WEIGH IN: Jan.09 System Builder Marathon ~$1250 system components

[cleeve]

Hey fellows,

Here are the proposed components for the January ~1250 system. Keep in mind we're not only looking to build a great system, but to compare the Core 2 Quad against similarly priced E8500 and i7 920 systems from the past two months.

We chose the Q9550 CPU because of high clocks and lots of cache... it's actually more expensive than the i7 920 CPU, but the platform is still quite a bit cheaper because we can use a P45 motherboard instead of the expensive X58 that the i7 demands.

The biggest tradeoff we made to keep the system below $1250 was probably the case; to save cash we went with the Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P YE Dual 120mm Cooling Fans. We chose it because pretty much all of the users have positive comments about it and say it's large, it has two 120mm fans, and it's cheap.

Here are the components, let me know if you see any issues or oversights:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 - $320
CPU Cooler : Xigmatek HDT-S1283 - $37
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - $9
Motherboard : Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR - $105
RAM: G.SKILL HK 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2x2GB - $45
Graphics: Sapphire Radeon 4870 X2 - $490
Hard Drives: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $80
Sound: Integrated 0
Network: Integrated Gigabit Networking 0
Case: Rosewill Wind Ryder RZLS142A-P YE Dual 120mm Cooling Fans - $40
Power: Corsair 650TX - $100
Optical: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R SATA Model iHAS120-04 - $24

Total price: $1250


[EDIT] changed mobo to GA-EP45-UD3LR for ICH10R Chipset w/raid controller, and extra copper on mobo that *supposedly* helps cooling)
[EDIT] changed drive from Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 32 MB cache to Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache for speed increase at forum request

 

[antiacid]

you might end up a bit short on the power supply if you overclock. Possibly a 750 or 850watts might be better but you'll most likely have to shell out an extra 50$.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The build looks pretty good. Since you have an extra $5 to play with, you might want to check out the new GA-EP45-UD3LR board.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3LR LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128368 $104.99

For the same price I'd pick up a black edition 640GB drive.

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=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $79.99

 

[one-shot]

That looks great, but someone will still complain. I think it's a great selection of components. I would like to get a Q9550 and maybe this will be my excuse to do so.

 

[huron]

The build looks solid, but I'm amazed that you'd need to upgrade much from the config in your signature.

 

[cleeve]

The build looks solid, but I'm amazed that you'd need to upgrade much from the config in your signature.

It's not an upgrade, bro. I'm a writer for Tom's, this is the proposed component spec for this month's 'system builder marathon' build.

 

[cleeve]

The build looks pretty good. Since you have an extra $5 to play with, you might want to check out the new GA-EP45-UD3LR board.

For the same price I'd pick up a black edition 640GB drive.

Hmmm. nice options!

I think I will go with the UD3LR for the RAID controller and extra copper on the mobo. Good call!

But... on the HD, do you think the Caviar Black Edition is fast enough to make it worth the 100GB loss? Both drives are 7200 RPM with a 32GB cache...

 

[huron]

The build looks good. Why not the WD 640 GB HDD?

Antec 300 as the case?

Other than that, good.

 

[Onus]

I also agree with shortstuff. 640GB is plenty of space for essentially a gamer build. If the person is a video hound rather than a gamer, swapping the 4870X2 for a 4670 will provide cash for multi TB of storage, plus a TV card; weighing options like that seems like the kind of thing a reader of the SBM articles should be able to figure out by himself.

 

[cleeve]

The build looks good. Why not the WD 640 GB HDD?

Antec 300 as the case?

Once again, not sure the Caviar has such amazing performance that I'd want it over the extra 100 GB. Do you think you'd see enough real-world performance diffrence to justify the 100GB loss?

As for the Antec, like I said - trying to keep the budget under or at $1250. The Rosewill isn't a premium brand but the two 120mm fans are a nice touch, and it's well reviewed. I'd like to give it a shot unless someone's tried it and knows otherwise, or can find a different case for $40 that's comperable.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The extra data density of the 640GB drive would make it faster. If you're going for speed in a 7200RPM drive, you can't beat the WD6401AALS. If storage is more important than speed, stick with the 750GB drive.

 

[cleeve]

Personally, I think the real-world diffrence in performance would be undetectable by a human being, and I find my drives fill up fast with games and work data - no movies. I would definitely choose the 750 if it was for my own use.

But the readers have spoken, I'll go with the Caviar. You buggers back me up if I get any slack for it!

 

[Onus]

I've used a few of the cheap Rosewill cases (the sub-$30 ones). Those only come with one 120mm fan, but will take another one up front. They've been roomy enough. The only sharp edges seem to be around the mobo backplate. I will likely continue buying these cases for budget systems.

 

[Onus]

"Any slack?" Did you mean "any FLAK?"

...and yeah, we will.

...or hey, for grins, benchmark both drives.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

But the readers have spoken, I'll go with the Caviar. You buggers back me up if I get any slack for it!

I don't think you'll find many people giving you any crap about using a Caviar Black 640GB drive. It's by far the most popular drive on these forums.

 

[cleeve]

Heheh. Yeah, I can see that.

Thanks for the input everybody, I truly appreciate it.

P.S. jtt283, thanks for the Rosewill info, good to know. And I did mean 'slack'. But maybe that's a local slang modification of 'flak'. I googled it tho, and other folks have used (perhaps abused) the term in that way.

[EDIT] On further investigation, I have completely abused the slang as it's used internationally. But I swear to god, it's local use means the opposite of what it seems to mean everywhere else in the world.

 

[Proximon]

IF the Xigmatek fits in that case at all, you'll have to remove that CPU air funnel.

How about one of these Raidmax units? They come with fans, they look roomier, and you get your choice of colors:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090007%2050001622%201054808287%204025%201295819209%201055808014&name=1

 

[cleeve]

I find Raidmax cases are OK but they're a bit loud and a little cheesy. Two 120mm fans and another 80mm does sounds pretty good for airflow tho. Would you guys prefer this case over the Rosewill?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156223

 

[KyleSTL]

You buggers back me up if I get any slack for it!

I'll fall in line with everyone else. And I got your back on the WDC Black selection.
BTW, just got a 1600AAJS back from RMA from WD, the old one was a 1 platter, 2 head average 62 MB/sec in HD Tach, the new one is a 1 platter, 1 head good for 92 MB/sec average and peaks near 110. Good to know the density has trickled down through WDs whole line.

 

[KyleSTL]

Arrg!

You are not allowed to edit this message!

Anyway, I like the Rosewill better because of the depth (especially since you will stuff an X2 into it). Either way I think you'll be limited in the number of HDD slots you can use (for the end-user in the long run), judging from the ATX standoff locations.

 

[Onus]

I prefer a more muted look myself (e.g. no side window), so I'd have to say no, I'd get the Rosewill. I'm not sure any case with a funnel will fit a Xigmatek; the Rosewills are not unusually thin, so I'd think it would fit without the funnel.

 

[cleeve]

Yeah, I think the Rosewill's extra inch and a quarter of length compared to the Raidmax will come in handy with the 4870 X2. It's even got a quarter inch on the Antec Three Hundred.

Scary part is, it's 0.65 inches shorter than the Cooler Master Centurion, and we had to remove the hard drive cage to squeeze the 4850 X2 in that box. However, the 4870 X2 is an inch shorter then the 4850 X2...

But we squeezed the 4870 X2 in the Three Hundred, so we should be able to squeeze it into the Rosewill.

 

[Proximon]

I haven't used either, so short of heading down to Fry's and fondling various cases, I'll bow to jtt.

 

[KyleSTL]

Just add a Dremel to the build cost:

Dremel - $40
Problem solved! Pick any case you want!

 

[Guest]

As mentioned it is a solid build. Many people on the forums, myself included, avoid anything Rosewill like the plague.

My reasoning is because a lot of the equipment they manufacture has a terrible reputation for poor quality. I understand that poor quality on fans and such doesn't make too much of a difference, but their poorly manufactured PSUs and controllers are scary. On the other hand, Antec has a reputation of great quality along most of their product lines. Because of this, even when talking about sheet metal cheap cases, many of the 'enthusiasts' here prefer to spend a few extra dollars for the Antec 300.

Now I know there is a budget here and you cannot go over it and you guys never count rebates towards the cost of the system and that is why you do not have the Antec 300 in this build. I also see that Newegg isn't offering free shipping on this case at the moment, another bummer as they frequently ship it free, sometimes even bundled with a good Antec PSU for under $90.

Looking at the build I really cannot justify taking money from any other components to add $40 for the case. Its a shame too because it would really round out the build and probably provide better airflow for O/Cing.