First Intel Build, Recommendations Welcome.

[Resnik]

Let me preface this by saying.. Im an AMD Fanboy.

That being said The Egg has E8400's for sub $200..

So, this Rig is going to be used for MMO/FPS gaming.
AoC is about to release, and im pretty stoked about all that.
CoD 4 / Crysis / S.T.A.L.K.E.R, are also some of the titles i'll be using this computer to play.

Here we go:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W
Motherboard: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI
Ram: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
GPU: XFX PVT98UZHFU GeForce 9800 GX2 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
Or
GPU: 2xEVGA 512-P3-N867-AR GeForce 9600GT SSC 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
H/S: ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120 120mm
HD: I actually have no idea what i want to put in this system.. Im not looking to spend over $200 on Storage space.

All this is going into an Antec 900, Its also going to be Air Cooled, for now, my case does have the H20 Ports in the back, so i may upgrade it to Watercooling, if i see the need down the road.
I also have a Cosair 620HX and a 520HX psu, I'll probably use the 620Hx, and keep my 520HX for my other PC.

All this is just an open idea, all suggestions are welcome.
Im not looking for a Dual Core Processor.
I dont really have a Set $$$ goal for this computer.. I know i'll end up spending 1K-1.2K Which is fine.
So, if you do make any recommendations dont pick $600 Ram, *snicker*.

Im sorta hell bent on a xfx 9800GX2... I just hate money, thats my only logic behind the choice

I want to keep my options open, so im also not looking for a Single GPU slot MB.

P.S
I also plan on OCing the 8400.. Nothing Extreme, considering its on Air. But, how can i turn town a couple hundred free MHZ, just no voltage bumps most likely.
Anyway, enough of my rambling, Lets hear it LR.

[martini161]

e8400 do 4 ghz easy on air. look at the 3870x2s, cheaper then nvidia and about the same performance

[Resnik]

Yerp, the 4 Gig mark is pretty intriguing, i'll admit to that.

But, i'd rather not stress my CPU out tooo much.. I plan on keeping this rig for a long while.

In reguards to the 3870x2, Indeed it is a great deal cheaper than the 9800GX2.
That being said.
25 FPS @ 1280 X 1024 In Crysis, Is that even enjoyable?

I wont be playing at 1920 X 1200 anytime soon.

Currently my Native Resolution is 1680x1050.

On a side note, Ty for the post.

Im also wishy washy on what OS i want to run, Currently i game with XP SP2 32-bit.
But..
I've toyed with the idea of picking up Vista Ultimate 64bit, since im going to be running over 3g's of Ram.

Like I stated earlier, Recommendations Welcome!

[Bwall]

I would go with one of these for your hard drive...
http://legitreviews.pgpartner.com/searc ... t/sv=title

I have a couple of them and they are just as fast as my 74GB or 150GB Raptors.

I'm not a big fan of that Nirvana heatsink, this is one of my favorites...
http://legitreviews.pgpartner.com/searc ... k/st=query

I would stick with a pair of 9600GT's for now. The GX2 isn't going to give you $200 more performance, and I would not get a 3870x2. I have used one in testing and prefered a single 8800 GTS or 8800 GTX to it.
Otherwise it looks pretty good. But you say "Im not looking for a Dual Core Processor" but the E8400 is a dual core. Are you looking for a quad core instead?

[Resnik]

*Plamface*

Yeah, Quad Core.
Good look there, There for a second I thought I wasnt sounding like a complete imbecile.

To be honest, the 9600GT SSC's from EVGA impress the hell out of me..
-$150/$200 under the 9800GX2.
To boot, from what i've seen around the introweb, they *can* out Perform the 9800GX2 at the Resolution i'll be running.

And Ty for the HD Recommendations.

[DMB2000uk]

I'm going to echo bwall's comments about going for a single 8800GTS/GTX over the SLI options. There are still games that don't do too well with SLI, and in those you will be scaled back the the performance of just one card.

Plus i think one big card will use less power and make less heat in your case.

Dan

[smack323]

I am going to second the call on the video card- I would suggest the 8800GTS 512mb over the 2x 9600 in SLI. you can add another on down the road and it will be much better that the 2x 9600's

[vicaphit]

Intel Q6600s are $199 on www.frys.com

You have to actually search for it on the website, and the price will be shown in your cart at the end. I just ordered one yesterday, and delivery is scheduled for today. I didn't even order next day shipping. I do live about 150 miles from where it was shipped though, so maybe they ship it from the nearest Frys store.

[maj0r_pawnage]

isn't ati releasing a refresh this month? if the supposed benches are correct than the 4870(single) would blow the gx2 out of the water...(which seems unlikely?)but it may be worth the wait

[Resnik]

Frys currently has the q6600 Listed for 259.99..

Newegg has the E8400 for 193.99

And, Yeah the 4870 has some very impressive specs..To impressive..
We'll see when that GPU releases.


Just a question, everyone think my Ram/MoBo choices are Decent?

[Resnik]

Well, Here is the Shopping list so Far.

Motherboard: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
Ram: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
GPU: EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
H/S: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

That rings up to: $1004
Newegg pricing with no instant rebates, TheEgg has a tendecy to drop prices 10-15 for a day or two.. completely random.. lol

I plan on Ordering this Computer tomorrow night when i get off work, I'll be working with a $1200 Budget.. So right now.. im sitting on $200 to spare.
Any suggestions on what I may be able to Optimize?

I considered picking up another WD6400AAKS and running them in a Raid0 Format..
Any advice if that would be a wise avenue to spend another $115?

Like I previously stated, this is Purely a Gaming Machine.

On another note.
Im not very positive how satisfied i'll be with the 8800GTS.. that being said.. Come September or so if im not happy with the GPU, I'll give it to my older brother as a birthday present and step up to something new and juicy.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions Btw..

The XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 is a freaking amazing H/S for an On-Air Machine.

And I simply dont want to go with a Q6600, even though there only about $50-60 more than my selected E8400, Maybe someone can change my mind??

[smack323]

if its purly a gaming rig I would stay with the E8400. Quad isnt going to do much for you unless you want to encode movies or something in the background

[stopthekilling77]

if that HD youre looking at getting isn't too much, you could buy 2 of them and run them in RAID 0 for a nice performance boost

[Resnik]

Haha, So I just ordered my Hardware.

1 XFX PVT88GYDD4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Standard Return Policy $249.99

1 mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996599 - Retail
Standard Return Policy $129.99

2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Limited 30-Day Return Policy $229.98
($114.99 ea)

1 XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
Standard Return Policy $36.99

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $199.99

1 EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $259.99

Order Total $1,124.48

Kinda Switched it up, Went with some Mushkin Ram over the OZC
And I picked up the XFX Alpha Dog 8800GTS 512MB over the EVGA 8800GTS 512mb.
Comes factory OC'd and with a Free Copy of CoD 4, Good **** imo.

Wondering about how I was Pwned by Newegg??

I Like in Kentucky.

My Motherboard, CPU, H/S and HD's were shipped from Tenessee, takes about 36 hours for delivery with 3 day ground VIA UPS.

The Ram and GPU.. shipped from CALI.. Gonna take 2-3 days... OWNED!

Atleast it will give me time for Mockup.. I'll get my all wires rounted and Cleaned up.. Go Go.

Thanks again for everyone opinions and suggestions.

[DMB2000uk]

When you get the Xigmatek cooler, make sure that you apply the thermal paste to the heatsink and not the CPU.

The recesses in the heatpipes (on the base of the heatsink) mean that the paste doesn't spread far enough if it is just applied to the CPU (provided that you go with the accepted method of using a grain of rice sized paste in the middle of the CPU, and aren't someone who spreads it out).

Read this page for the best way to apply thermal paste for that style cooler.

Good luck with the build!

Dan

[Resnik]

Thanks for the Tip, Dan.

I've already checked out that link.. But yeah, thanks for watching out for my Processors well being.. lol..

So i'll be getting my MB, Processor, H/S, and 2x HD's on monday.... and the GPU and RAM on wednesday..
Booo!!!
Hell i'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope i dont have to RMA anything.

[stopthekilling77]

Haha, So I just ordered my Hardware.

i sure hope you'll be running those 2x640Gb HD's in RAID 0?

you will NOT be disappointed with this build! i actually envy you!

congrats on the purchase!

[Resnik]

No need to Envy mang.

Just another computer.

Yeah, Funny thing about those HD's.. I plan on Running them in Raid 0, I was even thinking about "Stroking" lol, strange word.. Them.

Heres the Kicker..
I dont have a Floppy Drive.. Or atleast, I didnt order one, Lol, but my brother has one in his PC, so i'll just borrow it for the install.
Never Configured a Raid Setup, however. The EVGA 780i, has raid 0 support so im sure it wont be extremely difficult to do.

Wonder what kinda Benchmarks this will get in 3DMark06, and PCmark05.. shouldnt be too shabby.. Nothing like 20K or anything, but hell.. Its just a Gaming machine, not to worried about Benchmarks anyway.

I've read that the XFX is a beast of an OCer, along with the E8400, the Motherboard, is probably the bottleneck when it comes to Speed Potential for this Build.

I havent really read alot about the 2x2 Mushkin Kit.. PC 8500, Which has me somewhat leary.
I know Mushkin has always Produced some of the Highest Performing Ram .. So im Confident enough in that.

Probably kick this thing to around 4G on Air, Hell this Antec 900 has like 9 Fans running it in.. So its not really a HOT Case *chuckle*

[Resnik]

Just a Peek at some Backwards Hd's in my antec 900..
Let the modding Begin?

O, and no Cutting Required.

Another Angle.


Keep in mind that this built isnt complete yet, still waiting on my GPU and Ram.

[Resnik]

Well.. The build is Complete.

My E8400 is Sexy.. compared to the old AMD Athlon XP “Thoroughbred” 1800+ That I used using, via hand-me-down.
Not to mention the 8800GTS (G92).

I have'nt downloaded any Benchmark Software yet.. Such as PCmark or 3dMark.

One thing i've noticed..

With Everest, The #1 Core #2 Core, run about +16oC While Idle.. Over the CPU Temp..
However I read that this was a common occurance.. the CPU Temp @ Idle is 29c, while the Core #1 and #2 temps are both at 48c.

Kinda freaks me out..

I'll post a CPU-Z Validation screenie..
Right now, I have the Core Speed Underclocked.. hehe

3000MHz
6x Multi
500 Bus Speed
2000 MHz Rated FSB
1.296Volts

Ram running 1:1
500MHz @ 5/5/5/15 T2

nothing special.. not really set, just what i settled with it at without having any Benchmark Software.

Still need to download the latest GPU and Motherboard Drivers.