Help...need advice...on my 1st dream gaming rig...

ayushp13

Junior Member
Dec 14, 2008
7
0
0
Help...need advice...on my 1st dream gaming rig...
after reading loads of reviews and benchmarks i have decided on configuring my first gaming pc and after sooo muchh... of saving(2 years)...i need to know whether is it good enough to play crysis like fps games on 1680X1050 resolution...
here it goes...
Configuration :
Processor : Core2Q6600 (want to try my hands at overclocking a bit)
Motherboard : ASUS P5Q Deluxe (because of good stabality for overclocking as compared to p5q pro/p5qe)
RAM : CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-8500C5D 4GB (famous ram speed for overclocking)
Graphics Card : PALiT Radeon HD 4870 1GB Sonic Dual Edition (i think its better than gtx 260 (216core) at 1680X1050 resolution in majority of reviews)
Sound Solution : Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer (likes to listen to music heavily)
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATAII X 2 (not for raid actually, want one for os and other for games, also this hdd has single platter configuration which is much faster and runs cooler than other large buffer drives)
Other Disk Drive : Samsung 22X DVD-RW (fastest dvd-rw right now and reliable too)
Keyboard : Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 (i am not a hardcore gamer thats why i skipped on gaming keyboard as it will increase my budget and also i like to have less clutter on desktop)
Mouse : Razer DeathAdder (exellent 3g infrared gaming mouse)
Mouse Mat : Razer Mantis (speed version for fps games)
Game Controller : Logitech Dual Action Gamepad (for games like dmc4)
Cabinet : Cooler Master CM 690 with transparent side panel (exellent budget case for overclocking)
PSU : COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 1000W nVIDIA SLI / 80 Plus (later i'll buy and upgrade my rig to Q9650 and HD4870X2 2GB, also want to overclock the current rig which will have increased power requirements.i have 1000watts keeping one thing in mind that it should last me for atleast 3-4 upgrades including corei7 also do not want to invest in crossfire setup as it will not be easy to dispose two graphics card as compared to one)
Monitor : Dell E228WFP 22" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor (best pair with HD4870 which is good at 1680X1050 resolution)
Speakers : Logitech Z-2300 (da best 2.1 setup available right now...also i have a limited budjet thats why no z5500..its way too expensive.. :-( and also 2.1 setup is good for listening music as well as it reduces desktop clutter compared to 5.1 setups)
UPS : APC Back-UPS RS 1100VA for at least 10 minutes of backup..
for overclocking the processor :
1.COOLER MASTER HYPER 212 CPU Cooler with extra Cooler Master Blue LED Mod Case Fan 120mm (one of the best budget air cooler for intel processors according to frostytech)
2.COOLER MASTER High Performance Thermal Interface Material
Modding includes :
1.Sunbeam Cold Cathode Kit/30cm/S/Blue X 2
2.Antec UV Cable Wrap-White for better airflow
OS : Windows Vista Ultimate x64 sp1
what do you guys think..??
i really need suggestions...
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
Seems like a pretty solid build, but getting a 1000w PSU now because you're planning on upgrading later doesn't make a ton of sense. Unless you're dead sure you want to go SLI / CF with some power-hungry cards, there's no reason to get a 1000w+ PSU. Look for something in the 750 / 800w range, get something with modular cables to save some clutter, and try to save yourself a buck or two. Keep in mind that just because the wattage may last you 3-4 upgrades, it doesn't mean the connectors and other specs will.

There are single platter 320GB hard drives out there. You may want to do some research and gain the extra GBs for only $5-10 extra. Also, some of the Western Digital Black drives have been getting rave reviews, specifically the 640GB. You may want to look into one of those - 250 and even 320GB fills up faster than you think, unless you're planning on uninstalling games you don't play frequently.

I can't say for sure, but I believe the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1s would put the Z-2300s to shame. Again, you might want a second opinion, though. http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-...-Speaker/dp/B000062VUO

Finally, I noticed you mentioned upgrading from the Q6600 to Q9650 to Core i7. In my opinion, that's a complete waste. The Q6600 can handle virtually everything you throw at it today, especially if you grab the easy 3.0-3.2GHz overclock. Get that for now, and get an i7 for Phenom II later on (both will require a new motherboard / memory (possibly) anyway).
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
You don't need DDR2-1066 to overclock a Q6600. DDR2-800 will push the chip as far as it will go.

I also don't see the point in buying a 4870 now and then a 4870x2 soon. If it's going to be more than 6 months to a year before you purchase the 4870x2 it probably won't end up being what you'll buy.
 

ayushp13

Junior Member
Dec 14, 2008
7
0
0
thanx curse thesky for your very kind and useful suggestions...i also appreciate that you approved my pc configuration...
you have cleared all my doubts...
also i wanted to ask you that i have already purchased cooler master 1000 real power pro smps...should i dispose it again on ebay and purchase another corsair 750 watts and save some money or should i keep it and later it will come in real use when i'll pair with another palit hd4870 1gb...the only thing thats bugging me is if i'll go with the crossfire path, will p45 board be good enough in 8x/8x mode?i have already purchased asus p5q deluxe...and it will be difficult for me to dispose it again and purchase a good x48 board like asus p5e deluxe...actually i didnt had sufficient knowledge for buying smps also when i bought 1000 watts my vendor said that it is way too expensive and overkill for my configuration...but i didnt listened to him and thought that 1000 watts is necessary for my configuration...what should i do now...?:)
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
* A "dream gaming rig" should sport some kind of 45nm CPU rather than the old 65nm.
A fast dual core will serve you well. Something like an E7300 for OCing or an E8500.
The L2 cache level won't make any real world difference in your gaming, so don't worry about that.

* Some good solid 1.8-1.9v DDR2-800 is fine.
Without any odd memory settings, it will support an E8500 up to 3.8GHz or E7300 up to 4GHz (if the CPU will allow).

* The 1GB version of the 4870 is nice.
But I'm sure you've read reviews that show it running about the same as a 512MB version @ 1680x1050...
A 512MB version would save you a few bucks also. The 1GB only really shines when the res. is higher.

* The 1kW PS is overkill all the way.
A PC Power & Cooling 610W - 750W are more than enough.

* A "dream gaming rig" using 2 250GB Seagates isn't so dreamy.
As mentioned, go with a HD with higher platter density, like the WD 640GB "Black" or "Blue".

* "X-Fi XtremeGamer"... Which version?
XtremeGamer 70SB046A00000 = :thumbsup:
XtremeGamer 70SB073A00000 = :thumbsdown:
You could also go with an X-Fi XtremeMusic 70SB046000007

* The CM 690 is a nice solid case.
But for a "dream gaing rig" it's a bit plain. A better option would be the Antec 900 or 300.

* The CM Hyper 212 may have plenty of hype, but it's also got plenty of weight and price.
The Arctic Cooling Freezer pro weighs much less, cools very well, is quiet and costs about 1/2 what the "Hyped" CM cooler does.