New Build

Netskimmer

New Member
The only things that I think may have been mistakes are the CPU and RAM.

Many of the reviews say the the ram runs hot and needs active cooling, especially if it is going to be OC'ed. I'm not to worried about the timing as from what I've read there is little performance boost between 4-4-4-12 and 5-5-5-15 timing when it comes to high res gaming and some have said that it will run stable at 4-4-4-12. So I don't think it is a big deal, at least not enough to warrant being upset about buying it.

I'm afraid that the CPU will be too much of a bottleneck, even if it is only is for a few months.

As you said, the rest of the stuff is just more expensive, at worst they will perform as well as the other parts if not better.
 

Netskimmer

New Member
Ok, I've spoken with Newegg and all I have to do is receive the packages from UPS and generate RMAs for the items that I don't want. They were kind enough to wave the %15 restock fee too. :D So I need to make a decision on what to keep and what to return. Here are the items in question and their prices and my thoughts thus far:

mem:

cur:
OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178
155.99

new:
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034
$98.00

Might as well go with the Corsair it seems to have better reviews.


CPU:

cur:
Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031
$129.00

new:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938460
$269.99

Might as well go with the Q6600, the longer I can go without needing to upgrade CPU the cheaper/faster the one I replace it with will be.


mobo:

cur:
EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013
$209.99

new:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
$94.99

I think I'll go with the P35 as I keep hearing that the 680i chipsets have trouble with 4GB or more of mem which will be a necessity eventually and I don't have a real need for SLI.


power:

cur:
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009
$179.99

new:
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
$139.99

Not sure about this one, I want a healthy supply of power since I will be using it to power OC'ed equipment, a power hungry VGA card and a WC system. Do you think the 700w will be able to handle it?


os:

cur:
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116140
$319.99

new:
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116215
$179.99

I'm thinking of sticking with the retail version as 34-bit seems best for now but 64-bit will be necessary sooner or later and buying them in one box would be cheaper than getting them separately.


sound:

cur:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102005
$145.99

new:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006
$80.99

Would I see any increase in performance with the Fatal1ty edition? Even if the answer is yes I doubt it would be worth an extra $65, but if I'm wrong please let me know as I don't mind spending the money if it would be worth it.

cur:
1,140.95

new:
863.95

diff:
$277.00
 

b3rt_d4ni3l

New Member
Your new decision is good. I would stick with the PSU you have right now (I mean the Silencer Quad 750W) mainly because it is stable and it performs good though cable management is irritating sometimes. But I am sure you will manage. Just tuck it behind the hard drive cage or under the DVD-drive or something.

EDIT: I noticed that the CPU is OEM. Have you ordered the watercooling set yet? I assume you are putting a waterblock on the CPU, right? Just wondering because I didn't see any heatsink on the list.
 
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Netskimmer

New Member
Funny you should mention that :rolleyes:, the water cooling set should be here tomorrow but I've just noticed that the OEM chip on the list is sold out so I will be getting the retail version. It's a few bucks more but it means that I can get the system running before I install the WC system. The WC system I ordered does include a CPU water block though given what I've read about the VGA card I purchased, I am strongly considering getting a VGA block as well. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my first choice would be the Danger Den DD-8800GTX, they say it is designed for both the GTX and Ultra, but they are out of stock. The Swiftech' Stealth VGA block reviews well but I am afraid it will bottleneck the coolant flow because the system I ordered uses 1/2" tubing and equipment and the Swiftech' Stealth only has 1/4" ports ,though it comes with 1/2" adapters. I'm hoping someone with WC experience can give me some guidance here. HA! The FedEx truck delivering my WC kit showed up while I was typing this! I didn't realize just how big 1/2" tubing was.:eek: Good thing I got a case with a lot of room.
 
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mep916

Administrator
Staff member
A picture says 1,000 words.

The photo below is the Cosmos using 1/2 tubing for the WC setup. Quad Silencer 750W PSU and the same board you purchased. As you can see, you want to run all the cables behind the mobo. I've read that it's a bit difficult to reset the case panel behind the mobo. Flatten the cables against the wall, without bending or pinching, of course.

You're radiator should be mounted above the mobo, inside the case. I'm assuming the reservoir will be affixed inside an external 5.25" drive bay. The pump is attached to the bottom of the case. Take your time, and everything should be hella clean

I'm really excited for you! I'm glad everything worked out. Be sure to post some pics when you're finished.

Dream07.jpg
 

Netskimmer

New Member
A picture says 1,000 words.

I'm really excited for you! I'm glad everything worked out. Be sure to post some pics when you're finished.

About that, I can't upload pics directly from my PC so I'll have to get them online somehow and then link then into the post. Do you know of any site that will allow me to upload/store pics for free?
 

mep916

Administrator
Staff member
About that, I can't upload pics directly from my PC so I'll have to get them online somehow and then link then into the post. Do you know of any site that will allow me to upload/store pics for free?

I use photobucket.com.
 

Netskimmer

New Member
Cool, I took a picture of my WC kit but I don't have time to mess with uploading it as I have to leave for work but I'll try to get it uploaded when I get home tomorrow. I'll keep responding to posts as best as I can while at work but most of my time is spent away from the office so I have to just "pop in" read/post and "pop out" as time allows me. I'd like to get the replacement parts ordered tomorrow so if anyone has anything to add about the list please try to post before 2:00pm tomorrow. Thanks.
 

Netskimmer

New Member
My first package from Newegg came today while I was at work, hooray! It contained the mouse, G8800Ultra, RAM, and Arctic 5 paste. As of this post I intend to keep everything but the RAM. I am posting pics of my water cooling kit, the mouse, and the G8800 packaging. I don't intend to open any packaging on anything I get from Newegg until I've finalized the list of things I'm going to RMA.

Here are the major components of the water cooling kit, reservoir, fan, radiator, CPU water block and pump:
WC01.jpg


Here is a closeup of the CPU water block:
WCWB.jpg


And a closeup of the radiator:
WCRad.jpg


Here is the gaming mouse:
Mouse01.jpg


Here are some pics of the G880 Ultra box:
G880U02.jpg

G880U01.jpg


I can't wait to get all the parts and start putting this thing together.:D Although it will be many days before that happens as I have not yet ordered the replacement parts.:(

EDIT:
BTW I posted the specs for my current rig in my sig. I built this rig 4 long years ago, it cost me about half what this one will, the P4 cost almost as much as the Q6600 does today. I did replace my 128Mb 9600XT about a year after I built her but beyond that and a new HDD she is as I built her back in '03. She was a great rig back in her day and I have not had one single problem with this rig since I powered it up for the first time! Not one dead component with the exception of the HDD, it went bad about 6 months ago, but still, thats not a bad track record if you ask me. Thats why I'm keeping this rig completely intact, that and most of the parts are too old to go into a high end gaming rig anyway. :p She may lag a bit when I play FEAR but she's as dependable a rig as I've ever seen!:)
 
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Netskimmer

New Member
Sorry to post back to back but apparently sigs aren't applied retroactively so if I didn't post again you would not be able to see my sig.:rolleyes:

EDIT:

It is now 12:00pm by my clock and I'd like to start purchasing the last of the parts at 2:00pm so if anyone has any though, comments, suggestions, ect, now is the time. As of now the only parts of the rig I plan to RMA are the following:

OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178
155.99
in favor of:
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034
$98.00

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031
$129.00
In favor of:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938460
$269.99

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188013
$209.99
In favor of:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
$94.99

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102005
$145.99
In favor of:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006
$80.99
 
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Netskimmer

New Member
Ok, new parts are bought and payed for, they should be here by the end of the week. The remainder of my parts should be here by the time I get home tomorrow, with the possible exception of the monitor, so I should be ready to RMA the necessary parts before work tomorrow. I got the retail Q6600 G0 because it was only a few bucks more and it will allow me to get everything up and running before I tackle the WC project.


One last component question, I am restricted to dial-up due to were I live, should I just get a modem for the new system for OS/Game updates and patches or could I network my new/current systems together? That way I wouldn't need to install Anti-virus software and such on the new system as all data would be filtered though my current rig and its protection software. Would that work?I'm assuming since both mobos have RJ-45 ports that I could run a cable between the two and configure XP Pro and Vista Ultimate to communicate without third party software.

Here is an updated list of all the components. (Prices may have changed slightly since I originally recorded them) Will post pics as parts arrive.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping Kentsfield 2.40GHz
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail...temno=A1938460
$267.99

MSI NX8800Ultra-T2D768E-HD-OC GeForce 8800Ultra 768MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127288
$594.99

VGA water block: TBA

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128050
$129.99

Mem: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820145034
$98.00

Sound: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006
$80.99

Cooling: Danger Den water cooling Power Kit
http://www.dangerden.com/store/produ...3&cat=2&page=1
$163.28

Power: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703009
$179.99

Case: COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119138
$199.99

HHD: Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136011
$184.99

Mon: SAMSUNG 245BW Black High Glossy 24" 5ms DVI Widescreen
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001234
$489.99

OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116140
$319.99

Misc:
ASUS Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135143
$20.99

Logitech MX518
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104178
$39.99
 

b3rt_d4ni3l

New Member
Looks like your comp is looking good! :D

Good luck putting everything together. Post back here in case you have a problem.

Cheers!!
 

Netskimmer

New Member
Well, good news and bad.

Good News:
All the parts I wanted to send back to Newegg are on their way.

My monitor came today. I have it hooked up to my current rig and it seems to be functioning properly, no dead pixels that I can see.

My new Q6600 G0 is on its way from ClubIt.

My new Mobo, RAM, and Sound Card from Newegg are on their way and estimated to arrive today.

Bad News:

FedEx tracking doesn't estimate arrival of the processor until Monday. :( I was hoping to get all the parts and put this thing together this weekend.

Someone over at the "Computer Cases, Power Supplies and Cooling" forum says he doesn't think that my WC kit will be sufficient to cool both my CPU and VGA card. :(
Here is a link to that thread:
http://www.computerforum.com/101224-water-cooling-question.html

[sigh] Will this build ever end?:rolleyes:
 

Netskimmer

New Member
So, since all my components except the CPU will be here on Friday, should I go ahead and start installing the other stuff. I usually start by putting the CPU on the mobo before its in the case so I'll have plenty of room to work then I put the mobo in the case and go on from there. I'm not sure if its a good idea to put the mobo in the case before installing the CPU. I don't see any reason off-hand why it would be a problem considering the ample room this case provides. I figure I could install the mobo, PSU, optical and HDD, and get most of the cable management done, then when the CPU gets here all I'll have to do is drop it in and install the RAM, VGA and sound cards.

I still haven't heard any opions on the modem vs. network issue. Would I need any third party software to get the two to communicate or do I just need to run a cable between the two and set up the connection?
 

mep916

Administrator
Staff member
So, since all my components except the CPU will be here on Friday, should I go ahead and start installing the other stuff. I usually start by putting the CPU on the mobo before its in the case so I'll have plenty of room to work then I put the mobo in the case and go on from there. I'm not sure if its a good idea to put the mobo in the case before installing the CPU. I don't see any reason off-hand why it would be a problem considering the ample room this case provides. I figure I could install the mobo, PSU, optical and HDD, and get most of the cable management done, then when the CPU gets here all I'll have to do is drop it in and install the RAM, VGA and sound cards.

That sounds like a good plan. Are you 100% w/ your WC setup? In other words, are you comfortable w/ the kit you purchased?

I still haven't heard any opions on the modem vs. network issue. Would I need any third party software to get the two to communicate or do I just need to run a cable between the two and set up the connection?

Is your internet connection on the old computer dial up? I'm not sure how you would connect the two PC's. I'm pretty sure, however, that you need anti virus software on both, regardless of the type of connection.

Where do you live? Are you sure you can't get high speed internet access?
 

Netskimmer

New Member
That sounds like a good plan. Are you 100% w/ your WC setup? In other words, are you comfortable w/ the kit you purchased?

I am sure it can handle the CPU, the question remains as to whether it can handle both the CPU and VGA. Worst case scenario is that I'll have to just WC the CPU and get a good air cooler for the VGA card.

Is your internet connection on the old computer dial up? I'm not sure how you would connect the two PC's. I'm pretty sure, however, that you need anti virus software on both, regardless of the type of connection.

Where do you live? Are you sure you can't get high speed internet access?

Believe me, if I could get highspeed I would. The only highspeed option is satalite and I would have to make a long term commitment and pay $60+ a month to get it. My current setup uses dial-up. My Anti-Virus software is licensed for up to 3 PCs so I can just install it one both. I thought it would be cool to connect them because it would let me have access to all the stuff on my current system from the new one without using its resources or storage capacity. That and I think it would be cool to try regardless.
 

mep916

Administrator
Staff member
I am sure it can handle the CPU, the question remains as to whether it can handle both the CPU and VGA. Worst case scenario is that I'll have to just WC the CPU and get a good air cooler for the VGA card.

Cool. I read your watercooling thread. You could go with the radiator and pump Max PC used. You'd have to return your kit. I'm not sure if you reconsidered that. Just thought I'd mention it. ;)

The only highspeed option is satalite and I would have to make a long term commitment and pay $60+ a month to get it.

Yeah. I wouldn't consider that an option either. :rolleyes:

My current setup uses dial-up. My Anti-Virus software is licensed for up to 3 PCs so I can just install it one both. I thought it would be cool to connect them because it would let me have access to all the stuff on my current system from the new one without using its resources or storage capacity. That and I think it would be cool to try regardless.

Sure! It could be possible. I PM'd a member of this forum that is good w/ networking. Maybe he'll help ya out. :)

Almost there, Netskimmer. Again, best of luck. :D
 

tlarkin

VIP Member
you can do what is internet sharing if your PCs are all networked either by wifi or by a switch. However, internet sharing through dial will be ungodly slow.
 
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