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Need some recommendations on a new build

T

TestSpecimen

Member
Hey guys, I just wanted some opinions on this stuff I've put together (all the prices are in CAD and I'm buying it all from NCIX, except for the processor, which I already have):

Intel Core 2 Quad QX6850 - $239
Asus P5Q Pro P45 - $139
Antec 900 Case - $98
Diamond Radeon HD 4870 - $274
Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2 800 RAM 2x2GB 4-4-4-12 - $109
PC Power & Cooling 750 Quad 750W Red - $134
Western Digital SE16 640 GB - $78
Samsung SH-S223F Black SATA OEM DVD Writer - $25
Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Heatsink - $28
Artic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound Paste - $8
Windows Home Premium 64-bit OEM - $132

Going to be using the PC mostly for gaming (Starcraft II, Crysis, F.E.A.R, and some other stuff if I get the time), and other basic stuff (Internet browsing, word processing, etc.). I did want to keep it for 2-3 years before doing any major upgrades on it, so I did have some element of future-proofing in mind when I was selecting all this stuff. As I said, this will be the first PC I've ever built so I hope this stuff all works together fine. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.


 
Personally i would go with a differnet case. I have the 900 and i also have a CM 690 and i like the 690 better. Building with the 900 kind of sucks.

PC P&C are known for there great PSUs. But that was before OCZ took over. They still make good PSUs but i think you would be better off with the Corsair TX 750. Bu reallt you don't need that much power. Unless you plan to go CF in the near future. A good 550W PSu will cover things for you.

I take it you plan to OC. Well the cooler your getting isn't that much better then the stock cooler. if your not going to OC then stick with the stock cooler. Also the cooler will come with TIM thats comprable to the MX-2 so no need to buy that either.
 
I built a pretty similar system (different CPU but otherwise very similar) and used a 520W corsair. I have no issues, so I agree, the 750W is overkill.

I also agree with the CM 690 suggestion. That is the case I used and it's great.
 
Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Personally i would go with a differnet case. I have the 900 and i also have a CM 690 and i like the 690 better. Building with the 900 kind of sucks.
Click to expand...

This grabbed my attention. I have the CM690 & also like it a lot, but have been looking at Antec cases for a friend's build (either the 900 or the 300 if the budget bites). I guess I should make sure he considers the CM690 seriously too.

OP: a solid motherboard choice. Agree with comments that you could easily go for a quality low-rated PSU & save money, but as a happy owner of an Antec Quattro 850 I'm also with the "power and connectors to spare" crowd!
 
CPU is overpriced for what little extra overclockability you'll get out of it. Get something like the Q9400 instead and overclock it by increasing FSB (which increases memory speeds as well, compared to multiplier).

Corsair DHX RAM is unnecessary, get some DDR2-1000 G.Skill for $90 if you're overclocking.
 
I looked at the Coolermaster 690 and honestly, I just like the look of the Antec 900 better, so I think I'll stick with that. I'll deal with whatever hassles I might have while I'm building it. As for the RAM, I think I am going to go for G.Skill at this point, as the prices do seem better and I don't have to deal with mail-in-rebates from them. NCIX has those DDR2 1000 2x2GB kits going for $85, seems like a good deal so I'll pick one up. Regarding the cooler mpilchfamily, if you think the Freezer 7 Pro isn't that great what would you suggest? I've seen others suggest the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm (http://www.ncix.com/products/i...3&manufacture=Xigmatek) but it is almost $10 more, is it worth the price jump or is there something else you'd recommend? Finally the black version of the PSU I selected has had another $10 price drop, but that still puts it $20 above the Corsair TX750 (http://www.ncix.com/products/i...TX&manufacture=CORSAIR). Would the Corsair be just as good as the other one? Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it.
 
Originally posted by: Roguestar
CPU is overpriced for what little extra overclockability you'll get out of it. Get something like the Q9400 instead and overclock it by increasing FSB (which increases memory speeds as well, compared to multiplier).

Corsair DHX RAM is unnecessary, get some DDR2-1000 G.Skill for $90 if you're overclocking.
Click to expand...

I was just checking the specs on the motherboard and it didn't explicitly say it supported DDR2 1000, just 1066 and 800. Would it work anyway and am I just getting worked up over nothing?
 
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