Possible New Syetem?

[iamtwan]

Hey all,
Ok so as you made have read in questions in the HDD forum abouts RAIDS, i was thinking about a new system. so i put together everything and just wanted to hear your thoughts and suggestions! this would be for genreal computing, email, surfing, GAMING, video editing(which is why i may run a RAID), music and whatever else.

...this would be my first build.

CASE: Antec 900 (100)
MOBO: Asus P5N-T Deluxe 780i SLI (234)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66 (270)
GPU: EVGA Geforce 8800GTS 640mb (179x2=320) SLI
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4GB DDR2 1066 (150)
PSU: Antec 850w (140)
Drivers: 22x DVD Burner OEM (30x2=60)
CPU COOLING FAN: Zalman CNPS9700 LED 110mm (54)
CASE FAN: Antec 120mm (15)
HDD: Seagate 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA OEM (160)
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit (310)

plus:
Intrenal Card Reader (15)
Antec Case Fan (15)
3x SATA II cables (12)
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound OEM (7)

SubTotal Build Price w/out Monitor & Accessories: $1840 (yikes!)

everything was priced at newegg except for the OS. which i was curious if the OEM works or i should just get the retail box?

i think thats about it...maybe a bigger PSU? again, any info or something better or what i may have done wrong is much appreciated.

thanks.

[RickyTick]

Poor choice in video cards. The 8800GTS 640 is old architecture. A single better card would perform better. Look at the 9800GTX+ or the HD4870. Both would be much better options for a video card.

[iamtwan]

Poor choice in video cards. The 8800GTS 640 is old architecture. A single better card would perform better. Look at the 9800GTX+ or the HD4870. Both would be much better options for a video card.

really? i thought those were good cards....and i was hopeing to run SLI for the price of one super expensive card....well looks like i have to dig deeper into the pockets...?

[Damlite]

Intel Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) is a much more popular quad core choice selection. Cheaper than your one for pretty much no performal difference, and is very easily overclockable to higher clock rates if you need the extra processing power.

EVGA 9800GTX+ SSC Edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130386)
Cheaper, massively overclocked, cooler, consumes less power, awesome (your dual SLI 8800GTS at 750W might not be very stable). SLI more than one of these for more awesomeness if you need to, but this should be enough for most games unless you're really going to be crunching frame rates at 1920x1200, even which it can still play as well.

Everything else is looking good, other than the SLI motherboard which, if you follow my video card suggestion you'll be fine with an Asus P5Q (Pro) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299&Tpk=Asus%20P5Q%20Pro), which specs wise is firmly superior, except less the ability to SLI (which you won't need if you're going to buy the 9800GTX+). Your current selection is still reasonable though, but if you're going to SLI I'd suggest buying two of the 9800GTX+ and an 800-850W PSU with active PFC and at least 80% efficiency.

[iamtwan]

Intel Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) is a much more popular quad core choice selection. Cheaper than your one for pretty much no performal difference, and is very easily overclockable to higher clock rates if you need the extra processing power.

EVGA 9800GTX+ SSC Edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130386)
Cheaper, massively overclocked, cooler, consumes less power, awesome (your dual SLI 8800GTS at 750W might not be very stable). SLI more than one of these for more awesomeness if you need to, but this should be enough for most games unless you're really going to be crunching frame rates at 1920x1200, even which it can still play as well.

Everything else is looking good, other than the SLI motherboard which, if you follow my video card suggestion you'll be fine with an Asus P5Q (Pro) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299&Tpk=Asus%20P5Q%20Pro), which specs wise is firmly superior, except less the ability to SLI (which you won't need if you're going to buy the 9800GTX+). Your current selection is still reasonable though, but if you're going to SLI I'd suggest buying two of the 9800GTX+ and an 800-850W PSU with active PFC and at least 80% efficiency.


lets see with your guys suggestions ive made some changes but im still stuck on the Mobo...i think id go with 1 Card for now but i may want to run SLI in the future....soooo what do you think?

CASE: Antec 900 (100)
MOBO:
Asus P5N-T Deluxe 780i SLI (234)?
ASUS P5Q Pro (140)?
ASUS P5Q Deluxe (200)? for $35 more wouldnt the P5N-T be worth it?

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 (190)
GPU: EVGA Geforce 9800 GTX 512mb (230) SLI
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4GB DDR2 1066 (150)
PSU: Antec 850w (140)
Drivers: 22x DVD Burner OEM (30)
CPU COOLING FAN: Zalman CNPS9700 LED 110mm (54)
HDD: Seagate 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA OEM (160)
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate system builders 64-bit (179)

plus:
Intrenal Card Reader (15)
Antec Case Fan (15)
3x SATA II cables (12)
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound OEM (7)

NEW SubTotal Build Price w/out Monitor, Accessories & Rebates: about $1500+ give or take (wow still sooo high)


now my only questions besides the hesitation on the MOBO. is windows SYSTEM BUILDERS ok? and do you think if i wait till black friday i could get better deals on all this @ newegg or tigerdirect?

thanks for the help guys!

[RickyTick]

Well, here's a couple of suggestions.

If you're interested in going SLI at some point, then a good Nvidia motherboard will work great. I don't know that you really need the 780 chipset, but if you like it then take a look at this. Its $220 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

You can get a great SLI mobo for a good bit less money. The 750i is very popular and very reliable. Look at these two.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

I know its smaller, but the Western Digital SE16 Caviar 640gb hard drive is a better drive than that Seagate 1tb, and its only $85. Do you really need that much storage?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Why spend $180 on Vista Ultimate? All you need is Vista Home Premium 64 bit for $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Here's a great psu that will more than handle everything you're wanting and its only $110 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


You can also do without the extra case fan. The 900 cools great with the 4 fans already on there. Trust me.
I don't think you'll need the Artic Silver thermal compound. It should come with the Zalman cpu cooler.
And I'm not sure why you have the SATA cables listed. You shouldn't need them either. iirc

I didn't add it up, but that should save you a good bit of money.

Also, don't forget to check prices on Zipzoomfly.com and Mwave.com. I've found great deals there from time to time.

[iamtwan]

Well, here's a couple of suggestions.

If you're interested in going SLI at some point, then a good Nvidia motherboard will work great. I don't know that you really need the 780 chipset, but if you like it then take a look at this. Its $220 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188024

You can get a great SLI mobo for a good bit less money. The 750i is very popular and very reliable. Look at these two.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

I know its smaller, but the Western Digital SE16 Caviar 640gb hard drive is a better drive than that Seagate 1tb, and its only $85. Do you really need that much storage?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Why spend $180 on Vista Ultimate? All you need is Vista Home Premium 64 bit for $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Here's a great psu that will more than handle everything you're wanting and its only $110 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


You can also do without the extra case fan. The 900 cools great with the 4 fans already on there. Trust me.
I don't think you'll need the Artic Silver thermal compound. It should come with the Zalman cpu cooler.
And I'm not sure why you have the SATA cables listed. You shouldn't need them either. iirc

I didn't add it up, but that should save you a good bit of money.

Also, don't forget to check prices on Zipzoomfly.com and Mwave.com. I've found great deals there from time to time.


nice...ill be sure to keep my eye out on those sites as well...

Is there really no difference between Home Premium and Ultimate?

and yeah the MOBO is the only real thing i cant decide on. but im gonna take a look and compare with the ones you suggested as well.

And what are you thought on the Season Sales coming up? Is it worth it to wait or do they generally not offer awhole lot more?

Thanks

[RickyTick]

Get on the mailing list for Newegg and Zipzoomfly. They have deals every week.

If you need remote access to you pc, then you need Ultimate. Other than that, I don't see any advantage to it. Just don't get Home Basic.

[iamtwan]

Okkk....I think i may have it down now.

Just want to throw it by you before i make the actual purchase....soooo please feel free to make any last suggestions and or comments.


MOBO: ASUS P5N-T Deluxe SLI 780I (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131231) ($209)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017) ($189)
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9800 GTX+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130376) ($200 w/Free copy of Crysis)
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB DDR2 1066 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197) ($149)
CASE: Antec 900 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021) ($105)
HDD: WD 500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073) ($70)
PSU: CORSAIR 750w (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006) ($130)
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488) ($100)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9700 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019) ($54)
Optical Drive LG 22x DVD Burner OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152) ($27)

thats basically it....with a couple cables and some zip ties...

Almost everything is somwhat on sale right now.
Total Including S&H and Tax = $1350 (better than it was i guess)
Also about $100 in rebates!

My only concern is would the PSU still be enough if decided to add another 9800 GTX and go SLI?

Thanks for your help.

[RickyTick]

That's one awesome setup. I'm jealous. :eek:

Yes, that psu will be more the adequate for SLI and more.