Just another computer build

[Hobble]

Hello!

I've never built myself a computer before, but after checking a couple of sites I think I have at least some idea of what the choices in parts are, and what I want. It'd be great if you could just look at it and tell me what you think. I'm going to try overclocking, and my budget is approximately $1500.

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3,16GHz
- This one I'm unsure about. I suppose it's better than the E8400, but is it only marginal?

GPU
Gigabyte GeForce 9800 GTX
- Does the manufacturer make any difference? Gigabyte was the cheapest I could find.

Memory
Crucial Ballistix DDR2 PC8500/1066MHz CL5 2x1GB
- I read that 1066 is better, and the price isn't much higher, but again, is it just marginal?

PSU
Corsair Corsair CMPSU-550VXEU 550W
- Might get a Corsair CMPSU-520HXEU 520W (modulated) though, depends what price I can get it for.

Motherboard
nForce 750i
- The 750i seems to fit my needs, but I don't know what manufacturer and stuff to get. Any ideas?

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB

Case
- Uhm.. no idea here. A big one'd be nice. I hate having to jam stuff in to make it fit. And it'd be nice to have it quiet and cool too of course. I don't care much about how it looks.

Cooling
CPU: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
- I'm planning on overclocking.

Case: - Depends on the case I suppose, so I'd need help here too.

GPU: - I read that the fan on 9800 GTX is quite loud, and I plan on overclocking the GPU as well so I guess new cooling'd be nice, but I'm not sure which fit?

Optical drive
- Don't know here either


Thanks for any help!

 

[dagger]

You will need more than 2gb ram, or the system will start using page file, which will lag it down. Ideally, get 2gb instead of 1gb sticks to maintain room for possible future upgrades. 750i motherboard is weak for overclocking, but otherwise good. Gpu manufacturer doesn't make a difference. Cases are usually either noisy or warm. Those things tend to either let both air and noise out, or seal them both in.

 

[Silverion77]

Looks good...
Couple things:
1) The E8500 has a 9.5x multiplier versus 9 on the E8400. Little difference but if you got it get it.

2) The only manufacture difference is warranty and support

3) For the Ram there is a marginal difference between 1066 and 800. 800 is the best price/performance atm and 800 can easily overclock to 1066. Mine quickly went to 1066 and was stable.

4) With the mobo...are you planning on SLI?? (24+" monitor). If not then do urself a favor and get a nice P35 board. The Gigabyte P35-DS3L is good and the Asus P5K-E are good choices.

5) Case is all personal preference. If you want cooling then the Antec 900 or CM 690 are good. If you want quiet the Antec P182 is good.

6) I do not believe the 9800s have aftermarket cooling yet

 

[Hobble]

I should probably've written that I was planning on using Vista Home Premium 32Bit, but would you recommend getting 3GB with that, or 4+ with 64Bit?

 

[Silverion77]

You will need more than 2gb ram, or the system will start using page file, which will lag it down.

Dagger, where do u get that claim...its bogus. Yes 4 with Vista is recommended but for XP 2 is more than enough.

@ OP, dont bother with 3 gigs cause that means 2x1 and 512x2 which is a waste. Get 4 preferably 2x2 but 4x1 is okay. 64 bit is a good choice cause 32 will limit u to about 3.25. If you have some certain older software, it might not run properly. Same with old devices and hardware that do not have 64 bit drivers

 

[dagger]

I should probably've written that I was planning on using Vista Home Premium 32Bit, but would you recommend getting 3GB with that, or 4+ with 64Bit?

If you haven't already brought 32bit Vista, get the 64bit version. It's better to get 4gb in 2x2gb sticks. Those go as low as $70. 800mhz ddr2 is dirt cheap those days.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211188

Also, Crysis alone uses more than 2gb of ram after a few hours of gameplay. Windows Vista uses at least 1GB, even without any background programs running. You need more than 2gb.

 

[Hobble]

Can you SLI 2x9800GTX?

Thanks for the help Silverion!

 

[dagger]

Can you SLI 2x9800GTX?

Thanks for the help Silverion!

Yes you can, and get more than 2gb, or you'll be sorry. At least wait for more people to answer and burst Silverion's bubble, if you don't believe me alone.

 

[Silverion77]

hate to break it Dagger but ive been on awhile and have more reputation here then you.

anyways, to ur question, you can SLI 9800GTXs but its not the best thing out there. Its only recommended if you have a large monitor (24"+) and you add the second in about 6 months cause the next best card will most likely beat 2 of the older ones

 

[dagger]

hate to break it Dagger but ive been on awhile and have more reputation here then you.

anyways, to ur question, you can SLI 9800GTXs but its not the best thing out there. Its only recommended if you have a large monitor (24"+) and you add the second in about 6 months cause the next best card will most likely beat 2 of the older ones

Reputation? You obviously haven't ran newer games on Vista before, or you wouldn't have embarassed yourself with this. 2gb is not enough for Vista running newer games. The PC will dig into page file.

 

[ill_take_two]

i see you were looking at the 750i boards evga just released their 750i aimed at OC'ing

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geunEgXQJIICsBgQ3rFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTEzamMyODcyBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNARjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0NBQzAwMV8x/SIG=12i1er13k/EXP=1208200864/**http%3A//www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php%3Fp=2908519

 

[Silverion77]

Actually im playing Cod4 with this,another page, Vent, Xfire, and steam on 2 gigs and Vista with 70+ frames so good call