Building a new Rig

[Nvidiaguy07]

Im set with my old case, PSU (antec true blue 480), Hard drives (74GB Raptor, and 500GB for storage) and dvd burner.

Im considering the Q6600 over the E8400 mainly because i dont upgrade very often so having quad-core technology will last me a little longer then dual-core.

Im probably gonna go with a 9600GT over a 8800GT just because the 80 dollars is enough for me to take a slight performance hit.

Im really undecided about which motherboard to get. I would like to have the option to use SLI if i ever decide to use it so ill have to go with a nvidia chipset.

i guess my options right now are either the ASUS P5N-E or MSI P6N SLI Platinum.

what would be the advantage for me to get a 680i chipset over a 650i?

also i know the nforce700 series chipsets are out and i dont see any features that would make me get that except possibly pciexpress2.0. and it supports DDR2 1200(really the only reason).

whichever board u recommend please let me know if i should get a new/different north or south bridge cooler.

for memory i dont know if i should go with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098
because of how cheap they are
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145034
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146565
because they seem like better overclockers.

i will be overclocking so it is important to me.

also im going to use a ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT as my CPU cooler. if you have any other recommendations please let me know.


Basically i need a CPU, MOBO, MEM, VID CARD, and CPU cooler for around 700

This will mainly be used to play games.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

please dont be afraid to recommend completely different parts this is only what i have in mind. I have about 700 to spend so whatever you think is best.

 

[Tempered81]

e3110/e8400 200
8800gts512 280
2x1gb 1066 80
Ip35E 60/ asus/gigabtye 110
xigmatek HDT 1283 40

660 - 710

8800gts 512 for 259:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Cards-_-MSI-_-14127325

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

im leaning towards these 2 cards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127329

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130328

and i will be overclocking the card as well so are these ok for OCing?

 

[krnmastersgt]

The EVGA is OCed to near its limits isn't it, in any case you should wait for reviews of the 9600GT before you decide. Also the advantages of the nF 7 series is the PCI-E 2.0 and the Yorkfield(aka quad core Penryn) support, which 680i can't support.

 

[Tempered81]

def the 8800gt if you're budgeting less than 250. the 9600gt performs on par or slower (usually slower) than a 3870, which itself is slower than a stock 8800gt.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Actually the 9600 GT can sometimes match the performance of an 8800 GT at stock clocks, and the SSC version has a nice core clock. Only time will tell.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

im almost considering going with a different chipset because chances are ill never use SLI so i might as well get a chipset that supports better memory and is cheaper.

what do u guys think of this mobo?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128059

it supports DDR2 1066

 

[Mondoman]

That's a great MB, as is its big brother, the DS3R (if you want RAID and lots more ports).
Definitely go for a P35 chipset MB; SLI is almost never worthwhile, as you have to be running 2 video boards with the same version nVidia GPU. There's always been a new model video card introduced that at least doubles graphics performance on just a single card, so that's the upgrade path to consider seriously.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the ds3L is a great motherboard, along with their siblings, the DS3P, DS3R etc

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Actually the 9600 GT can sometimes match the performance of an 8800 GT at stock clocks, and the SSC version has a nice core clock. Only time will tell.

Got a link?

In this review the 9600gt and the 9600 gt OC edition are slower than a stock 8800gt in every game.
http://www.overclockersclub.co...iews/xfx_9600_gt/6.htm

Keep in mind that a 8800gt overclocks quite well.