New Gaming Build Check

D

Drist

n00b
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
Messages
6
It has been a long time since I built and have been wanting to get back into it. Here is my build I came up with after a lot of research and reading. I played with the idea of seeing what Nvidia does with their new card and MB chipset but haven't been impressed with some of the SLI boards out there. Sounds like they have their own set of issues. So with that in mind I looked at going Intel and ATI in hopes of being rock solid and to get on some xCrossfire action. Please let me know if you seen anything wrong or have suggestions. My budget should be around 2000 or more but would like to keep it less then 2500. I don't mind paying for quality. I'm not partial to Nvidia or ATI and have had good luck with both in the past. Just be easy on me :).

I'll be gaming at 1920x1200 and would like this system to last a few years if possible. Crysis, TF2, WoW, Age of Conan and anything else I have time to fit in.

Case:Cooler Master Stacker 820 Evolution
PSU: Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1000w
MB: Abit IX38 Quad GT LGA 775 or Asus Maximus Formula LGA 775 X38
Graphics: Sapphire Radeon HD 3870x2 (Adding another after seeing how the drivers pan out in march)
Processor: Intel E8400
Processor Fan: Zalman 9700
Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1000
Harddrive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB
CD: Samsung 20X DVD/Burn
Case Fans: Scythe SFF21E

Thanks for any input..
 
That's a good looking build. I'm a fan of the Maximus Formula. It's the most popular X-38 board on the market, and as such there is a ton of info on how to get the best OC out of it. I also think it's a very well designed board. The Abit Quad GT is very popular particularly on this forum, with some preferring it over the X-38. Of course, the two are far more similar than they are different, so in the end I would choose based on preference to Abit or ASUS.

Also, with four gigs of RAM, be sure to use a 64-bit version of Windows in order to utilize it all. 32-bit Windows (both XP and Vista) is limited to 4 gigs minus the sum of the component memory (i.e. memory in your video card) installed in your system. With two 3870 X2s, you will only be able to use 2 gigs of RAM at most in 32-bit Windows. Vista x64 is strongly recommended over XP-64 for a home / gaming desktop due to better application and driver support.
 
My only suggestion would be to make sure you have a good monitor to handle all that power!

You've got a real screamer there, it'll blow away any game for quite some time.
 
That Enhance-built CM 1kW PSU is nice.

Good idea to wait for the CrossfireX drivers. However, you do know that only a few games benefit from Crossfire, right? Just making sure.

Ditch the Zalman. Go with one of these instead:

$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P Ninja Plus Rev.B CPU HSF (optional $7 Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit; recommended if using w/ quadcore)
$45 - Tuniq Tower 120 CPU HSF
$46 - Thermalright Ultima 90 CPU HS + FBA09A12M - Z ($3)
$48 - ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm 2-ball UFO Bearing / Transparent CPU Cooler ($10 MIR)
$55 - Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme CPU HS + Scythe S-Flex Fan SFF21E ($15)

Why not go with a quadcore? its only like $50 more than the E8400 right now.
 
Thanks for the advice. I have revised it a bit based on some ideas from others. I am going Vista 64 as well as I have a Westinghouse L2410NM 24 which I love. I do realize Crossfire is a bit limited but kinda hope with the rumors of future ATI cards that it will become standard and more used for future games. I have high hopes like this for SLI as well. Only time will tell if that pans out.

Going to go with the Thermalright Ultra 120 eXtreme+fan and dropping the Zalman.

Also going to pick up a Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM for my OS partition as well use the other for my gaming partition.

One question I have is is about power. I have had a few people mention that the Coolermaster PSU is not very good. So now I'm starting to second guess it. I had originally picked out a 750 Corsair but was worried that if I do go with 2 3870x2 that it will not be enough and need a 1000w SLI rated of some sort. I'm trying not to spend a ton on the PSU but I do want plenty of power. A high quality PSU is so very important when you build.

I have been playing with going quad but the higher clock times on the e8400 are certainly very nice. I'll have to think more on that. Keep in mind this is a 95% gaming PC.

Thanks for your ideas.
 
Well, future games will have better support for multi-core CPUs. So, if you don't plan on upgrading the CPU for a while, you may want to go with a quad now, instead.

Enhance-built, 80A on the +12V rails, very efficient, and its not good?!?! JG seemed to think it was good enough for a 9/10 rating.
http://jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=52

You probably won't need a 1kW PSU, btw. I'm pretty sure a 750QUAD or the Corsair TX750 will do fine.
 
@enginurd, Thanks for that post. That review does make it sound like an excellent value. The nice thing about the PSU is they bundle with the stacker case which looks very nice. I'm thinking the feedback I'm getting is based on some of the other models. NewEgg reviews seem to be fairly positive as well. So as a bundle it's actually a good deal and I don't mind having too much power. Thats a good problem most likely.

As far as quad you are probably right. If I'm trying to future proof myself a bit I should put quad up there as well.
 
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