New computer configuration

Sideswiper

Sideswiper

CAGiversary!
I'd like some other eyes to look over the PC parts I'm considering.
I'll probably use the eVGA stepup program on the 9600GT card to get a 9800 or something.
Total Cost = $2000
CASE: LIAN LI PC-A10B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
MOTHERBOARD: MSI P6N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core
CPU COOLING: Thermaltake CL-P0401 110mm Full-Range Fan
CPU GREASE: Rosewill RCX-TC050 Thermal Grease
VIDEO CARD: EVGA 512-P3-N867-AR GeForce 9600GT SSC 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
MEMORY: CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
POWER SUPPLY: Thermaltake W0131RU ATX12V / EPS12V 850W
HARD DRIVE 1 – SPEEDY: Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA-150
HARD DRIVE 2 - BEEFY: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 32-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD
DVD BURNER: PHILIPS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe 2-Tone SATA
DVD DRIVE: ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T
TV TUNER: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250 MC - White Box 1187 PCI-Express x1 Interface
Should I upgrade to this motherboard instead? MSI P7N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX
 
[quote name='Toireht']Heres some suggestions I would give you:

Instead of that Case I would try for the Antec 900 ....awesome case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=antec+900

Get this thermal compound, best around : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

You also don't need a 850W powersupply...unless you plan on SLIing two 9800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

That should shed around $200, only suggestions though.[/QUOTE]

I agree with all these suggestions.

Also don't just assume Newegg is the cheapest. When I built my last desktop I saved at least $200 by buying some of my parts off of outpost.com.
 
are you overclocking the cpu and memory?
If not, there are a lot of components that are odd choices.
I would think an 8800gt w/512mb is going to outperform a 9600 even if oc'd
and there are tons of cases out there, unless you really like the look of the lian li, the antec sonata III is good looking and comes with a more than adequete 500w psu.
the ocz vendetta is a topnotch cooler you might want to consider or the coolermaster tx2- much
better bang for the buck
the mobo is fine, no need to upgrade
probably want 3gbs ram
what monitor/resolution/games you planning on running?
 
I run games in surround resolution across three monitors. 3840x1024. My current AGP 7800GS does ok on medium or low settings (or high settings in 2400x600) in games like Bioshock, but I want to play on higher settings.

Alright here are some changes. 780i motherboard (to future proof so I can get a 45nm chip later?). Spent less on power supply (still enough to SLI later?), more on graphics card. 64 bit windows. 4GB of PC-6400 DDR2 800 Ram.
Still $2000.

May get rid of 10,000 RPM drive. Might change out CPU cooler. May get cheaper case.

CASE: LIAN LI PC-A10B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
MOTHERBOARD: MSI P7N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core
CPU COOLING: Thermaltake CL-P0401 110mm Full-Range Fan
CPU GREASE: Arctic Silver CMQ-22G
VIDEO CARD: EVGA 512-P3-N802-AR GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI
MEMORY: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX ATX12V / EPS12V 750W
HARD DRIVE 1 – SPEEDY: Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA-150
HARD DRIVE 2 - BEEFY: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD
DVD BURNER: PHILIPS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe 2-Tone SATA
DVD DRIVE: ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T
TV TUNER: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250 MC - White Box 1187 PCI-Express x1 Interface
 
Perhaps take a look at the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037. It may be a core 2 duo but easily overclocks to 4.0GHz on air and takes use of the 45nm technology. Though later in the future applications will use 4 cores, very little use it now from what I gather.

I'd also recomend http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267 Overclocks like crazy and the heatsinks work very nice. About 20$ cheaper to.

Video Card. Go for the 8800GT, just NOT a superclocked version. No reason to pay 60$ extra on something that is really easy to do yourself. Just go for one of the regular 8800GT ... such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150253

I would go for a cheaper case, you can probably cut 100+ dollars off for a case that's just as good.

I agree with 64-Bit windows ultimate and the new power supply choice. Especially if you go 45nm, since it'll draw less power. The Artic Silver is a big plus as well. That mother board is really nice as well.
 
Thanks for the advice...

Cheaper case, going with cheaper faster 45nm core 2 duo (quad can wait), different memory, normal 8800GT (overclock it myself if I need to), cheaper cpu cooler (the other one was dangerously heavy), dropped 10000 RPM hard drive
All prices NewEgg unless shown otherwise.
Total price: $1577.61
Haven't purchased it yet...
CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $94.99 FREE shipping
MOTHERBOARD: MSI P7N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX $279.99 FREE shipping
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz Processor $206.81 + $19.44 shipping www.dealiverable.com
CPU COOLING: Scythe SCNJ-1100P 120mm Sleeve $34.99 +$6.33 shipping
CPU GREASE: Arctic Silver CMQ-22G $9.99 +$4.99 shipping
VIDEO CARD: EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI $199.99 FREE shipping
MEMORY: OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit $95.99 FREE shipping
POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX ATX12V / EPS12V 750W $144.99 FREE shipping
HARD DRIVE Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 $169.99 FREE shipping
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD $189.99 FREE shipping
DVD BURNER: PHILIPS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe 2-Tone SATA $32.99 +$6.33 shipping
DVD DRIVE: ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T $18.99 +$5.84 shipping
TV TUNER: Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250 MC - White Box 1187 PCI-Express x1 Interface $49.99 +$4.99 shipping
 
are there any compusas still open around you?
I ask because they may have the antec 900 or the also nice antec p182se at a lower price and you might want to zero in on the case first to make sure all the components fit how you want them to
You also might want to post your config on another site, tom's hardware forum, for example. Those members love to give advice and it is usually topnotch input.
 
if you want better video power for those kinds of resolutions, you're gonna need to go SLI or Go home.

Make sure you pick up two 8800Gt's.
 
I got the antec 900 case in my build and I absolutely love it. It is running cool and I haven't even added the side case fan that I have to put in it. The only thing about it is you need a power supply with a long cable because it is mounted in the bottom of the case.
 
Antec P182 case was on sale for $60 after rebate. Not sure if it's still going on but you may want to look into it. Then again it looks like you're not going the cheapass route!
 
[quote name='cubs2321']I got the antec 900 case in my build and I absolutely love it. It is running cool and I haven't even added the side case fan that I have to put in it. The only thing about it is you need a power supply with a long cable because it is mounted in the bottom of the case.[/quote]

Is that power supply fan an intake? Otherwise it works against convection, right?
 
It looks freakin beautiful in my opinion. I'd just add a couple of 80mm case fans for some nice very cheap cooling. Also a Round IDE cable for more air flow and space as well. About 10$ more at most :D
 
All the parts are in but it isn't working. Help???
First, here's the final parts I used:
MY FINAL BUILD
CASE: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99 + $9.99 shipping
MOTHERBOARD: MSI P7N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX $229.99 + $6.33 shipping
CPU: Intel BX80570E3110 Xeon E3110 3.00GHz 1333MHz FSB 6MB L2 Cache LGA775 $229.00 + $11.88 shipping
CPU COOLING: Scythe SCNJ-1100P 120mm Sleeve $34.99 +$6.33 shipping
CPU GREASE: Arctic Silver CMQ-22G $9.99 +$4.99 shipping
VIDEO CARD: EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI $339.99 +$7.15 shipping
MEMORY: Patriot Viper 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) $104.99 + FREE shipping
POWER SUPPLY: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX ATX12V / EPS12V 750W $144.99 FREE shipping
HARD DRIVE (MOSTLY OS):
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $169.99 + FREE shipping
HARD DRIVE (STORAGE): Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3750330AS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 $194.99 FREE shipping
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD $189.99 FREE shipping
DVD BURNER: HP Black 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe $34.99 +$5.58 shipping
DVD DRIVE: ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E616A3T $18.99 +$5.84 shipping
So the problem is I get a blue screen of death while Windows Vista is installing. The BIOS shows all four drives connected and shows my CPU correctly. It shows my 4GB of memory running at 800MHz. Windows lets me enter the product key, then installs all the files, but when it reboots the computer I get the blue screen of death.
:wall:
Help?
 
[quote name='Richard Longfellow']Is that power supply fan an intake? Otherwise it works against convection, right?[/QUOTE]

Sorry for not replying. I haven't checked my subscribed threads in a while. It is in output fan but there is a fan in the spot the power supply would normally be blowing out air. The 200 mm fan on top is great. That thing takes up about half the top of the case.

It seems to go against the regular airflow thinking but anytime I check the air temp coming out it always feels cool.
 
[quote name='Sideswiper']
So the problem is I get a blue screen of death while Windows Vista is installing. The BIOS shows all four drives connected and shows my CPU correctly. It shows my 4GB of memory running at 800MHz. Windows lets me enter the product key, then installs all the files, but when it reboots the computer I get the blue screen of death.
:wall:
Help?[/QUOTE]

I don't know if this helps at all, probably not but, I had problems with my install that had to do with the SATA hard drives. Did you install the SATA drivers during the windows install? That was giving me problems. The BIOS found the drives but windows wasn't working without the drivers preloaded. I don't think mine even showed up in windows at first but it is something to try if you run out of other options.
 
[quote name='cubs2321']I don't know if this helps at all, probably not but, I had problems with my install that had to do with the SATA hard drives. Did you install the SATA drivers during the windows install? That was giving me problems. The BIOS found the drives but windows wasn't working without the drivers preloaded. I don't think mine even showed up in windows at first but it is something to try if you run out of other options.[/QUOTE]

Were you installing Vista or XP?
 
Looks like you solved it.

I had a similar problem with Vista as well. Turned out to be bad memory. Ran memtest to find the bad memory. Took it out and the problem was solved.
 
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