1st Post, new build, what do you think?

[Cowinacape]

Great forums! Saw everyone else posting their proposed builds, so I thought I would play along as well. Tell me what you think .....


)
1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Quad Core Processor LGA775 2.66GHZ Yorkfield 1333FSB 12MB Ret *IR-$50.00*
1 x Thermalright ULTRA-120 Extreme 6 Heatpipe Cooler LGA775 Heatsink *Fan Not Included*
1 x DFI LP UT X48-T2R Intel X48 ATX LGA775 DDR2 2PCI-E CrossFire SATA2 RAID 1394 Sound 2GLAN Motherboard
1 x Mushkin XP PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit *IR-$25.00*
2 x Diamond Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI-I Video Card *IR-$10.00*
1 x Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Gamer Case 900 ATX 9 Drive Bay No PS Top USB2.0 1394 Audio
1 x Corsair TX750W 750W ATX 12V 60A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
1 x Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition 64BIT DVD OEM
2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 3.5IN 500GB SATA2 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Cache NCQ Hard Drive
1 x Samsung 203S TruDirect 20X SATA DVD Writer Lightscribe Black OEM W/ Software
1 x ASUS 16X DVD-ROM Drive SATA Retail Box W/ Black & Beige Faceplates


The one thing I have really been going back and forth on, is the ram, Was eyeballing the Mushkin RedLines ( I think that is what they ware called) at first, but "kind of" settled on the faster XP as the CPU and board are both rated for 1333mhz, good or bad idea?

All thoughts are appreciated.

[andynerd]

that looks nice! i would recomend the

8800gt it is 128 dollars and supports sli i think it is a GREAT price

good luck on the project!

[3.0charlie]

Stick with the 4870s, since your board supports Crossfire, not SLI. Also, you'll be quite pleased with either Ram sets. I have the Redlines and they are awesome.

But: 1. change the PSU for the Antec Quattro 850W as a minimum; The Corsair is fine, but running a Quad and dual 4870s will be asking a lot from that PSU - and 2.: I'm not sure about that Asus DVD... I'd go for Pioneer.

Also, you need a fan (or fans) for that TRUE...

[Cowinacape]

Wow, quick reply

We ( I say we, as the misses and I will both be getting new machines here in the next couple of weeks or so) decided to stick with the newer ATI stock, she has always had good luck with Nvidia, and I have had good luck with ATI (in my Macs) so it was basically a coin flip that went with the newer kid on the block. If it it should come back to bite us in the back side, I'll blame her..........checks over shoulder to make sure she is not watching me type this.

Neither of us are "hardcore" gamers, but we would like to finally be able to play with everything set higher than minimum for the video without sacrificing game play, at the same time trying to be as "future proofed" as one can be with computers (ie: not outdated the same week we take delivery :D

[Cowinacape]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

Stick with the 4870s, since your board supports Crossfire, not SLI. Also, you'll be quite pleased with either Ram sets. I have the Redlines and they are awesome.

But: 1. change the PSU for the Antec Quattro 850W as a minimum; The Corsair is fine, but running a Quad and dual 4870s will be asking a lot from that PSU - and 2.: I'm not sure about that Asus DVD... I'd go for Pioneer.

Also, you need a fan (or fans) for that TRUE...

Extra fans are being ordered as well , I was kind of wondering about the PSU myself, but that is why I posted.

[misterlarry]

Welcome to HWC cowinacape! It all looks great to me. To tell you the truth though, I was where you are 4 months ago. Looking at the boards talked me out of the Antec 900 and into a P182. I love it. It has lots of air flow and some really good cable management features. Other than that, it all depends on what a person wants look at every day. IMHO.

[yamawho]

I really like the P182 but I find the door covering the front to be a pain.
I own several Antec cases and only have two left with a door.
I have been one click away from ordering a 900 many times but never went through with it.

However, that being said, I really like the P182

[Jon_di2]

Nice build, couple suggestions though:

I would grab this HD - at 79.99 it's a much better deal (better HD too)
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Western Digital WD&promoid=1015

Also I was told that Pioneer 215D was a good DVD Drive, not 100% sure if it's better then Samsung 203S TruDirect but you might want to ask others

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by Cowinacape

Wow, quick reply

We ( I say we, as the misses and I will both be getting new machines here in the next couple of weeks or so) decided to stick with the newer ATI stock, she has always had good luck with Nvidia, and I have had good luck with ATI (in my Macs) so it was basically a coin flip that went with the newer kid on the block. If it it should come back to bite us in the back side, I'll blame her..........checks over shoulder to make sure she is not watching me type this.

Neither of us are "hardcore" gamers, but we would like to finally be able to play with everything set higher than minimum for the video without sacrificing game play, at the same time trying to be as "future proofed" as one can be with computers (ie: not outdated the same week we take delivery :D

You aren't a hardcore gamer, but you're going for dual 4870s? Damn... Well, I did the same too! You'll be quite pleased with the cards, especially knowing that the drivers will get better.

Now, regarding that statement: "trying to be as "future proofed" as one can be with computers (ie: not outdated the same week we take delivery". Now, you do know that this will happen, right? It won't take a week, but it will happen...

[-n7-]

Welcome to the forums :)

What resolution is your monitor?

I can't say i'd really recommend two HD 4870s due to the lacking vRAM unless you are only doing 1680x1050.
And if you are only doing 1680x1050, why bother with CF/SLi & all the associated hassles when a single card would do fine.

There is no such thing as future proof when it comes to video cards.
Buy a good one now, & sell it & get another when the new one you want comes out.


I'd likely suggest a GTX 280 if you are doing 1920x1200+, as i never recommend CF/SLI for many reasons.

DFI OCing mobo without heavy OCing = unncessary, & likely overly frustrating for you.
They are great mobos, but not for the n00bs.
Love to tweak things in the bios for days on days?
Get a DFI.
Don't want to do that?
Don't get a DFI.

That's a gross oversimplification, but i see way too many n00bs complaining about their uber high end DFIs since they have no clue what they are doing.

Get an Asus P5Q Deluxe or P5Q-E.
Those will handle easy n00b friendly OCing or a lot more advanced if you so desire without as many headaches.

DDR2-1066 is overclocking RAM...for no OCing, just get some good value DDR2-800, seriously.
DDR2-1000 Redlines on sale would be more than fine, OCing or not.

And yes, 640 GB WD or 640 GB Seagate ftw...they use the newer design of only two platters.
Faster, quieter, less power draw.