My first computer building project - advice appreciated

M

MHarts

New Member
Having had several prefabricated computer systems from Dell, I've decided that it's just way more cost effective, fun and intelligent to try my hand at building my own brand new computer. I don't have a specific budget but would like to keep the cost below the 2 grand mark while maintaining close-to-cutting-edge technology. I am trying to build for the future to get the most life out of the machine. Here are my thoughts so far, please let me know what you think about my chioces:


MOBO - EVGA 122-CK-NF67-T1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i LT SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $170

CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - $516

GPU - EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - $560

Power Supply - OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - $120

Case - Antec Nine Hundred Mid Tower Case - $90

Monitor -

RAM - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - $70

Sound Card -

Cooling -

Hard Drive - Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB
Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - $175

DVD-ROM - LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model LH-16D1P-187 - $17

DVD-Burner - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe - $37

The areas I've left blank are decisions I've not made yet. I have a Soundblaster Audigy 2 from my old computer I might just recycle into the new one. Cooling is a place where I am not sure what I will need. I've seen many builds where people just use stock fans or aftermarket air cooling even with "hot" cards like the 8800gtx. I do not plan to over clock but would like the option if I decide I want to learn to tinker more. As to monitor, I have a nice LCD flatpanel from my old system that I'll probably reuse unless someone can show me a nice toy I might want to try.

The 150 gig hardrive seems a bit small, but I have a 500 gig external that I'll be using for bulk storage of files. I'm uncertain if a 10,000 rpm HD is all that important, maybe someone can give me a clue as to how much it will really make a difference over, say, a 7200 rpm drive?

The case comes with a 500w powersupply, but the reviews I read suggested replacing it with a better device. There seems to be a lot of argument over what size powersupply is actually needed to run certain rigs. Should I stick with the case powersupply and see if it will do the job, or should I just order that OCZ? I plan to use this box for "lolz teh uberl33t gaming" so no worries about actually putting all this power to use. Your comments are appreciated, especially notes on compatability issues. Thanks in advance.
 
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everything is compatible, but i would suggest getting the OCZ power supply, especially since you are using an 8800GTX, and you said that eventually you might want to overclock.

just quick note, the nvidia chipsets have been getting great reviews, and i personally have the 680i from ASUS and i love it, but it can be finicky during the build when you try to fire it up for the first time. i recommend scouring the internet for other people's success/failures with the motherboard, as you may have done already since you seem to have done your research
 
Wait till july 22 so you can get the QX6700 rather than the Q6600, get a dedicated psu like corsair or a OCZ or a silverstone, if you are going to spend so much on a case, get this one which is 10 times better and has great air flow http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4991611 .

If you're planning on OCing get a better ram because that won't be a overclocker memory
 
First off, thanks a ton for the replies, the more information I can get the better. I had read that the 680i had caused some grief and many were touting the older p5b and p5n ASUS boards, so it's good to hear you are behind the 680i since it's what I'll be going with.

As to the RAM, I had read reviews that stated that the RAM was specifically designed for overclocking and was a bit unstable because of this fact. Many who use it have had to set the timing and voltage settings to very specific levels to egt it to work in their rigs. Being a n00b and all, I didn't know if I wanted to mess with all of that up front. What would you recommend in place of that ram? I've heard that Kingston is to RAM what many feel ASUS is to mobo's, ie good stuff.

As to the processor, I do plan to wait until the 22nd, primarily for the price drop on this chip rather than grabbing the q6700. Is the q6700 going to be a big enough upgrade over the currrent version to warrant the difference in price?

I really like that case you posted, the cooling on that thing must be amazing. I'll edit my original post to include it as my new choice. Any thoughts on the need/usefulness of a 10,000 rpm harddrive? Is it just silly overkill or really useful compared to a 7200 rpm drive? Your thoughts and advice are appreciated.
 
Benefits to a 10,00 RPM hard drive is that your data files will be more easily accessed, and in less time. What some people do is have two HD's. One for mass storage of files and the other for things they use daily, I.E games, documents, etc etc so they can pull them up faster. I'd stick with the Raptor, speed is a good thing (except for the drug).
 
i have also heard that the raptors can be very loud, but that is speculation bc i have never used one myself
 
Do those on here that do own raptors think they are worth the investment? Has anyone experienced any sort of heat or noise problem from them? I wouldn't mind going watercooling, but I'd rather avoid it if I don't really need it.

As to the SB X-FI, do I really need that over my Audigy 2? What is it going to provide that my current card does not? It seems like my speakers are likely to be the far more limiting factor than the sound card, since I have basic budget speakers and nothing fancy. Even my Audigy seems like overkill to me, but I had no idea what I was doing when I bought that Dell system back in 2003. What about this card should I be amped about?

I'd also like to hear some opinions on whether the q6600 or the qx6700 will be the better processor per price point. Technology like this, especially when it's first released, seems to have steep diminishing returns when it comes to price vs performance but then budget components (like certain video cards I could name) aren't always worth it even at half the price of their top of the line counterparts. As always, thanks for your time and attention.
 
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