Gaming/CAD System

[edub42]

I am planning on building a occasional gaming and light 3D CAD system in the next month. I really would only use it on a day to day basis as internet, video, and word processing rig. Trying to do it on a budget which is padded by some existing parts that I have. I will also add a FireGL or Quadro card down the road so 2 PCIe x 16 are a must...

Current Parts:
2GB x 2 G.Skill DDR2 800
500 GB Seagate Barracuda

OK, now comes the fun part...

New Parts @ $600 from newegg.
E8400
Antec BP550 Plus
ASUS P5Q3
EVGA 512 MB 9800 GTX+
Rosewill Wind Knight Case

The case is still somewhat in the air, but it's nice because it comes with two fans...

Also, is it worth it to go to this???
Q9400

Appreciate all the help/advice I can get!!
Thanks

 

[GhislainG]

I will also add a FireGL or Quadro card down the road so 2 PCIe x 16 are a must...

The P5Q3 does x16 x8, not x16 x16. On the other hand, PCIe 2.0 x8 is fine for those video cards. Why did you select a motherboard that requires DDR3 if you want to use DDR2 memory modules? Why not buy a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P or an Asus P5Q Pro Turbo? They probably are better than the P5Q3. The E8400 should be a bit faster for gaming, but I'd go with the Q9400 for CAD.

 

[edub42]

I waffled between all three of these boards and the P5Q3 just happened to be the one I selected. Can I not use DDR2 on the DDR3 (it's not backwards compatible?) The extra ethernet port on the gigabyte board seemed like overkill and I didn't like the layout of the PCI slots. However, it is a 4x award winner, but the P5Q Pro Turbo does seem to be the best bet! Any advise on case or PSU as well? My finger is twitching over the checkout button...

 

[edub42]

Priced the Q9400 with a 650W for $20 more...

 

[obsidian86]

antec 300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042


ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131368

XFX HD-485X-ZDFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150351

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W (a 550watt will have a hard time with 2 cards)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

amd 945

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103675

all for $589.91 amir

 

[GhislainG]

No you can't use DDR2 in a DDR3 motherboard. If you use 2-slot graphic cards, then you'll lose the same number of PCI and PCIe x1 slots. The Gigabyte also has slightly better cooling.

I have an Asus P5Q Deluxe and a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P. The most expensive one isn't necessarily a better motherboard.

Get a quality 550-650W PSU from Corsair, Antec, etc. Cases are sort of a personal choice. Do you want a large or a medium size case, one that's quiet or noisy, maximum cooling, etc.? I like quiet systems while gamers and overclockers usually don't mind using a noisier, but well ventilated case.

 

[edub42]

Thanks obisidian, but I'm going intel/NVIDIA all the way!!

 

[obsidian86]

well the antec 300 is the best case in its price range the 750 watt psu is a steal

 

[edub42]

Indeed it is a steal!! Thanks!
With the Q9400, the 750W PSU, and the Gigabyte board I'm @ $640.
And the E8400 would be $615.

SO Quad Core it is!!!

Any idea how big of a gain I can get OCing the Quad with stock cooling and this setup??

Thanks!!

 

[obsidian86]

you'll notice a difference faster logging or lil faster in apps but i wouldn push further then 3ghz on stock cooler but all chips are different just watch the temps and 3.2 would be a good overclock anything over 3.2 doesn scale well

 

[edub42]

OK, here's what I think I am goiing to do...
Current Parts:
2GB x 2 G.Skill DDR2 800
500 GB Seagate Barracuda

New Parts @ Newegg for $660.
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
EVGA 512 MB 9800 GTX+
Antec 300 Case
Q9400
Corsair 750W