• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

[New build] Critique please

R

rtol

n00b
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
23
Working on a new build, will be my first in several years. I'm currently using an Athlon XP2400 and nvidia 7600gt :D, I'm long overdue for an update. I'm not a huge gamer, but I'd like the option to play newer games if something comes along that catches my eye. As it stands now, I don't even attempt to play anything new. The quad core appeals to me because of the multitasking abilities.

I'm going with 3Gb of ram for now because I'll be installing XP. Can't be asked with Vista, especially with windows 7 on the horizon. The other reason is DDR3 is still pretty expensive.

I'd like the option to SLI in the future, but going with one card for now. Also why I've chosen the 1000w PSU. Ability to add another 260 in the future along with more HDDs, etc. I'm teetering on getting the 4870 instead because of the attractive price point, but my experience with ATI drivers in the past has left me less than impressed. Also, I occasionally like to tinker around with Linux.

I'm having a difficult time with what case to choose. I like the styling if the Lian Li, but the price is a bit higher than I'd like to pay. The coolermaster would be fine but is it big enough to accommodate 2x260's in the future and not melt in the process? Reviews of the case on newegg are mixed as far as the 260 fitting without modification. Some say it fits fine, others say they had to do some modification. I don't particularly like the looks of the thermaltake, but it's a relatively cheap full size tower and I could probably learn to live with it.

Here goes the list -


CPU: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202)
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz LGA 1366 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail

---------------------------------------

GPU: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130398)
EVGA 896-P3-1265-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

---------------------------------------

HDD: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

---------------------------------------

MOBO: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374)
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

---------------------------------------

RAM: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148244)
Crucial 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

---------------------------------------

CASE 1: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133073)
Thermaltake Spedo VI90001N2Z Black 0.8 mm SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

---------------------------------------

CASE 2: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137)
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

---------------------------------------

CASE 3: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112141)
LIAN LI PC-A70B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

---------------------------------------

MONITOR: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049)
ASUS VW246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 20000:1) Built in Speakers - Retail

---------------------------------------

PSU: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007)
CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
 
What size monitor will you be gaming on?
You'll be upgrading that RAM once Windows 7 comes out, right?
Do you plan on OC'ing?
 
enginurd said:
What size monitor will you be gaming on?
You'll be upgrading that RAM once Windows 7 comes out, right?
Do you plan on OC'ing?
Click to expand...

The monitor linked in my OP is 24".

RAM will eventually be upgraded yes, I'm only going with 3Gb now because of the limitations of XP.

I'd like the option to OC, but tbh I planned on doing it with my last PC and never got around to it for whatever reason.
 
What about the case? I'd like to go with the coolermaster mid tower, but I'm not sure that when I SLI and add extra HDDs later down the road if I'll run into issues such as overheating, etc.
 
rtol said:
What about the case? I'd like to go with the coolermaster mid tower, but I'm not sure that when I SLI and add extra HDDs later down the road if I'll run into issues such as overheating, etc.
Click to expand...

That thing can hold 7 fans, so you shouldn't run into cooling issues. It may be a bit tighter than other cases if you fill it up, though. If you want more space, then either of the other two should do fine. Cases are subjective, so I can only say so much. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top