Building new computer

from Sins Forums
Ok, I think i have some stuff narrowed down. Am I missing anything?


Newegg.com - Computers, Computer Parts and Electronics
My Wish List Details

Wish list details
New computer



1 Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: Nine Hundred
Item #: N82E16811129021

In Stock
$139.99 -$20.00 Instant $119.99

1 EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: 132-CK-NF78-A1
Item #: N82E16813188024

In Stock
$279.99 -$20.00 Instant $259.99

1 EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: 512-P3-N841-AR
Item #: N82E16814130325

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$314.99

1 OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: OCZ700GXSSLI
Item #: N82E16817341002

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$149.99 -$20.00 Instant $129.99
1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Model #: BX80562Q6600
Item #: N82E16819115017

In Stock
$279.99

1 CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX - Retail
Model #: TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX
Item #: N82E16820145176

In Stock
$149.00 -$20.00 Instant $129.00

2 Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD3200AAJS
Item #: N82E16822136098


In Stock
$74.99 $149.98

1 Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
Model #: PZ30AU
Item #: N82E16823175103

In Stock
$49.99 -$15.00 Instant $34.99

1 Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse - Retail
Model #: 931352-0403
Item #: N82E16826104178

In Stock
$39.99

1 Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

Model #: 66I-00715
Item #: N82E16832116202

In Stock
$109.99

1 Puzzle Quest PC Game ValuSoft - Retail
Model #: 755142716127
Item #: N82E16832747008

In Stock
$19.99

1 Logitech Z-2300 200 watts RMS 2.1 Speaker System - Retail
Model #: 970118-0403
Item #: N82E16836121122

In Stock
$105.99

Subtotal: $1,694.88
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112,699 views 46 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
I'd switch the video card to an 8800 GT. It costs a lot less and only takes a 10% performance hit vs a GTS. As far as the CPU goes a high frequency dual core CPU will still outperform a lower frequency quad core for gaming.

For leaving stuff out, need a DVD drive?
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Well, I'd look at a G15 keyboard if I were you...

Otherwise, I hate you.
The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
that's an excellent case, i use one myself keeps the processor nice and cool :)

lots of room inside it too so not much frustration's involved, not for me anyway :D good luck and i hope all goes well for you
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Indeed, quadcores aren't really worth it for most people. An e6750 is a much better deal right now at about $100 less (that's what I just got).

Might look into other options for the RAM. G.Skill and A-DATA are actually pretty good, cheaper, and have better stock timings than the Corsair XMS (I'm actually running my G.Skill at 4-4-4-12). They also still have heat spreaders and cost $30-40 less. Plus personally I've not been impressed with Corsair's memory QC in the past.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
See a mod agreed with me. Now you know I'm right! ;p
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
8800GT <3
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
absolutely on the GT. Once you turn on the antialiasing or high resolution, the memory access becomes the limiting factor, not the gpu, so the GT's the better bet. Also, I just got 4 gigs of G.Skill ram, and it's an excellent product for less than a hundred bucks.
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
Yo
I am also interested in putting a comp together for myself. In anyone would be willing to recommend anything to me I'd appreciate it. I am currently using a pretty powerful laptop but it isn't the same as a good gaming desktop. Send me a message if you'd like to help.
By the way. The 8800 GT is the way to go.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
I have almost the exact same setup. Went with OCZ DDR ram, got 4 gigs on Black Friday for $160.

I have the 800watt power supply

Have the Gigabyte MOBO, but I had to send the 1st one back because it had a short in it, so your better off with the nVidia.

Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
You are overpaying on the Logitech speakers - http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Z-2300-THX-Certified-200-Watt-Speaker/dp/B0002SQ2P2

Amazon's got them for less

Also why pay shipping on puzzle quest http://www.direct2drive.com/5575/product/Buy-Puzzle-Quest:-Challenge-of-the-Warlords-Download?gclid=CMrlyrjBo5ECFShsGgodUAIEfw&esvtk_s=bgss

Direct2Drive it

Also you should really look into an 8800GT it's the only 8800 that makes sense to buy it costs a LOT less and performs like a wonder... If I built my system today I'd throw out the GTX and just get a GT.

By the way I just built this system over at cyberpowerpc.com using there custom Intel Configuration options... About the same price unshipped (I've bought 8 computers from them and they are usually cheaper then buying from newegg and assembling myself) anyway it's your call.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
I was looking at the clock speed. I originally had selected a GT but before I finished filling in the list it went sold out so i selected a second best but I hear now the 9 series cards are supposed to be out this month. *sigh* tech stands still for no man.

Due to the size of the order I don't have to pay for shipping (at least that is how it was a couple of years ago when I built my first one) and PQ is more a gift for the wife.

I selected Corsair because that is what I have in my first system however I will look at the others. thanks for teh suggestion.

Darn.. I can't believe I forgot the DVD drives :p

I had looked at the quad core because not only gaming but some video editing as well but if i can get a comparable performance then I will check it out.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
If you have the patience and the money to buy the top end GeForce 9 card when it comes out, then it might be worth the wait, assuming you play other games. I got my GTX KO when it came out and it has been a great investment. Don't think I'll be hitting up the 9-series, just wait for the one after that.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
I was looking at the clock speed. I originally had selected a GT but before I finished filling in the list it went sold out so i selected a second best but I hear now the 9 series cards are supposed to be out this month. *sigh* tech stands still for no man.


EVGA step up program ftw! Just pay the difference in price between the price you originally paid and the price of the new product you want within 90 days, and they'll give you the new card. It's an awesome program, and part of the reason to buy evga products.
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
Thats right. I forgot about it.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
Here's a link to the ram I recommended, in case you're feeling lazy:

WWW Link

It's on a really nice sale now.
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
Not so much lazy.. just tired. I worked all night and have to take care of the kids during the day. Thanks though.
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800


4 GB DDR2 is a bit worthless

Especially with DDR3 around the corner


SCYTHENOIRE: If you have the patience and the money to buy the top end GeForce 9 card when it comes out, then it might be worth the wait, assuming you play other games



The least expensive solution – Nvidia GeForce 9800 GTX – is projected to be released in late February or early March and is claimed to be based on one GPU. The new model 9800 GTX will replace existing GeForce 8800 GTX, thus, should offer performance on par with GeForce 8800 Ultra and support 3-way SLI configuration. In addition, there will be a the least expensive version of GeForce 9-series called GeForce 9800 GT and due in March or April.

Based on information reported earlier, Nvidia GeForce 9800-series graphics processors will support DirectX 10.1 feature-set along with powerful video encoding engine and post-processor.

Even though the new GeForce 9800 GX2 is projected to offer performance only 30% higher compared to Nvidia GeForce 8800 Ultra, whereas the new GeForce 9800 GTX should outperform the 8800 GTX by a similar margin, the new lineup represents a great threat to ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2.
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
Copper heatsinks... 100% pure copper heatsinks will go a long way for juicing performance out of a Dual/Quad core CPU. Im 50% O/C... absolutely 100% stable. Copper copper copper. None of that stock cooling stuff. I have XMS2 memory on a 1:1 FSB:DRAM... the stuff flies :-D
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
I think you can downgrade your power supply. Unless your dual wielding video cards I doubt you'll need that much power.

I don't understand the "timing" or whatever it is of RAM, what does it do and how does it affect performance?

I agree with other people- 4 GB is overpowered. I have it, but since I don't have a 64 bit OS its a a waste for now until I decide to upgrade to Vista.

Speaking of which, I suggest getting XP SP2 for now... but I might be wrong and vista is finally working correctly.

Also, I suggest getting a sound card, even a poor(ish) card will greatly reduce Mobo noise when playing games.

What are you using this system for? you might want to think about it before you make a final decision on your components.

Another side note: why won't 8800 cards support DX10.1? if they don't, then I just spent more money on it than I should have bothered, and just gotten a gts or a gt.
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
I don't understand the "timing" or whatever it is of RAM, what does it do and how does it affect performance?


The timings are various pauses that occur during the memory's operation. Simply, lower is better.
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top

4 GB DDR2 is a bit worthless

Especially with DDR3 around the corner


DDR3 is a huge waste as of now, seeing as it costs more than 3 times as much for roughly equivalent performance. Once they come out with faster timings and cheaper sticks maybe, but till then, stick with DDR2. But yeah, for now 4 GB is a bit of an extravagance, and I only bought that much because I don't like closing windows and it was on a great sale. Still is, for that matter.
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top
Uses: Gaming, picture and video editing.
Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
RAM is really handy for picture and video editing, probably more than for games, so if you do enough, 4 GB is probably worth it, seeing as 2 could get to be a bit dodgy.
Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top
There's no real reason to not go for 4gb even if you're using 32bit, given the prices ($90 for 4gb of DDR2-800). The 512mb that you can't use isn't that big a loss when it'd cost just as much to piecemeal to 3gb or 3.5 anyway.
Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top
What about teh Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor for a CPU?


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