another new build

[medchemistMA]

I am getting ready to replace my 2001 Gateway. Hopefully I will have everything ready before it dies.

This is what I am considering:

Case: Antec 1200 (already got this on sale at MicroCenter $129)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V (already purchased for $99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-DS3R LGA 775 (available newegg for $175)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128348&Tpk=GA-EP45T-DS3R

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz (available newegg for $340)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (available newegg for $240)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227293

Total so far, $983. I don't need a monitor, but I will need a graphics card and some peripherals.

I am particularly interested in opinions on the motherboard and memory. I will probably also go with a CPU cooler other than the stock Intel, although my E8400 has been working at 100% on both CPU's for 10-20 hours a day for more than a month averaging 45-50 degreed C with the stock fan. Thanks to everyone who helped build that rig, it has performed very well.

Thanks in advance for the advice,

MedchemistMA

[RickyTick]

I think from this point forward I'll start recommending an aftermarket cpu cooler for system builders. From my experience, the stock Intel cooler is mediocre at best, and with great coolers for less than $40, there really no reason not to add one, imo. I like the OCZ Vendetta and Vendetta II as well as the Xigmatek. Look at this http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=0

I like the motherboard choice, but the EP45T puts you into the DDR3 realm. That stuff is just so expensive for such a small amount of performance gain. Are you sure you want to go down that path?

[Damlite]

Looks good. The motherboard looks really good as well performance wise, a wise investment long term seeing as its DDR3, which is sort of a bit expensive at the moment but will in future become the standard over DDR2.

I'd recommend Corsair XMS3 ram, same performance and cheaper. Justifying quality, I own Corsair XMS2 (DDR2) ram and its running without any problems.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227293

Graphics cards entirely depends on what type of games you'll be playing and the resolution of your monitor will generally be set at. If you operate in resolutions close to 1920x1200 and play your games in that area as well, I'd suggest to spend a few hundred dollars on a decent graphics card. However, if your monitor is around 1024x768 it might not be necessary to purchase a card in the higher calibur. In terms of best quality card for buck invested, at the moment the 9800GTX+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130376) are good investments or 4850s (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125224), if you spend a few extra dollars as well you can purchase the overclocked versions too.

edit: By the way, the intel stock coolers are great.

[medchemistMA]

RickyTick,

Thanks for the post. I will probably go with the OCZ Vendetta II, as long as I can get it to fit. I am reasonable pleased with the stock cooler on my E8400, but I am moving up to a Q9550 and I really beat on the CPU, so I want to keep it as cool as possible. The Antec 1200 with its 7 fans should help.

I have debated some about the DDR3 thing. There are not many P45 boards that allow both DDR2/DDR3 like the gigabyte P35 boards. It would be nice to have a MOBO that would allow for DDR3 in the future when the price comes down some. I do artificial neural net computations that are very time consuming and am a trying to keep as wide a pipe as possible, (1333MHz on the CPU, FSB and RAM) to maximize performance without going to a $1200 CPU.

I am somewhat concerned that the Gigabyte web page for this board

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=2851

doesn't list any 1333 DDR3 4GB (2x2GB) modules on its supported memory list. Does this mean that the OCZ Reaper memory that I listed is not compatible? My E8400 Linux box uses all 2GB of its RAM when I am running ANN, so I am sure I need at least 4GB to run the same on a quad processor, especially under windows. It looks like th EP45C-DS3R will allow for either DDR2 or DDR3, so maybe I should go with that and save $30 besides, plus another $100 on the RAM. I would like to go with 1333 RAM, but I don't think that DDR2 goes that high. It may be that with a 1333 FSB, my performance maxes out at 1066MHz anyway (without overclocking). If someone knows, please ring in.

As usual, I am trying to maximize performance at a reasonable price. I don't mind paying some extra if I get something for it. I mind paying extra and not getting extra.

Thanks again,

MedchemistMA

[RickyTick]

The Vend II will definately fit in the 1200. I would set it up so the fan blows towards the back of the case, not towards the top.

Just looking at the Memory Support List for that mobo I don't see much, but I wouldn't worry about that too much. If you want a mobo that accepts DDR2 and DDR3, I think you'll have to go to the GA EP45C. If you want to go the DDR3 route, then go for it. I'm sure any DDR3 1600 or 1333 will work just fine.

[medchemistMA]

RickyTick,

I just was looking at the Vend2 and the GA-EP45T-DS3R. The MOBO is well designed with respect to the positioning of the RAM and there is actually plenty of room for the Vend2 in the horizontal position (fan pointing up). It does not obstruct the RAM slots at all. I was surprised to see this in that it is not very often anymore that I am impressed with engineering, at least from the practical sense.

Do you still recommend mounting with the fan pointing back if there is room for it to be mounted horizontally? The 1200 case has 6 120 fans front to back and a 250 top fan, so there is exhaust in either direction.

MedchemistMA

[RickyTick]

If you have the fan blowing up then it will be pulling warm air off the video card. If you have it blowing towards the rear, then its simply pulling cooler air from the front of the case. At least thats the way I see it, and I've read that on other forums as well.

[medchemistMA]

Thanks, I suspect that there is some heat coming off of the RAM, so I guess you will pick some up no matter which direction you get your ventilation from.

I think that the six fans blowing from front to back are probably reason enough to mount the CPU cooler fan in the same direction as you suggest. I am not really sure what the top fan does, it seems like it would disrupt the air flow from the other fans. I guess you need a wind tunnel to figure the rest out.

MedchemistMA

[The Wise Monkey]

Heat always rises, so it is a good idea to have some ventilation at the top of the case.