Please rate my build.

S

StealthGuardian

n00b
Joined
Aug 3, 2008
Messages
6
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

My PC will be used for gaming, graphics design, coding, level design, video editing and so fourth. As far as gaming is concerned, my resolution will be no higher than 1650x1050 with all settings maxed. I just want to be able to play the latest games without compromising too much. I'm not interested in the best parts as much as I am with getting a good price to performance ratio.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$800 or less.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

No brand preference, just whatever is good at the moment.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I plan on using these parts from my current build:

-19 inch ViewSonic VX922 LCD monitor
-keyboard + mouse
-Altec lansing sound system
-FSP Group (Fortron Source) Blue Storm 500W ATX12V V2.0 power supply

My current PC is an athlon 64 3200+ and while it has served me well for three years, it can’t keep up with the newer games and applications.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I've read similar threads but everyone has different preferences.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I plan on doing minor overclocking, nothing too major, and or run it at default speeds if it suits me.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

As soon as the parts arrive.

So without further ado, here are the parts:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

I've decided to make the jump to quad since I will be running many processor intensive applications as well as gaming. Besides, I guess it makes my system somewhat "future-proof", if that word exists in the computer building world nowadays.

ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131295

This motherboard probably serves all my needs and more. If someone can recommend a cheaper brand then all the better.

SAPPHIRE 100243L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102748

It was between this card and the 4850, tough choice but I want something that will last 1-2 years.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151154

Creative Sound Blaster SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829102002

The total is $866; a little more than my original budget but I won't be upgrading again in a long time. Some have suggested that my current PSU is a bit outdated and that the 4870 is far beyond my needs but I want input from you guys. If that is the case, then I can just go with the 4850 and opt for a better power supply:

4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253

power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

Thanks in advance for the help. :D
 
Yeah get a new PSU. The original Blue Storm PSUs are bit weak on the +12V rail. But don't get that OCZ GameXstream PSU. It has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can damage or kill your PC over time. Granted you may not reach such high loads but why pay for a PSU that can kill your system?

So I recommed this PSU instead:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $98

Also drop the sound card and try out the onboard sound first. Onboard sound has improved a lot in the last few years.

Are you planning on getting a new monitor within a year or so? If not, stick with the HD4850. It's more than enough for 1650x1050 gameplay.

Also, note the position of the 24Pin connector on the P5Q: It's in one of these stupidest place IMO for a 24 Pin connector. It will interfere with airflow and cable management. So I recommend getting a different motherboard with a better placed 24Pin connector. See which one of these motherboards fit your needs:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $95
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $125
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $150
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $180
Asus P5E Deluxe Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 Intel X48 Motherboard - $225

Just to help you out: All of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future GPU upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you don't need more than 6 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, x8/x8 Crossfire, and high overclocks, then get the DS3R. If you like the DS3R but need 8 SATA ports, want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup, only need support for 8GB of RAM and don't need a second gigabit port, get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38. If you have cash to burn and don't give a damn about getting the most value for your money, get the Asus or Gigabyte X48 motherboards. Do note that the Asus website can be slow sometimes.
 
Who gave you those "questions"? They seem familiar....

Do you have an unused copy of a Windows license available? If not, you may want to get one. You could purchase an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for $110 shipped.

You can omit the sound card, as onboard HD audio has improved tremendously over the years. Try the onboard sound first, and then consider a separate sound card if you're otherwise unsatisfied.

Contrary to popular belief (or whatever you want to call it), you do not need a 700+ watt monster to power your machine. While Provantage offers an excellent price for the TX750 -- considering its MSRP, it's almost a steal -- you could cut corners price-wise without sacrificing power. For example, the Antec Earthwatts EA650 is currently on sale for $70 shipped.

If you plan on overclocking, either now or at some point in the future, you'll need an aftermarket CPU cooler. For example, you may want to consider the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (and its retention bracket, which makes mounting it easier).
 
Ditch the Soundblaster card and get a new PSU, like the 750 suggested. I can't tell you how many good builds were brought down by a inferior power supply. You can always buy a sound card and I doubt most people could tell the difference with onboard sound on those Asus p5q MB's. Get the Radeon 4850, you can always upgrade to crossfire mode and my one card plays games like crysis 1280-1024 all high setting without a hiccup.
 
Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I'm re-evaluating my build as we speak.

"Who gave you those "questions"? They seem familiar...."

I made the same thread on Anandtech; one of the stickies suggests answering those questions before posting a new computer build thread so the community can help out better.

"Do you have an unused copy of a Windows license available? If not, you may want to get one. You could purchase an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium for $110 shipped."

I have a copy of Vista but I'm going to be sticking with XP (sp3) until there is an absolute need for me to use Vista. :D

"You can omit the sound card, as onboard HD audio has improved tremendously over the years. Try the onboard sound first, and then consider a separate sound card if you're otherwise unsatisfied."

That's a good idea, onboard sound has served me well so far so I guess there isn't any reason to abandon it.

"Are you planning on getting a new monitor within a year or so? If not, stick with the HD4850. It's more than enough for 1650x1050 gameplay."

I don't think I'll be getting a monitor anytime soon. The HD4850 seems like a good choice now.

"If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L"

The DS3L then pretty much suits my needs. :D

So here are the list of changes I have made:

-I've ditched the soundcard and stuck with onboard
-Changed the motherboard to the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard Danny suggested.
-Changed the PSU to Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 tiraides mentioned (to cut costs and I don't anticipate my machine ever using the full capability either).
-Changed the graphics card to the 4850.

Here's the list:
GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply - Retail

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM

The total comes around to $753 with shipping. The Asus 4850 has a $30 mail in rebate so I anticipate it's going to change to $723, not bad at all. :D

Once again thanks for the help and comments are always welcome before I order these parts. :D
 
Looks good to me.

Be sure to post pics of it if you can!
 
While overclocking is tempting, I want to first make sure that the system is up and running. I may overclock sometime in the future when a performance increase is necessary. I hope the stock HSF works out though.
 
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