First Time Builder *new Rig suggestions*

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Miranger

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Jun 10, 2008
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I'm a First time builder and i have been doing my homework but im at the point where theres only few questions mostly to make sure if the build i have setup is the way to go for me.
I will be using this system on a 37" HDTV that only supports up to 1366 x 768 on RGB not sure if i connect it via HDMI i can get a higher resolution.
I do plan to OC the Q6600/MOBO/Ram for this build even do its only for gaming WOW & WAR *when it comes out* some DVD burning/encoding nothing serious.

Items marked with ** are the ones i might change (depending upon suggestions).

Cooler Master 690 $85
GB EP35-DS3L $90
** Evga 8800GT $170
Corsair 750w $100
Q6600 $210
Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) SDRAM DDR2 800 $85
** WD 640GB HDD $100
Samsung 20xDvD-R $27
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 $37
Arctic Silver 5 $5
** Xigmatek Mounting Bracket $7
Coolermaster x2 120mm fans $10
Vista 64bit Home Premium $100

Regarding the 8800GT I was wondering if the 8800GTS would be a better investment? Also regarding the new videocards that came/are coming out with this build would they be something to look into?
Ive'd seen alot of people recommending the WD 640HD due to it having x2 320GB plates making it faster. Is there a 500GB version of these that might be significantly cheaper?
& my last question regarding the Xigmatek Mounting Bracket (since they're sold out) i plan to run this system in stock settings a few days/weeks before i try to OC the Q6600 and anything else since I'll be new to vista and to make sure everything works correctly. Would installing the stock fan the Q6600 includes have me covered until i decide to OC and mount the Xigmatek setup?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions as a first time builder all im trying to avoid is to buy incompatible parts or burning/breaking something before i even boot up!
 
The 8800GTS isn't a good investment since one can buy the 8800GT for $145 with a decent HS:
ECS N8800GT-512MX+ GeForce 8800 GT 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $145

However, next week, ATI is releasing their new HD 4850 and HD 4870 cards. Preliminary reports and rumors show that the $200 HD 4850 outperforms the 8800GTS 512MB by quite a bit. However those are preliminary reports and rumors. I recommend waiting for another week or two to see how those new ATI cards perform.

Oh and the Xigmatek mounting bracket is no longer OOS. So go ahead any buy that bracket and install the Xigmatek HSF right away. Trust me, it's a PITA to get the stock HSF off. So might as well install a new HSF right away. And no there isn't a 500Gb version of those drives. How can one have a 500GB using 320GB platters? :)

Also, ditch the AS5. The stock Xigmatek thermal paste works pretty well.
 
Yep Amazon has it for free shipping i might consider them for that and the Q6600 since they guarantee the Stepping G0 with free shipping and newegg doesn't guarantee it.

If i were to wait for the 4850's would they complement this setup well?
 
I agree with Danny.

Yes, they would compliment that setup well.

Ditch the CM fans, get some Yate Loon low or medium speed from jab-tech.com instead.

There is a WD5000AAKS, but its significantly slower since it uses 250GB platters instead of 320GB platters. You don't want slower, do you?

Wow, I remember when that case was $60 - $40MIR, lol.
 
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Mobo compatibility? huh? Unless you're doing SLI/Crossfire, theres no need to worry about a vidcards compatibility with a mobo (or unless you mean physical compatibility; eg cooler gets in way of SATA ports, etc).

For ATI cards, I like VisionTek since they have lifetime warranties.
 
I guess i was talking more about the brand specifics than anything since theres no evga 4850 :p
and ived only bought evga videocards.
 
All vidcards are designed to work in any mobo that supports the standard specs (PCI-E), regardless of brand
 
How does the GA-EP43-DS3L compare to the P35 version? I would think it would be worth the $10 more for the PCI-E 2.0 support.
 
The PCI-E 2.0 support and the two extra SATA ports are worth the extra $10 IMO.
 
Oh yah, forgot about the two extra sata ports. ;) I definitely agree, in that case -- well, thats if you'd take advantage of that. Personally, I have a bunch of drives, so the more the merrier for me.
 
That StealthXStream is a bad choice for a PSU. It's based off the FSP Episilon PSU design which has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can damage or kill your system. Granted, you may not reach such high loads but why pay for PSU that can kill your system?

Yes the Corsair 750TX is a bit overkill but at $100, it's a steal! Never know what your future power needs might be.

And the two DS3L mobos should OC about the same. Although the EP43-DS3L might OC a bit higher since it's P43 chipset is based on a 45nm process. Meaning it runs cooler and therefore should OC higher. The P45 chipset has been shown to hit 500Mhz FSB regularly. Since the P43 is the P45 without Crossfire support IIRC, then it should have similar OCs.
 
Dont you lose out on some features if you go the EP43 over EP35? starting with the COM/LTP ports?
 
Yes, the P43 simply lacks Crossfire, compared to P45.

Miranger said:
Dont you lose out on some features if you go the EP43 over EP35? starting with the COM/LTP ports?
Click to expand...

The COM and LPT ports are there, but in the form of headers. You'll need to use up a PCI cover and get a bracket to use them. You can try requesting one from Gigabyte, but they most likely don't have it in stock. Therefore, I got mine at directron.com.

$6 - Cable Set for Computer Motherboards, IDE, floppy, and LPT/COM ports
http://www.directron.com/cbl-combo.html

People still need these ports? I thought it was just me and a couple other guys!?!? :p I need the LPT port for my HP LJ1100, which uses a mini centronics connector on the printer, and a parallel connector on the other end -- killing the possibility of using either a USB to Parallel adapter or a mini wifi adapter, since those both use centronics. :( I need my serial port for my APC Smart-UPS 1400VA. :D
 
I was actually looking into the DS3R instead of the DS3L but i cant seem to find a good review on it.
 
EP35-DS3R the EP45 @ $150 doesn't seem to make sense might as well go for SLI for that price heh

Also any ideas where i can get the XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 besides newegg? i cant wait 2 weeks until they're in im getting my system in at least by the end of the week!
 
Miranger said:
EP35-DS3R the EP45 @ $150 doesn't seem to make sense might as well go for SLI for that price heh
Click to expand...

The only SLI board worth recommending costs $190, not $150.

The P45-DS3R has a new-release price premium. Though, it has several features that create that higher price, such as a 2nd GbLAN, a 2nd PCI-E 16.8x slot, Firewire, higher max RAM, and a full sized PCB. What it lacks, IMO, is better chipset/mosfet cooling.
 
Well i meant the price jump on my part +50 for a non sli mobo might as well make the full step into SLI for a lil more. Not that im interested in SLI under my current Monitor/TV situation.
The only bad thing ive'd seen so far on EP35-DS3R is no firewire.
 
You save $15, but you only get a 3yr warranty. VisionTek has a lifetime warranty, but no combo discount (same price, though, $200).
 
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