First Intel Build

Morphes

Morphes

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Jul 16, 2001
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So I just sold my pride and joy of a computer. I used the same case for 6 years, yes the old antec case you see everywhere. Anyway I haven't built an Intel machine before and I was curious if this seemed like a good set up to everyone. I plan to upgrade the ram and add another 8800gt down the road. Just want to get some opinions, I plan on buying this today so let me know if its stupid lol. I already have a 8800gt so adding another wont be a big deal. I was going to get the 8500 duo but it seemed just about the same and the 8400 was a tad cheaper. I am open to suggestions just lmk

Cooler Master Mystique
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129

Hec Raptor500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339021

PQI pc-6400 DDR2 2gb (2x1gb sticks at 5cas)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141064

Asus P5N-D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

Intel E8400 Duo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
 
What is your budget?
Are you wanting to overclock?
With a 19" LCD, SLi with 8800Gt's you won't see much of a performance. You would be better off selling the 8800GT and purchasing a Radeon HD 4850 or something.
What games do you want to play?
Even if you planned on SLi, that wouldn't be a good power supply choice. You would be better off with an Antec EW PSU.

I would consider G Skill over the PQI IMO.
 
In addition to Cmustang87's questions, please answer the following:

- Which monitor/resolution are you using? Are you considering buying a new one?
- Which features do you need/want on the motherboard?

I would suggest entirely different parts, but I'll wait until I know what you want (by answering these questions) before offering suggestions.
 
You should change the case. My brother has 2 of those Coolermaster Mystiques and the room for lengthy video cards is limited. Also, get a better brand PS such as the Corsair 450VX. Forget SLI and go with a HD 4850 like Cmusyang87 just mentioned earlier. This will give you a boost already over the 8800GT. Or, if your budget is limited, just upgrade your CPU, Mobo and RAM and stick with the 8800GT for now. The 8800GT is already good for 1440 x 900 gaming. The mobo/cpu you mentioned, get this pair instead: Asus P5Q Pro with the Intel E8400 cpu for $275. This is a comdo deal right now and you save $35 with this bundle. As far as the RAM, go for 4 gigs already. The G. Skills 4 gig DDR2 800 RAM for $70 is very good deal.
 
HardwareGuru said:
...better brand PS such as the Corsair 450VX. Forget SLI and go with a HD 4850 like Cmustang87 just mentioned earlier.

...Asus P5Q Pro with the Intel E8400 cpu for $275. This is a combo deal right now and you save $35 with this bundle.

As far as the RAM, go for 4 gigs already. The G. Skills 4 gig DDR2 800 RAM for $70 is very good deal.
Click to expand...

QFT
 
Ah I knew there were going to be some good questions I needed to answer.

Budget: under $500 if possible, working part time and paying with credit card so not trying to bust my pocket

Monitor: I am currently using a 19" widescreen at 1400x900 but planning to upgrade to a 28" at 1920x1200

Motherboard Features: I really just want an asus, as they have provided me with the best results thus far with AMD, not looking to overclock at all. SLI is a must

Video Card: I am sticking with nvidia just because they have proven to be a better company IMO, never had a problem and every time I try ATI there are always issues with them. I already have a 8800gt laying around so I figured since they are only $100ish now it makes more sense to just SLI.

PSU: I am open to changing it, Just curious why you think its such a bad company. I looked them up and they dont seem that bad, good customer reviews as well.

RAM: Like I said I will go 4gb just not right now. But what do you have against PQI bad experience?

Games: This is a tough one, I am a very casual gamer. Mostly I play RTS and FPS games. I plan to play starcraft 2 when it comes out, company of heroes, crysis, CS:S, All half life games.
 
For now, I would do this with that budget:

Case - Antec NSK4480B with Antec Earthwatts 380 watt PS for $80
CPU/Mobo - Intel E8400 and Asus P5QPro mobo combo for $275
RAM - G. Skill 4gig 2x2gig DDR2 800 for $70

Total: $425 w/o shipping included.
 
PSU: The reviews were good on newegg, take those with a grain of salt. I never understood risking your expensive components on a cheap PSU.

Why spend money now on SLi if you don't need it. Don't spend money on SLi video cards until you order your new monitor. If your budget is $500 on a credit card now, I would invest in a better PSU and get the P5Q Pro w/ E8400 combo. You could score a Corsair VX550, a MUCH better PSU. and be around $380. Save the rest of the money for your new monitor and beastly single card solution down the road!

I'm just saying, no sense in going SLi right now if you don't plan on getting the monitor right away, that is an incredible waste of money. :(
 
Cmustang87 I agree completely, I dont plan on getting another card for quite some time, I would just like to be prepared so I can do it. I just need a desktop this laptop is killing me. That psu is a much better deal, and along with the motherboard combo. The RAM I will upgrade soon, just not needed right now.

So right now the setup is:

2x 1gb PQI : $35

e8400 + Asus P5Q Pro: $275

Coolermaster case: $80

Corsair: $85

total: $480

I know the case prob isnt the most well fit for tommorows video cards, but it looks so much better than anything I could find for the price. Plus the build quality on those is really nice (nothing against antec because they are amazing cases)

Thanks guys I really appreciate your help. This is why I love [H]
 
I dont plan on getting another card for quite some time, I would just like to be prepared so I can do it.
Click to expand...

I know what you wanted heh, but I was just saying. By that time a single card solution would be better. But cheers! Hope you enjoy!
 
Just to let you know, the Asus P5Q Pro mobo uses an Intel P45 chipset. So, this will not support 2 x 8800GT or any Nividia cards to run in SLI mode. You can however, Crossfire ATI chip based video cards. But, if I was you, I wouldn't bother anyways. For now, just use that 1 x 8800GT card and upgrade to at least an ATI HD 4870 or Nvidia Geforce GTX 260 later on.
 
As long as he doesn't install an HD 4870X2 video card or Geforce 280 GTX in the CoolerMaster Mystique case he will be fine. But, why would you wanna limit your upgrade on a video card if the video cards you can only choose/install in the Mystique case is under 10" The 8800GT video card with the 6 pin PCI-E power connector plugged in will barely fit already in the Mystique case.
 
I already ordered the stuff, I appreciate the input but those look kinda bland to me. I like modding cases which is why I dont mind, If nothing else I will just make something work, maybe extend the whole case to make it longer. Maybe a more elaborate hard drive cage of some sort. I have dealt with worse cases, trust me.

I ended up getting more ram, you guys were right. I actualy got OCZ memory 2x2gb sticks, at 4cas which should be pretty slick. I am not sure if it will actualy make a differance or not but w.e. (the latency).

So glad you guys pointed out that powersupply, I just got the buy.com credit card so there was a $30 off plus the rebate which brings it down to like $30 what a steal!
 
Morphes said:
I ended up getting more ram, you guys were right. I actualy got OCZ memory 2x2gb sticks, at 4cas which should be pretty slick. I am not sure if it will actualy make a differance or not but w.e. (the latency).
Click to expand...

Nope. The lower latency doesn't help at all in real world apps.
 
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