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New Build - Feedback Appreciated

A

Arboreal

n00b
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
4
Hey everyone, this will be my third complete build, i've been out of the game for a while, so i'm looking for a little feedback!

A bit of background: I'm a Digital Arts student and gamer. This build will be used for various multimedia applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Audition) and some 3D modeling and video editing (Lightwave, Premiere & After Effects). I will be using Vista 64 business (free through school). I already a have mouse, keyboard, and two 22". My budget is flexible, I have the money for anything, but would like to stay wary of diminishing returns


PSU
Corsair 620W
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19831&promoid=1060
- I built a machine with the 520W and was very pleased with it; modular cabling is a pleasure to work with. However, will this be enough wattage for my build?

MOTHERBOARD
Gigabyte P35
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24650
- There are so many versions of this motherboard, I have trouble differentiating - can someone please shine some light?

CPU
Intel Q6600
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22211
- Seems like the standard for high end CPU

VIDEO CARD
BFG 8800GTX
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22315
- Once again, standard high end?

SOUND CARD
Creative Fatal1ty
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26379&vpn=70SB046A00003&manufacture=Creative Labs

MEMORY
Patriot 2x2GB DDR2-800
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23406&vpn=PDC24G6400ELK&manufacture=Patriot
- I know I want 4 gigs, this seems to have sufficiently low latency

HD
I'm not sure where to go with a drive for the OS. I have a slew of portables, and a drive I will be bringing over from my current machine (if this is possible, concerning windows xp to vista?). I have a raptor now, and would get another if that seems like a good idea?

CASE
Lian Li V1000 PlusII
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15399
- I hear a lot of good things about Lian Li. Is this a good choice for my setup? I know I want to go Lian Li, just not sure which model.

SPEAKERS
Creative Inspire P7800 7.1
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12846&vpn=51MF7025AA000&manufacture=Creative Labs


I apologize for the amount of questions. I would like to order by the end of the weekend. Any and all feedback / criticism is appreciated

Thanks!
 
since your not gonna be playing much games and OC you don't have to get such a high end comp and save your self some money ;p

PSU: nice
MOBO: im not a gigabyte fan but i can recomende abit IP35-e. nice solid board
CPU: nice
GPU: i would go for any 8800GTS 320mb . i really think a gtx would be a waste
RAM: since your not OCing you can get any PC6400 RAM thats cheap
HD: just go somethign big ;p
CASE: this is totaly your choice. lianli are nice and solid but can be expensive. you could have a look at a ANTEC P182SE. it has a mirror finish and does look very stylis with its black coated interior.

you should be on your way to a kick ass comp :p
 
I disagree about being able to drop the GTX, you're running a pair of monitors at a half decent resolution and will need every inch of processing power you can get.

With regards to the motherboard, I second the aBit iP35 versions, and unless you're in dire need to run more than a couple of HDD internally or use a lot of external storage via eSATA or Firewire, just get the cheapest of the three models or if you want 6 SATA ports instead of 4, the mid range one.

I would avoid putting a sound card into your machine, these days onboard sound is frequently good enough for all but a musician and there's been a LOT of problems with Vista compatability and sound cards thanks to their removal of EAX from DirectX 10.
 
Honestly, I would get an 8800GTS or a 2900 pro before the 8800GTX. Since you aren't into gaming that much, you really don't need that much power.
 
Thanks for the quality replies everyone, much appreciated!

I do enjoy gaming, and play frequently when I have the time. In regards to the 8800GTX, Lucio has a valid point; i'm afraid running two large monitors with multiple heavy applications will be a strain - i'm hoping the strong video card coupled with the quad core will smooth things out.

A sound card certainly isn't critical, but I am doing a bit of audio engineering through school - the sound card is more for exploration and learning than a necessity

As per your recommendations I looked into the abit boards: sold. The eSATA ports are nice, I built some externals with that in mind, so it will be nice to finally use them.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=24630

RAM, damn. I dont plan on doing any serious overclocking... RAM has always mystified me. I would like to go with 4 gigs, but im not sure what? Any recommendations would be appreciated

I feel pretty good about the build overall, definitely looking forward to working on a new machine. I am by no means an expert. This being my third build; your feedback is greatly appreciated, particularly when it comes to learning new things! My previous builds have been pretty standard; I have always used stock thermal paste, coolers, etc... I hear a lot about arctic silver thermal paste and zalman cooling products - should I be considering these for this build?

Cheers
 
personaly i don't like dual screens for playing games. y not get one 30inch? just a suggestion.
if your just using 2 22'inch for photoshop stuff, a 8800GTS would be enough. but if you have a few pucks to use then a GTX would be great.

if your using new sata ports and raids then the abit ip35 pro would be great . if not the ip35-e is nice (from experince its solid, looks nice and no problems so far [double boot isn't a real big issue]) , ( the ip35 pro doens't not have double boot but it more for poeple who OC with the ultilies and bios setting it has)

for your ram get 4 gigs(2x2gigs)
jsut look from your suppliers for PC6400 800mhzs, any timmings and branded eg. g.skills , corsiar , patriot , crucial , kingston
you should be fine with a cheap one since no OC will be done

for your heat sink. it really isn't a biggy. if your not getting a clear side window then it really doesn't matter. but if u are then a after stock cooling would be nice.
for looks zalmans look pretty decent but really don't do much then a stock cooler
for cooling . tunic tower 120, thermalright 120 extreme with a decent fan( s-scythe ) gets the job done very nicely

lastly your sound card. don't really need one. go buy your self a good home theater system(7.1) and plug into your comp. speakers for computer don't have enough watts :p

but personaly
no OC = no need for fancy stuff
just a good mobo, cpu, gfx, ram will do ;p
 
MzL said:
personaly i don't like dual screens for playing games. y not get one 30inch?
Click to expand...

Because he already has the monitors.

The Gigabyte boards are great. The DS3L is your basic board with no firewire nor RAID, and only 4 SATA ports. the DS3R has RAID along with 8 SATA ports. It also comes with a PCI bracket to convert two of the internal SATA ports into e-SATA ports. The DS4 is for the enthusiast OC'er with its heatpipe cooling, and also comes with firewire.

If you don't need raid nor firewire, check out the Abit IP35-E. If you need RAID, get the DS3R. If you need firewire, the Asus P5K is good. If you need both RAID and Firewire, the Abit IP35 vanilla is your best choice. If you want to overclocking to go along with that, the IP35 Pro or the DS4 will get you there. The Asus P5K-E is also a good option.

Stick with the GTX if you can afford it. All you really need is the 520W Corsair, btw.

The RAM you chose is fine. As MzL noted, get the cheapest 2x2GB kit you can find, since you're not OC'ing.

Pickup a Tuniq Tower or Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme when you're ready to OC. If you just want quiet cooling, pickup the Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B and a 3.5g tube of Arctic Silver 5. Its always good to have a tube around, in case you need to reseat your CPU/HSF. If you're not OC'ing and don't mind the noise, the stock cooler will do fine.
 
I believe I am ready to order; I scaled down the RAM a little, my system is as follows:

PSU
Corsair 620

Case
Lian Li V1000

Motherboard
Abit IP35

RAM
4GB (2x2) OCZ Gold

CPU
Intel Q6600

Video Card
BFG 8800GTX

Sound Card
Creative Platinum Fatal1ty

Speakers
Creative P7800 7.1

The only remaining parts are optical drives... I know I want to go SATA, and be able to run and burn CD/DVD's - there are a hell of a lot of choices. Reccomendation please!

Thanks for all the replies everyone, look squared away?
 
looks nice
but is the sound card really needed?

just get any cheap sata drives you can find ;p

looking good : i want that board ;p
 
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