First Time Build

[Demean]

This summer I've had nothing to do so I've been thinking about building a PC. I wrote down a few parts that I was thinking of throwing together but I'm still a computer newbie. I need advice on whether the system will be future proof (for like a few months thanks to how fast technology advances) and if I'll have any compatibility isssues with the parts. Also, let me know if I've left something out. Thanks

* Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 @ 2.66GHz (Planning on OC'ing this)
* XFX nForce 790i Ultra SLI - or if I can afford it - Asus Rampage Extreme X48
* OCZ Reaper HPS 1066 DDR2 RAM (4GB)
* 2x XFX GeForce GTX275 896MB running in SLI
* Zalman CNPS9900 120mm CPU fan
* Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
* Corsair 850TX 850W Power Supply
* LG 22x DVD drive (Plan on changing it to blu ray at a later time)

As for the case I'm still thinking about whether to get a mid tower or a full tower. Also, OS is vist Ultimate 64-bit. What do you guys think?

 

[Helloworld_98]

the X48 chipset doesn't support SLI.

 

[Demean]

the X48 chipset doesn't support SLI.

Ah alright, thanks. But is the n790i good? I've i read mixed reviews.

 

[lehighace06]

Your choices kind of confuse me. Your video card(s) (as helloworld said, no SLI with that mobo) are very good and you've got a great PSU, but then you go with DDR2 memory and an EOL CPU/mobo combo. For not much more you could go with an X58 board, Core i7 920 cpu and some really good DDR3 memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216527

This will support the SLI you want to do, and make better use of the monster PSU you've picked.

 

[lehighace06]

Also, the WD Caviar Black 1 TB HDD is a much higher quality piece of equipment, double the capacity, and only $35 more. If you really won't need the extra space, the Caviar Black 500gb is only $10 more than the one you've picked out.

 

[Demean]

... This will support the SLI you want to do, and make better use of the monster PSU you've picked.

Thanks for the link. You make sense to me. Like I said I'm pretty new to this, but I want to start off with something good so I don't have to upgrade soon after. Also, I've calculated that this will all cost around 1500 dollars, which sounds like a good price, is it for what I'm getting?

And I was looking at monitors and wondering if at around 24" theres a noticable difference between 1080p ans 1200p.

 

[Demean]

Also, the WD Caviar Black 1 TB HDD is a much higher quality piece of equipment, double the capacity, and only $35 more. If you really won't need the extra space, the Caviar Black 500gb is only $10 more than the one you've picked out.

Well I didnt take the bigger capacity cause I already have a 1TB external for all of my media and stuff. The internal was meant to be just for apps and game installs. What about the WD raptor? My friend was talking to me about that, is something like that reall worth it?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

No, the VelociRaptors are not worth the price premium. The old Raptors are slower than current 7200 RPM drives. The Western Digital 640GB drives are popular for a very good reason. They offer very good performance for a low price. The 320GB drives are fast too, since they both use high-density 320GB platters.

I don't know if you're in the US and will be using Newegg, but here's the links to the drives I mentioned.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $74.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $49.99

 

[Demean]

Thanks for the links

I'm not in the US, but we do get all the same parts for maybe 1.5 times the price. But I've made pals with the guy who owns a VERY good computer store and I reckon I'll get good prices.

Out of curiosity, while I was watching some graphics card reviews, the reviewer would show the 6 to 8 pin adapters and stuff. He said these should be used only temporarily. Will I run into any of these problems and have to use adapters? What can you do that will permanantly take care of it?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You shouldn't need to use any adapters with the 850TX since it comes with 4 6+2 PCI-E power connectors. The adapters are used on low-end PSU's that don't come with enough PCI-E power connectors.

 

[Demean]

Okay I get it now. Thanks for explaining. Could you give me a hand on the monitor side of things? I'm looking at around 20-24" and wondering if theres a big difference between 1080p and 1200p. And what response times should I be looking for?

 

[lehighace06]

The (primary) monitor I use is pretty up there, a 25.5" Samsung HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001281
That monitor has a 5ms response, which is what you should be looking for. There are 2ms monitors, but 5ms is more common.

I obviously don't know what online retailers are or are not available where you live, however that being said, at least check with those sites prior to making a purchase at a local retail store.

You may be friends with the guy, but at the end of the day he's there to make a profit and he probably buys components from whatever online retailer you would use yourself. Unless you're also having him put the computer together for you (what fun is that?!?) or he's providing some other service, why add a middleman to your cost?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The difference between 1920 x 1080 and 1920 x 1200 is just that the 1920 x 1200 is a little taller. A lot of people prefer 1920 x 1200, but I watch a lot of 1080 TV programs on my computer so I like the 1920 x 1080. I would go to a local retailer and compare the two resolutions to see which one you like better.

Anything 5ms or under is fine.

 

[Demean]

The (primary) monitor I use is pretty up there, a 25.5" Samsung HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001281
That monitor has a 5ms response, which is what you should be looking for. There are 2ms monitors, but 5ms is more common.

I obviously don't know what online retailers are or are not available where you live, however that being said, at least check with those sites prior to making a purchase at a local retail store.

You may be friends with the guy, but at the end of the day he's there to make a profit and he probably buys components from whatever online retailer you would use yourself. Unless you're also having him put the computer together for you (what fun is that?!?) or he's providing some other service, why add a middleman to your cost?

Well I live in the middle east so it costs a truckload of cash to get a popular online retailer to ship here. He deals directly with the companies and buys in bulk. It is much cheaper and more convenient for me to have him order the stuff and buy form him. That's why I use him. His prices are fair too, much better than the bigger brand name tech stores and stuff.

What about if I plug the PC into a 32" HDTV?

 

[Demean]

The difference between 1920 x 1080 and 1920 x 1200 is just that the 1920 x 1200 is a little taller. A lot of people prefer 1920 x 1200, but I watch a lot of 1080 TV programs on my computer so I like the 1920 x 1080. I would go to a local retailer and compare the two resolutions to see which one you like better.

Anything 5ms or under is fine.

What about strictly for gaming and PC based stuff? I watch any high def content on my HDTV which is 1080p.

 

[meeechigan]

Just a newb myself, but I have a Quad- core I use as a htpc on a 32' 720p sony, don't really care for it, movies and Windows are all right, screen lags for any decent games (9800gt, 1gig)

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would say 1920 x 1200 is better for general use, but the monitors cost considerably more than the 1920 x 1080 ones.

 

[belial2k]

I'm a big fan of using HDtv lcds as monitors....I've never experienced the lag referred to above. For the way I use my computer it is by far the best solution for me, but everyone is different. If you watch a lot of tv/movies/streaming and downloaded media on your PC, and you like gaming on a BIG screen, then I would suggest it might be right for you also.

 

[Demean]

I'm looking around at monitors and reading reviews for various models now. Here it is so far. I've estimated at around $1500 with these specs without the monitor. Does that seem right or have i made a silly maths error?

* Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz (Planning on OC'ing this)
* ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
* OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
* 2x XFX GeForce GTX275 896MB running in SLI
* Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
* Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 7200 RPM
* Corsair 850TX 850W Power Supply
* LG 22x DVD drive

Now I have to wait like 3 or 4 weeks to get back from my holiday so I can start. Also, Is it worth buying a Full-tower case just to give all the components a little extra space?

 

[lehighace06]

If you're going to OC get a case that's got good cooling options, I like my Antec 900 a lot and I don't even OC yet. If space is at a premium you can consider a mid-tower but if you have the room you'll definitely benefit from the bigger size. Also, a case like an Antec 900 goes a long way toward watercooling if you're going to go that route once you start OC'ing.

I still think a 1 TB Caviar Black for $95 vs a 640GB for $75 makes more sense to go with the 1 TB, but it's your $20.