New build.

B

Bueller

n00b
Joined
Apr 11, 2006
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42
Before I buy I just wanted to see what [H] thinks. If [H] has any suggestion it will be very much appreciated.

I already have case, psu, and hdd
Cooler Master RC690(have)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
Corsair 520HX(have)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520hx
Seagate 160GB(have)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230

Stuff I'm looking at to buy.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
EVGA 750i FTW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227181
EVGA 8800GTS G92
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130325
 
If you plan on OC'ing past 3Ghz, get a better cooler. Then again, even if you want 3Ghz, I still suggest a better cooler. Go for the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 w/ the LGA775 retention kit (bolt-thru kit) or the ZEROtherm Nirvana. Both are very quiet and do a better job of keeping that Q6600 nice and cool.

$100 for 2GB of RAM is quite a hefty price -- especially when $50 sticks can do just as good a job as the OCZ kit you picked out. I know, you're going to mention the rebate... however, those $50 sticks I mentioned from Crucial also have a rebate to bring them down to $25 after a few months of rebate haggle. So, as you can see, there are much better choices for RAM. For example, this G.Skill kit costs less before rebate, and also gives you 4GB instead of 2GB:

$85 - G.SKILL 4GB(2x2GB) DDR2-1000 F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ

If you want to stick with OCZ and/or are a sucker for that SLI memory crap, this 4GB kit is still a better buy:
$99 - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-800 OCZ2N800SR4GK ($30 MIR)

Though, really, the G.Skill kit is great and really all you need, especially if you don't want to deal with any potential rebate problems.

What size monitor do you have? If you don't have or plan on getting a 24" or larger monitor in the future, go for a P35 or P45 board instead -- they actually run cooler than the nForce chipsets.
 
You can save $11 by getting OEM Q6600 instead. You really want a stronger PSU than that 520W if you plan on running an overclocked 65nm quad + 2x 8800GTS SLI. I would switch to a P35/P45 mobo (P45 already out) and take the money saved and upgrade to a stronger vid card instead.
 
With an OEM CPU, you only get a 3month warranty. The Q6600 is $200 at both Fry's and Microcenter, btw, so you might as well get retail.

I only saw one vidcard listed, so I assumed no SLI for now. Though, if you do want SLI, you really should get at least the 620W from Corsair, though the 750W is only $100 at buy.com and provantage.com.
 
enginurd said:
With an OEM CPU, you only get a 3month warranty. The Q6600 is $200 at both Fry's and Microcenter, btw, so you might as well get retail.
Click to expand...

And you void your warranty either way if you overclock. I wouldn't try and RMA a CPU I killed myself so taking the extra $11 is an easy choice for me. BTW, $190 at Microcenter now if you're lucky enough to live near one :)


I only saw one vidcard listed, so I assumed no SLI for now. Though, if you do want SLI, you really should get at least the 620W from Corsair, though the 750W is only $100 at buy.com and provantage.com.
Click to expand...

The cost of upgrading the PSU and paying a premium for the 750i FTW (over a P35/P45) is just about enough to upgrade that 8800GTS to a GTX260 or 2x 4850. Which imho is a much better use of the money.
 
RMA'ing an OC'd CPU is up to you, I guess. I don't want to get into a debate of morals/supply/demand/abuse/bigcorps on a hardware forum. Even if you don't OC, its nice to have a 3yr warranty in case you find yourself needing it. And its only $11 or whatever... not much.

Toaster Oven said:
The cost of upgrading the PSU and paying a premium for the 750i FTW (over a P35/P45) is just about enough to upgrade that 8800GTS to a GTX260 or 2x 4850. Which imho is a much better use of the money.
Click to expand...

I agree. I forgot he already had the 520W.
 
So, which monitor/resolution are you using? And which games/programs are you planning on running?
 
enginurd said:
RMA'ing an OC'd CPU is up to you, I guess. I don't want to get into a debate of morals/supply/demand/abuse/bigcorps on a hardware forum. Even if you don't OC, its nice to have a 3yr warranty in case you find yourself needing it. And its only $11 or whatever... not much.
Click to expand...

I agree. I rather have piece of mind knowing that my cpu is under 3 year warranty for the small amount of $11 instead of 3 months. At least you dont need to worry after the 3rd month, Knowing its still warranted.
 
tiraides said:
So, which monitor/resolution are you using? And which games/programs are you planning on running?
Click to expand...

Thanks for you input(s)

I'm using a 17inch CRT, but I also am planning on buying a new monitor and I have been looking at a 22inch Samsung LCD.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268

As for games, I'm currently playing Age of Conan,Call of Duty 4, Battlefield 2 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

I should of put this in my original post but i'm coming from an AMD 64 3000+ 2.0GHz Biostar K8NH Grand s754, 1gig of Kingston ram, XFX 6200 256mb, WD 200HD, and yes I can play AoC but at a very low settings and its not fun. :D So I think its time for an upgrade.
 
You won't need SLI for either monitor -- the 17 CRT inch you have now, nor the 22 inch LCD you're planning to buy later. Get a P35-based board now or, if you can wait for one, one of the new P45-based boards arriving soon (if not now).

I also suggest waiting a few more weeks (if you can) for the new cards from NVIDIA and AMD/ATI to arrive. You may find a newer card that does what you need, and/or you may see a price drop with the current selection of cards out now.
 
tiraides said:
You won't need SLI for either monitor -- the 17 CRT inch you have now, nor the 22 inch LCD you're planning to buy later. Get a P35-based board now or, if you can wait for one, one of the new P45-based boards arriving soon (if not now).

I also suggest waiting a few more weeks (if you can) for the new cards from NVIDIA and AMD/ATI to arrive. You may find a newer card that does what you need, and/or you may see a price drop with the current selection of cards out now.
Click to expand...

Before the 750i FTW, I was looking at the Abit IP-35 Pro. Both boards seem pretty solid choices. What caught my eye about the 750i is that I'm able to use SLI. I would like to go SLI possible in the near future but I wanted some input before I hit submit.

If I do wait for the new cards, would my power supply I have already be able to power these newer cards?
 
Yes, you'll be able to power the new cards.

SLI is only needed for high resolution 3D rendering. So, if you have or plan on getting a 1920x1080 LCD or higher, and want to game on it at native resolution, then keep SLI as an option. Otherwise, theres no need for it. A high end single card solution is still fine for a 1920x1080 (or 1920x1200) LCD screen, and more cost effective than an lower model SLI setup. SLI as an upgrade path isn't worth it unless, again, a large LCD is in the future plans. There should always be a better single card solution, and you could sell your old card to help offset the cost.
 
enginurd said:
Yes, you'll be able to power the new cards.

SLI is only needed for high resolution 3D rendering. So, if you have or plan on getting a 1920x1080 LCD or higher, and want to game on it at native resolution, then keep SLI as an option. Otherwise, theres no need for it. A high end single card solution is still fine for a 1920x1080 (or 1920x1200) LCD screen, and more cost effective than an lower model SLI setup. SLI as an upgrade path isn't worth it unless, again, a large LCD is in the future plans. There should always be a better single card solution, and you could sell your old card to help offset the cost.
Click to expand...

Good to know.

I don't think I will sell my old card, because I'm going to give this old PC to my parents. Even though its a low end card, how much could I get for it?

I could wait for these new boards and video cards to come out, but I would like to upgrade now. Also, I completely understand about SLI and high resolution. I may keep the 750i in mine because I would like to have that option for SLI. But for now, It seems like its best off with a P35 board. The only board I really have done a lot of research on is the Abit IP-35 Pro. Abit has been really good so far. My last abit board was a IC7-G and it was an awesome mobo.

Ive also been looking at these two heatsinks.

Tuniq Tower 120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001
Zalman 9700
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019
 
The Xigmatek is good, or the ZEROtherm Nirvana is also a good choice. Don't bother with the Tuniq Tower nor any Zalman. The Tuniq is old and its time has passed (there are lighter, better coolers for the money). Zalmans are overpriced for mediocre performance.
 
 
I woulda gone with 4GB, even if you only have a 32-bit OS (ram is so cheap right now and 3.5GB is still greater than 2GB)... but thats just me.
 
enginurd said:
I woulda gone with 4GB, even if you only have a 32-bit OS (ram is so cheap right now and 3.5GB is still greater than 2GB)... but thats just me.
Click to expand...

Stupid question...

Would it still be consider 4GB even though windows says its 3.5GB? Thats the only thing that bothers me.
 
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