Final build - comments and suggestions

[Dubbs]

Hey all, looking to finalize my watercooled build. Will be gaming at a max res of 16x10 widescreen on a 20" lcd. Also looking to OC. Here's my proposed system:

$130 - CPU: Wolfdale e7200
$130 - MOBO: DFI DK P35
$105 - RAM: 4GB (2gb x 2) OCZ Reaper HPC edition (pc2 6400)
$200 - VID: HD 4850 or 9800GTX+ (yet to be decided, waiting for GTX+)
$090 - PSU: Antec neopower 550 watts

$000 - HD: Already have 300gb drive
$050 - CASE: Antec P180b - already bought one off of craigslist for $50

Hoping for the e7200 to do 3.8-4.0ghz on reasonable volts and temps on water/


Total for parts: $770 shipped - $30 rebate for ram - $740

Watercooling:
$40 - Apogee GT
$20 - ETC - for tubing, dyes, water, etc.

$25 - Maze 4 GPU - bought this used off of eocf
$35 - MCP655 - bought this used off of eocf
$35 - MCR320 - bought this used here at hardforums

Total for WC: $150


Is there any way I can reduce costs with the PC? I'm thinking of downgrading the PSU to an xclio goodpower 500w for $55, or an antec true power 500w for $70. Good idea?
If I get a 4850, in the future I might buy another and xfire that on the p35 - i know it's 16x + 4x, but i'm talking about the far future where a 4850 might be $60 used. On hte other hand, I'm a bit of an nvidia fanboy, and am waiting for the 9800gtx+. If I get that, then that eliminates dual gpu, and probably will go with true power or xclio psu... suggestions?

 

[engiNURD]

The easiest way to reduce costs is by going air instead of water, and hope for 3.6Ghz with the E7200. Games are GPU bound anyhow.

For the PSU, get the Corsair 750W for $100 from provantage.com... much better deal than that antec. This way, if you ever decide to move to a dual vidcard setup, you'll have enough power.

 

[soundguy]

definately go for the TX 750, or even the HX 620 if you want modular cables...

as you've already bought the WC parts, you may as well enjoy it, just remember to leak test... and clean it regularly...

 

[engiNURD]

...as you've already bought the WC parts, you may as well enjoy it,...

You could always sell them again.

 

[Dubbs]

I'm only looking to reduce costs through hardware, which at this point only looks to be the PSU and maybe motherboard (maybe a bloodiron for $15 less, although the lanparty is a much better deal for that price than the bloodiron).

As for watercooling, I'm set on that. I've watercooled before, and actually have some spare parts left (like a MCW6002). I'm pretty set on the apogee gt for only $40, versus getting mounting hardware for the mcw6002 for $15.

For the corsair PSUs, what's the difference between the hx, vx, and tx series. From my undersatnding, in terms of quality and efficiency, vx > hx (don't know about tx), although the vx are louder and non-modular.

 

[engiNURD]

VX is Corsairs value line, HX is their modular line, and TX is their... other line -- non-modular and non-value line, I guess. They're all good quality. Some are supplied by CWT, others are supplied by Seasonic. My VX550 was $65 with an additional $20MIR, so if you can find a deal like that, go for it.

You could definitely save $15 on the RAM by going with the G.Skill DDR2-1000 kit for $85 -- no performance loss there.

 

[soundguy]

yeh, the HX's are modular so i prefer them, but the TX 750 is very good value at the moment for its wattage and price (like $100 US some places) there is also the option of the HX 1000, but that is rather overpriced but it is a modular 1000W PSU, so that might be a consideration if you want to be able to keep it for ages and not have to worry about getting a new one like, ever...

 

[engiNURD]

...so that might be a consideration if you want to be able to keep it for ages and not have to worry about getting a new one like, ever...

Until a new PSU standard comes out.

 

[soundguy]

well yeh, but there'll always be adaptors