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d-man

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I have been a reader of the forums for a long time and am now going to build a new computer in the next 4 to 5 days to replace my aging x2 3800 + with 7800 gtx in sli

I would be using this computer to play games like Cod4, Fear2 etc,
I have gone thru the reviews and am going to go intel I would like to get one good video card and not run sli again unless you all think its worth it and can fit it into the buget. Id like to spend $800 or less (USD)
I was thinking of a Q9550 or a Q9650 not sure what mother board to get alot have good reviews but I want to get a GTX285

I already have a few parts all are new except the hard drives, Any help is greatly apprciated Id like the system to be future proof for at least 2 years to play games and id be willing to OC


What I have alrdy
Computer case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144157

Power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153042

Dvd burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129023

Dvd rom
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118024

Hard Drive 2x
http://computers.pricegrabber.com/hard-drives/Seagate-Barracuda-200GB-Hard-Drive/m6396540.html

Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116390


 
gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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xthekidx

xthekidx

Splendid
Dec 24, 2008
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You "have" meaning already own them or you have selected them to buy for this build? If you don't already own them then there are some definite improvements to be made to that list.
 
gkay09

gkay09

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Why_Me

Why_Me

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Jan 17, 2008
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No offense, but if you paid $100 for that case, and over $100 for that psu...apparently you haven't been reading these forums as much as you say. I sure hope you haven't ordered those two items yet....
 
D

d-man

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No I got the case and power supply and monitor and dvd drives as gifts the 2 hard drives i had alrdy
so i didnt pay anything for them. Ok i will be getting the gskill memory and the dark knight cooler
I will order the q9550 combo with the gtx285 So the combo plus ram and cool is going to be about 930.00 +

Since im alrdy at 1 grand should i just bite the bullet and get a new hard drive and 2 new dvd roms as well and the case and power supply i listed are they ok ? cause it was a gift i didnt spend any money on them or the monitor...

if you all think its better to get a few other parts i could spend 1200 max out the door
 
MykC

MykC

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Any reason you want to go intel? At your price range and AMD Phenom II platform will give you a better return.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 Xigma CPU Cooler $36 - $10MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590 4GB DDR2 800 $45 - $25 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.164886 or Phenom II 940BE and Biostar 790GX $260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 2x 1GB 4870 $380

$725 - $35 MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.174001 Q9550/GTX 285 combo $615 - $20MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358 GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P $135 - $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 Xigma Dark Knight CPU Cooler $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 G.Skill 4GB DDR 800 $45

$825 - $40 MIR

So the difference in two platforms is about $140-165 (without GFX cards). Whatever performance benefit that might be had on the Q9550 will be wiped away because your AMD system is going to have extra money for a faster video card. The memory is different for the two systems because on the AMD system you don't have to touch the memory to overclock the CPU where as on the Intel one you will have to adjust a bit. So, this allows the AMD system to get away with cheaper memory.

edit: changed it a bit to include the combo deal for the q9550

and this stuff http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007 Artic 5 compound $7
 
D

d-man

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Hmmm a extra 165 bucks but isnt the GTX 285 alrdy the fastest "single" gpu card out second ? will my power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153042
run this card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130449

Also

I will get 2 of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

and 1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

as my boot drive should i even use the other hard drives or are they gonna slow down the computer to much?

 
MykC

MykC

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Hmm... for some reason I thought your PSU was like 800Ws.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_285_us.html Says you need 550w for a gtx285, so your good.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_295_us.html Says you need 680w for a gtx296, so your not good.

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd4800/requirements.html Says you need 600w for 4870 in crossfire, so your on the border.

edit: Looks like your PSU only have 2x 6 pin adapters. Each 4870 needs 2x 6 pin adapters. It doesn't look like your going to run two GPUs off that PSU, which is fine because its not worth changing the PSU out.
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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Jan 17, 2008
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Don't order anything yet until you give this a look. Pair this build with your case and psu that you already have and your good to go. :)

1) The 9400 runs cooler than the 9550 and it over clocks well enough that it's not going to bottleneck that vid card.

2) You don't need a mobo that runs Crossfire seeing how your using an Nvidea card....btw that mobo is a good one if you plan on overclocking.

3) Thermal paste ftw...it's worth the $6.

4) That vid card is a steal at that price. Get it now while it's on sale.

5) G.Skill went way up in price, and took off the free shipping also. That mushkin is good memory and it won't hold back your overclock.

6) Vista 64 Home Premium ftw. DX9/DX10 and it reads all 4 gigs of your memory.

7) I don't blame you for wanting to go with Intel. If I had to use a Biostar or AsRock board I think I would shoot myself first. :)

8) Do not use an EIDE drive in your build! It blocks airflow, they suck to install, ...they suck period. They are ancient and shouldn't be sold in my opinion. btw do you really need a DVD ROM when you have a burner?

9) That HD is fast, and quite.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.173016 Combo Discount: -$15.00 Combo Price: $329.98 $15.00 Mail-In Rebate
Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9400 - Retail / GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029 $39.99
XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125255 $339.99 ($309.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate)
GIGABYTE GV-N285-1GH-B GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 $49.99 ($39.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 $79.99 Free Shipping*
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152 $24.99 Free Shipping*
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

Total: $879.92 w/rebates: $824.92

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99 Free Shipping*
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
 
Jack64

Jack64

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Hey D-Man, I'm sure you have an OS, but you didn't say if you were going to use it...or go with a new one, just curious, also, yes the GTX 285 is the fastest SINGLE gpu out right now, as far as I know, yes your PSU will power your system, however there are better ones out there. The most suggested on here seems to be the Corsair line. But since like your post said, you already have the one. But remember of ALL the components in your system, the PSU is the most important. And these gents here are really good at this. I have the same case that you have in an old build.....it's ok BUT after dealing with it......well, lets just say I prefer others!!! Also, where is this system going to be, is room a constraint? If not like I said there are much better cases out there with much much better airflow...larger yes, but with size you get more room for air to flow and more/larger fans to move it.
 
D

d-man

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Wow ok i think im gonna order the lg drive then, the 640 black drive is alrdy ordered now im going to be running vista 64 ultimite i alrdy have a copyand

Jack64 the case is just alrite huh? hmmmm maybe a antec 300 would be better?? but free is free i might get a new case later how is the airflow since its still in the box. So my thermaltake pure power 600 will get me by then...

If i get the q9400 how easily can i overclock it to 3.2-3.5 compared to a q9550

OK so this is what i have in hand sitting in boxes on my desk that i will use then

Computer case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811144157

Power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153042


Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824116390

This is what i ordered

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125255

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

ok so between the memory now and board and chip then is 4 gigsenough or should i get 6 ? and between q9400 and q9550 and board ?
 
Why_Me

Why_Me

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Jan 17, 2008
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4 gigs if fine...and 4 gigs is alot easier to overclock than 8 gigs. Like I said, that board I put in my build is a great overclocker and it comes with lost of extra's. That RAM is way cheaper than the G.Skill right now since G.Skill upped their prices and did away with the free shipping offer, not to mention mushkin has a great rep and that RAM won't hold back your overclock.
 
Jack64

Jack64

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You are sooo right when you say free is free.....I didn't mean to offend, I have that case and it is ok, it's just after messing with the mid towers for so long and going to the HAF 932 it is like OMG, WOW the room and ease of cable management with the PSU at the bottom of the case, it's like a whole other world, so easy. But that case you have is perfectly fine, and I'm sorry if I offended you, I certainly didn't intent to. Also there might be a fitment problem with the GTX 285....long card, might impinge on your hard drive cages, check and see.
 
D

d-man

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Oct 28, 2004
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Not offended at all i thank everyone for there help and input cause no one wants to get stuff and find out that it wont work or they could have got a better deal or a better part that's why we ask...

So now i cant decide on either a q9400 or a q9550 i will get the


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731 $49.99 ($39.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate) Free Shipping*
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

So now i need to decide on chip and board,

sounds to me this is the board to get from everyone around on here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358
 
shortstuff_mt

shortstuff_mt

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Apr 1, 2008
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Yup, that's currently the best P45 motherboard currently available IMO. It has earned a reputation as a very stable motherboard that begs to be overclocked.
 
Jack64

Jack64

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Yeah, that board is very nice, should be a screamer!! Ummm, have you looked at the case for the fitment of you 285 card....the reason I ask is...I HAD to upgrade my case when I built my new system, I had the Thermaltake Armor+mx which is a big case (mid tower) and I had to remove the HDD cages to get the GTX 295 in, then slide the cages back in, but it was soo tight and also the cpu cooler I got...Thermalright ultra 120 was hitting the fan on the front panel so the case really wasn't thick enough or deep enough for my build, so instead of modding the case to fit everything....I said ya know...with all this new stuff....I getting the CoolerMaster HAF 932 and WOW what a difference it made. It isn't free though...169 before shipping....and it is BIG, but very quiet. Just wanted to make sure your case will fit everything you want to get instead of you getting it all THEN having to get a new case and waiting a week for it to get there before you can build you new system. =-)
 
D

d-man

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Oct 28, 2004
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Ok so i just added the board to my order

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128358

and i bite the bullet and got the q9550 over the Q9400
payed and waiting now for it to come i will let you all know how it goes once i get it put together

Thank you all for your help and time in helping me choose parts for my build
 
D

d-man

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well from what i read it will fit if not i will bite the bullet one more time and order a case but if that happens i will wait a week then for payday and just go nutz and get a antec 900 or similer and i would have a new extra case then for something i guess :hello: :bounce: just waiting now its the hardest part
 
Jack64

Jack64

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LOL, I know that feeling, on this new build of mine, the MB was doa, and the cpu cooler I ordered was the wrong one then one week in after I got it built....hte new HDD went dead, still waiting for that, but I had another so that wasn't a big deal, but waiting the 2 weeks to RMA and get the replacement was about to KILL me! Have fun and good luck.
 
D

d-man

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Oct 28, 2004
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I want to thank everyone for there help got all my stuff and my system is up and running this thing screams!!! got it running at 3.2 gig atm and runs perfectly cool im glad i got the other hard drive and dvdrw was worth it.. the only thing that i didnt like is that i saw this today on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.156589

Oh well such is with all computer stuff when u buy it, its cheaper the next day so I think in June I will build a I7 system and give this one to my wife

so ill be back for more advice in a few months when i build my next one hoping to have 1800 saved up by then thanks again everyone for your advice
 
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