First Build, need advice

[Ferrus]

First of all, I should point out to you all that I am British so unfortunately newegg.com isn't an option.

I intend to use this PC mostly for gaming. A few things I am not sure of:

1.) Is it okay to use an ATI video card, e.g a 1GB 3870 X2 with an Intel CPU?

2.) Currently what is the best way to go as far as gaming is concerned when it comes to an AMD or Intel CPU?

3.) Currently what is the best way to go as far as gaming is concerned when it comes to an nVidia or ATI video card?

5.) For gaming, should I get 64Bit Vista to utilize all 4GB of RAM?

Core 2 Quad 45nm Q9450 2.66 GHz
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=743028

Zalman Aero Flower Cooler 9700
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=505971

320Gb Western Digital Caviar 7200
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=561030

512MB BFG Technology 8800GTS
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=397203

Samsung SATA Lightscribe DVD+RW Drive
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=713729

750W Silverstone Modular PSU 80% Efficiency
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=692680

22" Samsung Pebble Black Widescreen LCD 2ms response time
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=565199

I really need help deciding whether to get the Antec Nine Hundred or the Coolermaster Stacker 831.
Coolermaster: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=592605
Antec: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=501972

4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2 800
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=501972

Vista Home Premium 64Bit
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=527300

Still need to choose a motherboard, suggestions would be great.

Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste.

I don't intend to do any overclocking, if I do it would only be very slight.

Many thanks to anyone offering their advice/opinions.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ferrus 1.) Is it okay to use an ATI video card, e.g a 1GB 3870 X2 with an Intel CPU?

Yes, you can use a ATi video card with a Intel CPU.

Originally Posted by Ferrus 2.) Currently what is the best way to go as far as gaming is concerned when it comes to an AMD or Intel CPU?

Either is fine as long as you get a fast one.

Originally Posted by Ferrus 3.) Currently what is the best way to go as far as gaming is concerned when it comes to an nVidia or ATI video card?

Sorry, can't answer this one. Not a gamer.

Originally Posted by Ferrus 4.) Is a 750W PSU suitable for an upgrade to SLI in the future? (And the current setup)

SLi certified power supplies.

Originally Posted by Ferrus 5.) For gaming, should I get 64Bit Vista to utilize all 4GB of RAM?

You may have difficulty finding 64 bit device drivers. There really is no need for 4GB of RAM for games...yet.

Originally Posted by Ferrus 6.) I'm not sure about this motherboard, any recommendations?

I wouldn't use a XFX motherboard. Look at ABIT, ASUS or Intel.

You don't need a quad core processor for gaming. Get a dual core CPU to help bring the price down a bit.

Cricket

[Lespaul20]

You shouldn't have a problem with 64bit drivers if you are building new.

[Ferrus]

Thank you both for your swift replies!

The 4GB of RAM & 64Bit OS is mainly for future-proofing purposes (Same goes for the Quad-Core), the only reason I would go with 32Bit is if 64Bit is really going to cause alot problems with games. I don't play older games though, so I would think all the newer games & applications would be compatible with 64Bit, right?

I'm not sure if I should swap out the 8800GTS for a ATI 1GB 3870 X2, what do you think?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ferrus the only reason I would go with 32Bit is if 64Bit is really going to cause alot problems with games. I don't play older games though, so I would think all the newer games & applications would be compatible with 64Bit, right?

Most games are written for 32 bit OS's and if you run a 64 bit OS it'll have to play the games with a 32 bit emulator...I heard it's because of this that games played on 64 bit OS's tend to run slower than with a true 32 bit OS. Since you're building a gaming rig I think you'd be better off with a 32 bit OS. There is only a small handful of 64 bit games out there.

Cricket

[Ferrus]

Ok then I will probably go with 32Bit, but still keep the 4GB of RAM for the future. I hear that 32Bit will recognize upto 3.2GB of RAM anyway.

Btw, I checked that nVidia link you gave me and the 750W PSU I have listed in the spec is 8800GTS-SLI capable.

Thanks again

[Ferrus]

I am a bit confused about which motherboard to get now, I wonder if you could shed some light onto why not to get that XFX mobo Cricket? Could someone help me find an alternative that will be compatible with all the other components?

I found this, but it's out of my price range really: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...143,4294953394

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ferrus I am a bit confused about which motherboard to get now, I wonder if you could shed some light onto why not to get that XFX mobo Cricket?

The reason I would stay away from a XFX motherboard is because XFX is associated with ECS and PC Chips and they produce cheap, low quality stuff that have very high failure rates. The XFX motherboards may not be bad (I really don't know) but I do know ECS and PC Chips don't have the best reputations in the industry.

Cricket

[Ferrus]

Ok.

Do you think the Zalman CPU cooler is necessary, or will the stock cooler be ok? I doubt I will OC.

Don't you think it's wise to go with Quad-Core for the future? I heard that Crysis can make use of multiple cores. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I could get either of these:

Duo: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=736335

Quad: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=743028

OR wait till AMD release some new Phenoms and get one of those?

[Ferrus]

Also I was thinking of getting a 150GB Raptor HD instead, as I don't use much space 150GB would be fine. Is it worth the extra money though? Does 10000RPM make much difference?

PS: Why can't I edit my first post now?

[Katreat]

If you are not OCing the system, the stock cooler is fine. Also, if you use an aftermarket cooler you void the warrenty on the CPU.

I know Crysis will use duel cores, have not heard if it will or will not benefit from 4. The Q6600 is a great processor but you are giving up a bit of speed. I would persoanlly recommend going for the new E8400 and figure on a quad upgrade when they get a 1333 up and running at a reasonable price, and when more software starts utiliziing more cores.

Raptors are fast, but since the newer 16mb and 32mb 7200 drives have come out the gap has narrowed considerably. Right now you are paying a much higher price for very little performance gain which is why most people no longer recomend the raptors.

Kat

[Ferrus]

Ok thanks Kat.

I'm seriously considering the Antec Nine Hundred for my case, and I noticed you have it in your rig, could you give me a mini-review of it? And is this a good motherboard do you think: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=505256

[Katreat]

I like the 900. It has great cooling, nice window to show off blue fans, and very convenent controls mounted right on the top. I really had no problems working with it, the PSU is at the bottom so you need to think about cable management but a few zip ties took care of that. The hard drive cages have quite a few screws but once in they are very secure. I would say the one CON to the case is with all those fans running it collects a lot of dust, much more than my last case which had only one front and one rear fan. With the window showing off the inners you kind of have to keep blowing it out if you want it to look pretty.

If you are going SLI that is a good board, or was in the past. I dont really think SLI is a good idea for most people so have not really kept up with developments, but I know there are new 750i and 780i chip sets out to replace the older 650i and 680i chips sets so you should probably do a bit of shopping around and find out what new goodies they provide.

Kat

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Ferrus I'm seriously considering the Antec Nine Hundred for my case, and I noticed you have it in your rig, could you give me a mini-review of it?

Here's an entire thread about the 900.

Cricket

[Ferrus]

Is it worth the extra £50/$100 for this sound card over the integrated? I don't have a surround sound system, just 2.1 Logitech Speakers (two small speakers and a subwoofer).

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=576204

[Katreat]

IMO no, but I use headphones to keep peace in the family for almost 100% of my gaming. The on-board sound is very good, but if you have excellent speakers and are an audiophile at heart you can do better with a quality sound card.

The good news is sound cards are very easy to add as an upgrade. Snap them in, turn the computer off and back on, load of the drivers, and you are in buisness. So I would recomend you try on-board sound first and add a sound card down the road if you want something better.

Kat

[Ferrus]

Ok thanks

[Ferrus]

There is just one component I'm not sure of now, everything else seems to be ready.

And it's the motherboard. I want to get a mobo that will be compatible with technology to come, and also the option of SLI in the future. I'm having trouble choosing a motherboard because the ones I really like are pushing the total price way out of my budget. The 780i series seem to be in the £160+ ($300+) range. Is 680i my best bet? Help!

[Katreat]

Not sure why you want SLI for the future, it is a terrible upgrade path, but the 680i was the premium SLI chipset prior to the 780i so it is probably your best bet. I am pretty sure from what I have read that it has also been upgraded for the newer 1333 chipsets so you should be fine with it.

Personally I would recomend stepping down to a E8400 or Q6600 and getting the MB of your dreams. You are paying a pretty large primum for the Q9450.

Kat

[Ferrus]

I have already decided to get the E8400, I just can't edit my first post now for some reason.

I've no experience with SLI, the only reason I thought I should get a 680i/780i motherboard was for upgrades in the future... But I have no problem with dumping that idea for a better single PCI-E motherboard.

Could you recommend any good ones for gaming rigs?

[Katreat]

Well, the truth is if you are on a budget it is usually better to just buy a new video card when the time comes for an upgrade. History has shown that the new generation video card always out performs two of the past generation video cards in SLI so you can save money up-front with a smaller PSU and lower cost MB and use the savings to afford the next generation video card upgrade.

The Asus P5K is the most highly recommend choice for a MB. It uses the P35 chipset which was specifically developed for the 1333 processors and has all the features most people want. A lot of people also say you get a performance jump using Intel chipsets with Intel processors so the P35 is a good choice. They start out around $125 or so for the basic card but you can pick and chose different versions based on what features you need. The only boards to stay away from are the ones that use DDR3 RAM. DDR3 is not really mainstream yet and the cost is prohibitive for the small gain in performance it offers.

There is also a few X38 Intel chipset boards out but I have not really heard to many advantages to this chip. It is another new Intel chipset so should be good with your processor but is usually on the higher priced MBs so would put you back in the same boat you are in with the 780i for cost.

Kat

[Ferrus]

Thanks for all your help Kat, I really appreciate it.

Could you do me a favour and take some time to look at these and then recommend one? I don't really know what to look for.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...=263&OrderBy=4

[Ferrus]

Kat?

[shadowpr]

Unless you need any of the extra features, I would just get the P5K, or the P5K-E.

[amdalex]

For the mobo the standard P5k will suit your needs.

[Ferrus]

Will the 1GB Radeon 3870X2 work with this motherboard both singularly and in Crossfire?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=615972

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by Ferrus Will the 1GB Radeon 3870X2 work with this motherboard both singularly and in Crossfire? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=615972

That motherboard does not support crossfire.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Dave21 That motherboard does not support crossfire.

Actually, the motherboard DOES support crossfire, notice how there are two pci-express x16 slots, and only crossfire is compatible with Intel chipsets, while SLI is only compatible with Nvidia chipsets. Any P35 motherboard with two pci-express x16 slots will support crossfire. On the website mentioned, click the special features tab, and it will mention ATI Crossfire Technology.

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 Actually, the motherboard DOES support crossfire, notice how there are two pci-express x16 slots, and only crossfire is compatible with Intel chipsets, while SLI is only compatible with Nvidia chipsets. Any P35 motherboard with two pci-express x16 slots will support crossfire. On the website mentioned, click the special features tab, and it will mention ATI Crossfire Technology.

Opps my apologies. I overlooked that. I should be more careful when replying.

[shadowpr]

Are you getting the P5KC for any particular reason? Why not just the P5K?