Rate my build!

[Madruk]

Hey all, just wanted some opinions on my new build for 2008. Main thing I will be using it for is gaming and MMO's. Mainly looking for opinions on compatibility, price, and stability, I'll probably be using this computer for the next 2 years at the very least. Budget is around 1200 to spend and I live in the US.


Case - Antec Nine Hundred

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129021

CPU - 8400 Wolfdale 45nm Core 2 Duo

(Actually still looking around for this one, probably wait till Monday)

Memory - G. Skill 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR800 (PC2 6400)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128064

Graphics Card - EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 (G92) - I actually have bought this card already

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130312

Sound Card - Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer - Already own this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829102005

Power Supply - Corsair CMPSU-550VX ATX12V 550W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139004

HDD - Western Digital Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM SATA OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136073

Whole thing comes out to about $1000 for the parts I don't have.

Not really including my optical drives, who really cares about those

Any thoughts opinions? Some of my concerns were for the Corsair PSU, as I've read a couple reports of it being incompatible with some boards (though nothing specific except maybe for Abit Pro boards). Also I used to be an exclusive Asus/Kingston fan but I don't think it's really worth the price to pay $200 for 4GB Kingston memory nowadays with how cheap ram is. G. Skill seems to be the preferred memory for now around here.

Gigabyte has gotten some good reviews but I've read they have terrible support/documentation. Would an Asus PK5-E be the better choice? The only thing I didn't like about that board was the placement of the SATA's. With a huge card like a 8800 GTS I've yet to find a board designed around it.

One last concern is HDD's, not sure on other vendors but it seems like a TON of OEM drives from Newegg come DOA, especially Seagates. I've read good things about the Seagate Barricuda 7200.10 but what I'd really like is something reliable that won't die on me after 3 months. The Western Digital I've had in this current comp has been working good for over a year now with no issues so I went with another one.

On a final note, I may OC the system in the future, but as it stands now that will be on the backburner in terms of priorities.

 

[Doclife]

Buy this Corsair PSU for the same price and your concern will become a non issue.

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/203270716.html

 

[MarcVenice]

Looks almost impeccable. Well, since you allready have the 8800gts, it is impeccable. Perhaps switch the 550vx for a 520hx? http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A6200026 or even a 450vx, which is still plenty of power. Just for fun I'd get a tuniq tower, or perhaps a Arctic Freezer 7 pro, for cooler/quieter computing, and for overclocking the hell out of that e8400. HD's, I'm personaly a fan of the samsung 500gb t166 spinpoint.

 

[cozumel]

Mobo: I am Gigabyte fanboy and rarely read the manuals so I wouldn't know. The DS4 is about to have a new revision in the stores (rev 2.1) and will have FSB support to 1600MHz and DDR2 support to 1200MHz. Not sure if that is important for you.

HDDs: I love my seagates 7200.10. The 7200.11 model is better now that Seagate noticed a firmware problem that was causing the cache to be mis-identified and they are now quick. WD hdds also very, very good.

Edit: Nice choice of memory.

 

[Madruk]

Hey guys thanks for the replies!

In regards to the 520hx being a modular PSU, is the electrical resistance noticeable? Is it worth it to have a little less clutter in your box? I read something about this kind of psu can lead to hardware failures also. Also note I don't really plan to ever use SLI or Crosshair. I don't use a high enough res monitor to really take advantage of it.

MarcVenice - I'm going to place an order for Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste and the Freezer 7 pro, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[cozumel]

Tuniq TX-2 or Arctic Mx-2 both outperform AS5.

There are no problems with modular supplies supplied by Corsair or any other reputable brand. They all use good conducting connectors (mostly gold) so resistance is negligible and you don't need to be concerned. It is not in the interest of these brands to produce PSUs that are of poor quality and that could lead to component. The Corsair model linked as an high quality component. Check out the reviews and johnnyguru site.

 

[Rike]

If the modular cables were a major problem, major companies wouldn't be selling them with 3 year warranties. Yes there is more resistance, but it's not anything to worry about.

Some ideas for alternate parts:

Mobo alternate:
Abit IP35 Pro Easiest mobo I've ever worked with.

HD Alternate for a good price:
Maxtor 500GB

 

[Brutus04]

Not too shabby...

 

[chuckm]

You can also get the VX 550 PSU at Buy.com alot cheaper;
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

Here's a review with the 550 and the 520 head to head;
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...QyMCwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

You may want to give the onboard sound a try, they've got it a lot better.
Nice rig, good luck

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Madruk
In regards to the 520hx being a modular PSU, is the electrical resistance noticeable? Is it worth it to have a little less clutter in your box? I read something about this kind of psu can lead to hardware failures also. Also note I don't really plan to ever use SLI or Crosshair. I don't use a high enough res monitor to really take advantage of it.

Frankly, on my Corsair 450VX, there is only 1 line I don't use. Every other line is plugged into something, and I only have 2x HDD, 1 vd card, 1 DVD, 3 case fans.
IMO not worth paying extra for a modular PSU. I just stuck the extra line under my DVD drive.

edit: awesome price on that VX550! I've paid more for 450!