$1400 Build (Suggestions Welcome)

[yossarian99]

This is my first post in the forum. I've put together a new build I'd like to run by you kind folks before I put the order through...

Here's what I've settled on, tentatively.

Already have:
-Full Tower
-2 Raptors

(Will be running Vista 32 Ultimate)

CPU: Intel Xeon E3110 - $248.51 (shipping included)

MOBO: DFI BloodIron P35-T2RL LGA 775 Motherboard - $119.99

RAM: Mushkin 4GB (2 X 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Redline - 124.99

GPU: EVGA GeForce 9800GX2 - $569.99 (after rebate)

PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower W0172RU (850W) - $209.99 (after reading countless threads on the power needed for the 9800GX2, I decided to play it a little safe... might not need this much wattage, but it was one of the cheapest and most highly recommended PSUs with both the 6 and 8 pin connectors, thus its inclusion).

HS: TRUE-120, lapped - $87.59 (shipping included)

FAN: (thought I’d give the fan some all-caps love, since it so seldom receives any): Scyth S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan - $24.99

Additional Shipping - $14.43

TOTAL - $1400.48



Before you ridicule me for choosing the 9800GX2 (the card everyone loves to hate), let me first say that I know it's not the most price efficient graphics solution out there, and I would likely be better served with a set of 8800GTS's in SLI (and save $ to boot).

I have my reasons, none of which are very good, but they are reasons, nonetheless. Let's just leave it at that.

I chose the DFI Motherboard on the basis of some solid reviews, as well as this: http://www.fransatech.com/whats-new...400-wolfdale-how-to-reach-43ghz-with-air.html and because I won't be going for quad SLI, as much as that kind of wasteful extravagance tugs at my short hairs.

I plan to overclock, just for ****s and giggles. Overkill, yeup. But it should be fun. So I went with the Mushkin Redline set, which, for the price, was the most overclockable 2 X 2GB kit I could find (going w/4GB because I plan to upgrade to Vista 64 in the next year (and I wouldn't mind a little extra headroom (and it also fits in with the whole overkill motif I've got going with the rest of the rig))). Mushkin seems to have a great reputation when it comes to product quality and service.

If, however, you know of some cheaper RAM (of comparable quality and size) that would respond better to overclocking, feel free to chime in.

Hmm. Guess that's about it.

Comments?... Questions?... Violent Objections?... Critique away!


Thanks,
-Y

 

[tiraides]

Dude... where to begin....

• Don't spend extra money when you don't have to. (I'll explain below.) And don't use the after-rebate price, especially since you'll have to pay the before-rebate price when you buy everything.
• Since today's Intel CPUs don't benefit from RAM overclocking, don't get overclockable RAM. Or rather, don't get more expensive "high performance" RAM just for the sake of overclocking it. As a (cheaper) alternative to the Mushkin, there's the G.Skill DDR2 1000 4GB kit. (The Mushkin Red Line kit is OOS at NewEgg.)
• Just buy the TRUE-120 and the S-FLEX fan (for the TRUE-120) from Jab-Tech and lap it yourself. (There are plenty of guides available to show you how to do it safely.) While you're over there (@ Jab-Tech), pick up some Yate Loon fans for your case at $3.50 each. (Disclaimer: Petra's Tech Shop has higher quality Yate Loons direct from the manufacturer, but at that price, it won't kill you as much if/when you replace them.)
• Vista Ultimate 32-bit? With your hardware selection, you might as well go 64-bit now. And if you haven't bought the OS already, go with Vista Home Premium... unless you want/need the BitLocker drive encryption and Vista Business features that Ultimate provides.
• As an alternative, the DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS is considered the better overclocker over the BloodIron board.
• Out of curiosity, I'd like to know which monitor you have... just to see whether or not you're justified in getting the 9800GX2.

 

[yossarian99]

(The Mushkin Red Line kit is OOS at NewEgg.)

Yep, went out of stock this very morning. I've had it in my cart the past few days. Drag.

I'll take a look at the G.Skill, though I've heard Mushkin is a better brand in terms of reliability. And it's only an extra $25. Can't put a price on peace of mind.

Just buy the TRUE-120 and the S-FLEX fan (for the TRUE-120) from Jab-Tech and lap it yourself.

Okay, you've twisted my arm. I get nervous thinking about scraping away at something that'll be in direct contact with my CPU, so I thought I'd leave it to the professionals for a few extra bucks. Might as well learn to do it myself, though.

And don't use the after-rebate price, especially since you'll have to pay the before-rebate price when you buy everything.

Sort of a weird comment. Thanks, though. I guess. I suppose I used the after-rebate price for a net cost estimate, as opposed to an at-checkout estimate. It's only a $30 difference, so I'm puzzled as to why it would matter enough to point out. Did you think I didn't know I'd need cash-in-hand to make the purchase? Do I look that stupid? Wait, er, don't answer that.

Vista Ultimate 32-bit? With your hardware selection, you might as well go 64-bit now.

This would be a good time to settle (er, have cleared up) a debate I've seen going on in the forums. I won't have any driver issues with 64, will I? Just about everything is supported by now, correct? Lot of back and forth about this.

And if you haven't bought the OS already, go with Vista Home Premium... unless you want/need the BitLocker drive encryption and Vista Business features that Ultimate provides.

I bought Ultimate through my university for $10. It's the only version they sell. I've heard you can upgrade from Ultimate to 64 for ~$40, but Microsoft may have prevented that with their college arrangements. I'll need to check into it.

Out of curiosity, I'd like to know which monitor you have... just to see whether or not you're justified in getting the 9800GX2.

The monitor I have at the moment doesn't justify it, though I'll be upgrading soon. I've been fighting the LCD thing for years. Even on 2ms screens, the ghosting bugs me to death. A slight amount takes me out of the game; I've just never been able to get used to it.

As an aside, I've always wondered how hardcore gamers can spend thousands of dollars on a new rig, then settle without the slightest protest when it comes to something (arguably the most vital something) like a monitor with a sluggish response rate. (Note: from what I've seen, all LCD monitors, regardless of listed speeds, have sluggish response rates.) I just don't get it.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but every time a friend of mine has shown me his new LCD that supposedly "eliminates ghosting," I've walked away more convinced than ever that LCDs -- while they've improved in recent years -- still suck.

But yeah, I'll be in the market soon. My old CRT is starting to show signs of its impending death, and you just can't find good (new) CRTs nowadays at a reasonable price. I'll likely be going with a 24" LCD. Sigh.

 

[darkhunter139]

Dude get 64 bit vista. I was worried about the same thing you are before I got it but I have had 0 compatibility issues so far.

 

[tiraides]

Yep, went out of stock this very morning. I've had it in my cart the past few days. Drag.

I'll take a look at the G.Skill, though I've heard Mushkin is a better brand in terms of reliability. And it's only an extra $25. Can't put a price on peace of mind.

Reliability is very subjective around here -- there are many fanboys of certain brands, and there are people who wouldn't come near those same brands. From my personal experience, G.Skill is just as reliable as Mushkin. But yeah, you can't put a price on peace of mind.

Sort of a weird comment. Thanks, though. I guess. I suppose I used the after-rebate price for a net cost estimate, as opposed to an at-checkout estimate. It's only a $30 difference, so I'm puzzled as to why it would matter enough to point out. Did you think I didn't know I'd need cash-in-hand to make the purchase? Do I look that stupid? Wait, er, don't answer that.

A lot of people forget that they have to spend the money first, and then get all mad that everything cost "more." Plus, not everyone get all of the rebates that they've submitted.

This would be a good time to settle (er, have cleared up) a debate I've seen going on in the forums. I won't have any driver issues with 64, will I? Just about everything is supported by now, correct? Lot of back and forth about this.

Since you're buying new parts, you shouldn't have much, if any, driver problems. Again, Vista x64 is recommended due to its better drivers compatability. In XP Pro x64, it was considered an afterthought.

I bought Ultimate through my university for $10. It's the only version they sell. I've heard you can upgrade from Ultimate to 64 for ~$40, but Microsoft may have prevented that with their college arrangements. I'll need to check into it.

Lucky you... I wish I could buy an OS for $10 (but I don't want to go back to school...).

The monitor I have at the moment doesn't justify it, though I'll be upgrading soon. I've been fighting the LCD thing for years. Even on 2ms screens, the ghosting bugs me to death. A slight amount takes me out of the game; I've just never been able to get used to it.

As an aside, I've always wondered how hardcore gamers can spend thousands of dollars on a new rig, then settle without the slightest protest when it comes to something (arguably the most vital something) like a monitor with a sluggish response rate. (Note: from what I've seen, all LCD monitors, regardless of listed speeds, have sluggish response rates.) I just don't get it.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but every time a friend of mine has shown me his new LCD that supposedly "eliminates ghosting," I've walked away more convinced than ever that LCDs -- while they've improved in recent years -- still suck.

But yeah, I'll be in the market soon. My old CRT is starting to show signs of its impending death, and you just can't find good (new) CRTs nowadays at a reasonable price. I'll likely be going with a 24" LCD. Sigh.

You're right: There is no "perfect" LCD monitor. Be prepared to do a lot of research on monitors (though you might need to lower expectations).