Antec 1200 Build

M

Merric

n00b
Joined
Dec 8, 2008
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2
Hi there, this is my new build. I could go for a better Quad Core, but to me its not like I will utilize it that much. So I went with the old Trusty.

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

2x EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 -

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD -

Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ


I have a question about my Power Supply, Has anyone used it with the Antec 1200? I'm wondering if I will need Extensions for the cords to be able to do Cable Management, since the back of the case opens I'm able to run the items though there. Clean crisp Case, this will be my 2nd Computer build. First from Scratch
 
Please answer all of the questions that's been stickied in this forum so that we can help you better.
 
It will be used for gaming
My budget is 1200
USA, North CArolina
Base up, Case to video cards every working part
I don't think so, not right away at least
26inch Samsung 1080ip
I plan on building it in about a week
And for the Mobo Sli, like the one I have listed.
 
Antec 1200 - $180
WD 640GB Black Edition - $85
Intel Q6600 - $185
G. Skill 4gb - $45
Antec 850W modular - $150
Vista - $100

I highly recommend this hard drive over your seagate. Very fast.

Do you need a cd/dvd drive? Input devices?

Total so far is $745, leaving you $455 for video card(s) and a motherboard. You may want to rethink doing SLI and just get 1 quality card instead.

Try these:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P - $135 (Before $20 MIR)
EVGA GTX 280 - $375 (Before $30 MIR)

Total - $1,255 - $50 MIR = $1,205
 
I would spend the extra $30 for a single GPU solution due to less hassle and better scalability in games:
BFG BFGEGTX2801024OCE GeForce GTX 280 1GB PCI-E Video Card - $350

Mobo wise, if you go with the above single card, really no need for a SLI motherboard. Therefore you can go with the more stable Intel chipset motherboards:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $85
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $110
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Motherboard - $130
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $150

Just to help you out: All of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future GPU upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you need 8 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, and excellent overclocks, then get the UD3R. If you like the UD3R but want a second PCI-E x16 slot and x8/x8 Crossfire support, then get the UD3P. If you like the UD3P but want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup and don't need a second gigabit port, then get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want a motherboard with excellent overclocking capabilities above all else (feature wise), go with the UD3P. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38.

If you must have SLI for some odd reason, this mobo is the only DDR2 Socket 775 SLI motherboard that I can recommend in good conscience:
eVGA 123-YW-E175-A nForce 750i FTW SLI Motherboard - $170

It seems to be the SLI mobo with the least amount of problems. Also, if you don't need a modular PSU, I recommend getting this slightly better quality and cheaper PSU instead:
BFG Tech BFGR800WESPSU ES-800 800W PSU - $110

And I concur with joeshmo1985's hard drive recommendation.
 
Danny definitely listed some quality motherboards there. I don't see how SLI could really be achieved on this budget.

I also concur on the PSU choice.

The video card I listed is $5 cheaper in the end, but factoring in how you feel about MIRs, in may be better to go with Danny's BFG.
 
With the many problems NVIDIA chipset based boards have had, and despite the recent updated 750i/780i FTW models with less problems, I'd still suggest avoiding SLI for only a 2MP monitor. I'd go with an Intel P45 chipset instead and a single vidcard solution, like the GTX280 or HD4870X2, simply for stability/reliability/less possible headache.

joeshmo1985 said:
... The video card I listed is $5 cheaper in the end...
Click to expand...

Thats only if the rebate goes through. Also, don't forget its not only $25 more up front, but there may be tax on that extra $25.
 
All good recommendations.

Are you planning on over clocking at all? If so you need a good after market heat sink/fan, the stock Intel ones suck.

You said this was for gaming, have you given any thought to an E8400/8500 or 8600 Core 2 Duo instead? They clock much higher and are far better for gaming. You can get an E8400 to 4.0 on air no problem, and I have seen some get the 8600 to 5.0 on air as well. The higher clocks will benefit games more than the extra cores.

Quads are good for encoding/photshop stuff more so than gaming.

Another suggestion too, try an EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 first. It should handle any game you throw at it, over clocks to the 280 specs with ease, and if you get EVGA and decide it isn't enough of a card for you, you have 90 days to step up to a 280, or perhaps the rumored cards from NVIDIA will be out before the 90 days are up. It will bring some of the initial cost down, allowing the switch to an E8600 and still fall within your budget.

It's too bad you missed out on that sale the egg had last week. I picked up an Antec 1200 for $119 + free shipping. I love this case, it brought my 4.0 E8400 down from 35-37 celsius idle to 25-27 celsius, fantastic case.


Here is an under $1200 build that includes a solid HSF, and a DVD drive, not sure what other internals you might need.

Case: Antec 1200

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
Faster clock than a quad, better for gaming.

HSF: Xigamet Rifle
Similar to the TRUE (you can get one of those instead doesn't matter), works well, and allows for better cooling

MOBO: Asus P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45
Solid board with good componets, will over clock the Duo or the Quad well.

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified
One of the best PSU, 80+ certified, and more than enough power for your system check here:

GPU: EVGA GTX 260 Core 216
Super fast card, can over clock to GTX 280 Specs, can upgrade to latest GPU within 90 days with EVGA Step UP

RAM: A-Data 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800
Solid ram, over clocks great (I got 8GB to 1081MHz)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
Fast Drive, reliable

DVD: Lite-On 20X DVD Burner
Pick your poison here this ones good, cheap, and has free shipping


OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
No brainer here


Total cost if all bought from the Egg:

Subtotal $1151.90

Shipping $36.17

Total $1188.07

+ another $35 in MIR if you do them brings grand total to $1153.07

You can shop around for beter prices here and there but this will give you an idea.
 
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