec Sonata III Black ATX 16IN Mid Tower Quiet Case 3X5.25 2X3.5 4X3.5IN 500W 120MM Fan
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=24294&vpn=SONATA%20III%20500&manufacture=Antec
$155.28

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro ATX LGA775 P45 DDR2 2PCI-E16 CrossFire 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN eSATA http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q%20Pro&manufacture=ASUS
$148.59

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.33GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 4MB Retail Box
$209.98
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31415&vpn=BX80580Q8200&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1060

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q Pro ATX LGA775 P45 DDR2 2PCI-E16 CrossFire 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN eSATA
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30418&vpn=P5Q%20Pro&manufacture=ASUS
$148.59

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.66GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 6MB Retail Box
$274.98
http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31414&vpn=BX80580Q9400&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1060

Video Card
Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 770MHZ 1GB 3.6GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI-I Video Card
$229.99
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=35105&vpn=AX4870%201GBD5&manufacture=PowerColor

Hard Drive
Western Digital WD1001FALS Caviar Black 1TB SATA2 7200RPM 4.2MS 32MB 3.5IN Dual Proc Hard Drive OEM
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31000&vpn=WD1001FALS&manufacture=Western%20Digital%20WD&promoid=1060
$133.99

RAM
OCZ Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel EPP Memory Kit
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28786&vpn=OCZ2RPR10664GK&manufacture=OCZ%20Technology&promoid=1060
$63.99



Total
$1040.80


Also, for the monitor.. I think I'm getting this:
BenQ G2400WD 24IN Widescreen Black LCD Monitor 2MS 1920X1200 4000:1 Senseye HDMI DVI VGA
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=31200&vpn=G2400WD&manufacture=BenQ&promoid=1060
$299 (CDN)


I understand it might not be the greatest, but i'll have an HDTV so I don't need to have top notch video playback. Your thoughts would still be welcome, though

 

[xthekidx]

That is a very good monitor you are considering, and an even better price on it (it costs more in USD here from newegg).

Which CPU are you getting?

 

[vasant56]

I'm considering this:

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.66GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 6MB Retail Box
$274.98

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=31414&vpn=BX80580Q9400&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1060

 

[vasant56]

Also,

Can you explain the difference between these two cards please? Is there a reason one is more expensive than the other?

Diamond Radeon HD 4870 750MHZ 512MB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33953&vpn=4870PE5512DT&manufacture=Diamond
$289.99

Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 770MHZ 1GB 3.6GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI-I Video Card
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35105&vpn=AX4870%201GBD5&manufacture=PowerColor
$224.99 CAD

Thanks again

 

[march10k]

That's wierd...the Powercolor should be FAR more expensive, it's not only got twice the ram, it's even superclocked...could be a mistake on ncix's part?

 

[xthekidx]

Who cares, just buy the Powercoler and be thankful, that is an excellent deal.

 

[vasant56]

I just did, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something wrong with it that I wasn't seeing.

Thanks for all the help guys!