Mid-range build help

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Zerphed

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Apr 3, 2008
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Hey,

So finally my P4 rig blew up and forced me to start planning a new rig. I've gone through hundreds of pages of google and benchmarks, but still haven't reached a final consensus on the components. So I'd appreciate a bit of help for my 1 000€ budget PC.

The new PC is going to be used to both gaming and photoshopping. Also, I'm not looking for a one night stand, but I'd like a PC that'll be upgradeable and will last for a couple of years. Finally, please note I'm from Finland so the parts are a bit more expensive around here -.-'.

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PLANNED NEW COMPONENTS:
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Motherboard: Asus, P5N-T Deluxe
CPU: Intel, Core2Quad, Q6600, G0 STEPPING
Graphics card: Asus, GeForce 8800GTS PCIE 512MB G92
Memory: A-Data, 4GT DDR2 800MHz (PC-6400), Vitesta, Dual-kit, 240-pin DIMM
PSU: Antec, TruePowerTrio 650W

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OLD COMPONENTS USED:
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HHD: Samsung (SATA II) 320 GB
Seagate Barracuda 500GB (SATA II)
Case: Antec Super LanBoy (modded, so it has certain personal value)

There it is. Any comments are appreciated :).
 
Unless you plan on running Dual 8800GTS in SLI with 1920 x 1200 gaming, you do not need that Asus 780i mobo. Also, if you can get a hold of a Corsair VX550 or Corsair HX520 PS, I would get these instead as opposed to that Antec PS. There's alot of people I hear having their Antec Trio that's DOA or only lasting a few weeks/months.
 
Is there an actual downside, going with that mobo? I was thinking that I could upgrade to SLi later, in case I need more power and happen to have some extra cash. Dunno if that makes sense to you guys.

Anyway if not that, mobo what would be a nice alternative without SLi? I would really like a high-end mobo, because I feel that it's a good part to invest in. Thanks for the heads up with that PSU, I'll change it in that case.
 
The TP3 (TRIO) is ok, just not as good quality as the corsairs... but its not bad quality either (though silent may disagree). If you have a choice between the Antec TP3 and a Corsair for around the same price, definitely go for the Corsair. I don't think buy.com ships to finland, but I may be wrong.

What size monitor do you have? If you don't need SLI, go for a P35 board instead. What features do you need in a motherboard? (raid, firewire, legacy ports, 3x pci, etc?) Asus P5K-E is good and covers all the bases. The crowd favorite is the Abit IP35 Pro. Gigabyte also has some nice high end boards with the DS3P and DS4.

nForce chipsets aren't as reliable/stable as intel chipsets, especially if you want to OC a quadcore. Will you be OC'ing?

SLI as an upgrade path isn't the best idea. There should be a newer gen card that will outperform two older cards in SLI; and you could sell your old card to help offset the cost.
 
It depends on what resolution you plan on gaming at. If your intention is play games at a 1920 x 1200 resolution with settings on high such as enabling AA(Anti Aliasing) and AF(Anisotropic Filtering), having SLI would be ideal. But, If you only have a 19" WS with 1440 x 900 resolution than 1 x 8800GTS video cards will easily drive that resolution. The SLI will not be taken advantage of with a low resolution like that. What size LCD will you be using with this build?
 
+1 for a Corsair PS. I believe the VX series is built by CWT and the other ones built by Seasonic, but I could be wrong. Everybody seems to have great luck with them, anyway. As far as this build being a one night stand, Socket 775 is going to use you and leave you without even saying goodbye. The new processors Intel is releasing right now (E8 and Q9 series) are pretty much the end of the line for this socket.
 
To answer the some of the questions presented:

1. Overclocking: I'm looking forward to ocing my Q6600 G0 to a bit above 3,0 GhZ.

2. Display: I'll probably be playing with my LG flatron m228wa, which is a 22" display, but also with my ViewSonic 19" VA902

3. What do I want from my motherboard? Well as much as possible, however it's important to me as I mentioned that it's flexible. I won't be using RAID, not for the start at least and I'd like at least 2x PCI slots. A couple of eSATA's won't hurt either, if that'll be the future of external HDD's.

About the chipsets: Is there a difference in performance or upgradebility between P35, X38 and X48?

madacoustiks said:
+1 for a Corsair PS. I believe the VX series is built by CWT and the other ones built by Seasonic, but I could be wrong. Everybody seems to have great luck with them, anyway. As far as this build being a one night stand, Socket 775 is going to use you and leave you without even saying goodbye. The new processors Intel is releasing right now (E8 and Q9 series) are pretty much the end of the line for this socket.
Click to expand...

Oh well, I still need a new computer nonetheless. I'm currently on IBM ThinkPad R30, which I got for a few days from a friend. There'll always be never ones just around the corner, but you have to purchase one day. Thank you all for your good comments and help! *bows* :)
 
madacoustiks said:
+1 for a Corsair PS. I believe the VX series is built by CWT and the other ones built by Seasonic, but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

I think the VX450 is Seasonic, and the VX550 is CWT.

IIRC, the TP TRIOs are also made by Seasonic, though they're of a lesser quality than the Seasonic and Corsair units. The Antec Earthwatts are also Seasonic. The Antec Basiq series is supplied by low end FSP units.

The P5K-E should fit your needs.

As far as upgrade ability goes between the chipsets... the only difference between the X38/X48 and P35 chipsets is PCI-E2.0 and Crossfire. PCI-E2.0 shouldn't be a deciding factor because by the time a PCI-E2.0 card is severely limited by the PCI-E1.x slot, it'll be time for a new board anyhow. Since you don't need Crossfire for a 22" monitor, consider what I said about SLI/Crossfire as an upgrade path in my post above.

Nehalem is Intel's new architecture, scheduled for release in Q4'08. Mainstream parts should come in the following quarter (Q1'09). Nehalem will include an integrated memory controller (ICM; a current feature of the AMD K8 CPUs) and a new tech called Quick Path Interconnect (QPI; similar to AMD's HyperTransport). You will need a new motherboard (socket B; LGA1366) and most likely DDR3 for this platform.
 
Serious about that? Is there an real advantage in that? By the way can you have too powerful PSU for your computer? Does it add to your electric build or screw up your system or anything? Is there a good cross-fire option on the same price, if I´d get a cross-fire mobo?

I've really decided on changing the PSU as the PSU you guys recommended is even cheapter than the one I was going for! Thanks a lot for that :)
 
Zerphed said:
Serious about that? Is there an real advantage in that? By the way can you have too powerful PSU for your computer? Does it add to your electric build or screw up your system or anything?

I've really decided on changing the PSU as the PSU you guys recommended is even cheapter than the one I was going for! Thanks a lot for that :)
Click to expand...

SLI would require an SLI board, which typically costs more. nForce chipset boards aren't as stable/reliable as Intel chipset boards, and they run hotter. Since you have a 22" monitor, don't bother with SLI.

PSUs only draw as much power as needed. Just because you have a 750W PSU doesnt mean it will use 750W all the time. ;)
 
Ok nice, perhaps I'll ditch the SLi then. In that case would a 3870HD be any option for me? Just wondering.
 
8800GTS 512MB + P35 Mobo = Kick bootie performance already. Hehe. A single 8800GTS 512MB will run that 22" easily.
 
I wouldn't go ATI right now unless you got a really smoking deal. The 3870 is about as good a 9600gt but cost much more, and the 8800gts is better than the 3870 so no real reason to go that route.
 
Zerphed said:
Oh well, I still need a new computer nonetheless. I'm currently on IBM ThinkPad R30, which I got for a few days from a friend. There'll always be never ones just around the corner, but you have to purchase one day. Thank you all for your good comments and help! *bows* :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, so true. Personally, I think getting the last best thing from a generation is better than jumping right into a new, unproven product anyway. The Core 2 architechture has been amazing. Early numbers from Intel say that Nehalem will blow away even Core 2 but we know how that turned out with Barcelona/Phenom.

Zerphed said:
By the way can you have too powerful PSU for your computer? Does it add to your electric build or screw up your system or anything?
Click to expand...

Take a look at this VX550 review for a summary of PSU efficiency. I think max efficiency @ ~50% load holds true for most units. It also has a nice graph there showing how the fan ramps up for a given load.
 
QFT. Like buying a new car, it's better to buy a model that has been out a few years to where they know based on customer reviews that the vehicle has been proven to be reliable. Something that is new and just released it's too early to determine how well and how reliable it is.


madacoustiks said:
Personally, I think getting the last best thing from a generation is better than jumping right into a new, unproven product anyway.
Click to expand...
 
Hmm.. what do you guys think of running 8800 GTS on a Rampage Formula, because I'd get a sweet deal for it. Also is there any real advantage in the PCI Express 2.0, which it provides.
 
Define "sweet deal"... if the bundle costs at least 70€ more than the cost of one 8800GTS and a P35 motherboard, I wouldn't recommend it.
 
seems like you got all your bases covered. i'd get a different psu btw :)
 
A waste actually, since your running an Nvidia based video card on a mobo that has PCI-E 2.0 and official Crossfire support. PCI 2.0 and crossfire will not benefit your Geforce 8800GTS card. It's a great mobo but, you won't be taking full advantage of it with an Nvidia card in it. With your 22" monitor resolution, you wont need Crossfire or SLI anyways. Even if you expect to hold onto this for a couple of years as a means to upgrade, by then, there will be a whole new line of Mobo with different sockets and chipsets to support the newer processors.
 
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