Virtual Rig Complete

Cerulean

Cerulean

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
9,476
Follow-up thread of "Is this motherboard good?." Here is the current configuration (with any additional items):

I deem the purpose of this thread essentially complete. I have created a sequel thread to separate the purposes and for organization. The sequel to this thread has been opened up at http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1334345 and is the last of the three-thread series.
Replies to this thread are (edit as of 8/11/2008) not okay!

hf_purchasecomplete.gif


Total Cost w/ Shipping w/o MIR: $1094.82
Total Cost w/ Shipping w/ MIR: $1054.82


NOTE :: The last four parts were ordered on 7/28/2008 at around 4PM -6GMT.

NOTE :: All but Case/CPU Waterblock/VGA Heatsink/Heatsink Fans were ordered in one massive stroke beginning at around 8PM -6GMT on 7/26/2008.

[Motherboard] GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium/Pentium Extreme Socket 775 1600 MHz PC2-9600 (DDR2-1200) ATX ($129.99) [PURCHASED]
[RAM] G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit ($91.98) [PURCHASED]
[CPU] Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core ($279.99) [PURCHASED]
[Case] Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP Cooler Master 690 No P/S ($60.03) [PURCHASED]
[PSU] Corsair Memory CMPSU-750TX 750W TX750W ATX12V ($77.87) [PURCHASED]
[CPU Waterblock] D-TEK FuZion v2 ($59.99 + $3.99 + $9 = $72.98) [PURCHASED]
(Total: $762.84)
[VGA Heatsink] Accelero S1 Rev. 2 ($25.95) [PURCHASED]
[Heatsink Fans] Turbo Module ($7.99) [PURCHASED]
[Video Card] VisionTek 900241 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported ($169.99) [PURCHASED]
(Total: $916.77)
[Case Fans] YATE LOON 120mm Case Fan - D12SL-12 ($3.20 * 3 = $9.60) [PURCHASED]
[Controller] Logitech 963326-0403 Cordless RumblePad 2 USB ($38.94) [PURCHASED]
(Total: $965.31)
[Without MIR] Combined ($40)
(Total: $1005.31)

Now the question is, when should I buy each of the parts? I could probably go ahead and order the CPU water block, and VGA cooler and its Turbo Module/Fans. The Logitech controller and Delta fans would be the very last things purchased in case something goes terribly wrong (which isn't expected to happen).

Here's the priority list (or how I would chronologically order each item) (Updated on 7/25 @ 9:12AM -6GMT):

1. CPU Water Block (Static - buy now with little risks)
2. VGA Heatsink Cooler (Static - buy now with little risks)
3. VGA Heatsink Turbo Module addon (Static - buy now with little risks)


10. Case Fans (Static - cheap enough)
4. RAM (Mid-ranged focus and priority)
5. PSU (Mid-ranged focus and priority)
6. Case (Least focused on, therefore least priority)
7. CPU (Waiting for price drop)
8. Motherboard (Waiting for CPU price drop)
9. Video Card (Waiting for CPU price drop)
11. Logitech Controller (Static - just for entertainment, purely optional)

In my original thread it was mentioned that toward the end of July/beginning of August there is a planned price-drop and new introduction by Intel; not sure if this has happened yet. Any ideas on when I should purchase any of the parts between 4 and 9 specifically?

Historical gunk below (copy and paste into notepad if you really want to read old stuff).
[CPU] Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core ($329.99)
[Case Fans] Delta FFB1212SH 120x25mm Super High Speed ($19.95 * 3 = $59.85)

1. CPU Water Block (Static - buy now with little risks)
2. VGA Heatsink Cooler (Static - buy now with little risks)
3. VGA Heatsink Turbo Module addon (Static - buy now with little risks)
4. Motherboard (Least focused on but critical)
5. CPU (Least focused on but critical)
6. PSU (Mid-ranged focus and priority)
7. RAM (Mid-ranged focus and priority)
8. Case (Least focused on, therefore least priority)
9. Video Card (Most controversial or critical component, therefore last)
10. Case Fans (Static - not as important, optional)
11. Logitech Controller (Static - just for entertainment, purely optional)
 
Purchase everything expensive as absolutely late as you can for any possible price drops, excepting a very good sale in the meantime. With that said, I'd purchase 4 and 9 after the 45nm quad price drop and you're ready to purchase the CPU; latest rumor is first or second week of August. You'll know it has happened as the Q9650 will be released at the same time as the price drop (not the QX9650; that's different). Then you will be able to pick up a Q9550 for the same price as the Q9450 is now, or possibly pick up the Q9450 cheaper on clearance.
 
Those Delta fans are damn loud. We're talking jet-fighters loud. I recommend getting thes quieter but still decent fans instead:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60

As for when to buy those parts, wait until you can no longer wait and then buy. Don't buy parts over time in piecemeal. You may end up paying more for certain parts as a result. So just buy as much of it in one go.
 
Since you have the money for nearly everything, go ahead and get everything -- except for the processor and case fans -- now. (Are those fans for the case or the water-cooling kit?) There's no guarantee that the rest of those components will lower in price over the next month or so -- and we don't know when exactly the Q9550 price drop is going to take place (let alone whether that would affect the prices of the other quad-cores).
 
Since you have the money for nearly everything, go ahead and get everything -- except for the processor and case fans -- now.
Click to expand...
If I do this, it will be items 1 through 6. I have to keep 10 and 11 out of the way until everything else has been cleared just incase something unexpected happens.

(Are those fans for the case or the water-cooling kit?)
Click to expand...
Monster case fans. The fan on my water cooling system is a 120x120x38 Delta ABF1212VHE. Isn't too loud, but it's really good at doing its job for a fan.

However, once I made the change of the Delta fans to those Yate's that Danny Bui suggested, I don't think it'd hurt to include the fans with items 1 through 6. I reupdated the priority list and part list.

I might wait about 2 to 2.5 weeks before purchasing anything -- and when the time comes I might be able to do the purchasing in one stroke and hopefully by then prices might be lower for some of the items.

Or, I can buy half the stuff now (items 1 through 6, and 10) and the other half when their prices are ripe (items 7 through 9).



Any support for "all in one stroke" or "buy half now, buy other half later"?
 
I say get as much as you can in one stroke. The only thing you would have to wait for is the processor, due to the expected price cuts. The prices for everything else will remain static for the foreseeable future.
 
Buying everything except the CPU will gnaw at you to buy something sooner, lol.
 
enginurd said:
Buying everything except the CPU will gnaw at you to buy something sooner, lol.
Click to expand...

If you are as impatient as enginurd, grab the Q9450 now. Otherwise, if you can wait for the price drops, wait for the Q9550.

But there's no guarantee that any of the other components will remain the same price for long -- or go on sale any time soon.
 
Well I don't think it would gnaw on me if I bought everything but the CPU, and saying this -- does this change any opinions here? I honestly don't mind the wait. Because...

But there's no guarantee that any of the other components will remain the same price for long -- or go on sale any time soon.
Click to expand...
...you certainly have a point. Some of the MIR will expire sometime within the next 2 weeks, plus prices might go up or down -- I don't know.
 
PSU price went up to $98. Any quick PSU suggestions?

A father owes me about $225, and he just needs to go cash in his paycheck to pay me back (he is aware of this and it is his priority), so right now I have $138 available on my balance -- before I buy the case that is.

EDIT :: I haven't purchased the case yet. I'm waiting for some strategical advise here due to the price change in the PSU.

EDIT2 :: While I wait for some people to reply, just thought I might include the possibilities from my perspective...

- If I decide to get the PSU later, I could buy everything else.
- If I decide to get the PSU now, I could buy that and either the case or everything else (but the case).


And it doesn't necessarily mean it has to be this Corsair PSU...perhaps someone could suggest a better, decent 750W PSU (700W is my bare minimum). I'm estimating that a 700W to 800W PSU of decency will be ranged from $60 to $80.

Oops, forgot about the CPU water block.

CPU Water Block, PSU, and Case are the last major items by price. Suggestions? Advice?

Remember that right now I have $138 on me, and the rest ~$225 will come once this weekend is over.

EDIT3 :: I might be able to do this optimally and "load balance" or cluster. With tithes taken out, he'd owe me about $211.50 -- and in this case, I could get as much as I can through my account, and get the rest by having him order the rest through his account. (EDIT :: THIS IS OBSOLETE!)
 
That PSU was always $98. You factored in the $20 MIR when you first made that list. At $98, that PSU is still an excellent deal.

Oh and you won't find a quality 700W to 800W in that price range. The Corsair 750TX recommended so many times here is just about the cheapest good quality 750W PSU available. The only quality PSUs in the $60 to $90 price range are 450W to 550W PSUs.

Buy everything but the case. You really don't need the case to get the PC up and running.
 
That PSU was always $98. You factored in the $20 MIR when you first made that list. At $98, that PSU is still an excellent deal.

Oh and you won't find a quality 700W to 800W in that price range. The Corsair 750TX recommended so many times here is just about the cheapest good quality 750W PSU available. The only quality PSUs in the $60 to $90 price range are 450W to 550W PSUs.

Buy everything but the case. You really don't need the case to get the PC up and running.
Click to expand...
Aha, thought I factored that out at some later time. Alright. :)

EDIT :: Now to wait until Monday to finish off the rest!
 
Bump.

I deem the purpose of this thread essentially complete. The follow-up thread to this thread will be created after all packages have arrived. Replies to this thread are still okay!

hf_purchasecomplete.gif
 
OK, why are you using the after-rebate prices? What did you actually spend on everything?
 
OK, why are you using the after-rebate prices? What did you actually spend on everything?
Click to expand...
Reread the first post in this thread:
Total Cost w/ Shipping w/o MIR: $1094.82
Click to expand...
Now as for the listing, it was an accident from the previous thread to apply the MIR, which I 'sort of' fixed towards the end of it. In this thread I thought by now I had it all taken out and placed at the end of the calculation...
[Controller] Logitech 963326-0403 Cordless RumblePad 2 USB ($38.94) [PURCHASED]
(Total: $965.31)
[Without MIR] Combined ($40)
(Total: $1005.31)
Click to expand...

Now besides the MIR, there was also the shipping. Many of those websites don't really display any shipping price, so that shipping was completely forgotten/ignored during the whole process as just some minor thing.

EDIT :: Haha, I see what you mean now. I did the whole thing in reverse. :p That's just me -- some clumsiness.
 
I deem the purpose of this thread essentially complete. I have created a sequel thread to separate the purposes and for organization. The sequel to this thread has been opened up at http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1334345 and is the last of the three-thread series.
Replies to this thread are (edit as of 8/11/2008) not okay!
 
So you don't want any more replies to this thread?
Click to expand...
I would discourage further replies. The sole purpose of this thread is complete and it has been open to replies for some time even after the initial completion. This thread is finally complete because based on the conditions that were written here, the last thread of the three part thread series has been created. Although I cannot enforce this, I would assume that it just makes you look bad, careless, or something.

You can find that in this forum (General Hardware) as Virtual Rig a Reality (Not 56k friendly).
 
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