Building a Performance Computer

[RavenGuard]

I'm going into my second year game design program, and I've got some money to drop on a new computer since I've been living off of my laptop for a while. I hope to keep the cost under $2000 (Canadian Dollars) but if it's truly worth my while I may spend more. Anyways, onto the hardware.

This is my plan at the moment, but I'm hoping my mind may be changed:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 6600
Motherboard: ASUS PK5-C
Memory: Corsair XMS2 Dominator 2x1GB DDR2-1066mhz
GPU: Asus EAH2900XT (Radeon HD2900XT) 512mb
Hard Disk: Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 500gb

I will be running Vista Business unless I find a cheaper version of the Ultimate edition.
The above hardware including an 850 watt power supply adds up to 1700 Canadian.

Things I've had in mind:
-Reading new reviews on DDR3 makes it seem worth the money, I may want to look into getting DDR3, if I did get the higher performance DDR3 (I.E. 1600mhz) would I need a new motherboard? Upon second review, DDR3 at a performance worth paying extra for is too expensive, but I would like the option to use it in the future.
-I've seen comparisons between the Radeon HD2900XT and the GeForce 8800 line of cards and I'm sold on the Radeon for performance+value. Any advice here would be nice, as I'm all for best bang for the buck if anyone thinks other choices are better.
-I've also seen comparisons between the Core 2 Q6600 and other processors and this looks like my best bet.
-Keep in mind I'm trying to build this system to last. I don't want to buy a new computer in under 6 years and for that duration I want this machine to at least be able to run the newest games. I don't expect this computer to run the state-of-the-art games 6 years from now, but I would like it to contain a base which I may upgrade to that point.

For example, I chose the Q6600 processor because I know Intel will be coming out with a line of such processors and having a motherboard of that chipset will allow for upgrades in the future. Also, a cheaper alternative would be clocking the Q6600 higher and add a better cooling system. I also chose this particular motherboard because at the time I was sold on the performance of DDR2 memory vs DDR3, but now DDR3 has overtaken DDR2 and I will likely go with DDR3 straight up, 2GB leaving room for the future. The motherboard, power supply and graphics card all support crossfire, so in future if need be I will be able to double my graphics power for much cheaper, assuming the tech of today will be cheaper tomorrow, but by building off a strong base I will be able to keep up for quite some time.

I'm really interested in the ability to overclock, perhaps not now, but I want to make sure I have the option in the future. Any tips on cooling systems that are affordable to start out with would be well appreciated. In addition, I'm very much unsure of the kind of power supply a system like this will require, any input is very much appreciated and I hope to have a long in-depth discussion that turns into a great long-lasting computer. If anyone knows any sites or stores I can order from in Canada that have good prices, please let me know as well, I work off of the prices at www.canadacomputers.com. Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums I think you'd get more input if this thread were in General Hardware, since that's where the computer-building crew hangs out more. If you would like the thread moved there, just say

Oh, and ncix.com is another CA online store to compare against.

 

[RavenGuard]

If you think it'll get me better results go ahead and move the topic for me, thanks!

 

[ScrapSilicon]

move vote here as well

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: RavenGuard
If you think it'll get me better results go ahead and move the topic for me, thanks!

As requested, moving from Computer Help to General Hardware.

AnandTech Moderator
mechBgon

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: RavenGuard
-Reading new reviews on DDR3 makes it seem worth the money, I may want to look into getting DDR3, if I did get the higher performance DDR3 (I.E. 1600mhz) would I need a new motherboard? Upon second review, DDR3 at a performance worth paying extra for is too expensive, but I would like the option to use it in the future.

I was sold on the performance of DDR2 memory vs DDR3, but now DDR3 has overtaken DDR2

If you're going with the DDR3, skip the PK5C and go with the PK53. But I digress...it would be interesting to see these reviews. In next month's issue of MaxPC, Gordon points out that DDR3 on the PK53 has no real-world perf advantage against a board running DDR-1066, and instead has painful latency...especially in Valve's Particle Test benchmark. And unless prices have plumetted recently, probably not the best value at this time.

-I've seen comparisons between the Radeon HD2900XT and the GeForce 8800 line of cards and I'm sold on the Radeon for performance+value. Any advice here would be nice, as I'm all for best bang for the buck if anyone thinks other choices are better.

This is a point of contention with some. For what it's worth, I don't know any CAD people who have anything polite to say about ATI drivers, but I don't know what all goes into your "game design program".

The motherboard, power supply and graphics card all support crossfire, so in future if need be I will be able to double my graphics power

It's not actually double.

-I've also seen comparisons between the Core 2 Q6600 and other processors and this looks like my best bet.

Good, safe bet.

-Keep in mind I'm trying to build this system to last. I don't want to buy a new computer in under 6 years

I've never seen anyone hold on to a machine for more than 4 years. Good luck with that goal.

...and for that duration I want this machine to at least be able to run the newest games.

You must mean current games.

I don't expect this computer to run the state-of-the-art games 6 years from now

Three years from now, you won't find many games that perform all that well on your machine. It's just the nature of the beast.

Get a Tuniq Tower or an Ultra-120 if you wish to overclock. Both inexpensive and kick-ass coolers.

 

[RavenGuard]

Alright, so my biggest question as of yet has to go to the RAM. What exactly is my best choice motherboard-wise to take advantage of ddr2 now, as well as in the future run ddr3 at noticeably higher speeds?

I've read that my choice in motherboards is great for overclocking when it comes to the processor, but if I were to get 1066mhz RAM would it limit the possible overclocking of the quad core?

For the most part my technical uses of this computer is pretty much limited to programming, mainly with XNA Studios, but I will be running games developed for Xbox 360 on this computer and for that reason want to have this level of performance.

Other than that, this machine is a gaming machine, the simple way to put it really... If it can run the games and still have room to grow it'll make a decent development tool.

I checked out those CPU heatsinks and I will definitely be looking into them, looks like the best option for overclockers.