Please sign off on this system build

[imported_RedStar]

Priced from www.CanadaComputers.com

$369.99 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz (1066MHz) 4MB L2 CacheSocket 775
$279.99 eVGA 122-CK-NF68 Socket 775 680i SLi Chipset Dual-Channel DDR2
$389.99 OCZ (OCZ2P10002GK) DDR2-1000 PC2-8000 Platinum XTC 2GB (2x1024MB)
$559.99 BFG GeForce 8800 GTS nVidia GeForce 8800GTS Chipset (500MHz) ...
$149.99 Antec P180B Black Innovative three-layer side panel case,
$189.50 Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX 12V 50A Continuous 24PIN ATX
$245.98 (2) TWO (2) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA NCQ 3.0Gb/s 16MB
$53.99 Lite-On SHM-165H6S 16x 8x 8x / 16x 6x 4x / 5X / 16x / + 48x 24x 48x (LightScribe, DVD-RAM), Double Layer DVD+/-R9 DVD-Writer Retail Box

$129.00 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 (OEM) (coupon upgrade to Vista Premium)

$2,368.42 Total
$2,700.00 (with 14% Tax) --Numbers are in CANADIAN DOLLARS

note --there is a 40$ mail in rebate on the OCZ ram that was not included above.
(i already have the creative x-fi music @ 50$)

Questions:
Will a 8800 gtx fit in a p180b case ( i assume it will)
Will i need more than stock cooling if i don't plan to overclock until a few years have gone by?
Should i switch to Corsair dominator ram?

Did i forget to mention anything (other than mouse/keyboard/speakers)?

TIA and you get an extra if you don't flame me.

Main use? Extreme gaming.

edit: Yes, i want to go sli/physics in the future ...without having to upgrade PSU at that time.

 

[LouPoir]

Holy crap - that is the high end of high end -

Very nice, I cant imagine having to recommend anything better.

Make sure you get one big honking power supply.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: RedStar
Priced from www.CanadaComputers.com

$369.99 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4 GHz (1066MHz) 4MB L2 CacheSocket 775
$279.99 eVGA 122-CK-NF68 Socket 775 680i SLi Chipset Dual-Channel DDR2
$389.99 OCZ (OCZ2P10002GK) DDR2-1000 PC2-8000 Platinum XTC 2GB (2x1024MB)
$559.99 BFG GeForce 8800 GTS nVidia GeForce 8800GTS Chipset (500MHz) ...
$149.99 Antec P180B Black Innovative three-layer side panel case,
$189.50 Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX 12V 50A Continuous 24PIN ATX
$245.98 (2) TWO (2) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA NCQ 3.0Gb/s 16MB
$53.99 Lite-On SHM-165H6S 16x 8x 8x / 16x 6x 4x / 5X / 16x / + 48x 24x 48x (LightScribe, DVD-RAM), Double Layer DVD+/-R9 DVD-Writer Retail Box

$129.00 Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 (OEM) (coupon upgrade to Vista Premium)

$2,368.42 Total
$2,700.00 (with 14% Tax) --Numbers are in CANADIAN DOLLARS

note --there is a 40$ mail in rebate on the OCZ ram that was not included above.
(i already have the creative x-fi music @ 50$)

Questions:
Will a 8800 gtx fit in a p180b case ( i assume it will)
Will i need more than stock cooling if i don't plan to overclock until a few years have gone by?
Should i switch to Corsair dominator ram?

Did i forget to mention anything (other than mouse/keyboard/speakers)?

TIA and you get an extra if you don't flame me.

Main use? Extreme gaming.

edit: Yes, i want to go sli/physics in the future ...without having to upgrade PSU at that time.

I would Look at Memory that Hits JEDEC Specs. at a Lower Voltage......The OCZ that You Have Spec'ed runs a 2.2 vdimm.... If You have other DDR2 that you can use to get into BIOS... and Adjust you will be OK... But I doubt that that Memory will post at the Defaults... Any Good PC2 6400 and just Clock it to 1000... All High end Memory is Based off the same MICRON chips.... most PC2 8000 has little additional overhead.


The Case that you have selected in not very deep (19.5 inches... )... so you will have a very tight interior.... a 24" deep case will serve you better in the long haul....


The power Supply is very Nice one... but Long Term You Really need a 750w.... Quad Rail.... it will give you a little overhead.




If You are Going to Game with it I would also rethink the Hard Drives... Two Small Raptors will out preform that set-up and then just add a storage/general Drive...


You should be good to go after you look at those items....

 

[pkme2]

G80 needs 400W per and its recommended getting 800W AFAIK.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

pkme2: nVidia recommends a 400W PSU with 26A on 12V rail for the 8800GTS (for a system with an X6800). The 800W figure is for 8800GTX SLI and sounds mighty conservative. A lot of people run X1900 Crossfire with 600W PSUs so there is no reason to believe a quality unit with strong 12V rails can't handle 8800GTS SLI. The Corsair is one of the best out there.

I remember reading somewhere that the top hard-drive-cage of the P180B might interfere with a 8800GTX. Your 8800GTS should be fine, as it is a standard-full-length card. Your rig is awesome. Enjoy it!

I would just say that the RAM sounds a little pricey. The motherboard you are looking at allows you to dial in independent settings for your FSB and RAM so you don't really need high-speed RAM for large FSB overclocks (and your E6600 multiplier means you don't even need 500FSBs to hit your CPUs max. You will probably max out your CPU/Cooling around 400FSB. Enough to run DDR2-800 in Sync).

Keep that in mind. But since your rig yells quality, I would recommend something more accessible like the Crucial 2GB 10th Anniversary Edition. (Rated for DDR2 667 @ 3-3-3. Overclocks very well from all reports around the web)

Hope this helps. Your rig is awesome: I just suggested something to save a few bucks for performance you probably won't even see.

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: pkme2
G80 needs 400W per and its recommended getting 800W AFAIK.

The power requirements for these cards was very much overstated...

AT's review of a Decked out 8800GTX SLI system was drawing 520 watts continous.

You do the math !!

 

[Waylay00]

Meh...could do better. I'd get an 8800GTX.

Just kidding. That is one hell of a rig there man. Order it now!

 

[imported_RedStar]

Studied the raptor option. Basically that gives you better load times and that is about all. So i am compromising there by not getting one.

The ram.. thanks! I will be switching to corsair as soon as i find out what that motherboard/ram bundle price is. Canadacomputer does not have a link to that memory yet (dominator). If that is too pricey also, then i will indeed buy ram at a reduced speed.

The hardest part is the power supply. I want future possibilities in sli ,..or maybe just a vid card and a physics card. But, i also do not want to trip the circuit breakers in the house and saw off my left arm for the power company

I am really sold on the corsair PSU because of the quality of parts.
So i think i will compromise here...and still buy it.
But, if i do need more power later on..i will get one of those 5 1/4 " power bay options.
I know it will be at least a year before i do start thinking about sli.

And with quad core ...perhaps the physics on the vid card will be a dead end anyways.
------
As for the case, I imagine if i keep both HDD's in the PSU bay --then i should have plenty of room.

But if you have a better idea for a case please let me know. It has been 2 months since i researched for my build (holding off in the end for the right motherboard)

finally, even though i said thanks in advance (TIA) --i'll say it again:

THANKS for the input

 

[w00t]

I don't care for the the rig myself

things I recommend changing
Motherboard is way to expensive atm is just came out
ram is good but overpriced you can get better stuff for cheaper
get the eVGA 8800GTS
I'd get the WD SE16 drives over the 7,200.10 drives as there quieter and around the same price
PSU: get a Seasonic S12 Energy Plus/M12 great psu's good prices quiet also

Questions:
Yes, it should the antec P-180 is pretty big

No, but if your going to build a rig like that you should have some better cooling speacially since you seem to be wasting money on parts.

No, that stuff is way expensive I am telling you there is good memory out there for really cheap do your research on chips and you will be able to find some for a good price.

SLI/PPU = waste of money IMO

idk if this is one of your first time building a computer but I recommend not spending more than 2,000 in USD. 1,500-2,000 is the sweet spot IMO and most people will agree.....

 

[imported_RedStar]

heh...the price of that MB is only 40$ more than the asus p5w DH that i first looked at (it came out 20$ more expensive) when it came out (no sli and a chipset already 1 year old)).

I am willing to pay that premium as i am tired of waiting.

The ram..i have already said i am switching out on.

But thanks for your opinion

 

[theprodigalrebel]

1) I have never used a PC with a Raptor, so I can't speak from personal experience. People say they feel snappier/zippier/quicker etc. even while just working around Windows. All I can speak of is the benches I've seen. And they usually point at 30 second load times versus 34 second load times (for gaming). They are mighty fast in RAID arrays but at that price, you are better off exploring options like the 8800GTX or SLI. A regular 500GB WD 7200rpm drive sells for the same price as a 150GB Raptor. I would take the space...any day.

2) With rebates, I see the Corsair Dominator modules are now priced accordingly with other DDR2 800 4-4-4 kits. Corsair is a great name and almost no one would say bad decision, even if a few bucks more. Good pick!

3) The Corsair 620W PSU is plenty for your stated purpose. Stop worrying about that Slightly off-topic but I bet an year from now, selling the 8800GTS and getting the next big single GPU might be more appealing than going SLI

Now a lot of people don't place much faith in this but you might want to take a look at it. I personally don't buy the you-need-an-expensive-850W argument, but if you do feel that having more Watts will give you peace of mind down the line, this Silverstone ST75F is priced well w.r.t to the Corsair, is modular and is 750W - and comes from a great brand as well.

4) The Antec P180B is a nice case. Excellent finish and features. There were some posts here that it 'may not' accommodate a 8800GTX (or longer GPUs of the future; this does not apply to your GTS) if the top Hard Drive Cage is in use - if this bothers you, look for deeper Full Towers (around 23-24" deep).

Stock cooling is fine if you aren't overclocking. If quiet is important and large OC-targeted heatsinks aren't your thing, get an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. It's priced pretty cheap for an overall excellent product.

Sorry if I gave you more options when you were looking for more streamlining

 

[imported_RedStar]

i shall add the Cooling Freezer 7 Pro to the list. Thanks.
Iwas thinking that i might upgrade to an gtx or some other card that happens to be that long -so i wanted to hedge on that possibility. As long as that upper hdd rack can be removed ...i am not to worried now.

---

So at this point the only thing i am still undecided about is the PSU.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...owProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011489&cid=PS.808

210$ for that silverstone.

I will read up on it ...and redo my calculations for power requirements.

 

[jfall]

waste of money IMO. I'd build a $1,300 computer now, and another one in a year or so

 

[imported_RedStar]

ok...is this memory ok (for mild overclocking in the future)?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.ph...wProduct&cmd=pd&pid=009850&cid=RAM.475

the dominator stuff is even more expensive than the OCZ i 1st listed.

Edit: sorry just noticed that crucial recommendation --canadacomputers does not have it.


----
as to the buy 1300 now upgrade 1300 next year... It works out the same but you lose out on performance as you wait a year. By the time prices fall enough..there is newer tech that you want even more. Going this route has cost me 2 years in lost gaming pleasure.

right now i have 13 games collecting dust as i await my system.

I am patient ...but i would say 2 years is long enough

(i will pay a bit more simply because i prefer a local builder and so can't shop at newegg --which always has great pricing

 

[ayabe]

That is one expensive mobo - which seems to be the trend lately. I think I would have a hard time paying more than $200 even for a best of the best board, otherwise I would be feeling extreme pain in the testes.

 

[imported_RedStar]

Yups they(average price for top board) have been sneeking up gradually each year.

and that 280 is a limited time offer..gonna be 300 in a couple days.

turns out ...the price on bfg was a 1 day only "sale" and the asus one lasts a couple days more...but there is no stock. (and the sale price is new egg's price plus a bit)

heh...i might be waiting afterall. Hopefully not though.