Building a new pc - I have some questions.

[Hewhodares84]

Hey guys, recently looking at getting a new system, this site was recommended to me as a place where I can get expert advice. I want a rig thats future proofed for gaming, lasting me a good 2 years without any upgrades. I dont do alot of multimedia, but i do do *some* (warcraft pvp movies using vegas). I am a complete novice when it comes to system building, I have only built 3 computers so far and yet to do any overclocking (I am eager to give it a go however with this next build). I dont care if the system roars like a beat or runs silent like a ninja. What I do care about is stability, gaming, multi tasking (switching regularly from a single game into my movie editing app (vegas 7) whilst browsing forums and listening to music) I also want it to be future proof (dx10 and vista).

Allright so now you know what I want, let me show you what I have so far. -

Mobo - p5n32-e sli plus
RAM - geil pc6400 800mhz 4gb (4X1gb)
CPU - E6600 C2D
GPU - 2 X XFX 8800 GTS 640mb
Display - Acer AL2216W 22"
Case - Aerocool Extreme engine 3t
PSU - CMPSU Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular
Sound - Onboard sound with 5.1 inspire
Keyb&mouse - Saitek eclipse 2 with a Logi G5 and icemat 2nd Ed.
HDD - Samsung spinpoint 500gb
Optical drive - SATA DVD writer
OS - Vista 64 with xp32pro dual boot
CPU cooling - Thermalright ultra 120 extreme
HP laserjet 1080
Executive reclining leather chair with gas height adjustment.

I have some serious questions now -

Vista and SLI - I hear that vista wont support SLI, perhaps its better going for a single 8800 gtx and getting a d3sp, however something about having those two cards with the p5n32e makes me very excited, and I *am* willing to wait for the support, after all i guess it will still run games out today with max settings (oblivion especially I want to see) vista should get some SLI support before games come out that tax this setup.

800 or 667 RAM? Another big question is what RAM speeds, now I could save a little downgrading to 800, but I wouldnt know where to put that extra few quid. Im not a hardcore overclocker so I would want it to run very fast right out of the box, and maybe after that ill look at fiddling with it.

Also on the subject of RAM, should I go for the more memory controller taxing 4X1gb sticks or 2X2gb sticks that are more expensive. I really want 4gb ram as like I say, I dont want to be putting more ram in for a couple of years, infact I dont want to be messing at all with the componentts for a long time. I think I can hoist the ram or something so that its all available to be used. (though I wouldnt care if it couldnt all be used in 32bit xp).

Disk drives! - allright, I went for the spinpoint 500gb as it seems very reasonably priced for its performance and size, and vista seems to have some trouble with the raptor >8¬( However will it effect performance a great deal? this is one area where I cant seem to find much info.

Onboard sound vs X-FI! well I decided to go with onboard sound, using some bog standard 5.1 speakers and letting this new microsoft sound thingy (i cant remember the name) to make my onboard just as good as a sound card. What are your thoughts on this.

Bit of a long post but I wanted to be detailed so you guys could potentially help me out more. thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[airhendrix13]

Ok, first the setup, then i'll answer your questions:

Mobo: go for a P35 board instead, they are some of the best boards out to date.
RAM: Haven't had experience with Geil, if you like them, get them, otherwise try OCZ's.
CPU: Buy this after July 22nd, there will be big price cuts. They won't directly bring this CPU down in price, but others in the same family, thus retailers will likely lower this ones price as well.
GPU: Try to avoid SLI, save some money and buy 1 GTX.
Display: Good choice.
Case: Fine.
PSU: Fine.
Sound: Considering this is basically a multimedia system, I recommend ditching the onboard and getting an Auzentech Xplosion, I have one of these and they are excellent.
Key/Mouse: Fine.
HDD: Fine.
Optical Drive: Fine.
OS: Avoid Vista 64, Vista is already having enough compatibility issues, and throwing 64bit tech on top of it will only make it worse.
CPU Cooling: Go for a Scythe or a Tunic Tower, or even a Zalman 9700.
Chair: Lol, first time I've seen a chair in system specs. I like it, keep up the good work.

Questions:
Vista and SLI: SLI should be avoided if it is possible, it is only worth your money and time if you have 1 card already and want to boost performance. Just get one GTX, then if you decide to go with your p5n32e board instead of a P35 board, you'll have an extra slot open for future upgrade.
800 or 667 RAM: If you aren't doing aggressive OCing, just get the 667's. There is barely a difference in performance, but when OCing, 800's give a little more head room.
More RAM: I doubt you'll be needing anymore than 4 gigs, and if you do, it will be far enough in the future where you'll need a new mobo anyway. There is virtually no difference between 2 X 2gigs and 4 X 1gigs, just get the cheaper option.
Drives: There have been tests about Raptors VS. 7200rpm drives. Benchmark-wise, there is a decent difference in performance, but in the real world apps, there is a very small difference, just get the 500gig.
Sound: X-FI is a whole lot of money for a whole little difference from other sound cards. I recommend Auzentech Xplosion's. They are cheaper and produce very good sound.

Bit of a long answer for a bit of a long post.

Good luck,

airhendrix13

 

[Sinn707]

As Airhendrix already said, Go with the Gigabyte Ga-p35-dsr3 board instead, wait for the 22nd of july and get the Q6600 or E6850 instead. I'd recommend quad since you are overclocking, no reason not to get an extra 2 cores especially considering you've mentioned 2 years futureproofing. Forget SLI, get an EVGA 8800 GTX so you could you Nvidia's step up program if the new series get released. Ram, this kit is good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231065
What else, your monster HFS's (no reason to go down to Tuniq 120 if you can afford Thermalright 120 Ultra) gonna need a fan, get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185005
Also get some quality thermal paste, it does make a noticeable difference, this one is within 3 best: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835150080
Almost forgot, invest a little more and get a Samsung 226BW instead of that Acer, my friend's got one and it's not the best looking screen to say the least.

Good luck.

 

[Hewhodares84]

Thank you for the replies, I am taking your feedback into account and pricing up a new build with a p35 mobo and a single gtx card.

I will have a new build for your consideration soon.

 

[Hewhodares84]

Hey guys, here?s my new build ?

GPU - XFX 8800 GTX XT 768mb
Memory ? PC6400 800mhz 4GB (4X1gb)
CPU ? E6600
Mobo - Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R
HDD ? Samsung Spinpoint 500gb
Sound ? Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty

Along with other components like thermal paste, printer, fan (for cpu cooler) flash drive. These and the rest of the components fit very snugly into my budget of £1800.

Thanks to all the feedback so far im quite happy with this new choice over the older one, and barring any obvious problems im going to go ahead and order it.

Ive decided to go with vista 64, I will dual boot it with xp 32.

About the sound card I saved enough money with a single GPU to warrant an expensive sound card, the fatal1ty looks really excellent, and as it fits within the budget I decided to go with it.

Again I thank you for your feedback, it really helped me choose the final parts, and gives me great confidence in the parts I have chosen. Not to mention a couple of hints like thermal paste and a HSF >8`)