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Gaming Computer

commo27

commo27

New member
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Location
SSJ
Moto(s)
03 600rr
Hey guys, speaking about all this computer building, i am slowly buying parts for a new high end gaming computer. The problem i have is what PSU and Case to buy and how to cool the system. Everyone recomends water cooling but i dont know much about it. Here is my list so far with prices. What do you guys think?

1. CPU
• Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 4M Dual Core 1066MHz ($279)

2. MOBO
• eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR (nvidias only true SLI board ($243)

3. MEM
• CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($389)

4. HDD
• Western Digital Raptor 10k rpm 74GB SATA Hard Drive ($150)

5. VIDEO
• NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GTX ($594)

6. CASE
•

7. PSU
• SILVERSTONE ST75F ATX12V/ EPS12V 750W Power Supply ($189)

8. CPU COOLER
• Zalman CNPS 9500 LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler($51.49)
 
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No, although it's a dual-core, it's not the Core2Duo. I'd spend the extra 100 bucks for the Core2Duo.

I prefer AMD's though. Have looked in that direction? You should.

Also, why not go with Intel or ASUS for boards. Why go with anything else for a home based gaming machine?

You're going to need a 650watt at least for PSU to power that sick video card. I really like those Thermatake's Modular PSU (750 or 1100 watt). It's the way PSU's should be. Only using the neccessary cables.

Confused on the HDD choice. Are you striping 2 drives? If you're going to run single, should get a larger drive, unless you're planning run that as master/system and add a slave later. Also, I am going to assume that WD Raptor is 10k, if you go 10k, I'd recommend Seagate, although you'd be fine with standard 7200RPM SATA2 drive either manufacturer.

I never got into water cooling. So don't know much benefits. Just looks like a pain in the ass. Maybe when the quad-cores come out.
 
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thanks for the input on the core2duo. i didn't realize there was a difference between that and dual core.

As for the board, nvidia and evga worked together to make this board TRUE SLI.
Best board for gaming according to all the research i have done.

As for the HDD, i went with the Raptor since it is a 10k rpm drive. Size wise, i have external hdd for all my storage
 
you guys are awesome, i just looked at the core2 duos and found all the specs and graphs. good prices also!!! thanks guys
 
Intel 975XBX2 $240

Corsair DDR800 2GB $285

Thermatake PSU the modular ones, the 750 watt version $180

My 2 cents, I'd go for the 975XBX2's above. And that Thermatake PSU with modular hookups.

nVidia worked with a lot of board manufacturers. Not just eVGA.

As for Raptors, that's SATA? Not SCSI?

If it's a 10K drive, please, run Seagates, WD's are great but they'll burn out quicker than the Seagates. And definitely run an intake fan to cool the drive.
 
1. CPU
• Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 4M Dual Core 1066MHz ($279)
This is a good choice CPU thats what im pimpin. I have it overclocked at 2.8 right now steady @ 41C on air while im typing this out.

2. MOBO
• eVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR (nvidias only true SLI board ($243) you should get this mother board instead Asus Striker if u really want to go all out on the mother board. Asus offers some good Intel ATi Crossfire and they are introducing the lastest motherboards for SLI set ups. You dont need watercooled if ur not going to overclock too much.

3. MEM
• CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($389) wow.. PC8500. should be good enough. Im running PC 6400. Plenty of room to overclock.

4. HDD
• Western Digital Raptor 10k rpm 74GB SATA Hard Drive ($150)
they make 150Gig raptors now. I dont personally like Western digital too much but i would buy this hard drive just because of the specs. Great for gaming.


5. VIDEO
• NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GTX ($594)
very great card.

6. CASE
•
Case.. i can care less about a case as long as its not too flasy and dumb looking. I like them kinda normal. As long as i can fit everything that im gonna put in there. Plus its what the heart of the beast can do not look like. I use to be in dressing up the cases but not anymore.

7. PSU
• SILVERSTONE ST75F ATX12V/ EPS12V 750W Power Supply ($189)
I run this: [cpu, mobo, ram, dvd drive, 2HD's, graphic card, sound card, TV tuner] and im running a 550 Antec Neo HE Power supply. Just make sure u get a 2.0 and above otherwise ull be short 4 pin connectors when ur trying to connect the main power cable to the motherboard. Also i would recomend something nice that can remove the cables from the back so you dont have all the power cables in ur motherboard and only those that u need. You would need something nice where you can handle both SLI cards.


8. CPU COOLER
• Zalman CNPS 9500 LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler($51.49)
I wouldnt mind one of these myself. Probably the next upgrade i will be doing my self.

You should look at getting a sound card as well. Really helps with the gaming. I have the Creative X-Fi(platinum: Gaming and Music) sound card. There are the Xfi series for 100 bucks i think. They also have a sound card with 128MB of dedicated memory on the sound card which will remove some load of ur system memory. Id get that card but at teh time they only offered the package with the tower controls for 300 bucks and i only wanted the board not the whole set up.
 
Wow, i am liking that striker. Also a 680i board...Awesome

I am also going to go with seagate drives. Everyone likes them better.

Thanks for the advice of the sound card. i was just going to stick with the onboard but i didnt realize the use of system resources.
 
Another heads up. If ur going SLI u should buy both cards at the same time. Also ask them if they can check if they are from the same batch. Sometimes manufactures label the revs on their box. Nvidia SLI solution is VERY picky on cards. To be able to use SLI u need the same manufacture cards. Ive read of instances where having the same batch helps alot and at times because they are different batches SLI wont work properly.

Also i have seen external power supplies for the Nvidia set up. Imagine a box like a laptop AC power box. You could also go that route.
 
Nastradamus said:
Another heads up. If ur going SLI u should buy both cards at the same time. Also ask them if they can check if they are from the same batch. Sometimes manufactures label the revs on their box. Nvidia SLI solution is VERY picky on cards. To be able to use SLI u need the same manufacture cards. Ive read of instances where having the same batch helps alot and at times because they are different batches SLI wont work properly.

Click to expand...

I started doing some research a few weeks back and that exactly what the reviewers were saying.

For what it's worth, I love my 7900GTX.
 
PC mag this month built a budget gaming rig and they used 6800's in sli. It did better than a solo card on a couple games, a few others it made no difference at all. Guess it depends on what you like to play but it is possible to save a few bucks and get decent performance out of a sli rig.
If it was handy I'd dig it out and get the real specs of the cards if anyone cares.
 
Hey Brian, Ill have to come over and check it out and see what you got....

Looks like there is always a bunch of research to do and by time you figure it out..Something new is on the market that boasts its better

I wont be running SLI right away, Going to use only one card until i find a very good reason to throw in another one
 
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