First Build- need some help

[Spiffs]

hi, I'm finally ready to make a new build.

I'm going to use this rig for mostly gaming, but it will also be used a lot for internet, homework, and for lots of music (I have literally 1000 songs on iTunes).

And possibly I'll download random software that I need like photoshop and such, but I won't really use it much so its not important

I've been reading some of the build choices that you gave to people for gaming rigs, Jamie. These are some parts that I have found on the web:
BTW- I live in Canada and cannot use newegg.

I still need help choosing RAM...

Processor
Everyday Low Price: $206.99 Promotional Cash Price: $201.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014834&cid=CPU.84
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Socket LGA775, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB, 4MB L2 Cache, 65nm (Retail Box) (BX80557E6750)

MotherBoard
Everyday Low Price: $159.99 Promotional Cash Price: $155.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=015038&cid=MB.157
Asus P5K-E WiFi-AP Socket 775 Intel P35 ICH9R Chipset Dual-Channel DDR2 1066/800/667Mhz GigaLAN 2x PCIe x16 eSATA/SATA 3.0Gb/s Firewire 10x USB 2.0

Video Card
Everyday Low Price: $295.99 Promotional Cash Price: $289.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=016256&cid=999.243.390
Asus EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M nVidia GeForce 8800GT Chipset (600Mhz) 512mb (1800Mhz) DDR2 Dual DVI Display PCI-Express Graphics Card

Hard Drive
Everyday Low Price: $81.99 Promotional Cash Price: $79.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=009467&cid=HD.443.877
Western Digital (WD3200AAKS) Caviar 320GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM)

Optical Drive
Original Price: $60.99 Instant Rebate: - $18.00 Price: $42.99
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2790678&CatId=482
Lite-On LH-20A1P SuperAllwrite DVD Burner - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW, Black


Case
Everyday Low Price: $101.99 Promotional Cash Price: $99.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011391&cid=CS.664
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Ultimate Gamer Case

Power Supply
Everyday Low Price: $111.99 Promotional Cash Price: $109.99 Mail-in-Rebate:
-$10.00 = $99.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=013410&cid=PS.808
Corsair HX Series CMPSU-520HX 520W ATX Triple Power Supply 120MM Fan 12V 50A Continuous 24PIN ATX Modular

Speakers
Everyday Low Price: $25.99 Promotional Cash Price: $24.99
http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=008163&cid=SP.997
Logitech (970153) R-20 2.1 Speaker System - 12W RMS - (Retail Box)

Keyboard/ Mouse combo (might change if necessary)
$36.99
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1543169&Sku=L23-7050
Logitech EX110 Cordless Keyboard and Mouse

Monitor
19" Dell, for 200$ (I might go with something else if it's better for the money)

Operating System
Windows XP service pack 2
Can’t find price

RAM
undecided


I guess this is what I have so far, hope it's good enough and if there are problems in any of it, then go ahead and suggest anything :)
my budget is around $1500 canadian, it could go up a few bucks or hopefully lower, lol

-- Phil

[Jamie Nixx]

Nothing wrong with that build, it will be a beast :D

I swear i have recommended the same spec to five people over the last few days haha XD.

Ram wise, Corsair XMS all the way.

[Jamie Nixx]

Crucial is not as good as Corsair.

There is no Intel Quad that runs at 3.0Ghz that is only $80 more, where are you getting this info from lol.

There is no performance advantage getting 3GB over 2GB, so in essence, its a waste of money, it even makes windows run slower.

64 bit windows XP is the absolute worst operating system ever released.

[Jamie Nixx]

Drove you out of this forum????

Nobody pays retail for their parts????

This is an US based forum, i am from the UK, so how can i advise US members of the forum from my own connections in the UK.

Thousands of people, Hardcore gamers alike shop at retail stores like Newegg.

You said 'for $80 more you can get the 3Ghz Quad i believe' when in your post did you say, i can get you the 3.0 Ghz Quad for only an extra $80???

My comment about the Quad info was in light humour, i said nothing offending to you.

But yet you feel the need to come out with things like your a fool, dorky posts's?

Second rate advice? So just because i use newegg to price their rigs for them it makes my advice second rate? Does that mean Rob's (guy who owns this site) advice is second rate? Newegg advertises on his website. I don't advise people where to buy, they can buy the components wherever they want to.

I apologise if my post offended you in any way.

[RickyTick]

Hey Spiffs. Looks like a terrific setup. Since you download so much music, let me suggest changing the 320gb HD into the 500gb version. At the rate you're going, it will be full in no time. :)

Just a thought.

[Dan]

It seems everyone has an opinion, I just want to say Thanks Jamie for taking the time to help others. Thats a positive in my book.

[jonm888]

Nixx, you sure are a rude guy. Maybe before blasting people on a polite forum you should get into the real business. No one in the business pays retail cost for their parts fool. If he goes through me it's $80 more. Yes, $80 more for the 3Ghz. I don't know how you manage to fit that high horse in your mom's basement, but hopefully after living in the real world you will develop some real business connections. Some people skills would help too buddy.

So keep posting you dorky posts & paying retail cost for your computer parts! It sends more real business to me.

Haha. You arrogant fool. You just drove me out of this forum. I feel bad for the people that took your second rate advice.

For someone talking about being in the real business and living in the real world, you need to be able to take someone's criticism that has a different viewpoint about things.

Jamie gave his opinion and without attacking you.

I'm sorry that you will be leaving this forum with a bitter taste, but I for one think this forum is very helpful to many people.

[Peterjc]

Nothing wrong with that build, it will be a beast :D

I swear i have recommended the same spec to five people over the last few days haha XD.

Ram wise, Corsair XMS all the way.


Why is Corsair the best? and what do you think of Mushkin? Just wondering nothing more.

[Spiffs]

wow, thanks for all the input guys, I'll look up that XMS RAM that you mentioned Jamie -- and I got these parts from serveral gaming rigs that you mentioned to others lol

I'll also consider the 500Gb HD instead of 320Gb

And I don't mean to offend but that rude guy was right about the $80 increase from E6750 to E6850 -- however, that's all he was right about

This is the E6750 $210 (http://canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014834&cid=CPU.84)

And this is the E6850 $289 (http://canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014822&cid=CPU.84)

[Spiffs]

Would it be worth it to upgrade to the E6850 processor instead of E6750? Is there THAT much of a performance boost?

Also, I thought the 8800GT was made by EVGA but the one on the website says : Asus EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M nVidia GeForce 8800GT Chipset (600Mhz) 512mb (1800Mhz) DDR2 Dual DVI Display PCI-Express Graphics Card

Is that the same video card that everyone is talking about?

- just making sure lol

Also, Jamie I don't want to bother you much but I was checking http://www.canadacomputers.com and I searched XMS and there were lots of results, so can you go to that site and pick the appropriate RAM for my build? If it isn't too much trouble for you.

[jonm888]

wow, thanks for all the input guys, I'll look up that XMS RAM that you mentioned Jamie -- and I got these parts from serveral gaming rigs that you mentioned to others lol

I'll also consider the 500Gb HD instead of 320Gb

And I don't mean to offend but that rude guy was right about the $80 increase from E6750 to E6850 -- however, that's all he was right about

This is the E6750 $210 (http://canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014834&cid=CPU.84)

And this is the E6850 $289 (http://canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=014822&cid=CPU.84)
You're right about the 3.0 ghz duo core being $80, but the quad core is $539.99 at newegg, and that's a 2.66 not even 3.0

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115027

I couldn't find it at canadacomputers, but i'm just saying, iI find it really hard to believe anyone could get a quad core 3.0 ghz for $80 more than an E6750

[The Wise Monkey]

There's obviously been a misunderstaning - the E6850 is a dual core, not a quad core. Also, the Q6600 is $279 at the moment, which is an absolute bargain.

I'd actually recommend going for that instead of the E6750.

The way graphics cards work is that several different companies make them and change the specs/features of them they way they want to. So EVGA do an 8800GT, which is almost identical to a BFG 8800GT, but maybe with different clock speeds, different monitor ports etc.

We suggest going for EVGA because they have a 90 day step-up program that allows you to trade in your GFX card within 90 days for a better model. :)


Oh, and this is the RAM Jamie was suggesting:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/main.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=012573&cid=RAM.346.307

[jonm888]

Also, I thought the 8800GT was made by EVGA but the one on the website says : Asus EN8800GT/G/HTDP/512M nVidia GeForce 8800GT Chipset (600Mhz) 512mb (1800Mhz) DDR2 Dual DVI Display PCI-Express Graphics Card


Evga is one of the makers of the 8800 GT. many other companies make them, such as BFG, and Xfx.

[RickyTick]

It is my understanding the Foxconn is manufacturing all the 8800GT cards. XFX, EVGA, et al put their name on it and resale it. Like WM said, they may each tweak it somewhat, but I think they are all identical at this point. I could be wrong.

EVGA is my preference too.

[Jamie Nixx]

Mushkin is excellent ram Peter, but for gaming, there is really no competition, Corsair XMS and Dominator lead the pack in terms of performance, and considering how cheap it is......

If this guy Budgie can get a 3.0Ghz quad for $80 extra, which i find very hard to believe because the only 3.0Ghz quad available are the QX extreme series, then fair play to him, i only recommend parts to people within their budget.

If the quad is $279.99 then go for that, get a good cooler on top and overclock it to 2.8Ghz easy and it will be a blinding CPU.

Spiffs if you double back to his post he said the 3.0Ghz Quad which costs almost a $1000 on its own, which is why i humoured him on the subject and he felt the need to have a go, if he made a mistake then fine, i didn't make the mistake.

EVGA are great, and the step up program could come in handy when the 9 series are released.

Oh and Dan thanks for the support dude :D

P.S Budgie if your reading this apologies if my post offended you in anyway, i am sure it was a simple misunderstanding, it wasn't my intention to make you leave the website, peace x

[Spiffs]

oh, thanks for the responses and thanks for showing me the RAM wise monkey -- and my bad on the quad core misunderstanding, I didn't read closely enough lol
:)

BTW- how do I claim a mail-in-rebate anyways?

-- as for the video card, I can't seem to find the 8800GT under EVGA on canadacomputers.com, oh well

[jonm888]

oh, thanks for the responses and thanks for showing me the RAM wise monkey
:)

BTW- how do I claim a mail-in-rebate anyways?

There will be directions on the rebate form. you usually have to download those forms, send a copy of your receipt and the UPC code on the box. So make sure you cut out the UPC code out of the box before you throw it away. I've thrown away a $30 rebate UPC code and a $20 UPC code in the past 3 months. :mad: so no rebate for me.

[Jamie Nixx]

Our American buds will have to advise you on that Spiffs, i have never understood how it has worked :rolleyes:

Now you see why i suggest that Ram so much, at the price including the rebate, its simply criminal.

[RickyTick]

WARNING

If you buy an EVGA video card, don't throw away the box. Be sure to register it right away too. If you want to take advantage of the Step-up program, the product must be registered and returned in the original box.

[Spiffs]

I get it now, but where exactly would I get those forms (a specific website, at the store during the purchase?). I might be buying it soon since the rebate offer is only until the 30th :eek:

I'll also ask them about the rebate when I buy it

-- also, thanks for the heads up Ricky

-- I'll update you guys when I begin to get parts

[jonm888]

When I purchased online there was a link to the form to download. When i purchased in the store, there were directions on the receipt.

[Spiffs]

oh ok, I guess I'll see what happens when I buy it :)

[Spiffs]

My motherboard is going to have wi-fi,
but if I just want to connect with a cable then can it still be able to do that? or do I need some kind of attachment that's necessary on my MOBO in order for manual connection?

[Jamie Nixx]

No the motherboard will still have an ethernet port on the back.

[Spiffs]

ok thanks