Help with my gaming setup please

[Megadeth_Amirite]

Ok, so I am buying a new computer in may and I am already trying to build a gaming rig (My first non dell computer xD and I am a noob in this department so I need advices!)

the build(rough):
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.83GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 12MB Retail Box

-Ocz Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Epp Memory Kit (might go for 8gb in total not sure yet)

-The intel x58 mobo (does it support two graphic cards?)

-Antec twelve hundred tower

-BFG GeForce 9800GTX+ OC REV.B 760MHZ 512MB 2.25GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card (x2)

-PSU: I need your advice on this part

And thats mostly it. Advise are really welcomed O.O!

 

[antiacid]

Planning this far ahead is mostly useless. Prices and technology change so quickly

Anyhow, if you plan on going quad core, you should go for a less expensive board like a P45-based board, ie a p5q pro or the gigabyte equivalent.

While you're at it, switch out that 9800gtx+ for something from this current generation like a 4870 or a gtx260+, depending on the pricing. If you have some more money to spend, a 4870x2 is a good option too.

As for ram, 4gig is really the sweet spot. Anything more and you won't see any difference.

Finally, PSU-wise, aim for 750-800 watts and you should have plenty. People are partial to brands but if you have no specific needs and don't care about modular designs, there's like 30 different PSU you could use without issues. Don't forget to add in a 640gig WD Black for your HDD needs.

 

[techwizard08]

The modular designs are kind of nice for keeping everything neat though...

 

[battlemarz]

Intel Core 2s are socket 775. Your selected mobo is socket 1366. You either need to change to a p45/x48 mobo or change your processor to i7 and ram to triple channel DDR3.

Antiacid is right about being too soon to start planning. Your best bet would be to start reading all of threads in this section and learning what you can from them. Then come May you will be able to put together a better rough list of parts for people to critique and improve.

 

[techwizard08]

And not to follow to seriously on the wait to gather parts wagon, but you never know just how much prices are going to drop. It could be that a part that fit smack-dab in your budget now drops, and you have the decision between the same part at a discounted price, or an upgrade to a part that was previously outside your range.

 

[Megadeth_Amirite]

Thanks all for the comments! I know that I am planning a bit in advance, but I am just too excited in the idea of having a real gaming rig =P (My computer is a five years old dell that was mostly build for source and diablo 2 back in the day xD) Also, I forgot to mention, my budget is ~2000$ cnd. It was 3000$ at the beginning, but I decided to buy a 1000$ laptop for University

 

[fullmetall]

If your budgeting that much you can get an i7 Build or a really high top end Quadcore build like the Q9650, 4870x2, ASUS P5Q PRO or Gigabyte UD3P, WD Black 640gb, Antec 900, PSU PC power cooling 750w or Corsair 750w, dont want to go to high and overkill on psu's, read on psu's before saying this and this and this. http://www.jonnyguru.com/

Cooler, as usual the S1283 with the retention bracket, or, the cooler master v8, looks like an engine OCZ Reaper HPC 1066 (2x2gb), i have those babies )

easy put together build.

 

[Megadeth_Amirite]

Thanks again everyone, I will take your advices and do my research. Then I will bump this thread back up when I will be near buying it!

 

[Megadeth_Amirite]

I can't wait for may and I am ordering the computer friday to receive the pieces during my spring break. I've changed some stuff to my build

the build:
-Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=12200BD6325

-Ocz Reaper Hpc Edition PC2-8500 DDR2 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Epp Memory Kit http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220BD8253

-EVGA nForce 750I SLI Ftw http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11610BD8938

-Antec twelve hundred tower

-BFG GeForce 9800GTX+ OC REV.B 760MHZ 512MB 2.25GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card (Going SLI)

-OCZ Elitexstream OCZ1000EXS 1000W http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=13220AC5703

-Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB (x2) can we put them in RAID? http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=25350DR4749

I might consider going for a 850w PSU to save money also if you have anything to propose

 

[fullmetall]

your running a 9800 gtx you'll need 600-700w.. 850w would be a tad to much,

look into the 620w corsair or the 650tx, 750w pc power&cooling red ftw.

 

[Megadeth_Amirite]

your running a 9800 gtx you'll need 600-700w.. 850w would be a tad to much,

look into the 620w corsair or the 650tx, 750w pc power&cooling red ftw.

but if it is too much will it cause a problem in the future? Because I might consider going for a 850w in case I change stuff in the future.

 

[fullmetall]

750w pc power&cooling should be enough for anything, unless you want to get something on a triple sli get a seasonic that has plenty of pci connectors at 6pin and 6pin+2pin.

say you get another 9800gtx for sli, the 750w will be enough, if you wanted to upgrade to a gtx 285-295, it will still be enough power unless you want to sli 2 gtx 280's-285's-295's, get the pc power&cooling red 750w, or a 750tx..

 

[techwizard08]

but if it is too much will it cause a problem in the future? Because I might consider going for a 850w in case I change stuff in the future.

Nope. It will just allow you the headroom for expansion without having to buy and swap PSUs should your upgrades cause you more power needs.