My new build - gaming rig!

[NinfoSho]

Hi..

I'm new here and i'de like to hear your opinion about my not yet ordered system and give some advice to improve it if needed..

ok here we go:

Processor:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
$189.99

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CPU Cooler:

Thermalright Ultra 120 Xtreme CPU Cooling Heatsink
$62.32

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CPU Cooler Fan:

Thermaltake Thunderblade 120mm (BLUE) LED High Performance DC fan Model A1926
$8.99

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Mothergoard:

INTEL GA-X48-DS4
$251.98

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Screen:

DELL 2408WFP 24" Widescreen Black LCD Monitor (REV 1.0)
$663.09

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Video Card:

2X SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$584.22

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Hard Drive:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB Hard Drive
$79.00

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Optical Drive:

LG GH20NS10 Super Multi - DVDRW (R DL) / DVD-RAM drive - S
$31.50

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RAM:

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK
$122.00

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Case:

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS Aluminum + Black + Window
$193.24

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Power Supply:

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
$109.99

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Total:

$2,296.32 - 40% = $1,377.792

i guess its prety good deal =]
i got this 40% percent reduction through a HI-TECH company, my uncle works there =]

so what do you think?

 

[videogames101]

That heatsink includes a fan i think....

and you might want to check out the 750TX PSU for CF.

Otherwise, very good.

 

[modoheo]

Looks like a very nice high-end gaming build. A couple questions/concerns:

Do you plan to overclock the CPU? You only need a big aftermarket CPU cooler if you do. And you don't need DDR2 1066 RAM unless you're overclocking that CPU past 3.6 GHz. I'm not a big fan of that RAM in general - those big heatsinks sometimes get in the way of seating CPU coolers, depending on the mobo. This is a great deal on DDR2 800 RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731


Speaking of the CPU cooler, the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 is half the price of the one you choose and slightly more effective:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003

Though that's a very high quality PSU you chose, I'd be worried it's not beefy enough for 2 X HD4870 GPU's in crossfire. Here's the list of ATI certified PSU's:
http://game.amd.com/us-en/cros...ex_components.aspx?p=3

You'd probably be ok with something less expensive than the ones on that list, such as the Antec 850w below:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371009

 

[DaveSimmons]

You might want to wait for the single-card double-GPU 4870x2 instead.

Cheaper, and possibly faster, lower power, lower noise.

You'll also save another $100-150 by buying a cheap P35, P43 or P45 motherboard since you won't need Crossfire for the x2 card.

The WD 640 GB hard drive is a bit faster than that 500 GB HD.

If you aren't overclocking then under-$100 DDR2 800 is fine. So is the stock intel HSF.

 

[DSF]

And even if you are overclocking, DDR2-1000 has plenty of headroom and shouldn't cost you more than $90 for 4GB.

 

[NinfoSho]

I'm OverClocking the CPU over 3.6 for sure and this CPUcooler doesn't come with a fan so the temps actually depends on the fan.
so I really need this CPU cooler because he is the best for now by performances and temps.
The TRUE, its been proven time and time again as the best cooler, some of the Xigmatek's are very good, but the TRUE is the best.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...-xigmatek_9.html#sect0

The PSU is high quality and it will be enough for 4870 CF, I've checked it out and it seems to be a very good PSU for my need.

The OCZ memory is great for OC, and even if I wont OC I can change the BIOS to make it work on 800 so the CL also will change to 4, I have this option so why not .. =]

 

[modoheo]

Actually in most benchmarks, the Xigmatek is a little better. Even in the one's you linked, the difference is very negligible, especially since the TRUE is twice the price.

But they're both very good coolers, and it's your money.

DDR2 1000 or 1066 should allow you to overclock to 4.0 GHz or more with that cooler/cpu/mobo combination, though obviously results sometimes vary.

BTW, you seem to have all the answers, so I'm not sure why you posted.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: NinfoSho
The OCZ memory is great for OC, and even if I wont OC I can change the BIOS to make it work on 800 so the CL also will change to 4, I have this option so why not .. =]

DDR2-1000 would most likely do the same thing, but if you think timings are going to translate into a performance difference you're misled anyway.

I'm just pointing out a way to save $30 without losing any performance.