New p45 gaming build

[chelhxi]

Edited to show final build......

Hi, so I have an opportunity to get a computer subsidized by my wife's workplace. I was going to build the new computer for myself for gaming, and use my current machine (core2duo 6600, asus p5b, 4gb ram, geforce 7900 gto) as an htpc hooked up to a 42" hdtv. The parts I am mostly uncertain about are the ram, cpu and the OS. I've used windows xp for so long, I'm sure if I should give vista a try or not.


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.


Gaming only


2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread


1400 canadian including price of monitor


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.


From a local store in Manitoba, Canada


4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.


Intel/Nvidia


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.


BFG Geforce GTX 260 core 216 oc
Western Digital 250 Gb sata II hd


6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.


Yes, but I want info based on the limited parts I have available at the store I will buy from


7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.


Gonna OC


8. WHEN do you plan to build it?


Next couple weeks (before end of March)




Intel Q9550

Gigabyte p45 ud3p

OCZ 2x2gb ddr2-1066 reaper

Antec 900

PC power and cooling quad 750 w power supply

LG dvd-burner (GH22LS30)

Samsung 2243bw 24in monitor (anyone have positive experiences with this monitor?)



Windows Vista 64bit

 

[polarbear6]

what i can say is
its always better to invest in future technology(go for the quad)
as there is a little difference between 8600 and 9550(abt 0.3 ghz)

and secondly are you sure abt 260
here in india u can buy a 4850x2 for the money of a 260

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Forget about the Asus board

Combo the UD3P with the Q9550 - A++++ setup - then add some 1066 or higher ram for some overclocking fun!

Good Luck!

 

[chelhxi]

Ganeshi1, yes I think you're right about the quad, no point sticking with a dual core when games are coming out now that actually can use a quad. I already have the gtx 260, so I will keep using it for now.

BTRY B 529th FA BN, I was inclinated towards the gigabyte board as well over the asus, but I've read there could be some issues with certain brands of ram. Do you know if OCZ Reaper HPC ddr2-1066 ram would work well with this board?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

UD3P memory list compatibility in PDF format

EDIT: I think the main thing for memory compatibility is the voltage reasons but - these came up in the search using OCZ2N1066SR2GK but I don't see why the Reapers wouldn't work

 

[gummi467]

I personally just built a system with the ud3p and the 1066 reapers and they work fine together. In retrospect if I was doing it over again I would try and pick up the g. skill black pi's that run 4-4-4-12 at 900 or so. think they have a set that runs at 1000 also at the lower timings. regardless, the g.skill pi's (black and normal) have stellar reviews and have very good customer support. the ocz's are more than capable of running at the rated speeds but their timings can't be bumped much even when they are run under their rated speeds and ocz is a huge company so their customer service is a crapshoot. they do exactly what they specify and don't guarantee anything more. given the ridiculously low price of ddr2 these days I would just spot the extra 10 bucks for the g.skills and move on. the blacks are technically a little better it seems because they offer better timings at lower voltages but the differences should be minimal.

for the e8500 you won't need stupidly fast ram for the overclock given it's 9.5 multi. the q9550 on the other hand will need to be cranked up much higher so the higher ram speed is required.

following this whole thought process I am willing to sell you my ocz reapers so that I can purchase the gskills if you want. you save a few bucks and I get to upgrade my ram.

Oh, to add, vista 64 is the way to go. it has matured nicely and aside from one legacy hardware support issue I haven't had any problems. without it you're going to be missing almost a full gig of the ram. also if you aren't running a million apps at a time or making use of multi-threaded apps the e8500 will suit your needs nicely and save you some change. ... though if the wife's work is paying for it then by all means. my e8400 at 4ghz is mind bogglingly fast and barely breaking a sweat. later on down the road when quad prices come down and multi threaded apps become the norm I will upgrade, but until then I just grabbed a used e0 e8400 that I knew would run over 4ghz on low volts.

- Jared

My base system
E8400 w/ Noctua NH-U12P
Gigabyte UD3P
Lian Li A05B
nVidia GTX 260
WD Caviar Black 640
2x2GB OCZ Reaper 1066
Corsair 650TX PS
Sony Optiarc 7220s DVD burner
Vista 64

 

[gummi467]

extra note: if you decide to go with the high speed, g.skills skip the 1066's and grab the 1100's. apparently they are still binning these upper tier ones pretty hard and the 1100's run much faster with lower voltages across the board. trust me when I say that spending a few extra bucks for a quality set of ram is worth the peace of mind.

 

[chelhxi]

Thanks for the info, guys. BTRY B 529th FA BN, I checked that compatibility list, and there really isn't anything on there that is available at the local store where I am buying this stuff. I'll have to trust that the ram will be fine even if it isn't on the QVL.

gummi467, its good to hear that the reaper hpc's work for you on that board. Sorry I can't take you up on the offer to buy them from you, my wifes work will pay half the cash but the parts have to be from a local store with receipt.

I think I've got some decisions made, am going to edit build now......

Does anyone own the Samsung 2243Bw monitor? Any good experiences?