First Build Revision

[RifRaf]

I've done some more reading and poking around and I've decided I want to go with a 1 card system but have the SLI/Crossfire option for future upgrades. I'm not sure about my motherboard, RAM, or power supply. I'd also like a TV Tuner that can accept cable input, and possibly video game inputs as well (monitor is going to be 24"). The card I've selected is a NVidia but if Crossfire is better I have no problem switching over to ATI. I'm looking to spend about $1000 not including case/OS/Monitor.

I'd love any advice or help!



Xeon 3100 Wolfdale CPU or the E8400 (based on availability):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=Xeon%2bE3110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5037&Tpk=E8400

MSI NX800GT 512mb OC GeForce card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127329

Seagate Harddrive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148288

Lite-On Optical Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

[Katreat]

For a Intel single card set up the most highly recommended MB is the Asus P5K-E. The P35 Intel boards are a very good choice for either of your CPUs. For Crossfire I think the Asus P5E (X38) is the most highly recommended. The X38 is another very good intel chipset and this board has dual X16 PCIe 2.0 slots for true crossfire. The P5K-E only has one X16 PCIe 2.0 slot. If you want SLI you will need a Nvida chipset, probably the 780i. I think the Asus board with that chipset is the P5N.

If you are on a budget I would highly recommend you sticking with the P5K-E and a single card. Save some money and buy a better video card now. The added cost of being duel card ready is probably in the neighborhood of $150 or so. The higher cost of the duel slot MBs and the bigger PSU required for the eventual upgrade. For that kind of money you can get a lot more video card in your budget.

Kat

[RifRaf]

Originally Posted by Katreat For a Intel single card set up the most highly recommended MB is the Asus P5K-E. The P35 Intel boards are a very good choice for either of your CPUs. For Crossfire I think the Asus P5E (X38) is the most highly recommended. The X38 is another very good intel chipset and this board has dual X16 PCIe 2.0 slots for true crossfire. The P5K-E only has one X16 PCIe 2.0 slot. If you want SLI you will need a Nvida chipset, probably the 780i. I think the Asus board with that chipset is the P5N. If you are on a budget I would highly recommend you sticking with the P5K-E and a single card. Save some money and buy a better video card now. The added cost of being duel card ready is probably in the neighborhood of $150 or so. The higher cost of the duel slot MBs and the bigger PSU required for the eventual upgrade. For that kind of money you can get a lot more video card in your budget. Kat

Thanks for the help! Would a card like this be better/work with the P5K-E?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=MSI%2b8800GT

Also, these cards mention that their memory is DDR3...does that mean I need DDR3 RAM or a more expensive mobo?

[Drunner611]

Originally Posted by RifRaf Thanks for the help! Would a card like this be better/work with the P5K-E? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=MSI%2b8800GT Also, these cards mention that their memory is DDR3...does that mean I need DDR3 RAM or a more expensive mobo?

That's a very good card for the price. And no, vid card memory is completely unrelated to the mobo. Some vid cards actually have GDDR4 now.

Anyway, you're fine with DDR2

You don't have a PSU?

[RifRaf]

Originally Posted by Drunner611 You don't have a PSU?

No I haven't selected one yet. I was actually hoping my case would come with one, but with what I've just read elsewhere on this forum..I shouldn't do that.

Would 460 be enough or should I go with 550 or even 640? Can you recommend any good brands?

Thanks again!

[Khalil]

I am not an expert on Intel CPUs however a Xeon is not designed to work in a media center or a desktop. Unlike the AMD Opterons that are very popular with gamers.
Xeons are pure Server processors, at least thats what I understand about them.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Khalil I am not an expert on Intel CPUs however a Xeon is not designed to work in a media center or a desktop. Unlike the AMD Opterons that are very popular with gamers. Xeons are pure Server processors, at least thats what I understand about them.

There are many types of Xeons differing especially in socket type (603, 604, 771, 775, ect.), this particular Xeon is very much like the AM2 Opterons, it is a higher binned (better quality since its for servers) version of the E8400.

[shadowpr]

Everything I've read on overclocker forums is that those two processors are basically the same, and will accomplish the same thing. It's just a matter of price.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 There are many types of Xeons differing especially in socket type (603, 604, 771, 775, ect.), this particular Xeon is very much like the AM2 Opterons, it is a higher binned (better quality since its for servers) version of the E8400.

Ahh ok, thats cool, the Xeons I was exposed to over the years were very expensive server type CPUs that were not suitable for Desktop use, as a matter of fact windows XP would not even recognize them and the boards had no drivers that would work with desktop OS.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Khalil Ahh ok, thats cool, the Xeons I was exposed to over the years were very expensive server type CPUs that were not suitable for Desktop use, as a matter of fact windows XP would not even recognize them and the boards had no drivers that would work with desktop OS.

Like the Opterons there are many types of Xeons, AM2 Opterons will fit fine in standard AM2 motherboards (and work fine with XP), whereas the Socker 1207 Opterons are more expensive, require more expensive motherboards and may have problems running on windows XP. AMD and Intel have two sockets for Servers, one that can be used for low end servers/workstations and one for servers/workstations that use up 2 or more sockets(processors).

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by RifRaf No I haven't selected one yet. I was actually hoping my case would come with one, but with what I've just read elsewhere on this forum..I shouldn't do that. Would 460 be enough or should I go with 550 or even 640? Can you recommend any good brands? Thanks again!

If building a gamer I always figure on a possible (eventual) video card upgrade. The video card market moves fast and I push for 3-4 years out of my gaming build so I usually have one upgrade in there. For that reason I generally like to get some head room with the PSU because paying for an extra 100w is cheaper than having to replace it with the next upgrade. A 460 would likely handle that build, but you would be right on the edge. I would say 550+ just to have the head room for a future video card upgrade. On my last build I went with a Corsair 620, very nice unit. Check out this list for good brands of PSUs

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

About the only case/psu combo that I would recomend would be the Antec Sonota III. It is a nice case and comes with a quality 500w Antec PSU. That would be enough to handle your current set up and possible future upgrades. Putting a PSU in a case is really pretty easy though so chose a case you like best and just go for it. Serch PSUs over 500w and look for sells on units on the good side of the list above.

Kat

[RifRaf]

Originally Posted by Katreat If building a gamer I always figure on a possible (eventual) video card upgrade. The video card market moves fast and I push for 3-4 years out of my gaming build so I usually have one upgrade in there. For that reason I generally like to get some head room with the PSU because paying for an extra 100w is cheaper than having to replace it with the next upgrade. A 460 would likely handle that build, but you would be right on the edge. I would say 550+ just to have the head room for a future video card upgrade. On my last build I went with a Corsair 620, very nice unit. Check out this list for good brands of PSUs http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195 About the only case/psu combo that I would recomend would be the Antec Sonota III. It is a nice case and comes with a quality 500w Antec PSU. That would be enough to handle your current set up and possible future upgrades. Putting a PSU in a case is really pretty easy though so chose a case you like best and just go for it. Serch PSUs over 500w and look for sells on units on the good side of the list above. Kat

Thanks again for the help. I'll probably order in the next few days. Along with what was listed is 2 1GB sticks of Corsair RAM. When it comes to cases...how do go about making sure my components will fit? I couldn't find physical dimension info for the parts. Is this even anything I should worry about?

And final question...any tips on TV tuners? It will be mostly for cable because I'll plug my PS3 directly into the monitor, but my Wii only has red/yellow/white cables and I'd like to be able to plug it in.

[Katreat]

cant help with TV tuners, never used one.

As for cases most mid towers will handle what you have. There are some issues with the newest and biggest video cards. If you stay with the GT or GTS it should not be a problem. Even with the bigger cards like the GTX and GX2 the issue is usually not being able to use a couple of HD bays, not actually not fitting. For a system with 1 or 2 HD it is usually not an issue. Best way to check is to read the newegg reviews and people often list what they are using in the case . If that does not work post your choice and probably someone on forum can answer your question.

Kat