New computer build, would like opinions, plz.

[no1zhome]

Well, it seems like it’s time to upgrade again!

I want to get into the new Conan release with my daughter. My present AMD 6400 Asus A8N-E and Asus 6800 video card just won’t cut it! I though about sticking another gig of ram and upgrading the video card to see if I could squeak by but I think the whole enchilada would be a more prudent choice. I have not built my own computer since I upgraded my 386SX to a 486 (long time ago). Provided everything works it should be ok. Never messed with RAID before, does not look too hard. This website sure increases my confidence, lots of good info here. (friendly folks too!)

My first choice was to use the 790i chipset, but that begs some high-end memory and processors. So I went with the 780i chipset. So here is what I’ve picked out. Notice I don’t want to wait for the new GT200 Nvidia board… Ever since I’ve owned a computer there is always something just around the corner to wait for!

EVGA nforce 780i SLI Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
Two for RAID 0, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300
Ultra X3 ULT40071 800-Watt Power Supply
OCZ Reaper Dual Channel 2048MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)
ZEROtherm / Butterfly BTF90 / Socket 775/754/939/AM2
EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 Video Card -1GB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0
Existing XP pro sp2 license
I’ll try and fit this in my existing Cool Master Wavemaster case. I’ll use my existing DVD, CD-ROM and 3 ½ floppy.

All comments appreciated

[Mumm]

Looks like a good solid all around set up to me. Aside from the RAM issue I have also read that the 790i from eVga is still working out some BIOS issues. So you will save your self some possible trouble there too.

I dunno if you plan on OCing much but if so you may wanna look at some new case fans to replace the old ones. If they are getting old and not pushing as much air as new ones would. Shouldn't be a huge cost to replace them. But that can also be done at a later time too.

[no1zhome]

Thanks, that's a good tip I overlooked.
My present mobo had the tiny little chipset fan go out (I can't find a replacement for!) and I scrounged up a larger fan on an old computer laying around and it works ok as long as I keep the case sides off.
Man I'm studying this site closely...Now I'm looking at all the BIOS setup fun and games. Seems to me the last time I did this the BIOS was pretty easy. Looks a little more complicated nowdays.
i was looking at all the RAID posts, the general consensus I'm getting is that RAID 0 with just 2 drives isn't alot of bang for the buck for gaming purposes. I may just go with 1 drive.

As far as OC'ing I got the better cpu heatsink and the RAM with the heatsinks to possible give it a try.. not sure yet.
As far as a gamer, I got my first computer game in 1978 or 79 on my Atari 130 been gaming since I was a kid, mostly wargames and RPG's.
As far as a computer guru, well no, I'm not stupid but I have not kept up with the little details for some time. Lot to learn.

[duplo83]

I have also read that the 790i from eVga is still working out some BIOS issues. So you will save your self some possible trouble there too.

I realize that every situation is different, but I just wanted to let you know that my experience with the EVGA 790i board has been great, no bios problems whatsoever. I was also able to achieve a much more stable overclock with my E6600 on the 790i board than I was with my previous 680i board. I've since upgraded to a Q9450 with a very stable 1.2Ghz overclock on the 790i, its great.

[DMB2000uk]

Here are my thoughts on your parts

Drop the Ultra powersupply and get a Corsair 620HX, it might be rated for less watts, but it is a much better powersupply and will power just as much as the ultra. (It's also cheaper )

Skipping RAID is also probably for the best too, the only noticeable difference when running RAID0 is that programs install quicker, load times and similar are still pretty similar to a single drive.

Have you thought about looking into the C2Q Q9300 instead of the Q6700, it has less overclocking potential (because of the lower multiplier [see Graysky's overclocking guide for a good help with overclocking and how it works]), but runs at less heat and works faster at the same clockspeed as the Q6XXX series. So stock for stock the Q9300 will be slightly better.

As for coolers I think there are a lot better ones out there. You should definitely look around as quads (especially the Q6XXX's) are pretty hot and need all the cooling they can get. Is your case limited in terms of how high the cooler can be? (its just that some of the best coolers are pretty tall).
Something like the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 will be great for cooling a quad.

Dan

[no1zhome]

DMB200uk, exactly the reason I posted on your forum. Your comments are most welcome. The gear I listed is my first cut. Nothing is in stone.
I read the lengthy thread on overclocking, wow what a post, but I understood it and that's even better (for me). Although I will start with a virgin clock rate, the article does give me some confidence that I could do it myself.
I'm still rattling around with 780i vs 790i. The pros and cons and the money too! My Coolmaster wavemaster case may have some issues with the cooling, a new case if I have a problem is not to big a deal. Thanks for the tip on the p/s too.

[tekgek]

Some advice for you (at least my thoughts, which do not count for much of anything in the gaming pc arena, but I will do my best.):

I would agree with Dan on the proc, you should definitely try the 45 nm quad cores, I have heard that they are nice, and some of them overclock easily. They also use less power, and they need much less cooling. As for the cpu cooling, I think that it would be worthwhile, even for a 45 nm cpu, to have an aftermarket cooler. I am still researching, but I would go either with the Zalman CNPS 90 or the Thermaltake DuOrb. They both cool really well, and cool the cpu within a degree of each other. Now, the DuOrb takes up a lot more space the Zalman, but I just thought that I would bring it up. And, for all that mighty hardware, I would recommend the Antec Nine Hundred, if a new case can be squeezed into a new budget, or its sucessor the twelve hundred. I have never used the twelve hundred, but it is based on the nine hundred, and the 900 rocks, and has plenty of fans, and I'm not sure if the Wavemaster you have is going to cut it for cooling. Beware of the flimsy connectors on the nine hundred, though; I broke the connector on the 200 mm fan and had to solder on a new one.

Well, there are my suggestions, and happy building! Please post some pics when you are done.

Happy building,
Tekgek

P.S. I have the HX 620 psu, and it works wonderfully. It also runs really coll and it modular. It should be enough to power you rig.

[DaddyRabbit]

Well, it seems like it’s time to upgrade again!

Ever since I’ve owned a computer there is always something just around the corner to wait for!

Don't I know it!

EVGA nforce 780i SLI Motherboard

Any reason for not looking at Intel chipset boards? You might be able to get a better deal on a capable board in that area.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700

I'll agree with others here that the 45nm chips are a better option

Two for RAID 0, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300

I'll also agree that RAID is not usually a requirement and can add pain to the process and doesn't buy much in gaming performance.

Ultra X3 ULT40071 800-Watt Power Supply

PSU choice is critical, I have the 620HX and it does indeed rock, that said I've never thrown a fully loaded system with a 9800 GX2 at it

Memory and cooler I have no wisdom on... (not that I have wisdom on anything else

EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 Video Card -1GB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0

This is why I asked the Intel board question. The 9800 GX2 is an internal SLI config so it will work just fine on a X38 or P35 yes? I can't imagine running two GX2 GPUs in SLI (really would need to revisit the PSU choice )

Either way you go I think you have some solid choices, have fun building!

[DMB2000uk]

The 620HX can even handle Quad SLI, check out the components list from the 9800GX2 Quad SLI/3870 Quad XFire roundup:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/681/2/

Dan

[DaddyRabbit]

Thanks Dan, good to know I did good on PSU and mobo! And a great read.

[no1zhome]

Daddyrabbit: I've used these posts to revise my system a couple of times.
Cooling, case, hard drives, power supply I've revised. I decided to expand the budget and go with a 790i chipset and the suggested Q9450 and related DDR3. The article on OC'ing was helpful to understand what some of the system requirements actually mean. Especially the memory. I read some linked reviews on all the various chipsets, I think the 790 will be the one I use. I'm very pleased with the responses to this thread so far. I thought that the seriously experienced gamming and building users could give me the insight that I lack. The last system was built for me and I made a couple of less than optimum choices (although it still works ok). I did not do enough research. Now I'm better armed with info and actually gonna do it myself.

[Zertz]

Two for RAID 0, Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB Hard Drive - 7200, 16MB, SATA-300

The Samsung F1's and Western Digital's 320GB/640GB drives are faster than those

[slugbug]

Personally I'd save a few bucks and go with a Q6600 processor. They're very capable overclockers and can be had for under $200

[Zertz]

Personally I'd save a few bucks and go with a Q6600 processor. They're very capable overclockers and can be had for under $200

That or the newer Q9450