New system build...

D

Draco'

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I'm about to build a new desktop within the next week or so and would like some opinions.
I would be using mostly for photo editing and gaming. However the last graphic extensive game I played was F.E.A.R. and W.o.W.

Not really planning on going with an SLI setup right now, but I just might go that route eventually, so I would like to keep the option open.
I've pretty much decided on everything with the exception of memory.
Now, I read that most people here that have a Q6600 are running with DDR2 800 Memory because they have OC'ed their system.
The problem is that I hadn't originally intended to OC, because: a) I've never OC'ed a system before and b) I don't honestly know if it would be needed in my case. (I've been running on a P4 3.2 gig CPU for the last 4 years now).
Should I go with DDR2 800 Memory and OC the system to maintain a 1:1 ratio or go with DDR2 1066 Memory and stick with the stock speeds to get the 1:1 ratio?

Antec Nine Hundred Case
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor
OCZ GameXStream 700W Power Supply
MSI P7N Diamond Motherboard
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB Graphics Card
 
First things first, I recommend ditching that OCZ GameXStream PSU. It's based off the FSP Episilon PSU design which has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can damage or kill your system. Granted, you may not reach such high loads but why pay for PSU that can kill your system?

Second, going with DDR2 1066 RAM does not mean you'll get a 1:1 ratio. Check out the following math:
Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed

Q6600:
Multi x FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

So as shown above, to keep keep at a 1:1 ratio, all you need is DDR2 533 RAM. However, since DDR2 800 prices is more or less the same, might as well get DDR2 800 RAM since it'll allow for overclocking later on,

Third, this quote best explains my position on SLI:
Markyip1 said:
Just some info on SLI / Crossfire: It's absolutely not worth considering if a) you're gaming at a resolution under 1920x1200 (as you'll see no performance benefit over a single card,) and b) if you plan to buy one card now and another later. SLI / Crossfire as an upgrade path is usually a very poor idea, as by the time you're ready to get that second card, a new single card solution will likely be available that will outperform two of your older cards in tandem. Furthermore, there really is no cost benefit to the SLI Upgrade Route, as any additional cost in getting the new card can be easily mitigated in most situations by selling the original. By avoiding an SLI / Crossfire solution when it will not be of benefit, you gain a cooler running, simpler to maintain system and more importantly, access to a much better (and broader) selection of motherboards.
Click to expand...

So stick with an Intel P35 mobo instead.
 
what resolution do you play at? if its not 19xx10xx or more then sli shouldn't be considered. also if your going to sli anyways sli now and not later. may as well get the better graphics card instead of wasting money later when theres newer graphic cards out.

if you have a microcenter near you, they have the q6600 for $200 i believe. if not buy the q6600 from clubit.com because they guarantee G0 SLACR which means your q6600 runs less power meaning less heat so better oc'in capabilities.

go with either of these power supplies if your going sli: $170-PC Power & Cooling S75QB EPS12V 750W Power Supply or $115-Corsair TX 750W ATX 12V Power Supply
if single card get this: $89-Corsair VX 550W ATX Power Supply

if you going single card get a p35 motherboard for around $120 for more sata ports than the $90 p35 boards.

nothing againt the 8800gts 512mb. its beastly :D
 
On another note if you want to OC and get good results make sure you buy your Q6600 from clubit.
Q6600 G0 SLACR

They do restock pretty often, unluckily right now it is out of stock.
 
@ Danny - thanks for the info on the PSU. I'll definitely be looking into different one.

@crhscoog - I normally game at 1680 x 1050 Res. Why shouldn't SLI be considered at that Res.
- I had planned to buy the Q6600 with the G0 stepping the Fry's in my area has them in stock for $300.00 but I may wait to if ClubIT gets anymore in stock soon. (thanks Riggd).
 
I gamed at 1600x1200 with a single 8800GTX for a long time and never once had issues with slowdown. 1680x1050 is fewer pixels than 1600x1200. A single card is plenty for that res. SLI only starts showing significant returns at 1920x1200 and above -- you'd be wasting money to go SLI.

$300 is way too much to pay for a Q6600. The going rate is $260 new ($250 for an OEM chip), and Microcenter had them for $200 in store a week or so ago.
 
From what others just mentioned, don't bother with SLI. Single video are getting very fast to where SLI is not needed under most situations. A 512MB 8800GTS 512 will be perfect for you. Get the MSI NX8800GTS 512MB at $249.99 on NewEgg. It comes with a free game also. As far as PS, ditch that 700 watt OCZ as Danny mentioned. High watts sounds appealing but what matters is the amperage rating on the rails and how consistent it regulates the voltages. Get a Corsair VX550 from Buy.com for only $60 w/free shipping. You save $25 more than buying the VX550 from NewEgg at $85 after rebate. On the Mobo, get a P35 mobo such as the Gigabyte GA-P35DS3L. If you don't care for RAID and firewire than this board for $90 is a bargain and overclocks well. Lot's of ppl have this board and recommend it. It's good to follow the footsteps of other peoples PC builds as you have a much better chance of success on your own build. Especially when their system are running good.

Heck, the NX8800GT from MSI for only $187 is good enough also if you want to save $. I have an EVGA 8800GT running on a 1920 x 1200 Res LCD and I am content playing COD4, Gears of War, Crysis, UT3 and Stalker with this card. But, the NX8800GTS 512 is not a bad deal for $249.99 w/free The Witcher game included.


Draco' said:
I'm about to build a new desktop within the next week or so and would like some opinions.
I would be using mostly for photo editing and gaming. However the last graphic extensive game I played was F.E.A.R. and W.o.W.

Not really planning on going with an SLI setup right now, but I just might go that route eventually, so I would like to keep the option open.
I've pretty much decided on everything with the exception of memory.
Now, I read that most people here that have a Q6600 are running with DDR2 800 Memory because they have OC'ed their system.
The problem is that I hadn't originally intended to OC, because: a) I've never OC'ed a system before and b) I don't honestly know if it would be needed in my case. (I've been running on a P4 3.2 gig CPU for the last 4 years now).
Should I go with DDR2 800 Memory and OC the system to maintain a 1:1 ratio or go with DDR2 1066 Memory and stick with the stock speeds to get the 1:1 ratio?

Antec Nine Hundred Case
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor
OCZ GameXStream 700W Power Supply
MSI P7N Diamond Motherboard
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB Graphics Card
Click to expand...
 
HardwareGuru said:
On the Mobo, get a P35 mobo such as the Gigabyte GA-P35DS3L. If you don't care for RAID and firewire than this board for $90 is a bargain and overclocks well. Lot's of ppl have this board and recommend it.
Click to expand...

I was with you on everything up until the DS3L recommendation -- this board was a good deal at $60, and OK deal at $70, but it is a total rip-off at $90. For $10-15 more you can get a much nicer, fully featured board; the MSI P35 Neo2-FR comes to mind. If however the DS3L's feature set is enough for you, pick up the Abit IP35-E (currently $60 AR at Newegg) instead. It's the same sort of board, for $30 less.
 
Hey I game at 1680x1050, and I just build a system that is almost IDENTICAL to the one you stated above, except I went with a ABIT ip35- pro and a Corsair 520HX.

Let me tell you that the card (i have one) is more than enough. I play all my games (Crysis, TF2, COD4, UT3, HL2:EP2) all at 1680x1050, either high or very high and it gobbles up everything, except for crysis which is playable at ~35FPS.
 
Draco' said:
I was looking at the ABIT IP35 Pro. How easy does the BIOS on the Abit OC?
Click to expand...

dood, its amazing. this is my first really successful OC. And I could have gone further if I had more money on a cooler. I got my Q6600 all the way up to 3.2GHz with a coolermaster Hyper TX2, and it maxed out around 52C Idels around 30C.
 
You might also consider the DFI LanParty P35 Dark P35-TR2S, Gigabyte EP35/P35-DS3R/DS3P, and MSI P35 Neo2-FR along with the Abit IP35-Pro.
 
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