Final Build - rate me!

[Noobtastic]

Ok, for those who are unaware, I have been searching for computer parts for several months now. I also took it upon myself to make half a dozen threads for each individual part (eh, I'm a neurotic) during that time.



This is my last thread. Honest.




anywho, please review the following parts. I'm still not 100% sure on some of them (especially videocard cooling and PSU.)



I'll also need help selecting new ram that is compatible with my mobo since the crucial is out of stock.




Ok, here it is - everything I'm ordering.


Case - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16811119068

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813128017

GPU - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16814102067

GPU cooling/silencer - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16835118117

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16817104034

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16819115003

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16820146569 This is out of stock. I'm not sure how fast newegg replenishes their products, but I'll need to find a substitute (hopefully under 100$) in case they don't update before I order.

HD - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16822148140

Moniter - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16824002129

Headset - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16826265036 (I know it's cheap, but I like the fit. I used to own one but it broke and Fry's doesn't supply it anymore.)

CD/DVD burner - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16827106055

Antivirus - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16832114002 (I'm not sure about this. I know nothing about anti-viruses. I just went by the reviews.)

O/S - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16832116056 (I hate vista.)

Speakers - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16836121125 (I'll get more expensive ones later.)

Additional software - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16837102081

Keyboard - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16823175103

Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16826104191

BF2 - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16826104191

BF2142 - http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16832130015


Grand Total: $1,445.22 shipped (including tax + shipping, which is $140. I live in CA. )



Don't recommend me the 8800GTS because I don't want it. I'd need to get a different PSU, change some of my parts, and it's just too expensive. I'm only playing BF2 and BF2142 anyways (NOTHING ELSE) and I rather spend money on a good cpu than an overkill graphics card.



I need assistance choosing new ram in case newegg doesn't update their stock of crucial (2 gigs minimum.)


Please comment on any of the parts. I'll be using this computer for awhile and I want to make sure everything is compatible, I really don't want to take things back.




Any responses will be oh so appreciated!!


Update: https://secure.newegg.com/NewV...e=Michael%27s+Computer

Tell me if that works.

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you can wait another month, the Q6600 will be the same price as the E6600 after intel's price cuts

 

[Noobtastic]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
if you can wait another month, the Q6600 will be the same price as the E6600 after intel's price cuts</end quote></div>


I rather get the cheaper E6600 than an equal priced Q6600.


But I sincerely doubt I'll be able to wait that long (I start school and I have to have this computer ordered by the end of June. Plus the person who is ordering it wants to do it now.)



I think the E6600 is plenty for BF2 and BF2142, as well as any other future BF games.


Those are the only games I'll be playing anyways.


I need help with the ram. Suggestions?

edit: Even I were to get the quadcore, I'd have to buy a different mobo, PSU, and definitely and aftermarket cooler. In the end, the total will be more with the cut.

 

[Bradtechonline]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
if you can wait another month, the Q6600 will be the same price as the E6600 after intel's price cuts</end quote></div>


I rather get the cheaper E6600 than an equal priced Q6600.


But I sincerely doubt I'll be able to wait that long (I start school and I have to have this computer ordered by the end of June. Plus the person who is ordering it wants to do it now.)



I think the E6600 is plenty for BF2 and BF2142, as well as any other future BF games.


Those are the only games I'll be playing anyways.


I need help with the ram. Suggestions?

edit: Even I were to get the quadcore, I'd have to buy a different mobo, PSU, and definitely and aftermarket cooler. In the end, the total will be more with the cut.

I have the same Anti-Virus, and GPU you have picked out, and they are great. Be sure to check into ATI Tray Tools when you get your card. You can adjust the RPM on your fan, and prevent overheating with just putting it up to 2500-3000. NOD32 is awesome, 9 years straight without missing an ITW virus. Won several VB100 awards, and has a small memory footprint.

For RAM suggestion, I recommend the G.SKILL memory with a Green heatspreader on them rated at 5-5-5-15. There is really no reason to pay extra for the 4-4-4-12 or 4-3-3-5. I have mine running at 2.050 volts, and doing 4-4-4-12 easy. I've had them down to 4-3-3-5 @ 2.050 when I'm not overclocking. Played BF2 for a couple hours with them at those speeds with no problems.

I'm pulling in anywhere from 40-100 fps in BF2 with every single thing maxed out possibly for eye candy at 1024x768. Only time I lag with that GPU is server side lag, and some issues I have with Quake IV for some reason 20-40 fps, but yet I get 60 maxed out in DOom 3 all the time ??!?!?

Overall your system looks really sweet. I built a Core 2 Duo E6600 setup for a friend of mine, and I was really impressed with the performance of it. It was literally night, and day compared to his old Xp 3200+ and even my Clawhammer 3700+ I had at the time.

I agree with Going with XP for now. Your card won't support DX 10 anyways, and I'm sitting out on Dx10 until the new gen of cards come around. Here is a link the RAM I got, and really enjoy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231085

Great for OC'ing, if you plan on it.

 

[Noobtastic]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Bradtechonline
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Noobtastic
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
if you can wait another month, the Q6600 will be the same price as the E6600 after intel's price cuts</end quote></div>


I rather get the cheaper E6600 than an equal priced Q6600.


But I sincerely doubt I'll be able to wait that long (I start school and I have to have this computer ordered by the end of June. Plus the person who is ordering it wants to do it now.)



I think the E6600 is plenty for BF2 and BF2142, as well as any other future BF games.


Those are the only games I'll be playing anyways.


I need help with the ram. Suggestions?

edit: Even I were to get the quadcore, I'd have to buy a different mobo, PSU, and definitely and aftermarket cooler. In the end, the total will be more with the cut.

</end quote></div>

I have the same Anti-Virus, and GPU you have picked out, and they are great. Be sure to check into ATI Tray Tools when you get your card. You can adjust the RPM on your fan, and prevent overheating with just putting it up to 2500-3000. NOD32 is awesome, 9 years straight without missing an ITW virus. Won several VB100 awards, and has a small memory footprint.

For RAM suggestion, I recommend the G.SKILL memory with a Green heatspreader on them rated at 5-5-5-15. There is really no reason to pay extra for the 4-4-4-12 or 4-3-3-5. I have mine running at 2.050 volts, and doing 4-4-4-12 easy. I've had them down to 4-3-3-5 @ 2.050 when I'm not overclocking. Played BF2 for a couple hours with them at those speeds with no problems.

I'm pulling in anywhere from 40-100 fps in BF2 with every single thing maxed out possibly for eye candy at 1024x768. Only time I lag with that GPU is server side lag, and some issues I have with Quake IV for some reason 20-40 fps, but yet I get 60 maxed out in DOom 3 all the time ??!?!?

Overall your system looks really sweet. I built a Core 2 Duo E6600 setup for a friend of mine, and I was really impressed with the performance of it. It was literally night, and day compared to his old Xp 3200+ and even my Clawhammer 3700+ I had at the time.

I agree with Going with XP for now. Your card won't support DX 10 anyways, and I'm sitting out on Dx10 until the new gen of cards come around. Here is a link the RAM I got, and really enjoy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231085

Great for OC'ing, if you plan on it.



</end quote></div>



I don't plan on overclocking. I can afford better ram, and someone else said that crucial is better than gskill.


I want to be able to play BF2 and BF2142 MAXED out with ZERO lag.

thanks for the quick response.


edit: I'm not sure if this is more graphic intense than your resolution, but I'll be playing BF2 with 1280 x 1024 resolution.

 

[Bradtechonline]

I've owned Kingston, Crucial, Patriot, and now G.SKILL. For the most part I've never been able to tell any difference. G.SKILL has a lifetime warranty just like Crucial. I like the fact that I paid $46.00, and can run stable 4-3-3-5, and it can handle more volts. I don't know what the other person definition of better is. I guess paying 10 extra for Crucial Valueram that runs at 5-5-5-15? Ballistix is 59, but I can do 4-4-4-12 easily, and even better. If I were you, and was dead set on Crucial I'd wait till the Ballistix gets back in stock.

 

[Noobtastic]

Ok I'll go with the G.Skill.


I need two gigs and the link is only one.


Can I use two of them??


Are you sure Gskill is the best with BF2?

 

[coolpurplefan]

The best way to make sure your RAM is compatible is to use the same model number and brand. But, they could have been made at different times. So, a 2x1GB kit is guaranteed to be compatible. Buying 1GB and another 1GB seperately is not guaranteed to be as compatible.

I know, it sounds funny but I've read that before. Just do a search on newegg for the 2x1GB.

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
The best way to make sure your RAM is compatible is to use the same model number and brand. But, they could have been made at different times. So, a 2x1GB kit is guaranteed to be compatible. Buying 1GB and another 1GB seperately is not guaranteed to be as compatible.

I know, it sounds funny but I've read that before. Just do a search on newegg for the 2x1GB.

I did but I'm not sure which is the best. I think you recommened me the x2 gig crucial (which was compatible with my picky mobo.)



I know you've helped me a lot.....

 

[coolpurplefan]

I know for the headset, I might get Altec Lansing or Logitech instead (for about the same price or just a little more).

EDIT: I"m sleepy from my new job because I woke up really early. I guess I won't have any time for RAM research. Fact is, I'm not up to speed on DDR2 RAM. lol (I knew just enough about DDR1 RAM but...)

You can always check RAM manufacturer's web sites to find compatibility and then google for some benchmarks/reviews. There are many well known brands for RAM. Some of these are Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, OCZ, and yeah, G Skill. Maybe you should ask Eclipse on the hardforum.com forums. He knows a lot about CPUs and overclocking and RAM.

 

[CelSnip]

I would recommend the Accelero X2 as the GPU cooler. It is slightly cheaper and if I recall correctly cools slightly better. It comes down to personal choice though.

 

[Noobtastic]

I haven't experienced either.


One person recommened Zalman, another, Accelero.



Which is better....and which is most likely not to die on me?




I really need help with the RAM troubles. I've been looking at newegg for over an hour and still cannot decide.

edit: My mobo seems really picky. According to newegg -

This product does not support Win9X/ME
Notice: Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets.


Crucial is 4-4-4 at 1.8v. Does that mean it's not compatible??


The gskill is 5-5-5 but it's 1.9-2.0v.



Help?



edit again:

Ok, they say this is recommended for gaming (and it is fully compatible with my mobo)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146118

And this one -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820220091

There was also the kingston value ram but someone said it wasn't that good.


Here is the list of compatible RAM for my mobo (I think.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...me=DDR2+800+(PC2+6400)

 

[Blain]

I would have given your rig a higher rating, but you didn't list your parts, you only posted Newegg links.
Screw that "just click through" business! :|

2.74 out of 10 :thumbsdown:

 

[Noobtastic]

I updated the post and added the link (didn't know how to add it. Took me forever.)

 

[Roguestar]

Every RAM is compatible with BF2142. The game doesn't care who makes it.

I have the exact same motherboard and graphics card as you. The S3 doesn't complain about higher voltage memory at all. I booted straight in with 1.8V and then just changed the vDIMM to +0.3 to the sweet spot my Crucial Ballistix likes. Don't worry at all about the RAM; just get what's best value. The Crucial ValueRAM you linked is good quality and timings are fine. You'll not notice any difference with tighter timings. You could also consider getting AVG 7.5 Free to shave a few $$$ off the total price, but NOD32 is very good.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Noobtastic,

There were some benchmarks done by people who wanted to find out what the difference was between CAS 2 RAM and CAS 3 RAM. There were a lot of applications that didn't benefit from lower timings but games that use a lot of memory did. The difference was about 10% I'm talking about differences like 66 frames per second instead of 60 frames per second. I don't know the difference between CAS 3, 4 or 5 RAM with DDR2, but usually, you pay more for lower timings. Look for the 2x1 GB kits with the lowest timings for the price then google for reviews and look at the manufacturer's web site for compatibility. Usually, RAM is compatible.

Google reviews for the video card cooling. I suppose ease of installation is also a factor if you want to do it yourself.

 

[Noobtastic]

I don't intend on changing any timing or modifying the RAM.



By compatible RAM, I meant compatible with my MOBO. Not the games, lol.



So what do you guys recommend? My mobo only accepts 5-5-5 and 4-4-4 at 1.8V.


Suggestions??

 

[Roguestar]

Your motherboard accepts more than that. I am currently running 5-5-5-10 at 2.2V, and I was running it at 3-3-3-9 at 2.1V for a while. Don't worry about the S3's memory compatibility, like the DS3 some issues with high voltage RAM were sorted out in November, and with recent BIOSes and board revisions there's nothing to fear. Seriously, just get whatever RAM is best value at the time you're buying it!

 

[Noobtastic]

Does the mushkin look ok?




Just recommend me the best 2 gigs for battlefield that $100 or less.


please?

 

[benzylic]

I'm somewhat curious how you got by with 850 posts...

 

[Bradtechonline]

Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Does the mushkin look ok?




Just recommend me the best 2 gigs for battlefield that $100 or less.


please?

Mushkin is a good brand also. I've used about all of them, and for the most part they all work okay. To answer your question earlier about the G.SKILL Ram modules, yes two of them will work. I ordered one, and then ordered another. Just remember if you just order one it will run in single channel, you need to have at least two DIMM modules (Ram Sticks) to run Dual Channel. Some of the negative reviews about that memory is from people who said it wasen't dual channel capable.

I think you'll be happy which ever way you decide to go. I'm not sure if the Intel Chipset issue regarding ram voltages have been fixed or not. I build mostly AMD systems, but I remember people talking about memory needing to be 1.8 volts for a certain Intel Chipset?
The C2D systems I've built I've went with the nvidia chipset. I'm sure someone here knows more about the voltage thing than I do, and will chime in.

Mushkin, Patriot G.SKILL, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, all good brands in my experiences dealing with them. I've had one 512 MB module from Kingston years ago, and they replaced it quickly. I don't think you'll see a whole lot of difference between them. Here are some benchmarks for G.SKILL memory compared to others done by anandtech.com

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2867&p=5

their conclusion
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2867&p=7

If I run across any BF2 specific benchmarks I'll post them for you. But I think all the brands will be so close to one another at the same timings that it will be around dead even. I didn't realize that G.SKILL also used Micron D9 chips. I believe those are the same that Crucial uses.

 

[Bradtechonline]

Originally posted by: mxrider
I'm somewhat curious how you got by with 850 posts...

Everyone starts out like this .

A dumb person would not ask for help, and suggestions.

 

[benzylic]

Originally posted by: Bradtechonline
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: mxrider
I'm somewhat curious how you got by with 850 posts...</end quote></div>

Everyone starts out like this .

A dumb person would not ask for help, and suggestions.

I dont have a problem with people asking for help, I just think some of this guys posts are pretty comical. Not necessarily in this thread but in his other 20 threads about his new computer. My personal favorite though is his IBUYPOWER fiasco

 

[Blain]

I would have given your rig a higher rating, but you didn't list your parts... Not just Newegg links.
Screw that "just click through" business! :|

2.74 out of 10 :thumbsdown:

 

[Noobtastic]

Originally posted by: Bradtechonline
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Noobtastic
Does the mushkin look ok?




Just recommend me the best 2 gigs for battlefield that $100 or less.


please?

</end quote></div>

Mushkin is a good brand also. I've used about all of them, and for the most part they all work okay. To answer your question earlier about the G.SKILL Ram modules, yes two of them will work. I ordered one, and then ordered another. Just remember if you just order one it will run in single channel, you need to have at least two DIMM modules (Ram Sticks) to run Dual Channel. Some of the negative reviews about that memory is from people who said it wasen't dual channel capable.

I think you'll be happy which ever way you decide to go. I'm not sure if the Intel Chipset issue regarding ram voltages have been fixed or not. I build mostly AMD systems, but I remember people talking about memory needing to be 1.8 volts for a certain Intel Chipset?
The C2D systems I've built I've went with the nvidia chipset. I'm sure someone here knows more about the voltage thing than I do, and will chime in.

Mushkin, Patriot G.SKILL, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, all good brands in my experiences dealing with them. I've had one 512 MB module from Kingston years ago, and they replaced it quickly. I don't think you'll see a whole lot of difference between them. Here are some benchmarks for G.SKILL memory compared to others done by anandtech.com

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2867&p=5

their conclusion
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2867&p=7

If I run across any BF2 specific benchmarks I'll post them for you. But I think all the brands will be so close to one another at the same timings that it will be around dead even. I didn't realize that G.SKILL also used Micron D9 chips. I believe those are the same that Crucial uses.

Thank you, that was really helpful.


Just for clarification: Is this the mushkin ram you were refering to?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146118

It looks incredibly average; I could probably build something with 90% of the performance for half the price.

Every single part listed has been hand picked by anandtech members. I've gone through over 4 wishlists in the past 2 months.


I sincerely doubt you could compile a better system, with the same software/parts and level of performance (which is geared towards the battefield series, nothing else) for half the price.


But if you, hey, feel free to.



Here is the wishlist:

https://secure.newegg.com/NewV...e=Michael%27s+Computer


I need to know, can you see the list without logging in?



this is very important.