Gaming PC - All comments appreciated please!

[Josildo]

Hello everyone,

First off apologises for this being my first post. I have been a lurker of Anandtech for a while now and spent most of my time taking information from the stickies. I decided to register and make my first post today because I am building a brand new PC from scratch.

I've built numerous computers in the past but I also want to learn to overclock too so please consider that when analysing the hardware I am considering purchasing. I've always read and learnt that the C2Ds are amazing for overclocking so I'd love to give it a go myself.

Most if not all my hardware I am listing is straight from the 'Attention System Builders' sticky but please feel free to help me in all ways you can, thanks

1. It will be a gaming PC.

2. My budget is between $2,000 to $2,750.

3. Australia is the place I will be obtaining all my parts.

4. Never had a preference for brands; just what's 'best.'

5. Don't intend on using any of my current parts.

6. I have read the 'attention system builders' thread as well as the OCing guide in the CPUs and Overclocking section.

7. I would love to overclock the CPU as I see some people obtain amazing results. I also understand that being inexperienced at it I might not achieve as much; feel free to enlighten me though.

8. Definitely within the next 7-10 days. I purposely waited until the 4870x2 was out.


* CPU - Intel E8400

* Mobo - ASUS P5Q

* RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) (swapped it to 1000 but swapped it back to 1066 because my local vendor sells them at the same price as the 1000s; they're on special)

* Vid - Radeon HD 4870x2

* PSU - Antec 850W Signature Series (Overkill, but going to go for it)

* Case - Antec 900

* HDD - Western Digital Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

* Cooling - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm

* OS - Vista Ultimate x64

Thank you for any help, I deeply appreciate it!

 

[DSF]

CPU - Honestly, I'd say neither. The E8400 already has a lot of overclocking potential, and even if you "only" get it to 3.8-4.0 GHz, that's a ridiculously fast chip. If you're dead set on getting a faster chip though, I'd get the E8500. The 8600 just is not worth the extra $100+.

RAM - If DDR2-1000 is cheaper, may as well get that. It won't hold your overclock back. With DDR2-1066 you're essentially paying for a number, not actual performance.

Video - Dual 4870x2s is a serious amount of video power. How big is your display? If it's less than 24" I wouldn't bother, and even if it is 24" I would question whether it's worth the expense.

Other than that it looks pretty good for what you're trying to do.

 

[Josildo]

Thanks for your tips DSF. I think I will go for the E8500 instead now as it's only $10 more than the E8400 at a shop nearby in Sydney.
I will downgrade the 1066 to the 1000 G.Skill too. Just a quick edit, I changed it back to 1066 uptop only because the vendor nearby is selling the G.Skill 1066 at the same price as the 1000 for what reason I don't know
I currently own a 24", but after seeing the 4870x2 crossfire benchmarks posted in the video cards and graphics section it had me set on it. If I don't go crossfire though should I downgrade the motherboard too or just stick to it?

Thanks again for your post.

 

[DSF]

I didn't see the 4870x2 CF benchmarks. Can you link me?

 

[Ike0069]

I would drop down to a P45 MB. The ASUS P5Q has a single PCI-ex16 slot and is a great board. Would definitely be cheaper than the Rampage X48 board.

The S1283 is about the best CPU cooler available and is a very good choice.

That is an expensive and very large case, but nothing really wrong with that if you have money and space for it. The rest looks fine.

 

[Josildo]

Thank you Ike and DSF, I appreciate your comments as always.

DSF here are the benchmarks: http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33929391

Not to knit pick Ike, but can you recommend any quality towers/midi-towers please? thanks

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I think when you buy the retail 64 version it comes with the 32 bit too and if you don't dig the 64 bit version you have the option to change...

1066 is good. Essentially you are not pushing the ram until you go beyond 533 fsb but if you ever end up buying a low multi processor like the Q9300 the ram will be enough to push the chip far but on that same token, a Q9300 may never see 533 fsb, but anyways, I like your setup and one suggestion btw, the WD 640 is a fast performing HD for under 100$ so do some research if it sparks your interest.

 

[Josildo]

Thanks BTRY I'll grab the 64 bit now.

Ok, I am starting to lean towards buying most parts I've listed now with the case having the highest chance of being changed compared to the other parts. I've enjoyed the feedback so far and made changes thusly, however I've always used midi-towers so I am not starting to like the idea of a full tower after Ike's suggestion. Can anyone recommend a few cases to take a look at? I've had good experiences with coolermaster but I hear Lian Li's are a great choice to go (and seen a friends in person, they are great).

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Josildo
Thanks BTRY I'll grab the 64 bit now.

Ok, I am starting to lean towards buying most parts I've listed now with the case having the highest chance of being changed compared to the other parts. I've enjoyed the feedback so far and made changes thusly, however I've always used midi-towers so I am not starting to like the idea of a full tower after Ike's suggestion. Can anyone recommend a few cases to take a look at? I've had good experiences with coolermaster but I hear Lian Li's are a great choice to go (and seen a friends in person, they are great).

Please ask first about the 64 bit retail Ultimate version. I'm sorry, I forgot to say the Ultimate version offers this.

As for cases, I hear the Antec 900's have nice air flow. I prefer Lian Li and modify the air flow.

 

[Josildo]

Thanks again BTRY for your help. I took a look at the Caviar SE 640G and it seems very tempting to go for and considerably cheaper. Do you know where I can find more reviews/benchmarks on it? preferably against the VR?

Apart from that I decided to swap the E8500 with the E8400 as they're pretty much on par and the E8400 is cheaper (although slight).

All in all I am set in stone for getting the list up top; Just need to find some articles/research more into OCing the E8400 on the P5Q now.

The only thing I would be undecided on is the case. The 900 looks good actually and I am considering between that and the Lian Li PC-A10B

 

[MarcVenice]

So you're buying a HD4870X2 ?

I'd get a diff case then antec 1200, while it is a nice case, it's also very expensive. A antec 900 should do the trick as well, or a cm590, for much less money. Myself I prefer the p182. Lian li's can be nice too, but the better looking models don't come cheap either. The coolermaster cosmos s is also nice, but expensive as well ...

 

[Ike0069]

Antec 900.

Similar to the 1200, but slightly smaller and less expensive, but still with excellent air flow.

 

[Josildo]

Yep, I am essentially holding out for the HD4870X2 to come out when it does (hopefully this week coming) and once it's available I'll be purchasing everything to set the new build up.

The Antec 900 is starting to grow on me too; it is a 1200 that is convienently smaller.

Thanks guys!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Josildo
Thanks again BTRY for your help. I took a look at the Caviar SE 640G and it seems very tempting to go for and considerably cheaper. Do you know where I can find more reviews/benchmarks on it? preferably against the VR?

Apart from that I decided to swap the E8500 with the E8400 as they're pretty much on par and the E8400 is cheaper (although slight).

All in all I am set in stone for getting the list up top; Just need to find some articles/research more into OCing the E8400 on the P5Q now.

The only thing I would be undecided on is the case. The 900 looks good actually and I am considering between that and the Lian Li PC-A10B

Just so we are not confused on the drive WD 640 and Storage Review is a good place to start asking questions on drives etc.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

As far as gaming performance goes, everything listed in your first post looks excellent.

However, you really aren't going to see much of a performance difference between the VelociRaptor and 7200 RPM drives. The most you would see is up to a 3 second difference in level load times.

 

[Josildo]

Hmmm, alright then if that's the case I'll swap it out for the caviar SE 640GB then. Thanks BTRY and Cusi If it's only really a three second difference for about a $150-200 saving then I don't mind!

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yeh, just look at AT's reviews of the drive:
http://www.anandtech.com/stora...howdoc.aspx?i=3291&p=8
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3303

The Raptor may win in terms of pure speed, but in the real (your) world there isn't much of a difference.

 

[shingletingle]

The CM 690 is the case to get and NOT the Antec 900.