Build critique, please...

T

thereal

n00b
Joined
Nov 26, 2008
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I have been pouring over the forums here and have loved every minute. After much deliberation, I must bow before you all and ask for your sage advice. Your cumulative wisdom concerning my new build will be greatly appreciated.
I am building this as a budget gaming rig, and trying to keep it below $700 U.S.
There will only be mild to moderate OC, nothing extreme.
Currently I play such games as TF2, CSS and Bioshock. Have been huge fan of Half Life series and Far Cry. I would enjoy getting more out of the games I have and would also like to add many of the new releases to my collection. Demoed Left for Dead and I am going to have to get it. I also do a good amount of image editing in Adobe CS3.
My current system, which has far outlived it's intended usefulness, is as follows:
ASUS A8V Deluxe, AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester cooled by a ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm, G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR 400 (PC 3200), BFG GeForce 7800GS 256MB (AGP), 2 x WD Caviar 250G SATA, 1x Maxtor 80G IDE, Alied 500 watt switching PS, HP w2207 monitor, Logitech Z-Cinema 2.1 speakers (USB) and TDK CD drive and writemaster DVD drive. My case is an old beater that has served it's need.
I am keeping the three HDDs and opticals, monitor and speakers. From what I understand I can also use the same heat sink and fan combo for CPU (?). The rest is dead to me.

Prospective parts are as follows:
Case; COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKA1-GP Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119142

MoBo; Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

PS, either; SILVERSTONE ST70F
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256045
or; CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

CPU; Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Memory; OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

I could use input on these items (compatibility, value,etc..) as well a your recommends on GPU, case fans, CPU cooling and wiring needs (extension?)
Mods will come later, as I have been inspired by the pics on other posts.
I am a noob here and apologize for any omissions.
Thanks in advance for looking!
 
You can't use the Freezer 64 Pro for your Intel build -- the Freezer 7 Pro is its Intel equivalent. But if you're planning on overclocking the processor, you'll need a much better CPU cooler, like the Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

Which monitor/resolution are you using?

I take it that you would prefer a modular power supply, but if I were to find a quality non-modular power supply on sale, would you be willing to reconsider?

You could get the Cooler Master RC-690 for much less at either Amazon or Buy.com.

You could get the OEM Q6600 along with the EP45-UD3P in a combo deal for less. (But I'd rather take the retail Q6600 with its three-year warranty. A good alternative to the EP45-UD3P is the Asus P5Q Pro.) However, the OCZ Reapers are overpriced and unnecessary. For around the same cost (before mail-in rebate), you could pick up two 2x2GB kits of DDR2 800 RAM.
 
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Actually you won't be able to reuse your Freezer 64 Pro HSF with Intel's socket 775 mounting system.

Mobo, CPU and the case are good choices. PSU wise, I recommnend the ST70F as the better value. As for the RAM, ditch em. They are overpriced since you can get 4GB of RAM for $45:
G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45

Video card wise, go with the GTX260 or HD4870 1GB. Either of those video cards are good choices for your monitor. As for the HSF, I recommend this:
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $32
Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit - $7
 
Thanks for quick response. Spot on with the CPU cooler. They both look the same and I didn't consider it an issue. Like the Xigmatek though.
Monitor it HP w2207 displaying at 1680x1050 and it's topped out @ 60hz refresh.
All I've read says this case needs modular PS but I would be willing to consider options.
I will be looking at Amazon and Buy.com, using Newegg as reference for now. Plus I really like dealing with the folks there. I try to give them my business unless the deal is just too good.
Don't like the bad press on P5Q but I do like the combo deal.
As far as RAM, will the DDR2 800 pose any significant performance reduction to the 1066?
 
Thanks for the call on the PSU.
I'll check out deals on the new cards. Are the 9x00 series still good, or are they as much yesterdays new as AGP?
By the way, I am running Window XP Pro SP 3, 32 bit. Plan on keeping it until 7 gets here then... we'll see.
 
The Q6600 can be overclocked up to around 3.6GHz, which is easily attainable with DDR2 800 memory.

I missed the monitor the first time -- thanks for the save, Danny.

The GeForce 9-series GPU are now NVIDIA's low-end and mid-range video card lineup. The GTX 260 and GTX 280 comprise its current high-end. For the resolution of your monitor, you shouldn't be looking at anything less than the HD4850 -- avoid the 9800GT.

There is no such thing as a perfect motherboard -- even the most recommend ones here (like the P5Q Pro) have their critics and their horror stories. But I'll leave the motherboard choice up to you.

With 32-bit versions of Windows, you'll run into the 4GB system memory limit. The amount of "usable" RAM you'll have will be subtracted by the total amount of memory taken up by other system components (including, but is not limited to, the video card). With the GTX 260 or the 1GB HD4870, you may end up having about 2.5GB of "usable" RAM (if not less).

Here's the thing about the case: At NewEgg, it's about $100 plus shipping. Amazon and Buy.com both have it for around $79 shipped -- though Amazon offers free ground shipping and Buy.com tacks on a $5 shipping charge.

The advantage of having modular cables is that you can remove the cables you aren't using, which helps reduce (though it doesn't eliminate) clutter inside the case. Some of the newer/better quality power supplies have long cables that enable them to reach connections located in larger/wider cases. Having said that, your two choices are excellent; you won't go wrong with either one.
 
The link I posted for the case was wrong, it was priced with a 500w PS. For just the case, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
much better.
I will continue to run the 32 bit until 64 has more support. Until then I feel 2.5GB usable is better than 1.5 GB usable.
Are there any recommends for replacing the stock case fans for quieter/ more efficient models. And what about a fan controler? I see them alot on the rigs around here. The mobos only come with two headers for case fans and this case has room for seven or more.
I have settled for the Silverstone PS, he only draw back is the lack of an off/on switch. I ALWAYS unplug before getting inside, so this should not be an issue.
Now to find that perfect GPU and I'll be just about done.
 
Get the case from either Amazon or Buy.com for around $80 shipped. NewEgg normally charges at least $15 for shipping cases.

Microsoft has improved the hardware support of 64-bit versions of Windows Vista to the point that we recommend it over the 32-bit version. (It works just as well.) Unless you don't need it, there's no reason why you should avoid Vista. (Yes, I know that you don't really need it.)

For replacement case fans, I recommend either the Yate Loons (found at Petra's Tech Shop) or the Scythe "Slipstream" fans. A fan controller could help you out as well.

Either the GTX 260 (with 216 shader processors) or the HD4870 (1GB model) would be enough for your monitor's resolution.
 
Don't forget to let us know the final price of everything when you order them.

And we want pictures of your completed build, too!
 
Will gladly provide, tiraides. Thanks again for your input.
Hey HardwareGuru thanks for posting. The card looks great, only it says Thanksgiving Day Special. I'm not moving on anything until tomorrow. I'm kinda banking on Black Friday specials. Hope I don't regret it...
As for the NV-690, um, all the green, I'd have to stab my eyes out before I could get used to it.
I've seen the mods where the cases have been painted and windows added, but man, that thing would take $40 in paint just to cover up the ugly (imho). Ooops, hope that wasn't your favorite color, or the case you were getting for Xmas.
Just kidding around. Really, thank you for the info. I'll keep an eye on the GTX260 (216) and see what the prices do tomorrow.
 
At that price you pay upfront, you should just go with this EVGA GTX 260 it's not the 216 stream processor but it is 192 stream processor which is still plenty for 1680 x 1050. The 24 extra stream processors on the GTX 260 (216) will enable you to gain more fps when you enable AA and AF. It would be more ideal if you had a 24" 1920 x 1200 display. But, the 22" HP which I also have that same LCD hehe will be more than enough to play the games you listed.
 
Well then, it's settled. The GTX260 it will be. I am waiting until the morning to decide on 192 or 216. I'm in the South East U.S. and it's late. All the turkey from today is really kickin' in, so I must go pass out on the couch.
I really appreciate the help guys. This will be my 7th build and is by far the most ambitious (read expensive) to date. Thought getting some input would be interesting, never expected so much! It's been most helpful and useful. Keep it up. I'll be stickin' around [H]ard.
 
The Geforce GTX 260(192) or GTX 260(216) is very good to buy now because of the price cuts. On top of that, Nvidias latest ForceWare 180 drivers have made the GTX 260 excel in 8X AA in DX9 and Dx10 video games and can match or even beat a Radeon HD 4870 512mb or 1gig version. The Radeon HD4870 512mb or 1gig line is hard to recommend now because of the price/performance of the GTX 260 offers right now.
 
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