DecidED not to wait for Nehalem

[Mitwang]

Looking to build a new rig after having the same one for 8 years.
1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Mainly Gaming, maybe some video editing in After Effects

2. What YOUR budget is.
Around $2000 (Including a 22" Monitor)

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

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Intel, nVidia

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts
Nope, all my stuff is obsolete

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

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Likely to be default speeds, but open to it if necessary

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Some time after the summer
Retooled my setup after thinking more (and reading the awesome threads over here):
Case: Cooler Master COSMOS
Mobo: Asus Rampage Formula
Proc: Core 2 Quad Q9550
Memory: 4GB DDR2 800
HD: Seagate 7200.11 500gb SATA
Video Card: The new Nvidia GTX 280 (Brand?)

Questions:
Will a 500W be enough to power this?
Is an aftermarket cooler necessary?
Vista - 32 or 64 bit?

 

[DSF]

There's no way to make good recommendations right now for a PC that isn't even going to built for a few months at least. This thread will be much more useful to you if you post again when you're actually ready to buy the components.

As far as Nehalem vs. building now, only you can answer whether or not you should wait. If you're happy with the computer you have for the time being, then wait. If you need a new computer, or simply want one that badly, then don't.

 

[Mitwang]

Alright, so the real question I have is, will I be missing out on something huge if I build now, or is Nehalem just another new tech?

 

[DSF]

If you build now, your computer will be fine for gaming for a couple years. Nehalem isn't going to change that.

There are some reports that are suggesting it will be up to 50% faster clock-for-clock than Core2. Again, whether that's worth a 6+ month wait is up to you. Nehalem isn't supposed to be widely available to consumers until well into '09. The Nehalem-family processors that are coming out late '08/early '09 are going to be out of the price range of DIYers. (Think of the X and QX series Core2s at their releases.)

 

[Mitwang]

Thanks, I think I'm gonna go with building a new rig and forgetting about Nehalem.

Now, for the rig itself, how is the setup in the OP looking atm?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

7.5 multi on the 9300 is pretty rough. I've heard the 9400 will be out soon with an 8 multi and 6mb L2 cache which would be a better deal regardless of the price. I may go with the 9400 in the near future.

I have a 500w Enermax Liberty on my 8400 machine that runs 4 drives and an X1900XTX - the psu is 80% efficient and i have saved on the bill. If I would of had 2 vid cards i'd look at a higher capacity PSU like @ 700 and up

Other than that, good luck with the new nVidia card, i hear they aren't worth the price

 

[Mitwang]

Read up on the processor phasing out and it looks like the Q9550 is gonna get a price drop down to 300ish. Gonna go with that for my build.

As for the video card, I'll have to see how it plays out with newer drivers and more users.

I still have a good month or two before my cash rolls in anyway.