New Build Critique

scottamc · Post by **scottamc** » 08 Jul 2008, 18:38

Hi All,

I am trying to finish up my build and would like some critiques.

Recent Purchases

CPU
Q9450 - Got it for $250 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6819115042

CPU Cooler
Zalman 9700 Led- Got it for $49 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6835118019

OS
Vista Ultimate 64bit W/ free 150 GB HD -Got it for $169 at Frys B&M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6832116215

Items Thinking Of Purchasing

Mobo
ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard -(retails $149 -$30 for combo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6813131299

GPU
ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 (Retails $199.99 - $5.00 - $30 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6814121253

These two above items are on combo sale right now.. you get $30 off plus the gpu has $30 rebate. Sound like a decent deal for combo?
Any other type of Mobo I should consider? (I would rather not spend $200+ for mobo if I don't need to)

RAM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($199.99 -$36.00 = $83.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6820231122

or
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) ($126-$17 = $109 - $30 rebate = $79)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6820145194

or
OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) ($137.99-$10 = $127.99 - $35 rebate = $92.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6820227289

Is this a good ram to choose? I am not sure what to get for ram. Options to pay a little more and get DDR2 800 or 8500.

And I need some sort of Lighstcribe DVD burner

Recycled Parts

Dell 2407 Widescreen Monitor

Antec P180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6811129154

Raptor 74gb HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...3 [...] %2b74%2bgb

500 GB HD backup

X-Fi Fatility
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x [...] 6829102005

I will be using my rig for gaming, photoshop, work related stuff, email, web browsing,etc..

Critique on!

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 08 Jul 2008, 22:07

The quad CPU makes sense given the other uses besides gaming, but for gaming I'd OC it to at least 3Ghz or more to get max performance there.

Don't know why you think you need to pay for the high price of Vista Ultimate, but suit yourself.

The RAM is a bit below the MB's DDR2 1200 standard. I'd look for PC2 9600. On brand I would lean toward OCZ and definitely not Corsair as they've had a lot of compatibility problems lately. I'd go with something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227230 You'd be filling up the 4 DIMMs, but it's really good RAM and priced pretty well. Note that you don't have to use the water cooling feature, it's just an option and a very good one as the water jackets are copper lined. Even without the WC option the memory circuits on this RAM is 8 layer and polished where the HS contacts it for superior heat transfer.

Since gaming performance is not the only focus of the build, I'd say that combo deal is OK, but do use a tool like ATI Tray Tools to reset the GPU fan settings. That card runs way hotter than it needs to due to low factory fan speeds.

On DVD burners I typically go with Lite-On, they make a good drive at a very good price. I've yet to have a bad burn on mine and I've had it for well over 3 yrs.

Rest looks OK, but make sure you add a 2nd intake fan to the upper HD bay of the P180 if you haven't already. You don't have to use their method of clipping it to the back of the HD cage either. If that doesn't give you enough room for the GPU card you can remove the HD cage and mount it behind the front panel.

BTW, none of the Newegg links you posted work.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 08 Jul 2008, 23:13

Looks good.

I'd go with the Corsair memory, simply as I've used lots of it in the past and never had a problem.

As for the DVD burner... every burner I've bought in the last eight years has been NEC/Optiarc, and they're all still merriliy chugging away... apart from one which was DOA. Obviously it went back.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 09 Jul 2008, 01:29

I'd go with the Corsair memory, simply as I've used lots of it in the past and never had a problem.

In the past yes, and even up through '07 I'd have had no problem building a system with it. Lately though I've read way too many incompatibility problems to trust it, esp for gaming. I'm glad I waited on my build for many reasons that being one of them.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 09 Jul 2008, 16:25

Ah? Cool, thanks for the heads up.

I'm currently running 8GB (4x2GB) of Corsair 4-4-4-12 800MHz DDR2 in two different boxes, and I've not encountered any RAM issues at all. I pushed one set (2x2GB) to 1066MHz when I slackened the timings off to 5-5-5-18, but decided to leave them running at their stock speed as stability is more important to me than a tiny bit extra bandwidth.

I've read lots of compatibility issues with many sorts of RAM in the last six months - it seems each new chipset has a couple of chip types it doesn't like, and sometimes boards from different manufacturers (though using the same chipset) will each hate on one sort of RAM each.

Ah, the wonderful world of computers. ;)

scottamc · Post by **scottamc** » 09 Jul 2008, 16:54

thanks so much for your comments. Your right Paradigm, the wonderful world of computers. Everyone has their own opinion on what part, brand, build is good. I guess thats what makes it so interesting that you can probley just about doing anything and its probley gonna work out. Well I finally ordered a few of the missing pieces and had newegg rush the order today as I would like to anxiously finish the build. I was so tired last night and I just wanted to get it done so I went ahead with the Gskill mem because it was cheaper with no rebate. It also has the most reviews for memory on newegg with the most postive remarks. So I figure I cant go too wrong.

S0ulBlade · Post by **S0ulBlade** » 09 Jul 2008, 18:48

you can overclock a quad core to 3.0 ghz?? you need liquid nitrogen for that?

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 09 Jul 2008, 18:52

I've got two quads (Q6600's) both of which I've had at 3GHz stable, one of which I've had at 3.6GHz almost stable (a little more work would probably have it) both under air. Why would you need LN2? :?

scottamc · Post by **scottamc** » 09 Jul 2008, 18:56

i read post after post of people who oc a quad core to 3.0-3.6 with air. So I think it probley can be done.

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 09 Jul 2008, 19:40

Heck you can get that quad to 3Ghz without over-volting and using stock cooling no sweat. I recommend aftermarket cooling for anything over 3Ghz for best results though. The Intel CPUs have been great that way for some time now. Going from 2.66Ghz to 3GHz on modern Intel chips is nothing.

At 3Ghz you would merely be equaling the speed of an E8400, one of the faster and most commonly used Intel dual cores for gaming, which is the only reason other than what I said about cooling that I specified 3Ghz. You could easily go higher.

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » 09 Jul 2008, 20:47

What PSU are you using (or is it included in the case?) I personally recommend a PC Power and Cooling. I am using a 610 watt one now and am quite impressed with it.

Also more ram, I have a similar PC with 8 GB ram, I can easily idle at over 2 GB with an 8GB page file. At least get 2GB sticks oh wait I see that that is what your doing... good choice!

scottamc · Post by **scottamc** » 10 Jul 2008, 02:51

PSU - Enermax Noisetaker 2 600W. It may not be the best psu but its issue free for 2 years so far. So Until I have a problem or I need more power than I will keep it.

Mem- well I went with the 2x2 GB DDR2 800 G Skills for now. I may add another set of 4 GB later. Most people say that 4 GB is plenty for now. I know more ram the better, but if its just wasted then I will probley wait to add some more later.

S0ulBlade · Post by **S0ulBlade** » 10 Jul 2008, 05:16

You can oc to 3 ghz with default air cooling? Im getting a core quad instead...

Frag Maniac · Post by **Frag Maniac** » 10 Jul 2008, 07:42

You can oc to 3 ghz with default air cooling? Im getting a core quad instead...

Yes you can, but on a quad I recommend using a case with good airflow as they draw more power which generally means a bit more heat.

Also, Enermax PSUs are pretty good. I had one of their old Whispers on my previous rig and it held up quite well through tons of gaming for the 3 yrs I used it.

crowing · Post by **crowing** » 14 Jul 2008, 06:24

I'm jealous of the deal you got on the quad there!

I should be getting the same motherboard (PQ5 Pro) and GPU (ASUS 4850) as you, granted that you didn't change what you mentioned before. I decided to go with some Corsair DDR2 800 as I wasn't expecting to do major overclocking.

Have fun and let me know how the new build goes!

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