Hardware for New Build

[AppleBlack]

Im not sure if this is the right section to put this in but i think it is. I am building a new rig in the next two months and need some advice on the hardware im thinking of getting.

I already have:

Thermaltake Armor
Hiper Type-R 580W

Im thinking of buying:

EVGA nForce 680i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (122-CK-NF68-A1)
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-8500 1066MHz SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel DDR2
BFG GeForce 8800 GTX OC2 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
Samsung SpinPoint T133 400GB

The CPU will be water cooled but the GPU will not be water cooled.

What do you think of this set up?

Thanks in Advance

[crenn]

If you get that, you need a better PSU.

And why stop at a 8800GTX? Got for a 8800 Ultra!

[AppleBlack]

Any suggestions on a PSU? I was under the assumption that the Hyper Type-R's were very good. Saying that that was a review i read around 3 years ago when i baugh it. To be honest, i never thought about an Ultra, ill have a think, dont know if there worth the extra cash tho.

[.Maleficus.]

If you get that, you need a better PSU.

And why stop at a 8800GTX? Got for a 8800 Ultra!
Not really. Type-R's are very good, and it's what I'm running right now. It does get a tad warm though.

Looks like a very solid gaming computer. Mine is very similar (EVGA 680i SLI, E6600, Type-R, soon to be 8800GT, watercooled (soon)).

[AppleBlack]

What do you think of ur system then? It is very similar, would you change anything about it?

[crenn]

Nothing wrong with the PSU... just not powerful enough!

I'd recommend 650W+

[D1337]

keep the gtx dont go for a ultra, its a waste of money.

The psu will be fine, but it's recommended to go over the top in case you plan to upgrade in the future.

Your weak point is going to be your HDD, I would go for a raptor and possibly get a 250 gig secondary drive for your media like movies and songs.

[cured]

is samsung HDD good as seagate?

[D1337]

WD>seagate>otherbrands

[crenn]

D1337, I disagree:
WD Raptors>Seagate=Normal WDs>other brands.

btw, if you really want performance, just get 2x 8800GTs. Little bit more than the price of a 8800GTX but can produce a lot more performance.

[.Maleficus.]

What do you think of ur system then? It is very similar, would you change anything about it?
Besides the X1600Pro I'm running right now, that I'm swapping out for an 8800GT, I wouldn't change anything.

The Type-R can do 620W, and if there's only 1 GTX in it, it'll suffice. But if you're iffy on it, I'd go with a Corsair myself.

And I'm running a WD.

[AppleBlack]

I was thinking about the raptor, if your building a high spec pc you need a raptor dont you. I think ill keep the Type-R, however if in future i decide to go SLi ill upgrade the PSU.


Besides the X1600Pro I'm running right now, that I'm swapping out for an 8800GT, I wouldn't change anything.

The Type-R can do 620W, and if there's only 1 GTX in it, it'll suffice. But if you're iffy on it, I'd go with a Corsair myself.

And I'm running a WD.

Thanks for that, all in all sounds like a very stable pc then, thanks

Also, with a Raptor, would you install the OS to that or a different drive? Considering the raptors speed id think the raptor, is that right?

[Luke122]

Yes, i'd install on the raptor. All programs will go on the raptor, and any storage of media or whatever will go onto the large drive, since the slower access wont hurt that.

My opinion:

I just built a system with that Motherboard and CPU, and was immediately impressed with the quality of the board, and the performance of the sytem.

I agree that changing to a larger PSU would be a good idea to allow for future upgrades, and if possible, go for 4gb of ram. The difference in price is pretty minimal, and there will come a time when 2gb isnt enough. :)

[Outlaw]

Just throwing my 2cents in here...

Using the calculator in the PSU topic, it says 504W with SLi (using 2 Ultra's). Just have to watch the amps.

I assumed I was over shooting what you are going to be doing.

Q6600
2x1GB DDR2 sticks
High End Desktop Motherboard
2x8800Ultras
2xSata HD's
2xDVD R/W's
Floppy
Soundblaster Audio Card (All Models)
5x120MM HIGH Performance Fans
I didn't do watercooling because I wasn't sure what you were going with. But you still have 80W left if you are going to try saving a little bit of cash. And this is with SLi for Ultras and 5 High Perf. fans. Just thought I would share what I found with my boredom.

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

[crenn]

If he's overclocking, it's going to be more.... way more.

[Outlaw]

IF...didn't specify that so I didn't take it into consideration. Just looking at the cost saving part and if needed the hardware he wants will work with that PSU.

[Scotty]

A very similar build to mine.
(Q6600@3.3, 2GB Ballisitx, 8800GTX, Asus Blitz Formula, Watercooled, 3 hdds inc.1 raptor)
That's my CPU, NB and GPU watercooled.

I would suggest you go for a minimum of 600W PSU, i have a Corsair HX620W, and i think it's just enough from some of the things i have read, it's also amazingly quiet.

What waterblock are you planning on using for the CPU btw?

[khalie]

my suggestion

2x8800GT, 2x2GB 800Mhz DDR2, 2xRaports with Raid0 + Seagate for storage

[AppleBlack]

A very similar build to mine.
(Q6600@3.3, 2GB Ballisitx, 8800GTX, Asus Blitz Formula, Watercooled, 3 hdds inc.1 raptor)
That's my CPU, NB and GPU watercooled.

I would suggest you go for a minimum of 600W PSU, i have a Corsair HX620W, and i think it's just enough from some of the things i have read, it's also amazingly quiet.

What waterblock are you planning on using for the CPU btw?

I was thinking one of the following,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-001-DD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=193
or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-003-DD&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=193

Whats the general feeling with raptors, is there really much difference with the raptors and the raptor x, apart from the clear top? I have never used nor do i know how to set up RAID I understand how they work but have no experience with them but will be something im going to look into.

Onto GPU's. Im unsure as to if i should get 2 GT's or 1 GTX. My monitor is the Samsung 22' 226CW. Am i right in thinking the resolution isnt that big that you would notice much of a difference with the GT or the GTX?

As for the PSU, i dont think im going to jump into getting a new PSU A.S.A.P but i understand a new one will be indispensable if im going to be overclocking or upgrading.

[crenn]

Providing you're running the 8800GTs in SLI, you should see better performance than the 8800GTX for a similar price.

If you do choose to go for SLI, then you will need to get a new PSU. I don't understand why you're not going to watercool the graphics card(s) as well, or do you plan to later do that?

[AppleBlack]

Providing you're running the 8800GTs in SLI, you should see better performance than the 8800GTX for a similar price.

If you do choose to go for SLI, then you will need to get a new PSU. I don't understand why you're not going to watercool the graphics card(s) as well, or do you plan to later do that?

I do plan on doing it yes, the water blocks are £80 each so im going to have to wait a month or 2 to get them.

[AppleBlack]

Heres the new idea, how does two of these sound instead of a GTX?

Link
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-054-BG&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=927

[Spawn-Inc]

it looks like this hasn't been said yet so i will, if you going for sli then stick with that board but if your only going with one video card, or crossfire then get a p35 or x38 chipset board, it has a bit more performance. if you do stick with the board be sure to change out the thermal paste under the n/b and s/b.

also the seagate 410AS's are better than raptors so get a set of them for not only better overall performance but there alot quieter, produce less heat and are way cheaper.

everything else looks good, i would want a higher wattage psu but thats just IMO. by the time i have the cash if nothing is better at the time i'm going with a 8800utlra and W/C setup to overclock like a mad man.

if you wait, which i think you said you are, wait for the new 45nm quads. get the Q9450, i know i am.

my system is running great for what it is. but like it says in my sig i plan to upgrade once i get cash.

[AppleBlack]

new twist, ive just purchased 2 EVGA 8800GTS 512's so im going to run them 2 in SLi. How does that sound?