Critique my build please

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ricochet48

n00b
Joined
May 27, 2008
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Alright, so I need a new computer. Currently I'm rocking an FX-53 on an A8V (939) w/ a 6800U. My Voodoo F-Class from years ago wielding a 2.4P4, P4T-553C, 512RDRAM, and a Ti4600 just died and I'm not spending hundreds on another mobo/ram/agp graphics.

So I'm building a new system out of necessity so I'm make best with my timing (I'm now Nehalem blah blah). I'm waiting until the 18th when Intel releases the newest batch of C2D's (dropping the price of the E8500 to that of the current E8400) and when Nvidia drops the GTX280. Here's my planned setup. Note this is holding back compared to the 4k I dropped I my LATE Voodoo and the 3.5K on my AMD system.

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W
MOBO: ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale (cooled via Thermalright 120 Ultra Extreme)
MEM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB DDR2 1066
GPU: NVIDIA GTX-280 (cooled via S1 & 120mm Yate Loon)
HD: (1) Raptor-X 150GB (Vista-64) & (2) Raptor 74GB (RAID 1) *already own
SOUND: ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1
SPK: Klipsch Promedia 5.1 *already own
OPT: ASUS SATA 20X DVD±R w/ LS DRW-2014L1T
MON: SAMSUNG T220 Rose-Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
CASE: Antec P182SE (with upgraded Cooler Mater LED/Yate Loon fans)

The total after some CCFL's, paste, etc. runs at 1.4k without the case/gpu (I want the windowed SE and it's $270 so I may just mod one myself)

Here's a newegg link (there's like $85 in rebates)

I'll use it to game mostly (but no intense CAD/Adobe/editing to warrant a Quad)
Also I know everyone hates TN's here, but the refresh rate is there and I don't like the G2400WD (it looks boring as hell). I may end up with a 24" but it has to look nice too (maybe T240 or V2400W)
 
This'll be quick cuz I gotta run home to catch the game, lol. If you don't need all the extra features of the Deluxe, drop down to a cheaper model.

Dominators are a waste of money, avoid them unless they're priced similar to G.Skills and regular OCZs or whatever.

Sell me those Klipsch! :p j/k
 
I would go watercooling otherwise that TRUE wont do that setup to much justice, and a different case to, like a cm cosmos or stacker. just my opinion but this will do you system more justice.
 
One question about yours setup. Are you sure an S1 (I assume its the Accelero) will fit on a GTX280?

Looks like an awesome system though.
Another thing might be the PSU. While everyone likes it for good reason (I guess), and its quiet for most users, at high Watt usage (from that GTX280! :D) it might get a bit loud, compared to a PSU with a 140mm fan.
That is, if you care about the noise at all (it might be pretty impossible to cool a GTX280 quietly anyway).
 
I'll look into a PSU w/ a 140mm fan, any recommendations on where to start? Also i've been hearing that the P5Q has been having trouble with raptors and bugs in general. Should I wait for the Formula II? Also, I know this isn't the display forum, but how's my monitor choice, I'm not sure on 22 vs.24's yet (as I want 1080p,but dont want games to struggle)
 
Would remind you its just my opinion about the 140mm fan in PSU, people seemed to disagree when I posted it in my own current build thread :) So take it for what you want, going from very quiet to a slightly more quiet might be wasted effort and money.
The PSU I was looking at was Zalman ZM850-HP.

About the monitor... well its TN :p There will surely be a difference by going to a better panel, but its more expensive of course (and higher response time..)
Good thread about monitor recommendations:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y
 
Get the Corsair TX750 for $100 at Provantage (Newegg link) instead of the HX620 if you can live without the modular cabling. It's a better PSU running on a single monster 12V rail, 140mm fan if that matters to you, and 4x 6+2 PCI-E connectors so you can Crossfire/SLI two high end GPUs if you ever wanted to do so. BTW, from intial benchmarks it looks like 2x HD4850 will match GTX280 but come in around $200 cheaper in case you're willing to consider ATI.
 
I will look into the TX750 as the lack of mod cabling doesn't bother me and I can wire cables nicely; however, in response to the ability to upgrade to SLI/X-fire I'm still on the fence about remotely caring a/b this. I'll have to wait and see on the 17th which company pulled ahead this time. I'd rather get just 1 card and save the hassle (GTX280) than two cards as long as the price difference isn't nuts--plus I'm going to need room for a sound card and would rather cool the GTX heavily via the aforementioned Accerlo S1/120mm fan combo.

Monitor-wise, I'm leaning back to a 22" TN (the T220) because of several reasons.

1) Looks (I'm a college student and it would look amazing in my apartment)
2) Size (I don't have much desk room as my Klipsch's BARELY fit with my 19" NEC)
3) Use (I will use for gaming, internet, & ms office--no editing here so the 2ms rocks me)
4) Expenses (Not such a big deal to me, but I don't want my huge monitor stressing my top card(s))
 
Yah, thats the drawback to gaming on monitors larger than 22"/1680x1050... the price jump is typically huge because you'll need a much better card to push much more pixels, and of course the monitor costs a lot more. I just sacrificed gaming performance on my 1920x1080 37" since I mostly play old games anyhow, lol.

BTW, the G.Skill DDR2-1000 kit is only $85 at the egg. Go for those instead.
 
ricochet48 said:
I'll look into a PSU w/ a 140mm fan, any recommendations on where to start? Also i've been hearing that the P5Q has been having trouble with raptors and bugs in general. Should I wait for the Formula II? Also, I know this isn't the display forum, but how's my monitor choice, I'm not sure on 22 vs.24's yet (as I want 1080p,but dont want games to struggle)
Click to expand...
I'm rockin' a P5Q Deluxe right now and it seems to be running stable, but i'm not using a raptor. This PSU should do pretty good for you. Just look around. If the PSU has multiple 12v rails (like the one I linked you to), make sure each rail has at least 20a on it if you are planning to run a GTX280. If it's a single 12v rail, it should probably have at least 60a or 70a. Good luck!
 
I doubt you'll need a $200 800W PSU for a GTX280. The $105 Corsair 750W should be more than enough.
 
1) In response to case changes, I am dead set on the P182SE unless the P183SE comes out in a week. I'm more for style and simplicity--it needs to look classy and turn heads. For instance I had so many people gawk my Silverstone TJ03 due to it's sheer size. I plan to mod it a bit to increase airflow too.

2) In response to the ram, I think I'll pay a bit for more corsair as I've never used anything different (also the fan and fact that they are tested to 1066 makes me sleep a bit better).

3) In response to the monitor picking, I've decided on a 22" to not look ridiculous as a college student. Specifically, I am choosing the T220 over the 2253BW due to recent reviews, style, and the fact it's on sale for $300 shipped.

4) In response to the PSU I'm going Corsair for sure, I think I'm leaning towards the 750 over the 620 because of the single rail. I want things simple and that will help. Plus, as I mentioned, the modular cabling isn't a big deal. I used hundreds of zip ties on my last setup and it looks immaculate.

Thanks for the help too! I appreciate it
 
1) If you like a lot of room in your case, the Cooler Master cases mentioned above give you more room than the P180 series. I'd be more impressed by another silverstone temjin case than any Antec P1 series case.

2) $150 vs $85... thats a 40% price difference. All I can say is, you're spending $65 on the name. You'll get nearly the same performance and customer service from G.Skill. 33Mhz isn't going to make much of a difference (ddr2-1066 = 533x2; ddr2-1000=500x2), especially not for $65. But hey, knock yourself out. We've recommended those particular G.Skills to numerous people and have never heard about any issues.

4) The 620W really IS a single rail PSU.

Another question... why the E8500 over the E8400? They have the same OC threshold and only differ by a half step multiplier. So, you're essentially paying $80 for 166Mhz in clock speed.

E8400: 9.0 × 333 = 3.00Ghz, 1333FSB, DDR2-667
E8400: 9.5 × 333 = 3.16Ghz, 1333FSB, DDR2-667

... not worth it, again... IMO.
 
1) If you like a lot of room in your case, the Cooler Master cases mentioned above give you more room than the P180 series. I'd be more impressed by another silverstone temjin case than any Antec P1 series case.

---> To me it's about styling. I bought a Falcon NW laptop for $4k a bit back with a 7600Go and a DC2 weeks after it came out and got it painted the color of my Acura. Anyways, I like the mirror finish of the P182SE and the painted interior. I've never met anyone in real life that knows the status of a Silverstone/Lian Li.

2) $150 vs $85... thats a 40% price difference. All I can say is, you're spending $65 on the name. You'll get nearly the same performance and customer service from G.Skill. 33Mhz isn't going to make much of a difference (ddr2-1066 = 533x2; ddr2-1000=500x2), especially not for $65. But hey, knock yourself out. We've recommended those particular G.Skills to numerous people and have never heard about any issues.

---> There's a $40 rebate. If it was that much of a difference I would get the G.Skills, but for $25 if prefer a cool looking fan and memory that's faster (albeit barely) and "beefier" (heatsink).

4) The 620W really IS a single rail PSU.

---> could you please explain this? Are there actually 3 rails totaling 50A, because the GTX 280 apparently needs 40A. If I had it connected to just 1 rail of the 50A total would it just suck 40A and give 10A to w/e it was needed. Once again thanks.

5) Another question... why the E8500 over the E8400? They have the same OC threshold and only differ by a half step multiplier. So, you're essentially paying $80 for 166Mhz in clock speed.

E8400: 9.0 × 333 = 3.00Ghz, 1333FSB, DDR2-667
E8400: 9.5 × 333 = 3.16Ghz, 1333FSB, DDR2-667

... not worth it, again... IMO.

---> I mentioned in my first post that I wanted to get the E8500 when it reaches the E8400 pricing (when the E8600 3.33 comes out very soon). I understand that you get ripped apart here if you mention you are getting the fastest of something as the $/Mhz or w/e just simply isn't there. This is why I'll never buy anything "extreme" from Intel or with an FX again from AMD. Thanks tho, as I already too this into consideration. If the E8600 takes too long, then yes, I will get an E8400 and call it a day.

OH and where are the quotes? I look very nub
 
jtg1993 said:
Fixed
Click to expand...

Hehe... thanks... copy & paste... it even bites me when I'm coding, too, not just posting, lol.

ricochet48 said:
1) ...I've never met anyone in real life that knows the status of a Silverstone/Lian Li. ...

2) ...There's a $40 rebate. If it was that much of a difference I would get the G.Skills, but for $25 if prefer a cool looking fan and memory that's faster (albeit barely) and "beefier" (heatsink). ...

3) ...The 620W really IS a single rail PSU.

---> could you please explain this? ...

4) ---> I mentioned in my first post that I wanted to get the E8500 when it reaches the E8400 pricing...

5) OH and where are the quotes? I look very nub
Click to expand...

1) I guess you don't have many friends that are into computers as much as you are. :cool:

2) You still have to pay the upfront cost, and theres always that chance that the rebate doesn't go through. I don't like taking those chances with large rebates... then again, $40 isn't very large. Although, if you do get the rebate, not a bad price premium for the look you're going for.

3) http://jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=21

4) Sorry, I missed it the 2nd time around. I must've seen it the first time around, or else I would have asked earlier. :eek:

5) bottom right of each post... "quote" does a single post, while the + mark lets you "add" posts to quote. You can chop single posts with a simple copy/paste and closing quote tags.
 
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