Gaming System Build Opinions Please

[theother0]

Hey guys and Gals,


First off Merry Christmas.


OK I am doing research right now for a gaming build in Feb.

The sole purpose of this PC is OC for gaming.. Based on what I am looking at I would like some opinions on what I choose for the build for ease of OC and performance.

Here is what I am looking at on a budget of about 1300-1500

MB & CPU combo

XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - OEM, Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Processor 2.66GHz OEM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3896469&CatId=14

or

XFX nForce 780i 3-Way SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor 2.40GHz OEM
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3610493&CatId=14

or

???????????????

Video Card

XFX GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Video Card - 896MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0 x16, SLI Ready, (dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4296573&CatId=28

or

XFX GeForce 9800 GTX + Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support
2 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4037153&CatId=28 RUNNING IN SLI

Memory

Corsair Dual Channel XMS2 4096MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2 x 2048MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3757080&CatId=10

or

???????????????????

Power Supply

Apevia ATX-LCD750W Quartz 750W Power Supply - Aluminum
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3556444&Sku=A107-1100

or

Corsair TX750W 750-Watt Power Supply - ATX, 140mm Fan, SLI-Ready, SATA-Ready
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3438609&CatId=2533

or

????????????????????

Monitor

ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - Retail
New Arrival - full HD 1080P resolution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051

Went with this Monitor cause of the HDMI plugin and the price.. Has gotten good reviews also.

As far as the rest of the components, they are all easy selects for me. Well if you guys have some thoughts pls let me know.

I will be using XP Pro for this system because Vista is crap and end of 09 windows 7 will be out.

 

[kyeana]

please post the actual items that you are considering with the link

Also with regards to vista it is actually now a very solid OS, it just got a bad rep from its launch and those issues, but after the first service pack it is a very solid OS. I would recomend Vista 64 bit

 

[theother0]

OK reedited original post

 

[kelfen]

stay away from NVIDIA boards, they have issue's. Intel boards are much more stable. what is your budget? go for the i7 and x58 if you can afford. as far as graphics card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810 best price/performance.

 

[theother0]

budget is about 1600. I have always been a fan of Nvidia I haven't had any issues with them, XFX has always made gr8 products but i will take it into consideration. I am going to look at a review on the 4870 HD here in a sec and repost a reply

 

[kyeana]

personally i do like nVidia as well, i much prefer their drivers to the ATI ones (even though im using an ATI card right now...figures)

The best thing you can do if you are looking for performance is just google some benchmarks between the 4870 and the 260 for the games you are interested in playing

 

[kyeana]

Also kelfen was right, stay away from the nVidia mobos. If you want to SLI get a x58 mobo with an i7, or if you want to crossfire or just get a single nVidia card then go with a p45 mobo

 

[theother0]

ok checked out a review and the gtx 260 and saphire HD 4870 and about the same but this is a non OC 260

http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=593&Itemid=27&limit=1&limitstart=3


also for really good drivers for ATI and Nvidia check out www.omegadrivers.net I have had the best luck with these guys drivers they do a really nice job. As far as the MB goes could you guts link me a P45 board and why is it better for overclocking?

 

[Akebono 98]

On the GTX 260, you should be looking at the new GTX 260 Core 216.

For good P45 mobos for your purpose, I'd recommend Asus P5Q Deluxe or Maximus II Formula. Both have the 16 phase power for more OC stability.

 

[theother0]

also my heatsink/fan is going to be a

Tuniq Tower 120 Universal CPU Cooler 120mm Cooling Fan and Fan Controller/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001

 

[Akebono 98]

To OC on LGA 775 socket, the best coolers are Xigmatek HDT-S1283 and Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer. Don't forget the Thermalright LGA 775 Bolt-Thru Kit (the backplate).

 

[kelfen]

are you going to get the i7? that would mean you be able to upgrade your mobo pretty easly in the future but it might cost a little more.
Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131346
Proccessor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226040
computer case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043
monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236051
ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - Retail
power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
100 after rebate 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810
200 after rebate 180


as far as crossfire just wait a couple of mounths and then you can decide to cf or weather it is better just to go with the new video card

total of 1435 after rebate 1395

 

[dieseldre2k]

so let me get this straight....ur ordering a computer in 2 months and expect to to build a computer now before AMD releases Phenom II, nvidia releases GTX 295, intel releases new i7's, ATI releases who knows what, AND prices drop? stupid if u ask me...come back in 2 months when it actually matters and when u know for sure that the new tech released in january/february doesnt make anything we pick now useless.

 

[kelfen]

so let me get this straight....ur ordering a computer in 2 months and expect to to build a computer now before AMD releases Phenom II, nvidia releases GTX 295, intel releases new i7's, AMD releases who knows what, AND prices drop? stupid if u ask me...come back in 2 months when it actually matters and when u know for sure that the new tech released in january/february doesnt make anything we pick now useless.

I do agree with that might as well wait 2 mounths for the better price and and option for better tech

 

[theother0]

Basically I am gathering information so i do not have to worry about it in Jan/Feb, and if i need to adjust my picks in jan/feb i will do it accordingly. And thx for being a PEN IS right off the bat thats what i was hoping to get here..

I bet you know where the PEN IS.

Anyway thx for the info Kelfen I will take that build into consideration along with the others people i hope will post here in the future.

 

[jyjjy]

You should definitely be aiming for an i7 system on that budget.

 

[dieseldre2k]

lol u dont get it do u? EVERYTHING could change and it might be more than just an "adjustment." u can choose a high end LGA775 socket-based computer now, and end up switching to phenom II/i7. that means u'd have to change ur CPU, ur mobo to the new socket, ur RAM from ddr2 to ddr3 and then those price changes might let u afford a better video card, which might or might not need a less or more poweful PSU. and yea, sure u can try to build an i7 build now, but u dont even know if phenom II will be a better bang for ur buck. heck, even a sale by newegg can totally throw everything off. not being a "PEN IS," just stating the truth without sugar-coating it. if u want to go ahead and waste ur time now, by all means, go ahead. it seems i've wasted my time warning u though.

 

[theother0]

Lets say everything does change. By me getting information now does a few things. 1. Helps me better understand where Amd and Intel sits as we speak as far as the comparison goes. 2. Having a jump on things and not having to research past and present setus and builds. 3. Gives me a better understanding from where we are now to where we will be when the time comes. I can setup an build on my wishlist on tigerdirect (cheaper than newegg on most things) and with a click i can change everything. I understand where you are coming from but its not like i am purchasing everything now, that would be an oxymoron on my part. Probably will go with an i7 build because prices will drop come jan/feb. But how versatile is the i7 to OC. See i know ZIP on the i7's so instead of me going into it in late jan/feb knowing nothing about the i7's i now atleast will have a working knowlegdge on it. Yeah i can read reviews but its always better to get it from the CONSUMER than biast reviews... Not saying all reviews are biast but the consumer will not BS someone if they have issues that need to be heard by the next guy looking to build 1.

 

[Akebono 98]

You're both right but this forum is meant to help. From what I've seen so far, I think a few broad conclusions can be sketched out.

1. Go with i7 architecture. Exact details depend on pricing at time of purchase. There's a lot to figure out here on this alone, so +1 to theother0 for advance planning.

2. LGA 1366 heatsinks. There are basically only 2 good ones right now, so unless a better one comes out in the next two months, you can make this decision already.

3. RAM. Just go with 2x2GB configuration of DDR3 on the i7 platform. 3x2GB doesn't really add anything for your purposes, so you're probably wasting your money on the extra stick.

4. Gaming benchmarks. If you've always wanted to SLI nVidia GPUs on an Intel chipset, here's your chance on the i7.


Chill... it's Christmas.

 

[jyjjy]

i7 boards are triple channel memory. 3 x 2gb is the way to go

 

[RoofusGreen]

-jyjjy is correct. 2x2GB is a huge mistake. You need triple channel. And make sure you get at least 1333mhz RAM.
-Also, there are no new core i7s set for release within the next two months besides server chips. Prices, however, will go down.
-The GTX 295 is out of the option. There's no room for a .5k gpu in a 1.6k build. A 55nm 216 core 260 is fine.
-Good 1366 heatsinks are limited. Expect to pay 60 for one. And trust me, you'll need one.
-Core i7 would be a good investment. I have one, and its blazing fast for hpc at least.
-To answer your question, core i7s overclock very well. Expect to be able to clock a 920 over 3ghz very easily just on air cooling.
My advice is: learn about every you need to know. Then come February, you'll be able to pick out your parts fairly easily. THEN post here. There's far better information spread out on the net in articles and the such than you'll find by posting in a forum.

 

[V3NOM]

yeah, theres been conflicting reviews ( thg reviewers..) on whether triple channel ram has an advantage over dual channel... i say go triple channel anyway, since that's what the controller was designed for.

on a building note, i notice there you've put a monitor.. is that included in the $1600? do you need a new keyboard/mouse/speakers as well? that will cut into your budget quite a bit...

whether the phenom II is good or not, i would advise against getting it for this budget... either get a core 2 duo, or a core i7. core 2 quad/phenom/phenom II ftw AT THE MOMENT...

are you ordering purely from tigerdirect, or is newegg k as well? i was going to put together a tigerdirect list, but tbh newegg is cheaper (sometimes) and has a bigger stock list so..

 

[Akebono 98]

Let's see... gaming only on XP Pro... unless you get the 64 bit version, that 3rd stick of DDR3 can't be seen by the OS anyways. Not to mention the 896 MB of video memory eating into the 4GB limit if our friend ultimately decides to go with the GTX 260 Core 216. Hypothetically, of course!

 

[V3NOM]

vista 64 premium,..

 

[Akebono 98]

Nooooooooooooooooooo!!!