Is this a good build??

[zhakar]

Would you suggest getting a higher wattage PSU then? I want enough of a gap so there'd be absolutely no pushing power limit, that's only going to constrict overall performace, despite the other components. I know the 550VX is very efficient, but I'd also consider getting a 650-800 if there is any risk of constriction.

 

[dagger]

Would you suggest getting a higher wattage PSU then? I want enough of a gap so there'd be absolutely no pushing power limit, that's only going to constrict overall performace, despite the other components. I know the 550VX is very efficient, but I'd also consider getting a 650-800 if there is any risk of constriction.

Meh, that psu should be enough. If you want more headroom, 650-750 should do. 800 is overkill.

I use 850watts, only because it was on sale for $100. No reason to spend the same money for 550watts if 850 cost the same, heh?

 

[zhakar]

And it's not necessarily only the amount of wattage a psu projects that makes it efficient I'm assuming from what I've seen, but I'll look around.

 

[aevm]

Right. The efficiency of a PSU comes from design and the quality of its components, not from its size. You can have 80% in a 550W PSU and 70% in a 750W PSU, it's quite possible. For example Antec and Corsair are good at making small PSU's with 80+ certifications.

For any given PSU, efficiency starts low, goes up, then goes down again as load increases. The trick is to estimate how much your system will normally use and pick a PSU that will be at its best in that range. Look at these charts for example:

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3159&p=6

 

[zhakar]

Based on my stated specs, will my system run high-component requiring games like Crysis or Assassin's Creed on high settings? I have a feeling it should, and I know companies other that Ubisoft will actually optimize their games better so the requirements arent so ridiculous, but I was just curious.

 

[aevm]

Yes, it will.

It will run Oblivion at 1600x1200 with over 30fps, for example.
In the chart below, don't look at the 8800GTS, they have the old G80 version there. Look at the 8800GT. Your card is better than that.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/...,1585,1645,1644,1608,1622,1621,1603,1557,1606

More benchmarks here:
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1234/nvidia_geforce_8800gts_512mb_g92_tested/index.html

 

[zhakar]

Because honestly, what I'll be doing occasionally (in about 1-2 year gaps) is I'll be purchasing the 2nd best performing single high end video card instead of dealing with SLi. First reason being that a release of the newest card will lower the price of the previous best by a substantial amount, and second being that while SLi might run better in some instances, newer cards arent always completely compatible but will ALWAYS run the current game requirements given all other components are substantial. At least, that's my take on it...

 

[aevm]

I think that's smart.

 

[zhakar]

So... in the end, I did a little bit more research and ordered all of these components last night. A $1000 rig that can run Crysis on very high with an avg. of 30 fps. Not too shabby. That's just my guess, but I'll post benchmarks when I put the thing together and OC a little.

Case: Sunbeam clear acrylic case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166011

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

PSU: Corsair 550VX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=Corsair%2b550VX

GSU: XFX 8800GTS (G92 version)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150261

Mobo: Gigabyte P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059

Memory Kit: G.Skill 2 x 2G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

HDD: Barracuda 7200.10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

CPU Cooler: Gladiator liquid cooler
http://www.xoxide.com/kingwin-gladiator-black.html

 

[zhakar]

How would I set up the fans for that case though? There are 5 80mm spaces, 1 in the front, 1 in the back, 2 in the side, and 1 in the top. I have decently powered fans and grills for all of the spaces, but I'm not sure how to set it up. Im thinking the front and 2 side fans would be intake, and the top and rear fans would be exhaust...

 

[crites]

I see a lot of you guys going with MoBos in the $100 price range. In Tom's SBM Mid-Cost Sytems they go with the ASUS P5N-T Deluxe for around $250. What exactly do you get for the extra $150. Also, can you go with faster PC2-8500?

 

[zhakar]

^The price has a lot to do with SLi. The P35 I ordered is designed with only 1 PCIx16 slot = 1 video card. When you get up to 2-3 slots, the price goes WAY up. Depends on the amount of SATA slots and such. For example, the P5N-T you're looking at has 3 x PCI Express x16 slot, support NVIDIA SLI technology, at x8, x8, x16 or x16, x1, x16 speed which is much more than I would need with 1 x 8800GTS (G92). It also supports up to 8G RAM, whereas I only NEED 4 even though the P35 supports 8. Also depends on the number of other internal drive support slots it has, such as 1 or 2 optical drives, etc.

 

[zhakar]

Also, can you go with faster PC2-8500?

I'm not sure about the PC2-8500 though. Input anyone?

 

[crites]

As far as the operating system, would you go with Vista 64-Bit Home Premium over the 32-bit version?

 

[aevm]

I would.