First Build: Gaming, about $2300

[FrozenDragoon]

This is my first attempt at a build, I consider myself pretty tech savvy, but have only built low end machines before, never something this... powerful. I want it to be my primary gaming machine. Looking to be able to run well on most of the newer games (such as Bioshock), and hoping this will last me more than say... 2 years?

Ive tried to use parts from quality companies, but there are some, mainly RAM and PSU, that I have no clue who-so-ever is quality or not.

My absolute max price is $2500, im shooting for $2300 to give me some breathing room in case anything happens.

Case: Thermaltake Black Armor $149.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...579&CatId=1510
Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI Motherboard $139.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...608&CatId=1533
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor - 2.40GHz $299.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2905631
CPU Fan: Ultra / X-Wind / Socket 775 / Copper / CPU Cooling Fan to 3.8ghz $ 49.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2135206
Memory: US Modular 4096MB Dual Channel PC6400 DDR2 800MHz $214.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...611&CatId=2261
Hard Drives: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB Hard Drive $109.99 ($218.98)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Sku=TSD-500AS4
Video Card: EVGA GeForce 8800 Ultra KO Video Card $684.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...y=REVIEWS#tabs
DVD Drive: Lite-On Super-Multi LH20A1H Lightscribe DVD Burner 2x$36.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...9&Sku=L12-1124
Power Supply: OCZ / GameXStream / 700-Watt / ATX $99.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...424&CatId=2533
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium - Retail DVD $229.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5&Sku=M17-2504
Cables:
2x Cables Unlimited / 18-Inch / Serial ATA / Red / SATA Cable $9.98
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...71566&CatId=84
6-Foot DVI-D Male/Male Dual Link Digital Cable $33.98
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...357&CatId=1163


Total: $2207.84

So... any suggestions as to parts/manufacturers? I used the stickied skeleton file for what parts should be included, so I don't think I missed anything. Am I going over the top on anything (This question is mainly for the video card, I want top of the line, but is there... like, to much, a point where it doesn't matter?)

Thanks in advance for anyone that takes a glance at my build!

[shadowpr]

No need to get Windows Vista Retail. Just get the OEM version and save some money. Also, if you'r going to get 4gb of ram, get the 64 bit version, otherwise just get less ram. 2gb is basic now.

Unless you plan on overclocking, forget about getting the CPU cooler.

I would make the DVD burners a SATA connection. Get at least one retail so you get the software. Personally, I just have one, and one dvd player. Might save a few bucks there.

Not sure if that video card is really worth the extra money, here is a site that has comparissions: http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html Might be better to just drop down a bit. Up to you.

Also, tigerdirect isn't the best place to buy from, newegg.com is the place of choice here for anyone in the US.

[flanzig1]

For memory, would go with Corsair XMS DDR2 800 CAS 5. The stuff you listed sounds like generic or Tigerdirect's house brand.
The Ultra cooler is TigerDirects house brand, probably a piece of junk. Just use the CPU cooler that comes with the CPU.
The rest looks good.

[scythe_god]

No need in that quad core CPU, get one of these two depending on how much you are willing to spend, they are faster and a lot better bang for the buck.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115029

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115028

I wouldnt that trust that PSU for your build, stick too these brands, Corsair, PC Power & Cooling and Fortron Source.

[drummerboy92]

The Quad-Core is a personal choice. There are a lot of reasons to go with either the E6750 or the Quad, but if your looking for future proofing, stick with the Quad. However, no games can take advantage of all 4 cores, and most games only use one. It really depends on what you want to spend. The E6850 is much too expensive for the small performance over the E6750, IMHO.

[wildfire]

Originally Posted by drummerboy92 The Quad-Core is a personal choice. There are a lot of reasons to go with either the E6750 or the Quad, but if your looking for future proofing, stick with the Quad. However, no games can take advantage of all 4 cores, and most games only use one. It really depends on what you want to spend. The E6850 is much too expensive for the small performance over the E6750, IMHO.

Crysis will be taking the advantage of all 4 cores when it comes out in a month or so. Most newer games will be too.

[FrozenDragoon]

Cool, I went with the RAM you suggested, and I switched out the DVD burners as well (One to retail, as suggested), I dropped the CPU Cooling fan, thank you for that suggestion, saved me some money =).

I stuck with the Quad-Core processor and Current video card, cause they look like they will last me longer into the future since I have money to spend now. With college the next 4/5 years, It will be hard to come by soon.

Thank you all, I am very happy with how this build looks =D

Oh, and the reason I selected everything from TigerDirect instead of New Egg, is because I live in Germany, and my mother is in the Air Force. TigerDirect does a much better job of shipping to APO (Military) Addresses than New Egg does, sad to say.

Thank you all again, Im gonna order it this weekend, so if theres any other suggestions its not to late.

[Katreat]

MoBo - Why SLI? I would swap out the SLI MB for a Asus P5K. If you are set on a SLI MB then you might as well buy yourself a 1000 w PSU now because that is what you will need for two 8800 Ultras when you decide to buy a second one.

http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

CPU – Q6600 is good. Go with the E6750 if you want to save a bit of cash and upgrade to quad in a year or so when games really need it. The E6850 is overpriced for the performance gain.

CPU cooler - Use the stock CPU cooler unless you are planning to OC. It will keep the CPU warranty effective.

RAM - Go with a name brand memory, corsair is nice as suggested above.

Vid Card - I would really drop down to the 8800 GTX. You are paying a big premium for what is nothing but a factory OC card. Save a bit today and just upgrade to a 8900 (or whatever they call the next one) when it gets too slow. Unless you are playing on a very large monitor, like 30” + , the 8800 GTX is more card than anyone needs right now (IMO). Check out this review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/09/...for_the_money/

DVD – As suggested, get Lite-on retail and get free Nero. You don’t need a second burner, if you really want a second just get a player and save a few bucks.

PSU – read first post. If you are thinking SLI then get something much bigger now so you don’t have to replace it. If you are not really thinking SLI then the OCZ is fine but I would swap out the MB for the newer P35 chip.

OS – buy OEM. 32 bit for 2 g of ram, 64 bit if you plan on moving that up to 4 g now or in the near future.

Kat

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by FrozenDragoon Oh, and the reason I selected everything from TigerDirect instead of New Egg, is because I live in Germany, and my mother is in the Air Force. TigerDirect does a much better job of shipping to APO (Military) Addresses than New Egg does, sad to say.

When I was in Chile, my buddy ordered his parts from NewEgg through APO, and it got there pretty quick and in good order.

This is from Newegg site:
Does Newegg.com deliver to APO or FPO addresses?
Yes, we deliver to APO/FPO addresses. APO/FPO orders are shipped by the United States Postal Service and usually take one to two business days to process and, once shipped, five to ten working days to deliver. However, Newegg.com cannot control delivery time. Some APO/FPO orders may require 6-8 weeks of lead time.


I would seriously consider it.

[FrozenDragoon]

What i said was just from my personal experiance. TigerDirect orders tend to get here in 7 days. New Egg has taken a month or more for most orders.

But since you've insisted that its that much better, and you have a much better idea of what your talking about =), I've gone and rebuilt the build using the same parts from New Egg, actually came out $30 cheaper before shipping =)

Im sure ill agree with you before my system is up and running.

[Katreat]

I have ordered stuff in the past from Tiger and never had a problem. But then again, I never had to return anything and was buying name brand parts.

I think most problems with Tiger is that they are far behind Newegg for customer service when something goes wrong. With new egg it is very easy to return stuff and get replacements, with tiger I have heard it is much worse.

The second complaint you hear about tiger is they like to push house brands and bundle things together as deals when it is really just a effort to get rid of out of date stock. If you know what you want and buy name brands this problem can be avoided.

So, if you have chosen your parts carefully and everything works when it arrives you will probably have a great experience with Tiger Direct.

Kat

[keith_mahoney]

Just to vouch for newegg I recieved a new mobo from them to APO in Belgium in 5 days but I did pay for rush processing.
Right now I am on day 4 waiting on another order, no rush payment.

[FrozenDragoon]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that recommened new egg. I received everything I ordered, minus the case, and this is the 9th day since ordering, much quicker than i was told (other than by members here) =D. I'm very excited to receive the case and get this thing together =D

Thank you all again =D

[glc]

While you are waiting for the case, look at this:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

Build the system piece by piece out of the case to make sure everything works. Then when the case arrives, just put the stuff in it.