$1000 Bang for my buck Overclocker

[Alwaysrun]

I plan on making a new rig with special attention towards overclocking and keeping the cost down sub $1000. I'm a gamer but I think I enjoy overclocking and benchmarking just as much.

Heres the parts list I've come up with so far so please any input/advice would be great! *note I have a decent hard drive and dvd burner already thus I didn't put those in my new parts list.

Case: CoolerMaster CM 690: $72.36
Mobo: Asus P5Q Deluxe $199.99
CPU: Intel Core 2 duo E8500 EO stepping $185.99
CPU HS: OCZ Vendetta 2 $29.99
RAM: Corsair 8500C5DF 4gb DDR-1066 $119.99 (after rebate)
Power: Corsair CMPSU-620HX $129.99 (after rebate)
Video: Radeon HD 4850 ~$195 (not sure which brand)
Fan Controller: Scythe Kaze Master Fan Controller $32.99
Scythe S-Flex SFF21F 1600rpm x2 $25.98
Thermal compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2 $6.99

Total: $998.27

Parts I'm really not to sure about and could use some advice.

-Power supply? I'm not totally set on the Corsair 620, maybe a cheaper one is in order as long as it can handle an aggresive CPU overclock and maybe in the future a 2nd Radeon 4850.

-Motherboard? Do I really need the $200 P5Q Deluxe? maybe the much cheaper P5Q-E which is $50 cheaper. But I'm not sure if the deluxe version 16 phase power will assist me more in OC due to less vdrop and bios options.

-Video Card? The 4850s reference design is notoriously hot so I'm kind of leaning towards the Palit 4850 Sonic. I'd rather not go the aftermarket GPU HS route as I'm shy of voiding the poor ATI partners warranties.

Once again TIA for any assistance.

[Dwayne]

Hi there, if you are going to OC anyway save a couple bucks on the E8400 vice E8500... You can also save a touch on the P5Q Pro vice the Deluxe unless there is a feature on the Deluxe you have to have. From what I have read a good power supply is essential... the Corsair should be fine. I don't have mine yet, but a bolt through kit will give you peace of mind with the Vendetta 2. I ordered mine from Canada Direct but you can check for a best price. NCIX.com - Buy Thermalright LGA775 BOLT-THRU Kit for for Ultra 90/120 & HR-01 Retail Box - BTK-LGA775R In Canada.

Good luck, and with the few bucks saved you might be able to get a HD 4870 on sale instead of the 4850.

[cwestwell]

Nice Build choices...I agree with Dwayne get the E8400 and put the extra couple bucks towards the 4870. Visiontek has the best warranty however its one of those LIMITED lifetime warranties I have heard on NCIX forum that it is hard to get service. PALIT has a nice Sonic Dual edition available however it does not vent air out of the rear making extra heat but if your sold on the 4850 you could get the HIS iceQ4.

[moxmonkey]

lol looks almost identical to my build i just spent a bit more

[Alwaysrun]

Thanks guys for the informed input.

I think I'll take your advice on the E8400 as it's $10 less atm over at NCIX for $175 and someone just posted 2 days back that they recieved the EO stepping and to boot NCIX is offering free shipping for your entire order with the purchase of that chip ($50 savings on shipping and lower chip cost). As for the P5Q Pro I'm not to sure as I've had my heart set on the Power-on reset switch onboard, 16 phase power and better all around cooling features on the P5Q Deluxe board itself not to mention the plethora of goodies that come with the Deluxe. Great advice about the bolt through kit! I'll definately put that in my list, your so right about the peace of mind that will bring. As for the Power supply I think I'll go with the Antec Truepower Quattro 850W as NCIX has it back on sale for $119 and thats a deal just to good to pass up. Saving a bit rocks and your idea of upgrading from the 4850 to the 4870 is a great idea, I need to save about $50 more now.

[moxmonkey]

check out the p5q-e it has onboard power and reset switches and can be price matched down a fair bit


also make sure to price match the bolt through kit i just saved about 50% off ncix's posted price :D

[miggs78]

Pricematch your best friend.

E8400 definitely, Why not get the Biostar motherboard, a very solid board. The P5Q-E isn't bad either, only difference between the Deluxe and E version is the fact that you only get 8 phase cooling rather than 16 phase and only 2 less SATA ports, why pay much more for just 2 things.

Good Luck with your build

[philthygeezer]

Take a look at the CM590 case. I'll keep saying it: I think it's a nicer case than the CM690.

[Alwaysrun]

Thanks to everyone for great suggestions. I've price matched my face off tonight and am pretty sure I've got a rock bottom price on everything and your suggestions regarding the P5Q Deluxe are well taken and after reading numerous reviews on the P5Q-E I think your right and I can save ~$35 (Arg NCIX had it on sale yesterday for $140 and I missed out ) Heres my updated parts list.

Case: CoolerMaster CM 690: $72.36
Mobo: Asus P5Q-E $164.30
CPU: Intel Core 2 duo E8400 $168.99
CPU HS: OCZ Vendetta 2 $29.99
HS mount: Thermalright lga775 bolt through kit $5.61
RAM: Corsair 8500C5DF 4gb DDR-1066 $119.99
Power: Antec Truepower Quattro 850w $119.99
Video: Diamond Radeon HD 4870 $256.99 (HWC deal isn't working, I'll call NCIX)
Fan Controller: Scythe Kaze Master Fan Controller $32.99
Scythe S-Flex SFF21F 1600rpm x2 $25.98
Thermal compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2 $6.99

Total 1004.10

Looks great, I'll just have to wait to get paid Friday and I'll place my order at NCIX. Thanks all for your kind assistance and if anyone sees something at a better price than I have listed please gimme a nudge.

[Alwaysrun]

philthygeezer why would you recommend the 590 over the 690? I've read a slew of reviews on both now and to tell you the truth I don't really like either case but I like the overall size and price.

The 690's dimensions W)213 X (H)482 x (D)524.5 mm with 3 120mm Fans
The 590's dimensions W) 210 x (H) 440 x (D)510 mm with 2 120mm Fans

Now I'm not partial to top or front I/O, Power button placement but the lack of a reset button on the 590 seem rather odd. The 690 seems to have many more input options and comes with a PSU gasket which cuts down on vibrations and scratching. One big concern of mine with both models is all the open fan grills, I'll never use all 7-8 Fan placements and the idea of dust ect invading my case through these holes if my internal air pressure isn't just right frankly scares me seeing I'll have my case on the floor and I have 3 cats and 3 dogs . Also the fact that neither case have removable mobo trays is a real letdown.

If anyone has alternate case suggestions in the $80 range please feel free to suggest away.