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New gaming rig

C

cahl

n00b
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
42
1x Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 8MB
1x Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
2x Crucial DDR2 BallistiX PC6400 2048MB CL4 ,Kit w/two BallistiX 1024MB's, E.P.P
1x EVGA nForce 680i SLI, Version-A1, Socket-775, 2xGbLAN, DDR2, 2xPCI-Ex16
1x EVGA GeForce 8800GTX KO ACS3 768MB GDDR3 , HDCP, PCI-Express, 2xDVI-I, 384bit

Keeping my case, disks, etc. I could keep the 9500 .. buut I don't have the brackets :(

According to this my PSU should suffice?

Why the Xeon? Why not. Seems to be exactly the same as the Q6600, right down to the price. And yes, I'll probably wait for the 22nd ^^

Any and all input is greatly appreciated
 
Unless you plan to go SLI in the future drop the 680i for a P35 based board like the Gigabyte P35-DS3R, or a similar board from Abit or ASUS. If you want SLI, you already have the best option there is right now.

I'd strongly recommend a Sunbeam Tuniq Tower or Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme over the Zalman HSF.

Your PSU will be fine for now, but with a second GTX in the future should you go that route you'd be running a little too close to max load for my tastes. Dan_D's rig pulls 650-something watts at the wall under load, I think? Of course, that's with watercooling and quite a few HDDs. You might still be ok. For now though, no issues at all.
 
silent-circuit said:
Unless you plan to go SLI in the future drop the 680i for a P35 based board like the Gigabyte P35-DS3R, or a similar board from Abit or ASUS. If you want SLI, you already have the best option there is right now.

I'd strongly recommend a Sunbeam Tuniq Tower or Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme over the Zalman HSF.
Click to expand...

Well. I was thinking about going SLI. But I had one 7800GTX and waited until recently before I got one. And surprise, surprise, one 8800GTX CRUSHES two 7800GTX. Monies out the window :( So I'm thinking .. wait until the 9 series, even tho there is no news when, were, what etc.

P35 you say, hmm. I'll look into one of those, thanks.
 
Yeah, but luckily 7800GTXs could sell for a nice amount, not something huge, but a good sum. I would personally recommend you keep the 680i motherboard if you are using a display that has a resolution of 1920 or more. In maybe 1/2 a year or less, one 8800GTX will not be enough to power games at that resolution. DX10 will call for two.
 
silent-circuit said:
Unless you plan to go SLI in the future drop the 680i for a P35 based board like the Gigabyte P35-DS3R, or a similar board from Abit or ASUS. If you want SLI, you already have the best option there is right now.

I'd strongly recommend a Sunbeam Tuniq Tower or Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme over the Zalman HSF.

Your PSU will be fine for now, but with a second GTX in the future should you go that route you'd be running a little too close to max load for my tastes. Dan_D's rig pulls 650-something watts at the wall under load, I think? Of course, that's with watercooling and quite a few HDDs. You might still be ok. For now though, no issues at all.
Click to expand...

I would go with a bigger psu as well if you ever plan on going sli or watercooling. Too much is never enough with a psu, lol. But if you don't plan on going sli that psu should be just fine.
 
For GTX SLI, you will be fine with that PSU, but if you are planning on doing anymore upgrades, like watercooling, or more HD's, you will definately want to get a more powerful PSU. Thermaltakes 750W Toughpower is one of the best routes to go down. It really is an excellent PSU.
 
Most Xenon processors require buffered RAM, if not a server / workstation-class Xenon compatible motherboard. I'm not too familiar with the specs of the X3220, but even if it works with mainstream desktop motherboards, be sure that it can work with mainstream desktop RAM. Buffered ECC RAM is expensive and it entails a performance penalty (due to checking the error bit.)

If they're the same price, and if in the end it's the same processor, then you'll be better off with the desktop Q6600 version. Why? It's what everyone else is getting, and if you ever have an issue or question about your rig, it's best to be in the same boat as everyone else. Even if there's absolutely no physical difference between the two chips, you'll have to explain to people why you have a Xenon chip in a desktop gaming rig and perhaps convince them that it's not an issue.

I think its silly to go for the more obscure, non mainstream part for the sake of it being more obscure and non-mainstream. The world of Xenon is a world of workstations, servers, and Mac Pros--not a world of gaming rigs.

Mark.
 
Markyip1 said:
Most Xenon processors require buffered RAM, if not a server / workstation-class Xenon compatible motherboard. Buffered ECC RAM is expensive and it entails a performance penalty (due to checking the error bit.)
Click to expand...
I've been reading around the forum, and I've never heard anyone mention the ECC ram. Thanks! Saved me from alot of trouble there ^^
 
I've ordered everything now, and I'd just like to thank everyone for helping me out.
Not only in this thread, but in others, and by posting / reading elsewhere on the board.

Bottom line, I think this might be the best setup for me.

GIGABYTE GA-P35T-DQ6 DDR3 Socket-775
Corsair TWIN3X 1333MHz DDR3, 2048MB, DHX
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
EVGA GeForce 8800GTX KO ACS3 768MB GDDR3
Antec Performance One P182 Gun Metal
Corsair 620W PSU
Thermalright ULTRA120 Extreme
SilenX fan, "iXtrema PRO", 120mm
Click to expand...
 
Markyip1 said:
Most Xenon processors require buffered RAM, if not a server / workstation-class Xenon compatible motherboard. I'm not too familiar with the specs of the X3220, but even if it works with mainstream desktop motherboards, be sure that it can work with mainstream desktop RAM. Buffered ECC RAM is expensive and it entails a performance penalty (due to checking the error bit.)
Click to expand...

There are Xeons that are basically identical to the desktop version chips. These chips do not require anything more than what the desktop versions require, AFAIK. Those Xeons will work in the same chipsets that support their desktop counterparts. The only difference I know of, between those particular Xeons and their desktop counterparts, is that they go through more rigorous testing, as do all server-class components. Server-class components are built to last. They're built for reliability, and they usually charge a premium for such reliability and longevity. The Intel Xeon 3000 series is rather identical to the Core2Duo E6000 series. Why would you get one? I dunno... to be cool? :cool:

I have Xenon headlights in my bimmer. :cool:
 
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