Feedback/ Critique new system please.

[mxk83]

Hey guys, I'm building a new system in the next few weeks to replace my 3200xp x800xt machine. It will primarily be a gaming/media HTPC. I have it hooked up to a 57" 720p hd tv. This is basically what it will consist of. Just looking for some feedback and/or suggestions on other equipment (I'm mostly unsure of the mobo).

Intel Core 2 Quad 6600 Proc
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Mobo
Corsair XMS2 4X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 4-4-4-12
Seagate 500GB SATA 7200rpm HD
Corsair CMPSU-620HW 620W modular PSU
EVGA Geforce 8800 Ultra

Like I mentioned before I'm mostly unsure about the mobo, and somewhat unsure of the video card. If you guys have any other suggestions for mobo's they must have optical out as it will be hooked up to my HK AVR-245 receiver. Also I know the new geforce series comes out in a few months, but I kind of want the best as I already have a 7900gs in my laptop and if this is to be my main gaming system it better be much better than what I have already in my laptop. I also want to know what your guys' experience with those video card trade programs are, and if you think I would get good value for this card when the new series comes out, as that may be an option. Anyways... let me know what you think!

 

[PurdueRy]

You shouldn't get the Ultra, the performance increase over the GTX does not justify the cost.

Other than that, make sure you have a 64bit OS if you want to take advantage of the 4GB of RAM. Personally, the Corsair typically isn't the best for the money either.

 

[mxk83]

Which GTX card would you recommend, seems to be so many flavors out there. I chose the ultra because I figured it would be the best for oc'ing, but thats just an assumption. As for the memory, I chose the corsair because it seems to be a good price atm, but so do OCZ's. Anything you would recommend?

BTW. I plan on OC'ing the cpu, not to extreme lengths as I want to stay on air, and I want to keep it somewhat quiet.

 

[MarcVenice]

I think that's the 67$ for 2gb corsair ram from newegg or clubit.com. Get rid of the seagate and get a Western Digital instead for more performance, or a Samsung spinpoint t166 for less heat/noise. And yeah, no ultra, besides that, looking awesome

 

[xitshsif]

Originally posted by: mxk83
I have it hooked up to a 57" 720p hd tv.

Is that your primary monitor? I hope you're not talking about OCing a 8800 Ultra to game at 1280x720.

 

[MarcVenice]

Hah I didn't notice that, buy a 8800gts, it should be PLENTY for 1280*1024, then buy the new series when it comes out ^^

 

[mxk83]

Yea I will mostly be using it at 720p for now (TV does run at 1080i as well, but only looks good for very few games). But I'm in the midst of finishing my basement home theatre room and will be getting a projector instead. Chances are I will end up getting a 720p projector, but if I have the funds it will be a 1080p one. I really want this to be as future proof as possible as well.

 

[xitshsif]

1080p is only 1920x1080, smaller than a 24" widescreen (1920x1200). A 8800GTS 640MB will be plenty for you for that. Future proof is pretty much a joke. You're better off buying a good card now, and another good card in a year or so if you need it.

Edit: Just because you're using a 57" tv, or projecting onto a huge screen doesn't mean you need a ridiculous graphics card to drive it. Resolution is what counts. 720p is still 1280x720 whether it's on a 57" tv or a 19" lcd.

 

[mxk83]

Didn't mean to come across so uninformed. I'm aware the differences between screen size and resolution and how screen size does not affect the performance of the graphics card. I know there isnt a huge difference between the GTS and GTX but I want to be able to run upcoming dx10 games at full resolutions with AA and AF turned up for as long as possible. From what I've read, the 8800 series has already faltered somewhat when it comes to dx10 performance and would like to get everything I can out of one.

I'm already feeling the effects of not being able to run games at full native resolution on my laptop (1920x1200 with 7900gs), and I dont want to run into that problem with the new system any time soon.

 

[xitshsif]

Originally posted by: mxk83
Didn't mean to come across so uninformed. I'm aware the differences between screen size and resolution and how screen size does not affect the performance of the graphics card. I know there isnt a huge difference between the GTS and GTX but I want to be able to run upcoming dx10 games at full resolutions with AA and AF turned up for as long as possible. From what I've read, the 8800 series has already faltered somewhat when it comes to dx10 performance and would like to get everything I can out of one.

I'm already feeling the effects of not being able to run games at full native resolution on my laptop (1920x1200 with 7900gs), and I dont want to run into that problem with the new system any time soon.

Full resolution for you is only 1280x720, less than the native resolution of a 19" LCD. You can get an 8800GTS 640MB for $350, where the Ultra would run you around $600. The 8800GTS is more than enough for your resolution. Save yourself the money now and in a year or so, you can buy a new video card if you feel things aren't as smooth as they should be. I believe strongly on this point, but I'd love to hear some other opinions.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: xitshsif

Originally posted by: mxk83
Didn't mean to come across so uninformed. I'm aware the differences between screen size and resolution and how screen size does not affect the performance of the graphics card. I know there isnt a huge difference between the GTS and GTX but I want to be able to run upcoming dx10 games at full resolutions with AA and AF turned up for as long as possible. From what I've read, the 8800 series has already faltered somewhat when it comes to dx10 performance and would like to get everything I can out of one.

I'm already feeling the effects of not being able to run games at full native resolution on my laptop (1920x1200 with 7900gs), and I dont want to run into that problem with the new system any time soon.

Full resolution for you is only 1280x720, less than the native resolution of a 19" LCD. You can get an 8800GTS 640MB for $350, where the Ultra would run you around $600. The 8800GTS is more than enough for your resolution. Save yourself the money now and in a year or so, you can buy a new video card if you feel things aren't as smooth as they should be. I believe strongly on this point, but I'd love to hear some other opinions.

I agree with you