gaming rig, what do you think?

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dsr1205

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Dec 26, 2006
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CPU: Q6600 will OC to 3.2? if possible with my coooler. is it possible? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

cooling: ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019

HDD: 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive x2 Raid 0, western digital (i only trust WD, half superstition (never had a WD fail on me yet), half tradition)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136055

Case: LIAN LI PC-A70B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112141

tv tuner: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 MCE 1183WB NSTC/ATSC/QAM/FM Tuner w/MCE Remote(White Box)PCI (i need a tv in college)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116010

PSU: Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 ATX12V / EPS12V 1000W Power Supply (the 850 costs more after rebates and i WILL do the rebates and make 150+ back) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194

motherboard: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

Videocard: EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card x2 in SLI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337

OS: Vista ultimate retail (so i can upgrade becasue i bough oem vista for my crap computer and now i cant resue, wish i bought retail :( )

cd drives: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N x2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

2300 shipped is the cost of this build

2400 shipped
 
Whoops, looks like your links are broken bro.

At a glance I'd trade the Zalman HSF for a Scythe Ninja. I had that very same HSF 2006 thru 2007, IIRC, and switched to the Ninja Rev. B and Silenx fan combo. Totally quiet and kept my X2 5600+ below 45C. Have the same Ninja for over a year now. :)
 
First of all, none of your links work. Please fix them.

Second, don't assume that you'll actually get the rebates back. Just doing them doesn't automatically mean you'll get the rebate. The rebate could still be denied, lost, or ignored.

Third, you do not need a 1000W PSU. Unless you're planning on doing tri-SLI or having a huge file server, you do not need 1000W. Besides, you can get an excellent quality 750W PSU for $100:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $99

If you really need a 1000W PSU, then go with this PSU instead:
Ultra X3 1000W Modular PSU - $200

Fourth, drop the HSF. There are better HSF out there for lower prices:
Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja HSF - $36
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37
Tuniq Tower 120 HSF - $45
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm HSF - $50
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3
Noctua NH-U12P HSF - $60
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57 & Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

Fifth, drop the Q6700 and go with the Q6600. The Q6700 and Q6600 have the same OC limitations. Considering that the Q6600 can be had for $200 and has a 9x multiplier, the Q6600 is the far better choice:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $200

Most motherboards can handle a 400Mhz FSB.

Sixth, drop the RAM. Too expensive and you do not need highly overclockable RAM with the Q6600. Some math:

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed

Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

Also, you won't notice the lower latency outside of synthetic benchmarks. So no point in paying extra for that. So all you need is this RAM:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $80
 
Danny Bui said:
First of all, none of your links work. Please fix them.

Second, don't assume that you'll actually get the rebates back. Just doing them doesn't automatically mean you'll get the rebate. The rebate could still be denied, lost, or ignored.

Third, you do not need a 1000W PSU. Unless you're planning on doing tri-SLI or having a huge file server, you do not need 1000W. Besides, you can get an excellent quality 750W PSU for $100:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $99

If you really need a 1000W PSU, then go with this PSU instead:
Ultra X3 1000W Modular PSU - $200

Fourth, drop the HSF. There are better HSF out there for lower prices:
Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja HSF - $36
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37
Tuniq Tower 120 HSF - $45
ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm HSF - $50
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3
Noctua NH-U12P HSF - $60
Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme HSF - $57 & Scythe S-Flex SFF21E 120MM Case Fan - $14

Fifth, drop the Q6700 and go with the Q6600. The Q6700 and Q6600 have the same OC limitations. Considering that the Q6600 can be had for $200 and has a 9x multiplier, the Q6600 is the far better choice:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $200

Most motherboards can handle a 400Mhz FSB.

Sixth, drop the RAM. Too expensive and you do not need highly overclockable RAM with the Q6600. Some math:

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed

Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

Also, you won't notice the lower latency outside of synthetic benchmarks. So no point in paying extra for that. So all you need is this RAM:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $80
Click to expand...

fixed the links

im ok if the rebates fall through

1000w is for future proof and it was the same price and evne if the rebate falls through id be ok spending a little more, can u suggest a PSU from newegg, modular? im a bit eary about the one you linked to, the 1000w. it seems like i could run out of power ports form fans or something. would it be long enough for my case, full atx?

you linked allot of fans, in a world where price doesnt matter and air cooling is only option, what would you buy?

and i heard the q6700 had a 10x multiplyer and was better for OC, thats why i picked it over q6600. and if it had 10, would my original ram be best?
 
Danny and I both agree that you shouldn't spend more money if you don't have to -- so listen to the man.

The Q6600 and the Q6700 have the same approximate OC threshold, so there's no need to buy the Q6700 since the Q6600 could easily get the job done for less.

Regardless of your CPU choice, stick with the RAM that Danny chose for you. You don't need anything faster or "better" for overclocking.

Consider the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283. If that's not available, the ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120.

The key thing you should look for in power supplies is how much power is pushed through the 12V rails. The Antec TPQ-1000 you chose generates 70A (as does the Ultra X3 1000W), but the Corsair generates 60A -- at less than half the cost of the TPQ-1000. The TX750 can easily handle the setup you have in mind.

Here are two alternatives that you've requested:

Silverstone ST75F 750W PSU - $150
SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W PSU - $180

I didn't recommend anything with more power because, frankly, you probably won't need it. But the Corsair TX750 is my first choice -- especially at its current prices.

Which monitor are you getting? Do you have one already? If you aren't playing games at a resolution greater than 1920x1200 (or, larger than a 24-26 inch monitor), then you don't need SLI or an SLI-capable motherboard. If that's the case -- the case being that you don't need SLI -- here are some alternative motherboards:

Danny Bui said:
Here are some motherboard choices:
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 Motherboard - $90
MSI P35 Neo2-FR Intel P35 Motherboard - $110
DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL Intel P35 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R Intel P35 Motherboard - $125
DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS Intel P35 Motherboard - $140
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3P Intel P35 Motherboard - $144
Abit IP35 Pro Intel P35 Motherboard - $170
Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS4 Intel P35 Motherboard - $170
Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 Intel X38 Motherboard - $207

Just to help you out: If you don't need RAID, more than 4 SATA ports, check out the DS3L. If you need 5 SATA ports, 2 eSATA ports, and a second PCI-E x16 port, then get the Neo2-Fr. If you want heavy overclocking abilities and six SATA ports, check out the Blood Iron. If you like the BloodIron but want significantly better overclock stability, go for the LanParty. If you want 8 SATA ports, RAID, and legacy ports and high overclocks, than the DS3R is a good choice. If you want the DS3R but need Firewire and a second PCI-E x16 port, then go for the DS3P. If you want something that can overclock pretty damn high along with, RAID, eSATA ports and firewire connections, than the IP35 Pro. If you like the DS3P but want better cooling for overclocking, then go for the DS4.
Click to expand...
 
Like Tiraides has chosen, I'd choose the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 simply because I can choose my own fan. It's also an excellent HSF as well.

Your original RAM would still be overkill if you chose the Q6700. Hell that RAM would be overkill and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive for whatever CPU you go with. As been said twice so far, the Q6700 and Q6600 OC about the same. It's already easy to OC the Q6600 with it's 9x multiplier. So I recommend going with the Q6600 instead and the RAM I chose. If you look at the math, ANY DDR2 800 RAM will suffice for the Q6600

Oh and please answer tiraides' questions.
 
Listen to Danny and tiraides. They give great advice. I hope you have a 30" LCD @ 2560x1600 to take advantage of that SLI setup. ;)
 
would you reccomend a fan for that hgiant heatsink? im afraid it migth bend the mobo, its so big, i was gonna go with the zerotherm but if you all think its safe ill get the big one, just wondering about what fan to buy.

Im currently sitting pretty happy with a 24in westinghouse 1920x1200. i like it and it was a good deal, 400 off newegg. i use it as a tv and for my xbox 360, wii.

the q6600 and 6700 are so close in price, i still really want the 6700 for the better multiplier, i just think its a safer bet right? im willing to spend the extra. i will get the ram, you guys seem pretty knowledgeable, i just trust cosair lol.

i like the highly modular silverstone u linked triads but im afraid the cables wont be long enough in that full atx case, would you know?
 
Kind of safer bet but not by much and too expensive since you can get the Q6600 for $200:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $200

Dunno about you but I like saving $75 when I can.

Which giant HS are you talking about? The Xigmatek is about the same size as the Zerotherm.
 
Another "listen to them they know what the hell they're talking about" post. I don't feel like typing out more or less the same thing with more or less the same reasoning and justification involved... so I won't, uness you persist in spending money on things that'll offer near zero return.

Oh -- and there's no such thing as futureproofing. The machine will be $300 less a month or two after you buy it, and six months later it'll be worth even less. Such is the way of the world, so try not to worry about stuff like that.

If you're willing to call up Microsoft a few times you may be able to get them to let you reactivate that OEM copy of Vista. I'd try that again before ordering another -- you can always install and use it for 30 days while you wait for a new key in the mail if they refuse to reactivate. Just call a few times and hope to get a nice customer service person.
 
Slyr7.62 said:
Well +1 for the Xig 1283, it's only 600G WITH the stock fan, if you're worried about the pushpins just get 1 of the 2 bolt-thru kits sidewinder computers sells, oos atm though.
$5 kit: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgbowiscsp.html
$7 kit: http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/lgboforulula.html
Click to expand...

The $5 kit is also available (for a bit more) at Jab-Tech and the Heatsink Factory.

dsr1205 said:
i like the highly modular silverstone u linked triads but im afraid the cables wont be long enough in that full atx case, would you know?
Click to expand...

Triads? Never heard of the guy....

Here's the specs page for the ST75F. I don't know the details of your case, but this should help you put two and two together.

dsr1205 said:
would you reccomend a fan for that hgiant heatsink? im afraid it migth bend the mobo, its so big, i was gonna go with the zerotherm but if you all think its safe ill get the big one, just wondering about what fan to buy.
Click to expand...

The XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 comes with its own fans. Many people here have bought/used the HDT-S1283 -- as well as the NV120 and heavier HSFs such as the TRUE 120 -- and have had no problems with its weight.

dsr1205 said:
Im currently sitting pretty happy with a 24in westinghouse 1920x1200. i like it and it was a good deal, 400 off newegg. i use it as a tv and for my xbox 360, wii.
Click to expand...

Again, one 8800GTS card would be enough for your monitor. There are only a few games -- Crysis most notably -- that it can't play very well at that resolution.

With new cards coming over the horizon, and the current 9800-series cards expected to reach EOL status soon, I wouldn't spend so much money on a new video card at this time.

dsr1205 said:
the q6600 and 6700 are so close in price, i still really want the 6700 for the better multiplier, i just think its a safer bet right? im willing to spend the extra.
Click to expand...

DON'T. SPEND. THE EXTRA. MONEY.

There is no such thing as a "safer bet" between the Q6600 and Q6700 -- you might as well treat them as if they're the exact same processor (which, in a way, they are...).

dsr1205 said:
i will get the ram, you guys seem pretty knowledgeable, i just trust cosair lol.
Click to expand...

Seem pretty knowledgeable? This triads guy must be a genius then, huh?
 
2 x triple SATA connector (500mm +250mm + 250mm) 1000mm

the longest distance cables must go is at most, about 900mm (high estimate) and thats to reach from the bottom left to the top right, if its a problem i could always lower the dvd drives and it should theoretically work, thanks for the dimensions.

ill probably newegg the q6600 so i get most of this thing in once piece.

i heard the xigmatech workds best with an additional fan attached to help the flow of hot air through, like i could buy a third party powerful good 120mm fan and put that on the intake side, and put the default on on the other side and make a good in our syystem, eventhou the heatsink will be pretty near one of the main outtakes. how would i secure the extra fan?

edit: oh! and thanks all of you for putting any time in to help me, even if i ask stpuid questions and such. thanks

also, im paying like 400 for a card, would it be better to kump for another, single card solution, like a 9800gx2?thanks.

and i was not gonna resue my OEM version, or and OEM and was going for retail because i wanted stree free upgrading in future. idk it felt like the best idea.
 
tiraides said:
dsr1205 said:
Im currently sitting pretty happy with a 24in westinghouse 1920x1200. i like it and it was a good deal, 400 off newegg. i use it as a tv and for my xbox 360, wii.
Click to expand...
Again, one 8800GTS card would be enough for your monitor. There are only a few games -- Crysis most notably -- that it can't play very well at that resolution.

With new cards coming over the horizon, and the current 9800-series cards expected to reach EOL status soon, I wouldn't spend so much money on a new video card at this time.
Click to expand...

dsr1205 said:
also, im paying like 400 for a card, would it be better to kump for another, single card solution, like a 9800gx2?thanks.
Click to expand...

I honestly can't tell you. 1920x1200 is the resolution where you start to see a benefit in using SLI/CrossFire, but for many users, it's not necessary.

In the long term, it's easier (if not better) to just replace a single graphics card whenever performance suffers than it is to save up, grab a second card for SLI/CrossFire, and then replace the cards (and possibly the motherboard as well) when the newer, better stuff arrives.

If you feel as if you're going to playing games a lot (including Crysis), and you don't plan on making periodic upgrades, then I would recommend the 9800GX2 for the long-term picture. But with new cards from both NVIDIA and ATI/AMD coming soon -- with some having the potential to be better than the 9800GTX/GX2 -- I believe that the 8800GTS would be the best option at this time. It can compete with the 9800GTX performance-wise and it won't cost you an arm or a leg.
 
maybe ill buy everything else and put my x1800xl in my computer for the short term, and wait out the summer to make sure i get the best graphics for the money.
 
I wouldn't buy anything if you are going to wait on the graphics. Aside from the RAM (possibly) everything else will just get cheaper. That's how it works.
 
ok well that sounds good, i can wait till about the end of july and then i will buy. seems like the most logical option
 
i wouldnt get the corsair RAM unless it has the old chips in them. the new chips that are made in taiwan now dont OC worth a crap. OCZ RAM is pretty good, so is Geil, patriot, crucial and mushkin.
 
You don't need to overclock RAM along with the Intel Core 2 processors. You just need RAM that runs at the same speed as the CPU/mobo's bus speed. Reread Danny Bui's post in order to understand what I'm talking about.
 
Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

would the q6700 be something like this?
Q6700:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
10 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.66Ghz <== Stock Speeds
10 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.3Ghz <== Good OC
10 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 4.0Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

4gig>3.6 right? now if i can achieve the q6600's speed for less harm to the processor, why not get the q6700, it will last longer right? correct me if im wrong which could easily be the case.
 
....I will reiterate. Again. You are not at all likely to get 4Ghz out of a Q6700. Forget about it. Get the Q6600. They will both top out around 3.4-3.6Ghz in most cases -- the Q6700 will just be running lower FSB when it tops out. Almost all boards can run 400Mhz FSB without issue, so the 9x multiplier of the Q6600 is a non-issue, and the 10x on the Q6700 is not helpful.
 
I'll concur with Silent-ciruit and Tiraides: Drop the Q6700. It is simply not worth it. The extra 400Mhz, assuming that you can hit 4.0Ghz with the Q6700, does not warrant the extra $75. Also, there is no guarantee that you'll hit 4.0ghz with the Q6700. The highest OC I've seen so far for the Q6700 is 3.6Ghz, which is the max limit for the Q6600 as well. So once again, forget the Q6700.
 
People using water cooling are finding it hard to reach past 3.6Ghz on the Kentsfield quadcore chips. If you want 4Ghz, wait for a P45 board and get a Yorkfield instead. Are they worth the wait and price premium? probably not, but you seem to not want 3.6Ghz. Also, since you're waiting until july, Eaglelake should be out by then.
 
aye it isnt worth the money both the Q6600 and Q6700 will OC to the same speed
 
tiraides
You don't need to overclock RAM along with the Intel Core 2 processors. You just need RAM that runs at the same speed as the CPU/mobo's bus speed. Reread Danny Bui's post in order to understand what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

thats true i spaced on that bit of info. thanks.
 
tiraides said:
You don't need to overclock RAM along with the Intel Core 2 processors. You just need RAM that runs at the same speed as the CPU/mobo's bus speed. Reread Danny Bui's post in order to understand what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

Actually with C2D, you can unlink the RAM and run it at the lowly DDR2-533, and you will still not notice any performance penalties.
 
Abu Som3a said:
Actually with C2D, you can unlink the RAM and run it at the lowly DDR2-533, and you will still not notice any performance penalties.
Click to expand...

Intel chipsets do not allow unlinking RAM and FSB, so far as I know. That is a Nvidia-only thing.
 
Abu Som3a said:
Actually with C2D, you can unlink the RAM and run it at the lowly DDR2-533, and you will still not notice any performance penalties.
Click to expand...

On P35 boards? I thought you could only unlink the RAM on nForce boards?

edit: silent... he's so silent! (he beat me)
 
I believe I already know that Intel chipsets don't allow unlinking. It's just that you guys make it sound like C2D benefits from running the RAM at its bus speed, but not over it. The truth is that it doesn't benefit at all by running over DDR2-533.
 
Abu Som3a said:
I believe I already know that Intel chipsets don't allow unlinking. It's just that you guys make it sound like C2D benefits from running the RAM at its bus speed, but not over it. The truth is that it doesn't benefit at all by running over DDR2-533.
Click to expand...

But P35 boards can't run RAM slower than DDR2-667. ;)
 
enginurd said:
But P35 boards can't run RAM slower than DDR2-667. ;)
Click to expand...

Again I'm already aware of that, and I don't see how it relates to my statement. C2D doesn't benefit from anything higher than DDR2-533, but needs higher frequency RAM to run at stock and to allow for overclocks. I just used the "you can unlink the RAM frequency without performance penalties" statement to clarify my point.
 
Abu Som3a said:
Again I'm already aware of that, and I don't see how it relates to my statement. C2D doesn't benefit from anything higher than DDR2-533, but needs higher frequency RAM to run at stock and to allow for overclocks. I just used the "you can unlink the RAM frequency without performance penalties" statement to clarify my point.
Click to expand...

You never made your point. You said "you can unlink RAM" which is untrue, and you moved on. You're also wrong -- there is a benefit to running RAM 1:1, just not above.
 
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