Gaming build advice

[ABHarman]

Hello all!
<--forum virgin

I'm looking right now at this:

CPU: Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9450 (4 X 2.66GHz) 1333MHz FSB/12MB L2 Cache

RAM: 4GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR 1066MHz - (2x2GB)

Motherboard: ASUS® P5N-T DELUXE: DDR2, SATA II, 3 x PCI-e x16, 1 PCI/2 x PCI-E

OS: 64 BIT WINDOWS® VISTA HOME PREM SP1

HDD: 160GB SERIAL ATA II 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)

CD/DVD Drive 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer ±R/±RW/RAM

Graphics Card 512MB GEFORCE 9800GTX PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT

PSU 700W Quiet Quad Rail + 120mm Case Fan

Processor Cooling ASUS SILENT KNIGHT II PURE COPPER ULTRA COOLER

Thought I'd give the techhie stuff first so you didn't get bored with my ramblings:

It's been ages since I've put together a PC and I'm totally out of the loop, this list is from a shop that I'm using to give me the general idea, so you'll notice they don't give brands for most items. It's quoted £1086 ready and delivered. I may make use of a similar service or try and re-live the fond memories I have of putting my last one together all those years back. ;)

I'm hoping you pros can give me some guidance on what there is or isn't needed or any general suggestions/explosion prevention tips. I'm ideally looking for a rig that can handle any game for at least a couple of years. I think it should be possible to double up the ram and graphics card at a later date (probably on a later pay-check) if necessary.
I'm looking to spend economically, but there is technically no budget untill the bank tries to re-posess my soul. I'm not a graphics perfectionist, but I've just started to get into fp shooters and I like everything to look pretty. :)

Sorry my information is a bit rubbish but like I said I am a noob and this is just the first draft.

All input welcome!

[wonderlust]

Better CPU coolers are available for the same money or less,

Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+775/Arctic+Cooling+Freezer+7+PRO+?productId=20729

OCZ Vendetta 2

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Socket+754%2C+939%2C+775/OCZ+Vendetta+2+CPU+Cooler+%28All+sockets%29+?produ ctId=31337

as examples

[marsey99]

it looks a solid build, wonderlust has pointed out a overspend (its a nice looking heatsink. the asus, but its more show than go if you get me) and both those links are brilliant at cooling for their price brackets. the main thing i would want to point out is that both nvidia and ati are going to be releasing new cards shortly. i would try and save a few quid now by getting a 9600gt or 8800gt and then get one of those in a few weeks as it seems they will perform much better than what is currently out.

o, if you are going 64bit vista you might as well get ultimate, it has some great extras :)

[wonderlust]

63bit vista:eek:

To the OP I would suggest that the Burner is a Sata one

[alexnifty]

If someones trying to sell you 63-bit Vista I would seriously think about if you should be buying from some guy in a pub :P

[marsey99]

lol, edited.

[mac124]

More info on psu please, ie brand? We are VERY anti "Generic / cheapo" psus on here, 600watt ocz minimum on that spec.

[marsey99]

i cant see it being a cheapo psu with 4 12v rails.

[mac124]

You're probably right but i still feel the need to ask, no brand being mentioned and all that.

Removed unnecessary posts too.

[marsey99]

i understand the concern, and im not a fan of the generic psu either but i dont think i have ever seen 1 with more than 1 rail, or above 600w for that matter but i dont doubt they exist.

+ty ;)

[ABHarman]

Wow guys, thanks for the awesome overnight response!

I've now got time to spend awhile putting together an actual list; here's how it looks so far:

Mobo: Z-ASUS P5N-T Deluxe Quickcode: #31015 £116.33
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (Retail 775) QC: #30246 £228.42
RAM: OCZ 4GB PC2-8500 Reaper HPC (2x2GB) Quickcode: #30582 £82.19
HDD: 160GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA2 8MB Quickcode: #27006 £29.96
CD: NEC Optiarc AD-7191S 20x SATA Quickcode: #29725 £17.33
GPU: nVidia GeForce 9600GT 512MB Overclocked PCI-E QC: #30732 £106.87
PSU: OCZ 700W GameXStream SLI Ready PSU Quickcode: #24587 £76.32
CPU cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO Quickcode: #20729 £14.04
OS: Vista Home Premium 64 OEM Quickcode: #25906 £61.04

Total £732.50

Choose the motherboard suggested by the build site I was looking at so I expect it will fit everything, but have no idea if it's any good. The NEC CD drive because the EXTREME comfort made me laugh.
Thanks to Marsey and Wonderlust for the GPU/heatsink suggestions, you are wise.

For the PSU, I don't know the lingo. What is 4x 12volt rails and does the OCZ I've posted fit the bill?

Marsey I had a brief look at Microsoft's description of ultimate and I haven't yet seen anything that convinces me it's worth the extra dosh, though maybe I'm missing something?

I still need a case, soundcard, fans....bells and whistles? I have no idea how to judge what fits in a case, last time I just went to my local PC store and bought the biggest ugliest mother I could find :)

[Lynx]

I bought ultimate because of how cheap it was for me /£60, it does not really give much more, i just hope that ultimate users get a reduced cost upgrade to windows 7 ;) if only!

[wonderlust]

The board you have selected appears to be a return/openbox.

If it were me I would go with a P35 or 38 board.

A suggestion would be perhaps #28015 The MSI P35 Neo2-Fr £66.38 (I have one as do a few of the other members here) and spend the rest upgrading the 9600gt to an 8800GT 512Mb or better still an 8800GTS 512Mb

[tystar]

Hello all!
<--forum virgin

I'm looking right now at this:

CPU: Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9450 (4 X 2.66GHz) 1333MHz FSB/12MB L2 Cache

RAM: 4GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR 1066MHz - (2x2GB)

Motherboard: ASUS® P5N-T DELUXE: DDR2, SATA II, 3 x PCI-e x16, 1 PCI/2 x PCI-E

OS: 64 BIT WINDOWS® VISTA HOME PREM SP1

HDD: 160GB SERIAL ATA II 8MB CACHE (7200rpm)

CD/DVD Drive 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer ±R/±RW/RAM

Graphics Card 512MB GEFORCE 9800GTX PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT

PSU 700W Quiet Quad Rail + 120mm Case Fan

Processor Cooling ASUS SILENT KNIGHT II PURE COPPER ULTRA COOLER





Wow guys, thanks for the awesome overnight response!

I've now got time to spend awhile putting together an actual list; here's how it looks so far:

Mobo: Z-ASUS P5N-T Deluxe Quickcode: #31015 £116.33
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (Retail 775) QC: #30246 £228.42
RAM: OCZ 4GB PC2-8500 Reaper HPC (2x2GB) Quickcode: #30582 £82.19
HDD: 160GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA2 8MB Quickcode: #27006 £29.96
CD: NEC Optiarc AD-7191S 20x SATA Quickcode: #29725 £17.33
GPU: nVidia GeForce 9600GT 512MB Overclocked PCI-E QC: #30732 £106.87
PSU: OCZ 700W GameXStream SLI Ready PSU Quickcode: #24587 £76.32
CPU cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO Quickcode: #20729 £14.04
OS: Vista Home Premium 64 OEM Quickcode: #25906 £61.04

Total £732.50



Looks ok but why have you gone from looking at the 9800gtx to the 9600gt??

if you dont want the expense of the 9800gtx then go for a 8800gts 512mb this will give you closer performance but less cash outlay or at the minimum the 8800GT 512mb but not the 9600gt.

[marsey99]

m8 untill you have a stripper dancing on your desktop instead of a plain still image you haven't lived :)

i know i know im a bit sad really.

[coiler]

m8 untill you have a stripper dancing on your desktop instead of a plain still image you haven't lived :)

i know i know im a bit sad really.

download link?

[ABHarman]

It was Marsey's suggestion that I forget the 9800gtx for now and look at 9600 or 8800, I assumed the 9 series was better but I guess that's not right. I can't find the 8800gts of which you speak, can anyone provide the QF code?

I'm intrigued by the dancing stripper, but not sure my flimsy desk could take the weight, mayhaps I should upgrade that too? Maybe get a pole version. What specs attracts strippers?

[marsey99]

dreamscene plays mp4 and wmv files just point it to your fave vid.


you can use it to loop more mature stuff too like flowing rivers or crackling fires if thats your bag.



edit

pmsl @ that m8.

[tystar]

Cant seem to find the 8800gts on aria's website but whilst i was look i spotted this bargin..

Nvida 8800GT 512Mb OC version (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/nVidia+GeForce+Overclocked+8800GT+512MB+PCI-E+?productId=30015) check the WSS price absolute bargin for that and is a much better option rather than the 9600GT.

LOL (oops) at the striper specs requirement. i'm sure my pc specs wouldnt attract a stripper but the rest of the specs in my house would ;)

[wonderlust]

Looks like Aria have stopped selling them, IIRC there is very little between the 8800gts and the 9800GTX

The 9600Gt is a replacement for the 8600GT (a very poor card) and at lower res and lower AA settings is about the same as the 8800Gt, but as things get higher the 8800GT pulls ahead.

[coiler]

It was Marsey's suggestion that I forget the 9800gtx for now and look at 9600 or 8800, I assumed the 9 series was better but I guess that's not right. I can't find the 8800gts of which you speak, can anyone provide the QF code?

I'm intrigued by the dancing stripper, but not sure my flimsy desk could take the weight, mayhaps I should upgrade that too? Maybe get a pole version. What specs attracts strippers?


the "600" prefix after the 9 is an inferior lower end card. Hence the high end 9800.

The "800" prefer after the 8 is a high end card and is the obvious choice for £100 ish of tasty performance.

[marsey99]

i put the 96 forward as a stop gap till the 4xxx and gt200s come out.

for a single card solution right now if i had to buy it right this second i would go with a 9800gx2 as its 8800gts performance in all games and 8800gts sli performance in games that benefit from sli. or an 8800gt if i was on a budget, like the one linked above.

edit
woohoo im a guru.

[ABHarman]

Seems aria don't have the processor I was looking at, closest I can see is

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.5GHz (Retail 775) Quickcode: #30245

How much of a loss to performance will this be?

Wonderlust suggests #28015 The MSI P35 Neo2-Fr £66.38 Motherboard, will this work if I go SLI in the future?

And thanks Tystar,
Nvida 8800GT 512Mb OC version (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/nVIDIA+GeForce+8+Series/nVidia+GeForce+Overclocked+8800GT+512MB+PCI-E+?productId=30015) looks good.

Edit: Congratulations Marsey!
and many thanks Coiler for clearing that up, large numbers confuse me.

[wonderlust]

No, SLi Is just a marketing gimic, by the time you are wish to go SLI you will find that a better card can be had that will probably cheaper than going SLi.

you will need a large monitor and run at high res to gain anything out of SLi and then the gains are not anywhere near double

IF I were you, unless you are doing Video work if the 9450 isn't available get a Q6600 instead

[PeterStoba]

The MSI board does support Crossfire however, so you could swap the 8800GT for the 3870, save a bit of money and get a small performance hit, but possibility to add a 3850 or 3870 or even a 3870X2 later if you wish, i wouldn't though, for the reason wonderlust said.

I would swap the CPU for a Q6600 or an E8400 if you can't get the 9450 as the 9300 is not very good tbh, it's half multi and higher starting bus means you can't clock as far.

[ABHarman]

My shopping cart =
Akasa Zen Silent-Cool - Black #25262 £ 24.95
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 95W G0 Stepping (Retail 775) #28356 £ 111.95
MSI P35 NEO2-FR Socket 775 Motherboard #28015 £ 56.49
nVidia GeForce Overclocked 8800GT 512MB PCI-E #30015 £ 111.89
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64 OEM #25906 £ 51.95
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO #20729 £ 11.95
OCZ 700W GameXStream SLI Ready PSU #24587 £ 64.95
NEC Optiarc AD-7191S 20x Internal DVDRW Lightscribe Black - SATA #29724 £ 14.55
160GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA2 8MB #27006 £ 25.50
OCZ 4GB PC2-8500 Reaper HPC (2x2GB) #30582 £ 69.95

Total £544.13+shipping and vat

I'm incapable of making a decision without validation so I put this up for a final opinion from you fine gents.

It's looking a chunk cheaper than my first expectations thanks mostly to the advice on what was unneccessary and partly to the lack of Intel Q9450s.

Is it good?

Am I missing anything that will prevent me putting this together as soon as it arrives?

[PeterStoba]

Looks fine!

[tystar]

Cant see anything wrong with that.

[wonderlust]

Should fly, i think you will be happy with it

[ABHarman]

Thanks guys!

It's been ordered and on it's way. You were super helpful and thanks to you I even had fun planning this out. Now I'm looking forward to putting it together!!

[tystar]

No Worries.

just dont forget to post the pics of in progress and the completed pics :)

[marsey99]

the hard parts over then, just the fun bit :D

just dont try and rush when you build it, less haste and all that.

[Monkey]

nVidia GeForce Overclocked 8800GT 512MB? Or nVidia GeForce 9800GTX 512MB?

[coiler]

price difference?

[Monkey]

well is it much better or just a little. Is it gonna get more fps outta morrowind? :P