1st post, 1st build, processor question

[z4dave]

I`ve been reading/learning about building my own PC for awhile now and been saving up some cash$$. And I got a nice wad of cash saved up

I got my case (Silverstone TJ07) and monitor (Samsung 225BW 22" 1680x1050) already, and getting ready to make some more purchases...

Vista Prem
Asus Striker Extream
1 GeForce 8800GTX (plan to buy a 2nd one later)
PLEXTOR PX-755SA
Western Digital RaptorX 150GB 10K SATA TSD-150AHFD
No idea what kind of power source to get
I thinks thats all I need minus Keyboard, mouse etc...

and I cant deside to go with the Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 or QX6700 (dual or Quad)
Im leaning toward Quad core but not sure?
planing on doing allot gaming on this rig and some light video editing
I want a very upgradeable rig, and a very up to date rig

If you have any opinions or suggestions on my build please help me out thanks.

[bd1886]

z4dave, Sure looks like you know what you want.You are going to have one heck of a rig when you are done! I've been poking around this site for a while and you came to the right place to get good advice. Others will have to advise you on the proc and ps as I haven't educated myself on that top of the line stuff. What I can tell you though is there is a list on this site that directs you to the most well recieved power supplies and tells you what to stay away from.About the processor...now is kind of a funny time as far as processors being released. Conroe just hit the mainstream and full blown quad releases are just around the corner(early spring?).Sounds like games are still oriented to single core and here we are going to be having multiple choices of quad soon! Make sure you have an upgrade path kinda figured out so it'll be just a processor swap down the road. Enjoy the build! Just went and looked... that good/bad list of power supplies is in "General Hardware"

[786ARS]

unless you do insane multiasking, i would go X6800, as you probably wouldn't see any benifts from the quad core, especially as very few programs are dual core written at this present time.

[z4dave]

Originally Posted by 786ARS unless you do insane multiasking, i would go X6800, as you probably wouldn't see any benifts from the quad core, especially as very few programs are dual core written at this present time.

Would there be any downside to quad core other than a few less Mhz?

[786ARS]

Cost.

If you are spending soo much on a rig, I would recomend dual booting with XP, so you can have 32bit and 64bit capability, for future and backwards compatibility, as x64 does have many advantages, but without dualbooting with a 32 bit OS, it can be a bit of a nightmare.

[z4dave]

Originally Posted by 786ARS Cost. it can be a bit of a nightmare.

why?

[z4dave]

will the
ENERMAX GALAXY EGA1000EWL-DXX ATX/BTX 1000W Gamers Edition Power Supply 100 - 240 V

be compatible?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Yes but may I suggest some much better choices for the price? I'd rather have a high quality 800w then a *ok* quality 1000w. Here are my suggestions:

Silverstone Olympia 1000w
Its actually a rebadged Seventeam. Who are known for some of the best server powersupplies in the world.

Zippy 850W
Hands down the best choice, but it is LOUD.

Silverstone ST85ZF
Server quailty. Will more then power your setup.

Xclio Stable Power 850W AND 1000W
Not as good as those units linked above, nonetheless its better then the Enermax. Very Quiet.

[newbuilder14]

Just a question, but does an, I don't know how to put it, average manufacturer make the Enermax power supply? I'm just wondering what makes it just okay since I thought Enermax made some very good power supplies - you know your power supplies.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Enermax makes it own powersupplies, and they do a great job. Their server line is pretty good. The Galaxy is also quality, dont get me wrong. They are quiet and very efficient, but there is better out there for the $$ in this case.

The galaxy is just not as well built. Its just not as well built as others in the price range. It also has a voltage ripple issue. That is, the power coming from the lines isnt too clean, this could cause harm to the lifetime of your pc components.

[z4dave]

Thanks Mr.Ferrari I think I am going with ether the Silverstone Olympia 1000w or Zippy 850W then
This site is great, I love the fast reply

What are the absolute best choices foe a CPU cooler right now? that will fit intel X6800 or QX6700

[newbuilder14]

I like the Zippy power supply I have - very heavy (quality) and I didn't find the 460w version to be loud - probably because the fans in that case were already loud.

[786ARS]

Originally Posted by z4dave why?

x64 hasn't got much support, for both programs and drivers, and although there is some backwards compatibility, it is not 100%. And if you are getting Vista, you would probably want it for the future, and hence i would assume you are getting the x64 version. In that case I would recomend having XP 32bit for full compatibility to run all current and past programs, as well as programs coded in 64bit.

[Mr.Ferrari]

The normal 850w zippy does use a extra 60mm fan which tends to spin up hard when put under load. There is a gamer's edition coming out which should be quieter, but the olympia should be quieter.

For the CPU cooler, remember if you use a aftermarket HSF you void the warranty with the processor. Otherwise the best cpu coolers would be the Sunbeam Tuniq Tower, Thermalright Ultra 120, and the Scythe inifnity.

[z4dave]

thx for the info guys, im sure ill be back here posting more question as build comes along

[z4dave]

does any one know if the Silverstone ST85ZF will for sure power my setup?

dual 8800GTX
2 Hard drives
DVD burner
quad core prossoeor
stricker extream
4 120mm fans
2 90mm fans?

[newbuilder14]

I sure think 800 watts is enough, but if you want you can always look into 1000w units. You seem to have a powerful PC so I'd certainly look into a very high quality 850w-1000w unit...

I really am not quite sure, Mr. Ferrari knows.

[Mr.Ferrari]

That 850W should be more then enough. 1000w right now is more hype then use. No computer needs 1000w right now.

[glc]

That power supply is certified for dual 8800GTX's. So is the ST75ZF.

[z4dave]

Best Ram?

I Want to go with 1x2gb stick for now, but Im not sure
would it be better to go with 2x1gb sticks?

what about brands, I heard CORSAIR Dominator pretty good?

What would be the best for my system and what speed should I go?

[glc]

Buy ram that's on the Asus QVL. Go with the 2x1 so you have dual channel. No need to go with super high end ram (faster than DDR2-800) unless you are planning an extreme overclock.

[z4dave]

Originally Posted by glc Buy ram that's on the Asus QVL. Go with the 2x1 so you have dual channel. No need to go with super high end ram (faster than DDR2-800) unless you are planning an extreme overclock.

what about 2x 2gb vs 2 x 1 gb?

[Mr.Ferrari]

2x2 has just been introduced. The quality of the chips are very poor and the price is crazy due to its low quantity and heavy manufacturing costs. Even until manufacturer's start maturing 2x2, if your using a 32-bit OS, you wont be able to read more then 3gb.

I suggest 2x1. You dont need anymore. Cant go wrong with Corsair XMS2.

[z4dave]

ok going with CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 TWIN2X2048-6400C3DF

another question LoL, Video card Brands?
I want the 8800GTX but eVGA, BIOSTAR, BFG Tech all make the same card?...

any diffence, should I pair up the asus mobo with the asus gtx?

[newbuilder14]

I'm not sure you are getting the premium chips with Dominator RAM anymore, I suggest XMS2.

They are all generally the same, and pairing Asus with Asus does not give a real advantage - I'd go for the eVGA card.

[z4dave]

here is the ram http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145165
it says xms2 on the chip?
Cas Latency: 3
Features: DHX (Dual-path Heat Xchange), EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles), SLI certified, Heat Sink with DOMINATOR Airflow Fan
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 3-4-3-9

is that the best CORSAIR makes in DDR2 800, if not send me a newegg link

[Mr.Ferrari]

You dont need such ram unless you plan on doing overclocking, and exteme at that.

I suggest you stick to the Cas5 XMS2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

[z4dave]

Whats the diffrence in performance in the two?
Im not realy sure what this all means?
Im think CAS latency is delay, so lower is better

Im planning to OC my 2.66ghz qx6700 to 3.0ghz, is that a big OC?

CORSAIR Dominator
Cas Latency 3
Timing 3-4-3-9
Voltage 2.4V

CORSAIR XMS2
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-12
Voltage 1.9V

[Mr.Ferrari]

No its a very small one.

And your right, the latency timings regulate the speed at which the memory interacts with your motherboard and cpu.

But the price difference between the two will not in anyway justify the tiny performance increase between the lower latencies. Core 2 Duo doesnt gain much with tighter timings. Your wasting your money here.

Stick to the xms2 I suggested. It will more then fulfill your overclocking requirements and save you cash.

[z4dave]

OK got my last specs before big order, just want to make sure everything looks good.

Asus Striker Extream (ordered)
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
CORSAIR XMS2 DOMINATOR 2GB (2 x 1GB)
Western Digital Raptor X OEM
Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s OEM
SILVERSTONE ST85ZF ATX12V / EPS12V 850W (Hope this is a good PSU)
2SLI XFX GeForce 8800GTX 768MB XXX Version
Logitech MX Revolution
Logitech G15

Only thing Im having 2nd thoughts about is 320gb HD is it enough space and is it a good HD?
and PSU

Pretty sure the XFX XXX 8800GTX is good, Havent Read a Bad Review Yet