Please help me build a new gaming rig

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daba

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 11, 2004
Messages
340
Hello all,

I've been out of the loop on computers in a while, and with these awesome new games coming out I'm looking to basically start from scratch on my gaming rig.

Currently, I have a Dell 2405FPW but I might switch that to a 27'' widescreen or 2x24''. So 1920x1200 resolution is what I'll always be at.

Everything has to go, and so far I've only considered a few options, but I am open to suggestions.

- CPU: E6750
- CPU heatsink: something from Thermalright, open to suggestions
- Graphics card: eVGA 8800GTS 640MB
- GPU heatsink: Thermalright HR-03 plus
- RAM: Probably need around 2GB, 2x1GB maybe? Whatever works best for performance.
- HDD: Will be running RAID 0, maybe 2x500GB?
- MB: Need a good, solid motherboard that can potentially handle dual SLi in the future.
- PSU: something quiet, probably Seasonic S12
- Case: Will be sticking with my Lian Li V1000B


Budget: Let's try to keep it under $1500.
OC'ing: I prefer to just plug-n-play everything, although I'd like to have the option open to OC it later if I have some spare time on my hands.

Frankly I am not trying to be cutting edge, just enough to play these new wave of games. Thank you everyone for your input!

Oh and one more thing, this must be QUIET. So no noisy HDD's. Thanks!
 
Tuniq Tower ($47 @ svc.com) would be nearly as good as the Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme. The $65 TR U120e doesn't come with a fan, so a popular fan choice would be a Scythe S-Flex fan, which are usually around $15.

For your resolution, you'd be better off with an Ultra, since they've dropped to near GTX prices. Though, keeping SLI as an option would be a good idea, since 1920x1200 is a ton of pixels to push.

Go for the Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 2GB kit for $110 - $25 MIR.

Check out the WD5000AAKS or the Samsung Spinpoint drives. Seagate drives tend to get loud.

eVGA 680i SLI 122-CK-NF68-A1 if you want SLI; the other 680i boards just aren't worth it. If not, go for the GA-P35-DS3R from Gigabyte or the Abit IP35 Pro.

Corsair 620W would be good if you don't plan on SLI. If you do, check out some of these PSU Suggestions:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103

Nice case!
 
Thats a good build enginurd.Pretty much the one I have.I would add to it 2 sticks of 2 gig ram but only if he is gonna run vista 64 otherwise it would be a waste.I also like the silencer 750 quad a little better because it is the one I have, but you cannot go wrong with either.
 
enginurd said:
Tuniq Tower ($47 @ svc.com) would be nearly as good as the Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme. The $65 TR U120e doesn't come with a fan, so a popular fan choice would be a Scythe S-Flex fan, which are usually around $15.

For your resolution, you'd be better off with an Ultra, since they've dropped to near GTX prices. Though, keeping SLI as an option would be a good idea, since 1920x1200 is a ton of pixels to push.

Go for the Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 2GB kit for $110 - $25 MIR.

Check out the WD5000AAKS or the Samsung Spinpoint drives. Seagate drives tend to get loud.

eVGA 680i SLI 122-CK-NF68-A1 if you want SLI; the other 680i boards just aren't worth it. If not, go for the GA-P35-DS3R from Gigabyte or the Abit IP35 Pro.

Corsair 620W would be good if you don't plan on SLI. If you do, check out some of these PSU Suggestions:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1460
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103

Nice case!
Click to expand...

Listen to this man. I have a similar build with a 6750, DS3, and Samsung 500GB and it is quiet and great.
 
Awesome. Thank you everyone for your inputs.

By the way, is there a sweet spot in pricing coming up or should I wait for something new down the line?
 
It's hard trying to make a decision or purchasing now or waiting off till new products get released.. But honestly, even if you wait and purchase the new products - within months (even weeks) time a higher performing one will come out.

I was thinking about this for quite some time.. And today, I just decided to buy the damn thing now and be happy.

It's totally upto you though.
 
Wait if you can, buy now if you can't. I think the next price drop might be around the same time they release 45nm CPUs.
 
Enginurd, as usual, is spot on with his recommendations. At the very least, you'll need an Ultra to push a 1920x1200 resolution. As for SLI, I'd personally wait to see when the G92 cards are coming out and what they'll bring. All rumors point to a November release, which means that spending a grand on two Ultras now may lead to buyers remorse in a month or two.

If you're looking for an ultimate, kick ass setup, I'd look at getting a hold over video card if you can--a GTS 640 will suffice, or if you're willing to sell when you upgrade, a single Ultra--then when the G92 cards come out, get two of the top end models for SLI. That will give you the coveted "Ultimate Bragging Rights" award, and should last you a while.

Mark.
 
Markyip1 said:
... That will give you the coveted "Ultimate Bragging Rights" award, and should last you a while.
Click to expand...

The ultimate bragging rights will only last 6 - 12 months (NVIDIA's GPU refresh cycle), but the cards should last you at least 2 years, lol. :D
 
I'm about to build a new rig soon and was wondering about some of the same things as the OP.

enginurd said:
For your resolution, you'd be better off with an Ultra, since they've dropped to near GTX prices. Though, keeping SLI as an option would be a good idea, since 1920x1200 is a ton of pixels to push.
Click to expand...
I'm probably mis-interpreting you here, but are you saying that the Ultra is NOT an SLI capable card?

enginurd said:
eVGA 680i SLI 122-CK-NF68-A1 if you want SLI; the other 680i boards just aren't worth it. If not, go for the GA-P35-DS3R from Gigabyte or the Abit IP35 Pro.
Click to expand...
I was just going to get a 650i based board to save a few bucks but there's a pretty good chance i might buy a second card for SLI within a month or two. Is the 8x / 8x SLI of the 650i boards a noticable detriment?

Thanks in advance for any input! :)
 
silentsammy said:
I'm probably mis-interpreting you here, but are you saying that the Ultra is NOT an SLI capable card?
Click to expand...

The Ultra is capable of SLI. What enginurd is saying is that you'll need at least a GTX or Ultra to power 1920x1200, but at that resolution SLI may also be worth considering. SLI'd GTXs or Ultras will, depending on the game (and assuming it makes use oft two cards,) provide a 50-80% increase over a single GTX or or Ultra.

Mark.
 
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