New gaming rig suggestions

[Xtek]

My previous gaming rig I built died about 6 months ago and I've been using my Toshiba P105-S9722 laptop (pretty nice for gaming) for my day to day stuff. I've saved up enough cash (about $1500) to buy myself a decent up-to-date gaming rig that way I can just use my laptop for my regular stuff and not trash the hdd too much by gaming on it. Here's what I have so far advice/suggestions appreciated.

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Figured I'd go with the Antec 900 because it's reasonably priced and has lot of room and fans for cooling... plus it just looks cool.

Motherboard: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Went with the eVGA 780i SLI because it has the best rating for a 780i SLI mobo on Newegg, again it also looks really cool and supports ESA and Tri-SLI if I ever want to go down that road.

Video card: EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Again, this item had the highest rating on newegg for it's class and I've used eVGA for a previous card (7800GT) and had fantastic support with them when I had to RMA a card.

Power Supply: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail

No particular reason for picking this to be honest lots of people seem to be using it and it had a very high rating.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model EU80570PJ0806M - OEM

E8400 is the current best choice for my use (gaming, programming) because I don't do much encoding/rendering/photoshop so I'd rather have 2 faster cores.

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail

Going with DDR-800 because taking the E8400 to 3.6GHz (9x400) will be 1:1 with the RAM without having to overclock it or bump the voltage to either CPU or RAM. If I decide to go to 4.0GHz (9x450) this RAM -should- be able to handle it. That's my only questionable item is the RAM. If anyone has suggestions for a pair of Balistix or XMS I might go for that instead. These sticks had high ratings and they're pretty cheap.

HDD: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (x2)

I went with 2 of these and I'm going to be running them in RAID-1 (Mirrored) to get both redundancy and read performance for gaming.

That's about it, I do need a suggestion for a CPU cooler and since I'm starting to get close to my $1500 budget I'm not sure which to go with but since I plan on taking the CPU to 4.0Ghz (1GHz overlock) I think I might need a beefy cooler. Also if anyone knows anywhere I can pickup a E8400 OEM with fast shipping let me know.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jkresh]

Considering the size of most game installs having 74GB's of drive space is borderline (especialy since a vista install can take around 20gigs by itself), you should look at western digitals 640gig drives (2*320 platters), they are faster then the 74gig raptors in sustained read/write (but slower in seek time).

 

[Xtek]

Since they're cheaper I could still afford to get 2x and run a RAID-1, would it be worth it?

 

[Xtek]

Ok here are some parts I've swapped out...

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

After reading lots of reviews and benchmarks it seems overall this is faster for read/writing but has a little slower seek time. Also uses a lot less power and is quieter + more space + less money = win.

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N808-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Replaced the 8800 GTS (G92) with a 8800 GT (AKIMBO). The AKIMBO has better cooling and a higher core clock and it's $10 cheaper.

 

[Vitaminx]

Must be a new video card. Looks nice. I'd go with the Corsair 620HX or 520HX power supplies. They are top of the line power supplies for non sli systems from what I've read. Buy.com has them for cheap.

 

[chinaman1472]

MSI has a spanking aftermarket cooler on their 8800GT.
No reason to have an SLi motherboard if you're not going to SLi unless you want all those extra features. Either SLi now or don't. Don't bother buying another 8800GT a year later cause its likely more options will come out and the money you save on the SLi motherboard and second 8800GT could be put toward a video card that might outperform then 8800GT SLi.

Corsair and Seaonic also makes great power supplies, quite possibly some of the highest quality ones.

 

[Xtek]

Well I plan on going SLi in about 10 days when I get paid again I'm going to get another AKIMBO card.

EDIT: After thinking about it most of my gaming doesn't really require SLi and this system will be pleanty for what I need, anyone have any recommendations for a non-sli mobo, I'd prefer EVGA if possible.

 

[imported_wired247]

Originally posted by: Xtek
Ok here are some parts I've swapped out...

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

After reading lots of reviews and benchmarks it seems overall this is faster for read/writing but has a little slower seek time. Also uses a lot less power and is quieter + more space + less money = win.

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N808-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Replaced the 8800 GTS (G92) with a 8800 GT (AKIMBO). The AKIMBO has better cooling and a higher core clock and it's $10 cheaper.

2 of those drives in RAID-1 should be great! PM sent

 

[Vitaminx]

P35 or X38 chipset. Gigabyte p35 board for 90 dollars is popular buy. Asus P5E X38 chipset is a popular buy as well.

 

[CheerUpEmoKid]

this doesnt really make a difference, but im a huge fan of antec sonata cases:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024

i bought mine a year or so ago and i just love it

 

[jkresh]

Evga only makes boards based on nvidia's chipsets (which are only worth getting for intel if you care about sli) , go with an x38 or p35 board (asus/abit/msi/dfi/gigabyte...), also while the 8800gt might have a hgiher clock then some of the 8800gts 512's, it wont be faster (as the 512 has more shaders) though the single slot cooling is nice.

 

[Xtek]

You guys were a HUGE help, thanks a lot! Here's my final build (Ordered and on it's way).

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Awsome case for overclocking with lots of room for air flow.

Motherboard: EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Went with the motherboard because I've always used EVGA and I love them plus this has tons of features for overclocking and the potential to go 2x GX2s wheN i get the money.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor EU80570PJ0806M - 3.0GHz, 6MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB, Wolfdale, Dual-Core, OEM, Socket 775, Processor

Awsome CPU for it's price, plan on taking this to 3.6GHz at first.

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX - Retail

Upgraded the RAM to SMS2 instead of G.Skill.

Video Card: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Pretty nice card for the money this is to hold me over until I can get 2 GX2s.

Power Supply: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Changed to this after above recommendations and sa that it was modular.

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

Faster than the 10k raptors in read/write speed and uses much less power.

CPU Cooler: ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail

Good CPU cooler with LED to match my color scheme.

Blue Cold Cathodes: LOGISYS Computer CLK12BL2 12" DUAL COLD CATHODE KIT - OEM

UV Sound Activate Cold Cathodes: LOGISYS Computer CLK15UV UV Deluxe Sound Activated Cold Cathode Kit 15" - Retail

Just to help the case pop (they were really cheap).

Thanks again for everyone's help and I will be sure to post pictures when it gets here.

 

[chinaman1472]

Motherboard and Video Card links got switched around.
Not sure the RAM is actually an "upgrade" but rather an alternate choice. Can't say for sure how much better the heat spreaders are.
Order than 2nd 8800GTS soon .

 

[imported_trans]

1> Why do you wanna SLI ? WHat kind of display are youep but its best you chose DFI over the 780i an powering ? Its better spending on the Radeon 3870X2. Though a single 8800GTS will suffice upto resolutions of upto 1920x1200.

According to me this build is rubbish.

Processor - Intel Core2Duo E8400
Motherboard - DFI LP LT P35 T2R Link http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136039 (Its cheaper than the 780i and will thrash th 780 in the features it has to OC. The learning curve maybe a bit steep but its better you chose this one over any other board.)
RAM - There are plenty good options out there. Patriot,Crucial,OCZ,Adata,Corsair
Graphics Card- EVGA 8800GTS G92 Plenty for any kind of gaming 1ce OC'd as it matches the Ultra but if you game at ultra resoltuions you can chose the HD 3870X2
Harddrive - The one you chose is perfect.
Case - CM 690/Antec 900. A case is more of a personal choice so I'd leave it upto you.
Power Supply -the HX 520 will easily power this build. If you wanna save some money you could always go for the Antec Earthwatts 500w which is really cheap at the egg now.
Cooling - Get the Theralright Ultima 90 with a good 120mm scythe fan or the 120 if you have the budget.

Ths build will be cheaper and much better than what you had chosen. To utilise all 4gb you will have to go for an 64bit OS or you could buy 3gb abd go for a 32 bit one.