NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
Edit, The following build no longer applies.  Please see the bottom of this OP for the CURRENT BUILD.

NemeSiS-Factor wrote:

Alright, I'm going for it.  Doing a brand new build of my tower with a $1500 budget.  So just the tower.  No I/O accessories.
After some deliberation, I have come down to the following list for my new hardware.  I want your guys' input so I can order this stuff by Sunday night.

Here we go:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6819115017
CPU -  I want a quad core.  Can you blame me?  I chose this one because it is an awesome price for 4 P4s stuck together, and I know a lot of new apps and games will feature multi-core support.  So even though it has a lower frequency than a similarly prices dual-core, overall it would be faster with multi-core games.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6813186134
Motherboard  -  I fell on this mobo because I'm actually thinking ahead for once.  It is the only board on newegg that has three PCIE 2.0 slots, and supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory.  I am only getting 2 video cards and 2GBs of DDR2, but when DDR3 is more of a standard and the price has dropped, I may get me some.  I also may grab another 9600 later too. And that system bus heat pipe looks sick.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820227089
Memory  -  Cheap memory with a low latency.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6811144184
Case  -  Just because I like that LCD gauge on the front.  If you have another suggestion because of differing aesthetic choice (or lower price) make sure it's a full tower.  I'm not married to this one.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6814130328
Graphics  -  Getting two of these.  Might get another one later unless the 9800's are ridiculously cheap like these are.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6817226002
Power Supply  -  I'm not sure what kind of output I'm going to need here.  I picked a mid range PSU, but if it looks like it won't cut it, speak up.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6822136074
Hard Drive  -  I got this HDD last time, and I'm a-lookin to raid 'em.  May get another later if it looks like I'm going to need more than a TB (with my older drives)

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6827106095
DVD  -  I might get two of these, I haven't decided yet.  I know it isn't a burner, but If I ever find the need to burn one, I have my parent's laptop for that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6835200037
CPU cooler  -  This one just looks badass.  50% chance of me not liking it, or it's just too damn big.
   or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6835200037
CPU cooler  -  This one got awesome reviews.  I'm just not sure if either of these are going to clear that enormous North Bridge cooler on that Foxconn board.

Besides some stuff I might add in (like cold cathodes or something), I think thats it.  Hurry with your feedback guys, the order goes out Sunday night

**Be nice, I'm new to this ;P

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 23:10:08)

Jenspm
penis
+1,716|7011|St. Andrews / Oslo

I would get an e8400 or wait for the e8500 tbh.

And I don't know much about graphics, but I would rather get one 8800GTX than two 9600's in SLi.
https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/26774/flickricon.png https://twitter.com/phoenix/favicon.ico
nukchebi0
Пушкин, наше всё
+387|6602|New Haven, CT
Motherboard=no
Graphics card=no
CPU cooler=no

I don't know for the motherboard.
Get an 8800GT or 8800GTS for the card with what you save on the motherboard.
Get a better CPU cooler. Try the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro or Thermalright 120.
NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
I'm definitely getting a motherboard with PCIE 2.0.  And I was planning on getting two 9600's and maybe another one later for a triple-SLI.  Two 9600GT's outperform an 8800GTX, and it's cheaper.

And I think I like the quad core better for the CPU.  I think there is going to be a lot more multi-core support fairly soon.

Do you guys have any other suggestions for a mobo/GPU setup?  I'm thinking expandability.  If I get a motherboard without PCIE 2, I will have to get a brand new one when I move up to the 9k gfx cards.

Edit:  Only a $40 difference for two of these instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130082
But will it work in a PCIE 2 slot?

Edit2:  Or there is this one, which WILL work in a PCIE2, and is cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814150276
But what is better?  two 8800GS' or two 9600GTS'?

OR

The 8800GT, but two of those would be a bit high.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814127329

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 01:21:39)

kylef
Gone
+1,352|6772|N. Ireland
I'd get a Wolfdale CPU instead of the Q6600 (think: E8400). PSU - I'd look at something else of a more reputable brand. Also, why get a DVD-ROM when a Dual Layer DVD-RW is next to nothing extra in price?
NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
The DVD drive I picked is a SATA  interface.  SATA DVD-RW's are upwars of $30.

And that is the the only quad core processor out there that isn't more than $300.
r'Eeee
That's how I roll, BITCH!
+311|6727

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.

Last edited by r'Eeee (2008-02-24 02:02:06)

NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US

r'Eeee wrote:

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.
THANK YOU for that.  That is something I would have missed and gotten pissed about.  I'll pick a new board, probably something with 2x PCIE 2.0.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6813131232
New motherboard.  So Much for my eventual DDR3 and triple SLI.  Maybe my next board.....

I DO intend to carry out my dual 9600 plan however.

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 02:32:07)

02fxnmaurer
Member
+75|6760|Birmingham UK
To be honest my friend that setup is awful ...do not buy it repeat do not buy it.....

r'Eeee wrote:

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.
1)the quad core is been brought excessively because it has 4 cores and is futre-proof but the new e8's series completeli out-performs it in games
get the e8400 ..which is way cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6819115037                                         $240

2)the mobo isnt even sli...and the new p35 chipsets are much preferred over the x38's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … rce%2b750i               $159

get tht instead it has the nforce chipset so can run sli etc and can handle all the latest processors ...plus its cheaper

3) Yes memory is very cheap atm ...but 2gb in a system like that ..with the money uve saved in the above two components go for 4gb at least of ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820227199                    $104

4) That case looks awful tbh .....get a good one for a tad more  ...there cheap in comparison and look great and they do the business just fit it with a modular control panel and ur away..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6811119138             $190

     
5)why the need to go sli......a single gtx will cain those 9600's....if sli is a must get two 8800gt's at least...otherwhise a single gtx or a single gt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130072                    $410

6)go with a psu with a good brand....i havent really heard of a sigma shark...but with a board runnin sli and connected to a potential few hd's...u need a sturdy psu go for a corsair or even better....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817194019                    $320


7)harddrive is sweet maybe check the sata compatibility though...                             $75

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6822136074

8) Disc Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6827106095                    $18

and tbh a cpu cooler isnt really needed with an e8400...unless ur heavily overclocking...so yer thts myy recommendation...it took me a while rofl ...
all for $1517 with the potential to save more after rebate....which will bring it below ur 1500 mark.....adjustment of gfx confirguration...can be done i.e runnin 2 x 9600's will cost 360 instead of 410 for the gtx....

hope this helped....

02

Last edited by 02fxnmaurer (2008-02-24 03:09:07)

Kurazoo
Pheasant Plucker
+440|6963|West Yorkshire, U.K

02fxnmaurer wrote:

To be honest my friend that setup is awful ...do not buy it repeat do not buy it.....

r'Eeee wrote:

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.
1)the quad core is been brought excessively because it has 4 cores and is futre-proof but the new e8's series completeli out-performs it in games
get the e8400 ..which is way cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6819115037                                         $240

2)the mobo isnt even sli...and the new p35 chipsets are much preferred over the x38's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … rce%2b750i               $159

get tht instead it has the nforce chipset so can run sli etc and can handle all the latest processors ...plus its cheaper

3) Yes memory is very cheap atm ...but 2gb in a system like that ..with the money uve saved in the above two components go for 4gb at least of ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820227199                    $104

4) That case looks awful tbh .....get a good one for a tad more  ...there cheap in comparison and look great and they do the business just fit it with a modular control panel and ur away..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6811119138             $190

     
5)why the need to go sli......a single gtx will cain those 9600's....if sli is a must get two 8800gt's at least...otherwhise a single gtx or a single gt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130072                    $410

6)go with a psu with a good brand....i havent really heard of a sigma shark...but with a board runnin sli and connected to a potential few hd's...u need a sturdy psu go for a corsair or even better....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817194019                    $320


7)harddrive is sweet maybe check the sata compatibility though...                             $75

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6822136074

8) Disc Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6827106095                    $18

and tbh a cpu cooler isnt really needed with an e8400...unless ur heavily overclocking...so yer thts myy recommendation...it took me a while rofl ...
all for $1517 with the potential to save more after rebate....which will bring it below ur 1500 mark.....adjustment of gfx confirguration...can be done i.e runnin 2 x 9600's will cost 360 instead of 410 for the gtx....

hope this helped....

02
Yeh I think 02 has the right idea here, I would much rather go with a trusty P35 and e8400

Have fun building
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6732|The Twilight Zone
X38 is better than P35. X38 also supports pci-e 2.0 which those 9600 have.
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
02fxnmaurer
Member
+75|6760|Birmingham UK
fair point sup.... ..but tbh why 2 9600's...
.Sup
be nice
+2,646|6732|The Twilight Zone

02fxnmaurer wrote:

fair point sup.... ..but tbh why 2 9600's...
Well if he goes with 2 9600s, he needs to get a SLi mobo anyway so all those P35, X38 are out. far better choice would be getting one HD3870x2, later you still have the chance to add another card if you wish, besides those Intel chips are better than nvidia's for overclocking.
https://www.shrani.si/f/3H/7h/45GTw71U/untitled-1.png
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|6846|NYC / Hamburg

Lets just clear up the confusion here.

SLI only runs on nvidia chipsets (650i, 680i, 750i, 780i)
for intel chipsets x48>x38>p35
PCI-e 2.0 holds no benefits for todays cards. They can't even saturate a PCI-e 1.0 8x port (PCI-e 2.0 16x is 4 times faster)

quad cores in games won't be supported for quiet some time. If you build this machine for gaming only a e8400 is a way better choice. If you heavily multitask a quad is a better choice (like me, I pretty much always run something intensive on cores 2 & 3 leaving 0 & 1 free for gaming). Also you should know that quads are pretty bad at overclocking, especially on nvidia chipsets

Get 4GB ram or maybe even 8GB. It's cheap and vista eats ram like crazy

Get a 8800GT 512MB or a 8800GTS 512MB. They do outperform the 9600GT by a fair amount and are about as fast as a 8800GTX/Ultra. SLI is pretty much a waste of money unless you play at really high resolutions. tri-sli doesn't really give you any tangible benefits. Also think about AMD gfx cards. They are the only ones ATM that support directX 10.1. Especially the 3870X2 is a sweet card

Get a proper PSU

Get a DVD-RW drive
once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot  xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|6860|SE London

No, no, no.

Don't get that.
']['error
Banned
+630|6922|The Netherlands

Kurazoo wrote:

02fxnmaurer wrote:

To be honest my friend that setup is awful ...do not buy it repeat do not buy it.....

r'Eeee wrote:

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.
1)the quad core is been brought excessively because it has 4 cores and is futre-proof but the new e8's series completeli out-performs it in games
get the e8400 ..which is way cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6819115037                                         $240

2)the mobo isnt even sli...and the new p35 chipsets are much preferred over the x38's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … rce%2b750i               $159

get tht instead it has the nforce chipset so can run sli etc and can handle all the latest processors ...plus its cheaper

3) Yes memory is very cheap atm ...but 2gb in a system like that ..with the money uve saved in the above two components go for 4gb at least of ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820227199                    $104

4) That case looks awful tbh .....get a good one for a tad more  ...there cheap in comparison and look great and they do the business just fit it with a modular control panel and ur away..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6811119138             $190

     
5)why the need to go sli......a single gtx will cain those 9600's....if sli is a must get two 8800gt's at least...otherwhise a single gtx or a single gt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130072                    $410

6)go with a psu with a good brand....i havent really heard of a sigma shark...but with a board runnin sli and connected to a potential few hd's...u need a sturdy psu go for a corsair or even better....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817194019                    $320


7)harddrive is sweet maybe check the sata compatibility though...                             $75

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6822136074

8) Disc Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6827106095                    $18

and tbh a cpu cooler isnt really needed with an e8400...unless ur heavily overclocking...so yer thts myy recommendation...it took me a while rofl ...
all for $1517 with the potential to save more after rebate....which will bring it below ur 1500 mark.....adjustment of gfx confirguration...can be done i.e runnin 2 x 9600's will cost 360 instead of 410 for the gtx....

hope this helped....

02
Yeh I think 02 has the right idea here, I would much rather go with a trusty P35 and e8400

Have fun building
That, plus 4 gigs of ram.
NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US

02fxnmaurer wrote:

To be honest my friend that setup is awful ...do not buy it repeat do not buy it.....

r'Eeee wrote:

Correct me, if I am wrong. But, I don't think you can do SLI with the X38. So, you might as well go with a single GT.
1)the quad core is been brought excessively because it has 4 cores and is futre-proof but the new e8's series completeli out-performs it in games
get the e8400 ..which is way cheaper
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6819115037                                         $240

2)the mobo isnt even sli...and the new p35 chipsets are much preferred over the x38's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … rce%2b750i               $159

get tht instead it has the nforce chipset so can run sli etc and can handle all the latest processors ...plus its cheaper

3) Yes memory is very cheap atm ...but 2gb in a system like that ..with the money uve saved in the above two components go for 4gb at least of ddr2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820227199                    $104

4) That case looks awful tbh .....get a good one for a tad more  ...there cheap in comparison and look great and they do the business just fit it with a modular control panel and ur away..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6811119138             $190

     
5)why the need to go sli......a single gtx will cain those 9600's....if sli is a must get two 8800gt's at least...otherwhise a single gtx or a single gt

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814130072                    $410

6)go with a psu with a good brand....i havent really heard of a sigma shark...but with a board runnin sli and connected to a potential few hd's...u need a sturdy psu go for a corsair or even better....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817194019                    $320


7)harddrive is sweet maybe check the sata compatibility though...                             $75

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6822136074

8) Disc Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a … 6827106095                    $18

and tbh a cpu cooler isnt really needed with an e8400...unless ur heavily overclocking...so yer thts myy recommendation...it took me a while rofl ...
all for $1517 with the potential to save more after rebate....which will bring it below ur 1500 mark.....adjustment of gfx confirguration...can be done i.e runnin 2 x 9600's will cost 360 instead of 410 for the gtx....

hope this helped....

02
I appreciate your guys' input.  I'll make some changes here before I make my order.  Probably base it on this list.  Except for that case ;p.  I'm just not a fan of contemporary.  Unless that's brushed aluminum on the panels there?  I cannot ignore any brushed aluminum, no matter what it is on.

And another note, I heard somewhere that pair of 9600's will outperform an 8800GTX.  I think it was a little bar graph or something on Newegg.  It certainly is cheaper.  Because from what you guys have suggested, I should either get an 8800GTX (~$500) or two 8800GT's (~$220 each).  But do you know if a pair of 9600GT's (only $180 each) would actually do that much worse, if not better?  And with the money I would be saving, I could afford that beastly power supply ;p

Edit:  I have been using Rosewill PSU's and they have never failed me.  There are 950W units half the price of the suggested one.

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 09:48:35)

emumano101
Member
+7|6810|um my dads house
dude plz plz dont get the 9600gt sli trust me ill go with 2 8800GT or just get one 8800GTX great card and then save some money and get the other 8800GTX or just wait to get the 9800GTX
CrazeD
Member
+368|6951|Maine
Don't let PCIe 2.0 be your selling point. No video cards exceed the current bandwidth, so there won't be any difference.
Kurazoo
Pheasant Plucker
+440|6963|West Yorkshire, U.K

emumano101 wrote:

dude plz plz dont get the 9600gt sli trust me ill go with 2 8800GT or just get one 8800GTX great card and then save some money and get the other 8800GTX or just wait to get the 9800GTX
Yeh and SLI doesnt always work right, My friend ran COD4 on 1 card, then on two. It was better on the one card for some reason
NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
Alright, I'm going with 02fxnmaurer's setup, with a couple of changes.  I'm getting two 8800GT's and 4GB of Adata RAM, which is a little cheaper but with the same latency, and comes with a free flash drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6814127329
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820211188

Also, that price on that PSU was outrageous.  Rosewill is a good name IMO, and this one is $90 off BEFORE an $80 mail in.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6817182097

I am ordering everything but the motherboard, DVD drives, and processor tonight.  That speciific dual-core is out of stock ATM, and those other two items are normal price.  So by the time they come in, they may be on sale or there may be a better option.

.....Or you know, out of stock.

I'm ordering these parts at 11:00PM PST (3:30 from now) so anything constructive would be appreciated!

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 20:28:39)

nukchebi0
Пушкин, наше всё
+387|6602|New Haven, CT
Rosewill PSUs are useless fail.

Get a Seasonic. Paying a lot for a PSU is a good idea. It saves you money in the long run.

If you could post the entire set-up again in the first post, that would be useful as well.

Last edited by nukchebi0 (2008-02-24 20:27:42)

NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
I've been using a cheaper Rosewill for a couple years now with no problems.  The new one I picked is a $300 unit.  Not a cheap one.

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 20:29:16)

nukchebi0
Пушкин, наше всё
+387|6602|New Haven, CT
A 650W Seasonic would be fine.

This is a much better PSU to get.

An Evga card would would also be a good idea.

Last edited by nukchebi0 (2008-02-24 20:41:10)

NemeSiS-Factor
Favorite Weapon? Pistol
+29|6948|Everett, WA, US
I originally had two EVGA 9600GS' picked out, but people screamed "No! Don't do it!"  The EVGA 8800GT's are too much more, this MSI is a great deal and has the best stock VGA cooler you can get.

I'm kind of wary of going down to 650W.  I think thats the size of my current Rosewill.  I might as well just recycle this one if I step it down.

Edit:  Yeah it's a 600W Rosewill with SLI support.

Last edited by NemeSiS-Factor (2008-02-24 21:37:48)

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