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Building New Rig, $2500 Budget
Hey Gang,
Been revising my rig now for 2 months and think I got it locked down. Wanting to go SLI with duo 8800 GTS using a 24" LCD Monitor @ 1900x1200 res. If you think this is not a wise move please let me know and explain not using SLI and going with one card. Also if you see compatiablity problems please let me know so I can fix it. Here are the parts thru Newegg:
Tower: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
Mobo: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
CPU: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
GFX: (X2) www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
PSU: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
RAM: (X2) www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
HDD: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
LCD: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
DVD: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
FAN: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
OS: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
Speaker: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
KB: www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx
Price: $2178.85
Comments
Your power supply isn't sufficient for 2 8800GTS. Thats why you shouldn't go sli. Also there are several other ways you can crunch performance out of your rig.
Not a big fan of sli myself as it's expensive and it doesn't scale well on a lot of games. If that's what you want though the build looks good, except for possibly the power supply. I would look into getting something bigger just to be on the safe side. 600w should be enough, but might be cutting it close.
member of imminst.org
Was thinking of going Ultimate..strill not sure tho
Will check on the speakers, KB and Monitor tho i REALLY like Samsung monitors
i only have one 8800 and i still use a 650w ps.
if your budget is $2500 and your total is only $2100+ i'd suggest better ps.
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RAID is pretty simple its basically just plug and play..maybe some BIOS tweaking and the motherboard's instructions usually are pretty right on the mark telling you how to do it.
Definitly drop Vista home ... Vista Pro or Ultimate are far better....
Its a waste on SLI just get the 8800 or a 9800.
Please Refer to Doom Cat with all conspiracies & evil corporation complaints. He'll give you the simple explination of..WE"RE ALL DOOMED!
So Will I be able to play max res @ 1900x1200 on a 24" monitor with a single GFX card?
You should browse a bit more for RAM on newegg, I know there is some good Crucial memory with 1066 speeds that has a decent sale on top of a $40+ rebate. It's a bit better than your current pick and it turns out to be about the same price if not cheaper.
Hmm what else, the aftermarket cpu cooler is unnecessary unless you plan on some OC'ing. Market cooling should be sufficient at stock speeds. If you do buy the aftermarket cooler get some Arctic Silver 5 thermal grease to replace the gunk that comes with it.
Do a little research on 15,000 rpm harddrives, those seem like a good combination with MMO's that you might be interested in.
You'd be better off getting tips from actual tech sites with forums like tomshardware, or anandtech. They also have good reviews on lots of hardware that might influence your decisions. Just remember to keep a balance between your hardware or you'll just end up wasting money on something that does nothing for performance due to bottlenecking.
9800 GX2 benchmarks on Crysis
Ouch guess that shows there is an actual quantiple advantage to sli/crossfire in a modern game.
Okay, your rig is far away from best quality considering your huge budget. If you mind replying these questions I could be able to help you out.
Will you overclock your processor?
Can you wait a month?
Here is the RAM
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820148069
My personal picks:
Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284
PSU
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817194021
CPU - any quad much better than this skyrockets in price, I'm also considering a dual core similar to your pick
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819115017
HDD - on second thought, I might stick back with a 10,000 rpm drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012
I also picked up an 8800GT when they hit the market.
I can wait a month IF I have to but my present computer can't even play WOW atm (yeah a real POS), so would like to get as going and build this.
Your motherboard won't support 1066 ram so its gonna clock down to 800 mhz. Also the crucials have worse timing and offer less capacity. OCZ Reaper is a very good brand. The motherboard he suggested doesn't support SLI. Infact it runs ATI GPU better.
The power supply is overly expensive and doesn't really look cool. You can get a cool looking modular supply from ABS or Thermaltake in the 800 watt range for the same price.
The E8400 outperforms the Q6600 across the board. You would want the Q9750 if you went quad.
The Raptor drive has a bottle-neck with the interface. Sata1.5. The performance HDD setup is SCSI using a raid controller.
Right now 8800GTS in SLi is the most powerful graphics combination.
I don't recommend anything he said.Your motherboard won't support 1066 ram so its gonna clock down to 800 mhz. Also the crucials have worse timing and offer less capacity. OCZ Reaper is a very good brand. The motherboard he suggested doesn't support SLI. Infact it runs ATI GPU better.
The power supply is overly expensive and doesn't really look cool. You can get a cool looking modular supply from ABS or Thermaltake in the 800 watt range for the same price.
The E8400 outperforms the Q6600 across the board. You would want the Q9750 if you went quad.
The Raptor drive has a bottle-neck with the interface. Sata1.5. The performance HDD setup is SCSI using a raid controller.
Right now 8800GTS in SLi is the most powerful graphics combination.
I disagree with you.
That motherboard is great, good intel chipset instead of the crappy nforce one, you don't need 1066 ram, 800 mhz is actually what I would recommend cause the performance per buck is just not worth it.
The Q6600 is one of the best (if not the best) bang per buck, it overclocks like a champ and its incredibly cheap. The E8400 works better on non multi threaded applications, but if you're spending 2500$ on a computer you have to at least try OCing, and that's where the q6600 excells.
The advantage on raptors from the nvidia chipsets doesn't make it up for the excess of heat and the lack of overclocking performance, using an intel chipset, raptor is the best choice also, even with the small bottlenecking.
About the 8800 gts in SLI? I see you read tom's hardware lol, still, that info is outdated. This is a more recent chart for reference.
I'll work on a list for the OP now.
Gosh..I'm getting more confused by the minute.
Do I or don't I SLI? Really kinda shy by doing RAID, like I said never done that before and kinda gun shy (but if you guys really think it's worth it I'll try).
I don't really see a reason to do more research on outdated April 2008 results since there won't be any significant changes until June/July with the G200 and HD4800. Also the things that beat it are Quad and Tri setups. Not sure how it compares to the 9800 GTX in SLI since they don't have the benches of the 8800gts in sli x2.
Also don't see the point in a Q6600 when you can go for a Q9300. Thats an Intel Based Northbridge so it cannot support SLI, only crossfire. If he does go for that board, he would need to use an ATI setup for his best possible video.
A Raptor Drive is fast, an SCSI Drive is faster. However, I guess if you don't want the complications of RAID Controllers and interfaces, the Raptor is fast. Although not as fast as the Veloci Raptor.
Okay, first of all, I asked if you could wait a month cause new technologies are coming. Intel is releasing their P45 chipsets for mobos, which will support everything nvidia chipsets support, but without the overwhelming heat and in a good price.
Also, both Nvidia and Ati are going to release their new techs, GT200 and R700 respectively.
And, if we look at the horizont, we will have Intel's nehalems, which are meant to become mainstream in Q1 2009, those processors offer a huge increasement in performance comparing to actual processors. I'm personally waiting till january, but I guess you can't wait that much, however, I'd like to know also if you're planning on upgrading or if you just want something actual to last long.
And Cleffy, the Q9300 is indeed a very good one, but pricey. The performance on Q6600's with its 65nm Kentsfields is quite similar, but Q6600's is still way cheaper.
And yeah, actual Intel chipsets don't offer SLI solutions, thus why Im recommending to wait 1 month, so P45 gets released and then we will count with the best chipsets in the market.
And yeah, velociraptor is faster, then again, Im looking for a bang per buck setup since he doesn't have unlimited budget
Anyways, are velociraptors available already? Last I heard is that alienware had an exclusive with them.
Hey, here is a wish list I compiled.
secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp
That includes a monitor, keyboard and mouse, so if you take those out, its about 330$ off that price.
Oh and speakers, so 410$
I have done a lot of research and well, the difference between dual sli and tri/quad sli is nominal and you shouldn't waste your time.
You can't go wrong with this setup.
Hope this helps
Just FYI, the monitor is a XHD [Extreme High Definition] one.
Edit - Make sure you look at the quantity of the items.
(RAID 0 & SLI ^^)
Also, both Nvidia and Ati are going to release their new techs, GT200 and R700 respectively.
And, if we look at the horizont, we will have Intel's nehalems, which are meant to become mainstream in Q1 2009, those processors offer a huge increasement in performance comparing to actual processors. I'm personally waiting till january, but I guess you can't wait that much, however, I'd like to know also if you're planning on upgrading or if you just want something actual to last long.
Longest I'll wait is by the 15th of June. I NEED a puter bad as I don't know how much longer this one will last.
I like this to last ~2-3 years so some upgrading is fine. I don't need the absolute best just something that will run most games at max res @ 1900x1200 resolution.
Okay then, Im not sure if P45's and GT200s will be out by then (15 june) but I guess we can plan something already.
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Red) 750W EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996580 - Retail
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK - OEM
That's what I'd recommend.
About the case: The Antec nine hundred offers quality stock fans at a quite good price, the case design is simply awesome.
About the motherboard: One of the best overclocking mobos, at this moment, there are almost no games using PCIe 2.0 potential completely. This mobo should last you a quite good ammount of time, and it will support GT200, so the lack of SLI isn't really important here in this setup.
About the card: EVGA offers a step up system. Buy this one, register it on their website, and step up to GT200 cards as soon as they are out, so they don't run out of stock. This one will offer you a quite good performance while waiting for the new beasts.
About the processor: You could change it for a E8400 if you don't plan on overclocking, but if you are interested in doing so, this one is a must get.
About the RAM: Quality. DDR2 is the only thing to use until Nehalem is out, and the bang per buck performance on 800 mhz is really worth it.
About the hard drives: If you aren't going to manipulate raids, you can always install windows and everything on the Seagate, while you install your games on the raptor. 10000 RPM to read textures and maps faster than you'd ever imagine, and 150 GB to install every game you want.
About the PSU: Powerful and quite good amperage, it will serve this rig and your future upgrades as a true champ.
This would make around 1500$, add the OS, the keyboard the monitor and the VGA upgrade and you'll get into the 2300 range.
About the monitor, technologies on panels are about the same, my recommendation is going to a retailer and checking there which one fits your needs better.
Okay, first of all, I asked if you could wait a month cause new technologies are coming. Intel is releasing their P45 chipsets for mobos, which will support everything nvidia chipsets support, but without the overwhelming heat and in a good price.
Also, both Nvidia and Ati are going to release their new techs, GT200 and R700 respectively.
And, if we look at the horizont, we will have Intel's nehalems, which are meant to become mainstream in Q1 2009, those processors offer a huge increasement in performance comparing to actual processors. I'm personally waiting till january, but I guess you can't wait that much, however, I'd like to know also if you're planning on upgrading or if you just want something actual to last long.
And Cleffy, the Q9300 is indeed a very good one, but pricey. The performance on Q6600's with its 65nm Kentsfields is quite similar, but Q6600's is still way cheaper.
And yeah, actual Intel chipsets don't offer SLI solutions, thus why Im recommending to wait 1 month, so P45 gets released and then we will count with the best chipsets in the market.
And yeah, velociraptor is faster, then again, Im looking for a bang per buck setup since he doesn't have unlimited budget
Anyways, are velociraptors available already? Last I heard is that alienware had an exclusive with them.
People who always wait for the next big thing never end up buying a computer.
Now with 57.3% more flames!
Okay, first of all, I asked if you could wait a month cause new technologies are coming. Intel is releasing their P45 chipsets for mobos, which will support everything nvidia chipsets support, but without the overwhelming heat and in a good price.
Also, both Nvidia and Ati are going to release their new techs, GT200 and R700 respectively.
And, if we look at the horizont, we will have Intel's nehalems, which are meant to become mainstream in Q1 2009, those processors offer a huge increasement in performance comparing to actual processors. I'm personally waiting till january, but I guess you can't wait that much, however, I'd like to know also if you're planning on upgrading or if you just want something actual to last long.
And Cleffy, the Q9300 is indeed a very good one, but pricey. The performance on Q6600's with its 65nm Kentsfields is quite similar, but Q6600's is still way cheaper.
And yeah, actual Intel chipsets don't offer SLI solutions, thus why Im recommending to wait 1 month, so P45 gets released and then we will count with the best chipsets in the market.
And yeah, velociraptor is faster, then again, Im looking for a bang per buck setup since he doesn't have unlimited budget
Anyways, are velociraptors available already? Last I heard is that alienware had an exclusive with them.
People who always wait for the next big thing never end up buying a computer.
We are talking here about some major improvements. 9xxxx series from Nvidia is using G92, just like 8800s, and we are 1 month away from getting something that will leave those techies eating dust. The P45 is really up to him, if he really plans on using SLI it's really worthy to wait a month, if he wants to get the GT200, even a P35 would serve him.
Ephimero, on your list are suggesting SLI or going single card?
The GT200 ones will be single cards. Your computer would not have SLI support, but you won't need it.
Everything I listed is meant to be together, I guess I didn't mention, but the reason I ended up posting all of the hardware was because of the RAM I suggested. The 1066 Crucial memory I listed is cheaper than the 800 you have picked out so it can't be ruled out by the bang for the buck arguement. RAM timings are only 1 point off in each setting and I've had actual RAM timings that vary from marketed timings anyway.
The quad core vs dual core is a long standing arguement so you will get a different suggestion from every person you ask. As for the Q6600 vs the Q9300, the Q6600 is a tried and true champ but the Q9300 is newer technology. If Cleffy puts his weight behind it, I'm sure you'll be fine with either.
Admittedly, my knowledge on hard drive configurations and mobo chipsets is limited at best. I'm outmatched here in anything that goes beyond common sense (mabye there too
).
If this breaks down into a hardware arguement chances are high they are nitpicking between different quality hardware, so as long as you can retain their compatibility references, you are probably safe picking either side. One more note, its not usually necessary for the standard user, or gamer for that matter, to worry about things like sli and raid. If you build anything decent it shouldn't have a problem with any software you will be using. I'm not argueing against the advantages of these tactics, I'm just saying they are not necessary by any means.
You picked 2x1 GB, I picked 2x2 GB, thus why mine was more expensive, still, the bang per buck argument prevails :P