New build- DRAFT

[Horty]

After much thought, consternation and too much time trolling the forums I'm settling down to a build looking like this...

Please fire away. The major caveat is that I'm rather itching to wait for the X38/G92/Penryn releases but my current box is starting to give me warning signs (it knows it's days are numbered and is sticking its tongue at me).... so if, for this kind of $$$ range you think I'd best wait, I'll try to. Otherwise I'll pull the trigger.

Monitor will likely be a Planar 26" or similar. I want to be able to drive Crysis at full eye candy at 1920 etc.

Wondering about RAM??

INTEL, Core™ 2 Duo Q6600 Quad-Core, 2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB (2 x 4MB) L2 Cache, 65nm, 105W

TUNIQ, Tower 120 CPU Cooler (Or the Ultra if it'll fit)

ZALMAN, ZM-MFC2 4-Channel Fan Controller

ASUS, P5K Deluxe/WiFi-AP, LGA775, Intel P35, 1333MHz FSB, DDR2-1066MHz 8GB/4, PCIe x16 /2 CF, SATA 3Gb/s RAID 1 /8, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW /2, WiFi, ATX

G.SKILL, 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15) SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC

eVGA, e-GeForce 8800 GTX 621MHz, 768MB DDR3 2GHz, PCIe x16 SLI, 2x DVI, HDTV/S-Video/Composite Out

CREATIVE, Sound Blaster® X-Fi™ XtremeGamer Fatal1ty™ Pro Series, 7.1 channels, 24-bit 192KHz, PCI

WESTERN DIGITAL, 150GB WD Raptor®, SATA 150MB/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
SEAGATE, 500GB Barracuda 7200.10, SATA II 300MB/s, 7200-RPM, 16MB cache

SILVERSTONE, Temjin TJ07 Black Mid-Tower Case

THERMALTAKE, Toughpower 1000W Power Supply, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, Quad +12V, Quad Ready

Dual Boot???
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition 64-bit (Home Premium??) I just can't see going x64 only yet... or am I a coward??
Windows XP32 Pro (Primarily for gaming performance and older software compatibility/stabilty

[moxing2]

Will you be overclocking? If not, you might want to go with 667 RAM speed instead, it will be cheaper and it won't make a difference unless your actually overclocking.

The 1000W power supply is overkill, i would probably look at getting a 620W Corsair (thats what i am getting ) unless your planing to SLI with the GTX then i would recommend getting a little more juice, but 1000W is a lot.

Also i would stick with the stock CPU cooler, again unless you plan on overclocking, because if you go with a different one, it will void your warrenty. But at least try the stock cooler, and if your unhappy with the temps your getting, get the tuniq

I dont no how much you know, and what your budget is, but the P5K MoBo you selected has WiFi in it. Just want to make sure you know that. You could downgrade to a simpler form of the P5k for cheaper

If you could, links would be nice

[doubledragon5]

The Corsair is better than the Thermaltake.. Go with a lesser one like moxing2 mentioned.. If not OC then the 520 will be more than enough.. The stock heatsink fan will be sufficent as well.. If you go with a after market cooler and do OC you will vioid you 3yr CPU warranty..

[Horty]

Thanks- about the WiFI- you're right and I may step down. I need to check the specs on each to see what else I lose in stepping down.

Overclocking... yeah- not extreme but I will... and I was thinking SLI but if the new G92 series cards turn out to be as rumored I likely won't and avoid that expensive upgrade path. Had I gone SLI... I was thinking watercooled but I've never done it and am not enough of an enthusiast to really get into that. If so, then you're right that 1000 is overkill.

Any thoughts on waiting until Novemeber? I'm a believer in buy now when ready or you'll wait until forever... but the nexus of x38 (August/September) and G92/Penryn in November seem significant enough to wait.

I don't build upgrade often... I tend to build high and upgrade little besides video for about three years. I'm willing to put about $4000 into parts not including the monitor. For this build I may actually have AVA build it due to my time being dear right now... and I'd have their warranty for not much of a premium over scratch built.

Thanks for your reply.

[moxing2]

If you read some other forums, you will see how most people don't recommend SLI because one high end card will beat out 2 lower ends. But! if you have the money ($4000!!!) then you might as well. I am assuming you have like a 30'' or higher moniter that will support high resolutions, if thats the case then having two cards will help run your games in those high resolutions. This pc is for gaming right? Well anyways, i have heard that you can return your cards into evga, when ever you want to upgrade again, and get credit for a new card. In this case, in 1-3 years you can do that and upgrade to the next high end cards in SLI. The downside with SLI is modern cards become out of date quickly...

EDIT: Also, there are VGA coolers, or video card coolers, that actually attach to the card to dissapate the heat. This would be a great alternative to water cooling. With water cooling you have to worry about maintenance and LEAKS!!, although thats sorta rare if you do everything correct. But water cooling is quite... On top of that, you can buy pci card coolers

pci cooling two fans
one fan

VGA cooling

i have never tried a VGA cooler, but i am sure they shouldnt be too complicated

[Horty]

That's my thinking... but SLi still not working well under Vista makes me

[Horty]

After further review I replaced the power supply with the Enermx 850.... still overkill but it's terrifically power efficient and future proofed. Also- changed the mobo to the regular P5k.

Everything except the monitor and new surround sound for about $3400.

[Horty]

I think I may also drop the sound card altogether and try the onboard sound; it's apparently excellent on this card. Plus the X-FI drivers for x64 seem to still be troublesome.

[moxing2]

Good idea. With sound quality, always try your on board sound first and if you don't like it, you can always go back and get the card. Also, unless you have quality speakers, you wont use the full ability of the card. If you are really picky about your sound, or if your into home recording, or something of that nature, go with the sound card.

[Horty]

Originally Posted by moxing2 Good idea. With sound quality, always try your on board sound first and if you don't like it, you can always go back and get the card. Also, unless you have quality speakers, you wont use the full ability of the card. If you are really picky about your sound, or if your into home recording, or something of that nature, go with the sound card.

I am fussy about sound (work in broadcasting) but still... I'll give the onboard HD a try.

(And save a few more pennies toward that 26" LCD )