Advice on this gaming rig

[melchoir55]

Ok here's the situation:

I have 1k and I need a sexy beast of a machine. As far as I can tell from reading the guides here on anandtech, this is totally feasible. My problem is I don't know enough about the variety of hardware out there.

What I want is:
-A dual core processor that can OC to 3ghz (without being pushed to the limit with liquid nitrogen cooling)
-2GB of RAM (I assume I need 6400, what I don't understand is exactly what sort of it I need)
-A motherboard with the ability to run two graphics cards at their top speed. I want the board to support a minimum of 4GB of RAM.
-A graphics card (or combination of 2 cards) capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res. Higher res is absolutely unnecessary.
-already chose HD at $95
- Haven't chosen a case or cooling solution. I do not want to screw with water cooling, sound is not a problem for me.
-already chosen optical drive
-operating system, peripherals and monitor are not an issue.

Now the guides have been helpful, but have left me a bit confused. The guides seem to suggest that intel cpu's are generally superior (especially for overclocking), yet the machines they are building that seem game-oriented are built using AMD cpu's. I also feel that sli is important as it leaves room for easy upgrading, but if it's better to just buy one crazy powerful card, then someone let me know...

The differences in ram (6400 ram) were confusing to me as well. I want whatever cpu I buy to OC easily to the 3ghz mark and it seems proper ram is important for that.

I am confident that my goals can be accomplished at around $1000 (a little more would be fine), if I'm way off the mark then someone please slap me.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Copy the system in my sig but for memory get Super Talent or Corsair Dominator or TeamXtreme or Buffalo Firestix


All the above memory uses Micron D9 ICs

 

[melchoir55]

"but for memory get this"

eh?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: melchoir55
"but for memory get this"

eh?

yeah I pressed enter too soon...edited it

Also the current best video card out is the 8800GTS/GTX which will last you a long time.

 

[melchoir55]

Thanks for the quick reply. Those firestix are 100bucks less than the corsair, is there any reason for me to go with corsair?

I thought the best vid was the 8800, but isnt that thing like 600 bucks? I'm looking at a 1k pricepoint here..

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: melchoir55
Thanks for the quick reply. Those firestix are 100bucks less than the corsair, is there any reason for me to go with corsair?

I thought the best vid was the 8800, but isnt that thing like 600 bucks? I'm looking at a 1k pricepoint here..

hrm... $1k well, then you can probably get good deals on the 7900 parts left over before they're all gone. Or even an X1900 of some sort,

The only reason to go with corsair is because it's hand picked ICs. They're hand picked to go into that series of memory made specifically for overclocking and high performance.

But, the Firestix will probably clock just as well. I'd get the Firestix because I'm all for the best bang for the buck, That's why I got my crucial 10th anniversary memory for $229 when I could. Too bad that's not available anymore or I'd definately recommend that.

 

[melchoir55]

Alright here is my future rig as I understand your suggestions:

CPU: E6400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $218
Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 $182
RAM: 2x 1GB Firestix http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054 $242
Video Card: Still not clear on this
HD: 320GB Seagate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...148140&ATT=22-148-140&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me $95
Case: Not sure
Cooling solution: Not sure
Optical Drive: Some generic crap $40 at most

Total price currently: about 800
Looks like the price is going to hit more around 1100, I can live with that. Can you give me a good suggestion on case/cooling and vid card? I checked out the x1950's but there are about 6 models that I can't tell the difference between...
This board supports sli, will I be able to drop another x1950 down in the future and not be bottlenecked by the cpu?

 

[benplaut]

Look for a 8800GTS (or GTX, for alot more oomph). A little bit over budget, but it will really perform at that resolution.

As an added bonus, it leaves a slot open to add another one later for a big boost.

 

[melchoir55]

As I already said above, that card is far too expensive. I am looking for 1100 max for the entire rig, a $650 card is completely out of the question.

 

[melchoir55]

Another thing I was wondering, as far as what case I should get, how much power should I be looking for?

Still wondering about graphics card selection. I think I'm going to go with this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102003R but I'm not sure whether there is something else I should be considering. Also, does "open box" mean refurb or does it simply mean oem?

Is this card enough to do any game at max settings at 1900x1280 res? Will I need two of them in superhot sli mode to handle it all? I'm so confused.

 

[tallman45]

Just a single HDD, your bottleneck is already prebuilt into your system

Care should also go into selection of your PSU

 

[melchoir55]

I could buy a 2nd, though I wasn't aware the would affect performance. Could you give me some advice on psu's?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: melchoir55
Alright here is my future rig as I understand your suggestions:

CPU: E6400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $218
Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 $182
RAM: 2x 1GB Firestix http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054 $242
Video Card: Still not clear on this
HD: 320GB Seagate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...148140&ATT=22-148-140&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me $95
Case: Not sure
Cooling solution: Not sure
Optical Drive: Some generic crap $40 at most

Total price currently: about 800
Looks like the price is going to hit more around 1100, I can live with that. Can you give me a good suggestion on case/cooling and vid card? I checked out the x1950's but there are about 6 models that I can't tell the difference between...
This board supports sli, will I be able to drop another x1950 down in the future and not be bottlenecked by the cpu?

Your biggest problem here is overkill. Why get the E6400 if you're going to overclock? The E6300 is cheaper and has the same speed potential. That RAM is nuts; I'd stick with the 2x1GB Corsair ValueSelect DDR2-667. The motherboard and hard disk you picked out both look fine.

I'd stick with the retail cooler for the CPU. A third-party unit will add a lot more to the cost but probably little or nothing to performance. And of course if the stock fan gives you any trouble, you can always replace it at any time.

For a case, the Rosewill R6A34-BK is inexpensive but solidly built. The FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX400-PA should be fine for your setup. For an optical drive, try getting the retail Lite-on LH-18A1P-186; that model will get you extremely high write speeds, support for all seven recordable formats, and WinDVD and Nero software.

For a video card, you're on your own. I don't game, so I can't help you with that.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: melchoir55
Alright here is my future rig as I understand your suggestions:

CPU: E6400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $218
Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 $182
RAM: 2x 1GB Firestix http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054 $242
Video Card: Still not clear on this
HD: 320GB Seagate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...148140&ATT=22-148-140&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me $95
Case: Not sure
Cooling solution: Not sure
Optical Drive: Some generic crap $40 at most

Total price currently: about 800
Looks like the price is going to hit more around 1100, I can live with that. Can you give me a good suggestion on case/cooling and vid card? I checked out the x1950's but there are about 6 models that I can't tell the difference between...
This board supports sli, will I be able to drop another x1950 down in the future and not be bottlenecked by the cpu?

Your biggest problem here is overkill. Why get the E6400 if you're going to overclock? The E6300 is cheaper and has the same speed potential. That RAM is nuts; I'd stick with the 2x1GB Corsair ValueSelect DDR2-667. The motherboard and hard disk you picked out both look fine.

I'd stick with the retail cooler for the CPU. A third-party unit will add a lot more to the cost but probably little or nothing to performance. And of course if the stock fan gives you any trouble, you can always replace it at any time.

For a case, the Rosewill R6A34-BK is inexpensive but solidly built. The FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX400-PA should be fine for your setup. For an optical drive, try getting the retail Lite-on LH-18A1P-186; that model will get you extremely high write speeds, support for all seven recordable formats, and WinDVD and Nero software.

For a video card, you're on your own. I don't game, so I can't help you with that.

DO NOT EVER BUY VALUE SELECT MEMORY FOR OVERCLOCKING!

remember this well YOU WANT Micron D9 based memory ICs ONLY!

 

[cmdrdredd]

Also remember there's no gurantee your E6300 and mobo and whatever other components you have will overclock to get an E6300 to the same level an E6400 will go to. The 8x multiplyer does help some because you don't need a monster FSB clock to get 3.2-3.4Ghz

 

[bamacre]

capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res.

With an $1100 budget, good freakin' luck.

Unless you have a very loose definition of "max settings."

First off, to get even close to your requirement, forget about putting a lot of money into a cpu and OC'ing it. Video card performance is what you're going to need. They way you are starting off (800mhz DDR2, E6400, etc.), you are going to end up with a ~$250 video card, which will kill your entire goal here.

I suggest getting an E6300, Value select memory (533mhz or even 667mhz), a MUCH cheaper motherboard, basically forget about spending extra money OC'ing your cpu. A faster video card is where you want to spend your money.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: bamacre

capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res.

With an $1100 budget, good freakin' luck.

Unless you have a very loose definition of "max settings."

First off, to get even close to your requirement, forget about putting a lot of money into a cpu and OC'ing it. Video card performance is what you're going to need. They way you are starting off (800mhz DDR2, E6400, etc.), you are going to end up with a ~$250 video card, which will kill your entire goal here.

I suggest getting an E6300, Value select memory (533mhz or even 667mhz), a MUCH cheaper motherboard, basically forget about spending extra money OC'ing your cpu. A faster video card is where you want to spend your money.

Gonna end up with something like a Scion with a Ferrari motor in it. Not my idea of a good system

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: bamacre

capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res.

With an $1100 budget, good freakin' luck.

Unless you have a very loose definition of "max settings."

First off, to get even close to your requirement, forget about putting a lot of money into a cpu and OC'ing it. Video card performance is what you're going to need. They way you are starting off (800mhz DDR2, E6400, etc.), you are going to end up with a ~$250 video card, which will kill your entire goal here.

I suggest getting an E6300, Value select memory (533mhz or even 667mhz), a MUCH cheaper motherboard, basically forget about spending extra money OC'ing your cpu. A faster video card is where you want to spend your money.

Gonna end up with something like a Scion with a Ferrari motor in it. Not my idea of a good system

Please elaborate.

What I am saying is a system with an OC'd E6300 and an X1950 Pro is going to get its ass kicked by a system with a stock E6300 and an X1950 XT, when it comes to gaming. And the OP stated he wants a system "capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res."

Given his goal, it's just ignorant to throw all kinds of money into cpu performance and be forced into a $200 video card.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: melchoir55
Alright here is my future rig as I understand your suggestions:

CPU: E6400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $218
Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 $182
RAM: 2x 1GB Firestix http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054 $242
Video Card: Still not clear on this
HD: 320GB Seagate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...148140&ATT=22-148-140&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me $95
Case: Not sure
Cooling solution: Not sure
Optical Drive: Some generic crap $40 at most

Total price currently: about 800
Looks like the price is going to hit more around 1100, I can live with that. Can you give me a good suggestion on case/cooling and vid card? I checked out the x1950's but there are about 6 models that I can't tell the difference between...
This board supports sli, will I be able to drop another x1950 down in the future and not be bottlenecked by the cpu?

cmdrdredd & i generally see eye to eye on recommendations.
Heck, if you look at our systems, they are rather similar

But i would say no to the E6400.
Go either E6300 or E6600, since the E6300 will clock just as high as the E6400 95% of the time.
E6600 is obviously the z0mg more cache = bigger e-penis option

BTW, i would strongly advise against the Corsair Dominators, as i feel they are not only overpriced D9s, but also likely ridiculously tightly binned.
In short, all the good D9 chips Corsair gets are being put into the faster-than-DDR2-800 Dominator kits IMHO.

Stick with the other ones; either Buffalo for the bang for buck option, or Team for the assured extremely good OC option.

GPU = 8800 GTX or GTX if you have lots of $$$.
If you really feel you need SLI, then get one of the vastly overpriced nF 680i mobos, but i have never found SLI to be a good option, & i still do not.

Good cooler options: Tuniq Tower, Zalman 9500/9700, TT Big Typhoon, Scythe Ninja/Mine/Infinity, etc.

Case = personal preference.

PSU = no point in cheaping out.
Corsair HX620 620W (superb review @ JonnyGuru's, & i feel it will support any monster power-consumption single card solutions well in the future, since it's not really individual 12V rails)

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: melchoir55
Alright here is my future rig as I understand your suggestions:

CPU: E6400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004 $218
Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131045 $182
RAM: 2x 1GB Firestix http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820150054 $242
Video Card: Still not clear on this
HD: 320GB Seagate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...148140&ATT=22-148-140&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me $95
Case: Not sure
Cooling solution: Not sure
Optical Drive: Some generic crap $40 at most

Total price currently: about 800
Looks like the price is going to hit more around 1100, I can live with that. Can you give me a good suggestion on case/cooling and vid card? I checked out the x1950's but there are about 6 models that I can't tell the difference between...
This board supports sli, will I be able to drop another x1950 down in the future and not be bottlenecked by the cpu?

cmdrdredd & i generally see eye to eye on recommendations.
Heck, if you look at our systems, they are rather similar

But i would say no to the E6400.
Go either E6300 or E6600, since the E6300 will clock just as high as the E6400 95% of the time.
E6600 is obviously the z0mg more cache = bigger e-penis option

BTW, i would strongly advise against the Corsair Dominators, as i feel they are not only overpriced D9s, but also likely ridiculously tightly binned.
In short, all the good D9 chips Corsair gets are being put into the faster-than-DDR2-800 Dominator kits IMHO.

Stick with the other ones; either Buffalo for the bang for buck option, or Team for the assured extremely good OC option.

GPU = 8800 GTX or GTX if you have lots of $$$.
If you really feel you need SLI, then get one of the vastly overpriced nF 680i mobos, but i have never found SLI to be a good option, & i still do not.

Good cooler options: Tuniq Tower, Zalman 9500/9700, TT Big Typhoon, Scythe Ninja/Mine/Infinity, etc.

Case = personal preference.

PSU = no point in cheaping out.
Corsair HX620 620W (superb review @ JonnyGuru's, & i feel it will support any monster power-consumption single card solutions well in the future, since it's not really individual 12V rails)

I think you missed his mentioning of the budget.

 

[n7]

He's not gonna get what he wants for a $1000 budget, so i decided to ignore that to an extent.

Maybe he'll see that eventually

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
DO NOT EVER BUY VALUE SELECT MEMORY FOR OVERCLOCKING!

remember this well YOU WANT Micron D9 based memory ICs ONLY!

He's overclocking his CPU, not his memory, which should be sitting comfortably at DDR2-667 or less while the E6300 shoots up to 3GHz.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Well, here's how I see it. People, correct me if I'm wrong.

If your budget is $1,000, a single PCIe x16 slot is what you should go for.

I know you want a super excellent video solution, but for $1,000 it's just not feasible.

Here's what I suggest instead:

ASUS DRW1608P3SBLK multi-format DVD burner (retail w/software)
Rosewill R6A34-BK mid-tower case
Western Digital WD2500JS 250GB SATA/300 hard disk
FSP Group ATX400-PA 400W PSU
Corsair VS2GBKIT667D2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667
ASUS P5LD2 R2.0 ATX motherboard (w/ nice overclocking features)
Intel BX80557E6300 Core 2 Duo E6300 retail
TOTAL AFTER SHIPPING: $693.26

That leaves you with a $306.74 budget for a video card. I don't keep up with GPUs, so someone else will have to fill in that blank. But I recommend making the above sacrifices to get to that point where you can afford a decent video solution.

Does everyone else agree?

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Gonna end up with something like a Scion with a Ferrari motor in it. Not my idea of a good system

Please elaborate.

What I am saying is a system with an OC'd E6300 and an X1950 Pro is going to get its ass kicked by a system with a stock E6300 and an X1950 XT, when it comes to gaming. And the OP stated he wants a system "capable of running any game (oblivion and nwn2 come to mind) at max settings on 1920x1280 res."

Given his goal, it's just ignorant to throw all kinds of money into cpu performance and be forced into a $200 video card.

He's not going to meet his goals with a $1000 budget. That's pretty clear.

I like going for CPU performance at the expense of video performance. I know that is bad advice for the best current gaming performance but I see the CPU as the bedrock of a system, something that will affect ALL application performance not just games. Video cards come and go. Deal with the performance of a $200 video card now and replace it later.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
DO NOT EVER BUY VALUE SELECT MEMORY FOR OVERCLOCKING!

remember this well YOU WANT Micron D9 based memory ICs ONLY!

He's overclocking his CPU, not his memory, which should be sitting comfortably at DDR2-667 or less while the E6300 shoots up to 3GHz.

If you overclock your CPU you will be overclocking your memory too. No way around it. When you increase your FSb you increase your memory frequency at the same time.

You CAN'T run DDR2-667 with a E6300 on a 400+ FSB.