new build - all comments welcome

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davun

Junior Member
Nov 20, 2007
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Hey everyone,

it's finally time for me to finally build a proper system. I use the computer a lot - I'm a programmer professionally, and also am a huge gaming / music / movie fan. However I've never had the computer I've really wanted, and this is the first time I can do things the right way.

My budget is between $2,000 - $3,000. I am happy to spend money on something that is worth it, however I do not want to throw money away. I would like a system that is a very good - great performer at this time, and easy to upgrade within reason over the next 2 years. For example I'm quite sure I will pick up an 8800GT card in the next week or two, and upgrade that to a next-gen nVidia super-card next Feb/March - I see no point in purchasing an 8800 ultra when they're about to be superseded.

I have in the last couple weeks done a fair bit of research, and I'm quite sure the following parts are compatible. I would like to overclock the Q6600 up to between 3.0 and 3.2 GHz, so I have chosen the Zalman PSU cooler, which will fit in the case and not be too heavy on the motherboard. I am not considering any other OC.

My weakest level of knowledge is regarding the PSU, however I have read only good things about the Corsair.

I'm going to have a 150Gb Raptor as the primary drive, and 2X500Gb backup drives; 1TB. The Samsung drives are so cheap! The only thing holding me back from buying more of them (2TB, 3TB...) is I actually don't need such storage at this point, but it is so tempting.

I already own Microsoft XP Pro (32 bit), and will user this on the new system. I'm definitely not wanting to get Vista.

My main questions are:
* am I missing anything?
* will anything in my list not be compatible
* does anything in my list have known gotchas, for example 150+ page threads online of issues, which I found for a certain sound card
* would you suggest a different part, and for what reason (quality/budget ratio in mind)
* should I consider further cooling for the case; I believe the 830 comes with a few fans already
* what other accessories would you recommend? If I've got the heart of the system right, now I can think about extra temperature monitors, etc

Finally, I'm in the US, ordering pretty much from newegg. The case and sound card I have already ordered - I just could not miss those deals.

Without further ado, here is the list I have come up with:

Case - Cooler Master Stacker 830 (already ordered)
Motherboard - Abit IP35 Pro
CPU - Intel Q6600 @ 2.4Ghz (will OC to 3.0 - 3.2GHz)
RAM - Crucial Ballistix 2GB
Primary HD - WD Raptor 150GB
Backup HD - Samsung SpinPoint T Series 500GB X 2
PSU - Corsair CMPSU-620HX
CPU Cooler - Zalman CNPS9700
Graphics Card - GeForce 8800GT variant (yet to choose which)
Sound Card - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Elite Pro (already ordered)
DVD Drive - ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM
DVD Burner - Pioneer Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW
OS - Microsoft XP Pro 32 bit (already own)
Monitor - Samsung 226BW
Speakers - Klipsch Promedia GMX
Keyboard - Microsoft ergonomic (already own)
Mouse - Logitech G9 (nearly went for a death adder!)

Finally, thanks everyone for reading this! I appreciate all feedback.
 
L

LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,771
58
91
abit mb and raptor will give u problems unless theres a solution i don't know about
 
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oynaz

Platinum Member
May 14, 2003
2,449
3
81
Normally there is no reason to put both a DVD drive and a DVD burner in the same rig.
I have not heard of the Abit vs. Raptor problem that Loui5xS mentions, so I cannot comment on that.

Apart from that everything looks fine to me.
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Compared to new 1TB drives, the Raptor doesn't have much of a performance advantage anymore. Rather than buy a Raptor AND 2 500GB hard drives, I'd just buy a single 1TB drive. You'll get performance very close to that of the Raptor, with the simplicity of a single drive, and you'll save yourself some dough.
 
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davun

Junior Member
Nov 20, 2007
4
0
0
Thanks for the responses.

LOUISSSSS : I've googled, but could not find many issues with Abit and Raptors. I did find some reports that Vista is involved - no surprise there. If you can point me to any particular source, I would appreciate that, otherwise, Raptor it is for now.

oynaz : thanks for the input. So, you think I should use the DVD burner solo for dvd read/write? I always assumed writers would be slow readers due to their dedicated nature to burning.

DSF : All your eggs in one basket! I would rather have some redundancy, just in case a drive dies. 1TB drives are fairly new, and probably less stable than 500Gb drives, that's my main reason to prefer them, as well as the case being large enough to accomodate the extra drives. I already own an external 200Gb drive as well, I don't like losing data.

Any other comments? :)
 
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davun

Junior Member
Nov 20, 2007
4
0
0
LOUISSSSS - ok, looks like there might be something to Abit<->Raptors. Could you recommend an alternative to a high-speed primary drive? I could of course just use a set of 500Gb drives, but I had gathered that using a Raptor-like primary drive would give noticeable improvement for OS/games etc.
 
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LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,771
58
91
i wouldn't suggest replacing the raptor, i'd suggest replacing the MB with a p35-ds3
 
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oynaz

Platinum Member
May 14, 2003
2,449
3
81
Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i wouldn't suggest replacing the raptor, i'd suggest replacing the MB with a p35-ds3
Click to expand...

Sounds like a Sensible idea.

Originally posted by: davun
I always assumed writers would be slow readers due to their dedicated nature to burning.
Click to expand...

That is nothing I have ever noticed. In fact, the fastest reading drive I have ever encountered was my old 12x speed Plextor CD-burner.
Instead of getting a burner and a reader, get a higher end burner. My NEC DVD burner has lasted for a long time, so I do not know who makes the best drives right now. I guess Plextor are still #1 ?
 
Siddhartha

Siddhartha

Lifer
Oct 17, 1999
12,505
3
81
I prefer to have the OS and applications on one drive and content on another. It makes it easier if you reinstall the OS or if a hard drive misbehaves.
 
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Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
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Originally posted by: davun
I always assumed writers would be slow readers due to their dedicated nature to burning.
Click to expand...

Writers are usually just high-speed readers that can also burn data. If you look up the specs you'll see the read speeds. No need for a dedicated reading drive unless you want to do a straight disc-to-disc clone.
 
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LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,771
58
91
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i'd suggest replacing the MB with a p35-ds3
Click to expand...
Why?
Click to expand...

because raptors and abit ip35's have been known to cause problems together...

which is why i chose the ds3 over the ip35
 
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davun

Junior Member
Nov 20, 2007
4
0
0
Hey dudes, just wanted to drop back here and thank everyone for your help on this. I spent a week assembling the build in early December, and it is simply superb. I have not overclocked anything yet, because I don't need to. All games so far run on the highest settings - the first time I've been able to enjoy this experience! I've since gotten through Bioshock, Crysis, Supreme Commander, Orange Box ... it's been major catch up time. The monitor and speakers are really impressive - watching my Transformers DVD (2007), wow - so many details I'd never seen before, never mind the HD version.

For the build I picked up a G0 Q6600, and a BFG 8800GT (although finding one was very challenging). The ip35 pro had major issues with my new samsung monitor (it would not display anything, so I had no idea it was just waiting for a keypress). I've read of people doing an RMA on this board for this reason, and in my case it was down to the monitor. I hooked it up to my older CRT and then I saw what was going on, and was smooth sailing from there.

I also have to say that one the most critical items I purchased was the Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Tool Kit - I ended up paying something like $10 for it after discounts. Never expected it would be so useful (hey, I already had a hammer, and a couple of screwdrivers! :) )

All your inputs really made a difference, so thanks again.
 
nerp

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i'd suggest replacing the MB with a p35-ds3
Click to expand...
Why?
Click to expand...

because raptors and abit ip35's have been known to cause problems together...

which is why i chose the ds3 over the ip35
Click to expand...

Really? Can you give me some URLS for more info? This I gotta see...

 
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jterrell

Senior member
Nov 18, 2004
559
0
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nerp

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
I found that thread but it didn't tell me much more than what LOUISSSS said in this thread. . . . I've googled a bit and haven't found anything concrete. I'll give Abit a call and ask. I'm concerned because I'm about to buy the same board and a raptor for a new build.
 
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Roguestar

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
6,045
0
0
Originally posted by: wired247
in before a noob fails to read the whole thread and recommends an e8400 :)
Click to expand...

uh i think he shud get a e8400 and a intel motherboards
and some ram
and maybe a psu
 
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