May 31, 2009
5
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18,510
Hello, I am looking for some help building a new computer. Here are my answers to the guide for how to ask for new build advice. Please make any suggestions.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: would like to buy it in the next few weeks, can wait longer

BUDGET RANGE: Us$ 1000-1300

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES:none

OVERCLOCKING: yes (Only mild, as this is my first gaming build)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: depends on what type of graphics card I go with (see comments section)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
(1)I already have an 8800 gtx, I was thinking of sli'ing it, as a store near me has antoher one. Is this worth it, as I can then wait till next year, when the gt300's and r800's have settled down, and I can see which one I want.
(2) I am only going to be using this rig for gaming and programming (eg. c++, c#, java, etc with some xna), but the coding will be not be that intense. Does this mean I would be better suited with a Phenom II, as it is cheaper and almost as good?
(3) I am not wedded to anything in this post. If you guys have any suggestions, please give them as I am no expert on building computers!!!

My idea of the build:
CPU: core i7 920
$280

CPU heatsink: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007
$80

motherboard: ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359
$240
OR
ECS BLACK SERIES X58B-A LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135229
$190

RAM: I have no idea, want 6 gigs, but not sure what speed I should go with, seeing as I want to oc.
I guess $100-$140

Video card: as stated above, should I go with another 8800 gtx? will that gains significant? Should I just keep my current one until, or would that be a waste with an i7?
I guess $0(if just 1 8800gtx)-$120(the max I'm gonna pay for another 8800 gtx)

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
$150

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395
$60

DVD drives: 2 x LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
$48 for two

<edit>
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
$120
</edit>

Grand Total: $1238 (Unless I'm missing anything)
 

adrianmk2

Distinguished
Aug 6, 2008
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18,530
i highly doubt you could find another 8800 GTX for that price. maybe on ebay you could find one but the price is going to be retarded i bet.
i would get a diffrent brand mobo i really dont like ECS they have horrible quality
get Gigabyte, Asus, MSI

maybe you should just hold onto the 8800 GTX for now and wait for the next series of video cards to upgrade dose all your games run fine on it

yeah get a phenom II if you want to save money ether a 940BE or 955 i think it was the 940BE oced beats I7 920 most of the time but it's on you on weather you think its worth it

i think the SLI wont be worth it i have a 8800 GT in my other rig and i am still happy with it but it runs 1440 x 900 was using it in SLI for 1920 x 1080.


i think you can get like 1 or 2 more years out of your 8800 GTX to be honest by then you should upgrade to what ever is better

i am not sure on whats the best ram for ddr3 is but the price has droped quite a bit i remeber when it was 300 dollars for ddr3 ram. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227381 $99.99

seems to have good ratings and fast timings a lot bandwitd
 
May 31, 2009
5
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18,510
1. Ok, but I can actually get a 8800 GTX for $130. Is that worth it?
2. I guess I will go with then asus p6t then, as I am within my budget on an i7.
3. Is an overclocked i7 920 is better than an overclocked pII 955?
4. Is it better to go with the 1600 mhz or the 1333 mhz if I'm gonna over clock?
5. I tried the psu calculator, and my psu seems to work, but I know there are a lot of things about psu's rails that I don't understand. So, does it seem like the psu I choose will work?
 

smithereen

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Oct 4, 2008
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1. Not really. You could argue either way.
2. Best option for an X58 board.
3. Yes. You don't need an i7 for gaming, but it is definitely 'better'.
4. 1600mHz, if it doesn't cost much more.
5. You PSU is good for up to Crossfire 4870s.
 
May 31, 2009
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18,510
So, I guess I should have asked this question first, but, if I upgrade from a stock e6400 and 3 gigs of 667 mhz ram, will I see that big an increase in gaming if I keep the same gpu? Also, by saying my PSU is good for up to 4870's, does that mean I won't be able to keep it for the next gen at all, eg gt300 and RV800, or just not for sli'ing/crossfiring of that gen?
 
May 31, 2009
5
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18,510
Okay, so the general idea is that I shouldn't go buying a new computer, just oc and wait till later? Ok, then, I know this is the new build section and I should probably end this thread, as I'm no longer doing a new build, but I would like some advice on what cooler I should use. I currently have an ECS nForce 570 slit-a. Also, as I'm no longer building, would it be worth buying a better core 2 duo?
 
May 31, 2009
5
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18,510
Turns out my motherboard doesn't support anything above an x6800, so no upgrade on the cpu. Also, I don't think its very good for overclocking. In the next couple of years, though, if I get a PhII 720, will I "be left in the cold" as games start to use more cores, as the 920 has 8 logical cores and the 720 has 3? Also, in the next 2/3 years, will the difference in overall speeds make a significant impact on gaming?
 

smithereen

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Oct 4, 2008
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19,310
I will go out on a limb and say no, but who really knows? I'd personally feel more confidant with a Ph2 940 at $50 more, but it's your call. You should be happy with either.