Potentially building a gaming rig, opinions?

[chaksq]

I'm thinking of building a new gaming rig. Killergamer helped come up with a list of parts for a machine I might build, with a few revisions I discussed with him I have a tentative list of parts.

Motherboard: MSI K9A2 Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130136
$169.99

Processor: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3Ghz Quad Core
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103244
$239.99

GPU: I'm thinking of an ATi 3850 chipset in the form of the HIS Hightech H385QX512NP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161215
I may later grab a second of these cards so I can use more monitors or run in CrossFire mode.
$229.99

RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC Edition (2x 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231
I'm actually getting a deal on this, my friend bought this already but his motherboard didn't support it so he's willing to sell it to me for $40 which is $10 below the rebate price.

PSU: Cooler Master RS-650-ACAA-A1 (650W)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817171023
$199.99

Thats all the parts I think I need to buy. I already have a case in the form of a used NZXT Apollo (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146028) I was given. For the HD and optical drive I am going to use parts I salvaged from a busted eMachine (250gb IDE HD and DVD RW). The idea is to build a strong base for a gaming computer with what I have then maybe later upgrade some of the stuff with more and better stuff when I am making more money in the summer. Also like I said I might get a second graphics card mostly for a multi-monitor setup but so I can run CrossFire if I want (the motherboard will support up to 4 GPUs in CrossFire). I also might get more RAM and SATA HDs.

Again props to KillerGamer for helping me come up with this, if anyone needs help designing a system catch him in the Chatroom.

[crenn]

It's been shown that the Phenoms have a flaw. If you plan to get a Phenom, then wait for the new released due Q1 2008.

The Q6600 currently out performs any current generation Phenom and has no faults.
If you decide that you go intel, look at the P35 chipset or 780i.

The graphics card is ok, but you may want to look at a 8800GT. If you're willing to spend an extra $30, you can get a EVGA 8800GT.

The RAM is good and will allow you to overclock if you want to.

I worry a little about the power supply. Can I recommend a silverstone PSU?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256035

[Scotty]

Agreeing with Crenn on the Phenoms, they have issues. PLus don't perform anything like a Q6600.

So go with a Q6600 and a P35/X38 board, if you plan on overclocking like mad and don't need SLi. If 780i's are anything like the 680i then overclocking a Quadcore will be a pain. You could struggle to hit 3GHz. Half the time you don't need more than one card, Crossfire would be nice quad Quad Xfire will most likely be a waste. P325 and X38 will support standard 2 card set-ups for ATi.

If you want to game, Then Maybe a higher spec card, i have no idea what resolution you will be gaming at so the 3850 could be enough. Maybe you would want to jump to a 3870, or as Crenn said a 8800GT.

[armadilloben]

i love the ka92 its a beatiful board i jus got it on thusdayi tested it out yesterday with my 3600 brisbane its stock at 1.8 and i got it to boot at 2.57!

[chaksq]

Thanks for the heads up on the quad cores, I think I'm going to go with a dual core instead considering most "quad cores" out currently aren't truely quad cores. So that being said I'm going to stick with AMD and the motherboard I already picked out.

Yea the PSU sounds better, I kinda just went with what killergamer gave me. I like the modular PSU better anyways.

With the GPU, a friend of mine said it well. I can buy a high end graphics card like the nVidia 8800 for way too much money and a year from now it will be worth way less than I paid for it. Or I can get something much cheaper like the ATi 3850 which has great reviews (http://www.legitreviews.com/article/591/1/), and will still play most games like Crysis or Call of Duty 4 very well. Plus I am set on grabbing a second card later, not just for CrossFire which I personally think is better than nVidia's SLi based on my research, but I also want to run a large multi monitor setup, including an LCD in my case for stats. BTW the monitor I will be running as main for a while is a 19" CRT untill I can upgrade.

Also I agree on not having four cards in CrossFire. I do however want to have a huge multi-monitor setup someday when I have a future house so when this is no longer good for decent gaming I'll get a total of 4 video cards (once all of this stuff is horribly outdated) to support like 8 monitors. No real reason for this just something I think would be neat in the future.

[crenn]

How do you define "true quad cores"? It's something a little that annoys me. The Intel Core 2 Quads may not have all the cores on the same silicon chip, but it's actually good that way, it's lower production costs and it still gives you 4 cores in the one CPU. AMDs "true quad core" in my personal opinion just a marketing ploy.
Getting a dual core AMD now and then later upgrading to the new Phenoms might be a good move.

The 8800 prices have come down quite a bit and it's still a good option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318
As I said, the card is only $30 more than the 3850 and it outperforms the current 3870. It's your choice.

Doesn't all computer hardware lose it's value over time? You think the 3850 would be different?

The most an average user needs is 2 maybe 3 monitors. Any more is a bit of an overkill.

[Greco101]

I'd take the Q6600 over the AMD... same price too.

EDIT: I need to start reading posts all the way through...

Crenn hit it on the head... 8800GT and Q6600.

[chaksq]

Yeah I'm not totally sure on the quad-core technology but thats what I've been told. I was actually thinking of possibly doing what you said with getting the dual core then upgrading to the next generation of Phenom.

With the current newegg rebate on the 3850 I'm looking at a $50 difference from the 8800 which is for me a big difference and for two cards that difference becomes $100. I only currently plan on 3-4 monitors including one built into the case. Not to mention the ATi cards use less power and run cooler.

Looking at some testing 2x 3850 CrossFire ($460) can out perform a 8800 Ultra (starting @ $650 on newegg). Also in general I have this random urge to not follow the crowd and do the same thing everyone one's doing, no real logic to it but I can't stand having being completely the same as everyone else.

[Quakken]

I would like to say that AMD is decent right now, but i really hate to blatantly lie.

If you want the best tech RIGHT NOW, then you're going to have to go intel/nvidia.

But if you do go amd/ati right now, i would applaud you. I like the way the 3870x2 is looking right now so you may want to wait for its release, as well as perhaps wait for some more AMD stuff, like the 9900 which will be more expensive but better than the q6600. I would also wait for more AM2+ boards that can overclock better, as right now, after looking at the current stuff on newegg, even small overclocks cause the current stuff to crash.

I don't know what to tell you. The AMD/ATi fanboy in me wants me to tell you to go for the spider platform (it can only get better), but for the here and now you will want the energy hogging 8800gt, with the technologically superior q6600.

[chaksq]

Ok here is my final list. Can I get an opinion on the PSU, I plan on running 2 GPUs eventually. I am only buying one to start with.

MSI K9A2 (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813130136) $174.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0ghz Dual Core (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773) $159.99

HIS Radeon HD 3850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161216) $219.99

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 2gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227231) $40.00 [Buying from a friend who got it but couldn't use it.]

SilverStone Strider 750w modular (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5200/psu-219/SilverStone_Strider_ST75F_750W_Modular_Power_Suppl y_Unit_-_SLi_Ready.html?tl=g11c26s214#blank) $159.00 [Getting from FrozenCPU because I am about 20min from their warehouse.]

Edit: I might grab a cheap SATA HD because all I can spare at the moment is a 13gb IDE drive, I have a 250gb but it's 6 hours away from me currently, and I won't be going there for another 2 months. I was thinking of this: Seagate Barracuda 250gb 7200rpm SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262)

[xRyokenx]

Here's a little bit of advice... build a gaming rig to use only for gaming and multimedia. Get/use another computer for surfing the web and all that. I've gotta reinstall Windows on mine again, lol. Hooray.

[chaksq]

Here's a little bit of advice... build a gaming rig to use only for gaming and multimedia. Get/use another computer for surfing the web and all that. I've gotta reinstall Windows on mine again, lol. Hooray.Thats a good idea, I was kind of planning on that anyway. I still have the two laptops I've been using, I might try to run synergy between the gateway and the new rig so I can use my desktop keyboard for the internet.

[Spawn-Inc]

thats a good psu, here review, only 1 i could find.

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?type=3&id=124&page=1&desc=silverstone_strider_750w_st75f_psu

and those seagate drives are great! i have 2 of them and there quiet, slim, and produce little heat. currently at 28C each with a 120mm over them.

[chaksq]

thats a good psu, here review, only 1 i could find.

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?type=3&id=124&page=1&desc=silverstone_strider_750w_st75f_psu

and those seagate drives are great! i have 2 of them and there quiet, slim, and produce little heat. currently at 28C each with a 120mm over them.

Thank you for that review, that has convinced me this is the PSU I want. While it is probably more power than I need at the moment it has plenty of expandability for any future needs of this system. I'll probably add more storage and already have plans for another GPU.

[Spawn-Inc]

np.

thats why i grabbed my psu, extra power should i need it.

[Scotty]

Still not sure on the AMD but meh.. Your PC :)

[Fuganater]

I really like Seagate. Most of my HDs are either Seagate or Western Digital.

Now my personal preference is for NVIDIA and Intel. I've never had a problem with any Intel chip/chipset ever or on a GPU. NVIDIA goes as far back as around the 6000 series for me. (I'm only 20). I did once own a AMD, was a Sempron 1.1GHz/1066MHz FSB and man did it suck. At first it was ok but it got outdated like 1 month after I bought it. (Was almost $200 at the time I got it.) After that I said I would never get AMD again.

So currently I have a E6600 C2D and a Q6700 C2Quad and for GPU I have a XFX 8700 GT 256MB and I'm waiting for my EVGA 8800 GT 512MB Superclocked to come on Monday. And my Dad has a Pentium D and a XFX 8500 GT 512MB GUP.

Like I said its a person preferance but if you like ATI and AMD, go for it.

[chaksq]

Well my order came in yesterday and I picked up my PSU today! I'm so excited.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02492.jpg
As soon as I finish my calculus homework this is getting put together.

[Ap1thy]

shouldve gone for an aftermarket cooler for that 6000+, it runs quite hot from what I am told, nice choices otherwise

[chaksq]

shouldve gone for an aftermarket cooler for that 6000+, it runs quite hot from what I am told, nice choices otherwiseWell I can always get one later, I won't be overclocking anything right away. One I get it setup I can monitor the temps, I'll stop using it if the temps are too high. I do have 3 120mm fans in the case for some decent airflow already. I may eventually do liquid cooling after I add the second video card.

Also update I've started setting this up, everything is in place I haven't connected any wires yet. I want to take some time and get it real organized when I do. I'll probably finish this up tomorrow.

[crenn]

Love the PSU, I have the 850W of that one myself ;3

[chaksq]

Up and running, I'll let the pictures do the talking.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02502.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02503.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02504.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02505.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02506.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02507.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02512.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02513.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02514.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02516.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02517.jpg

[xRyokenx]

Sweet rig, dude!

[Spawn-Inc]

nice, now get the following information!

3DMark06
Aquamark 3D
How it runs on Crysis
temps
And
Max Overclocks :)

nice by the way, i can't wait for my q6600 upgrade coming soon (not ordered but i will have the cash soon!)

PS. don't forget to rip off all heatsinks and add some Arctic Silver 5 and Lap what you can!

PPS.
Up and running, I'll let the pictures do the talking.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p67/chaksq/DSC02512.jpg



is it just me or is your video card bending pretty bad?

[killergamer]

Yea it is? its because of the case and motherboard aligning wrong I bet

[chaksq]

nice, now get the following information!

3DMark06
Aquamark 3D
How it runs on Crysis
temps
And
Max Overclocks :)

nice by the way, i can't wait for my q6600 upgrade coming soon (not ordered but i will have the cash soon!)

PS. don't forget to rip off all heatsinks and add some Arctic Silver 5 and Lap what you can!

PPS.


is it just me or is your video card bending pretty bad?
I'll work on getting the stats in a few days. Although I plan on holding off on over clocking until I have a better idea of temps and maybe upgrade the CPU cooler.

The card might be bending a little, but I think it looks worse in the picture, I got a weird angle. I'll have to take a further look at it and get some measurements. Maybe I can see about propping it up a little bit if I need to, I got a ton of bay slot covers and stuff I can modify. Thanks for pointing that out though.

[crenn]

Want a small performance increase? Switch one of the RAM modules so the modules are in the same coloured slots. I'm betting those modules aren't running in dual channel mode ;)

[Spawn-Inc]

Want a small performance increase? Switch one of the RAM modules so the modules are in the same coloured slots. I'm betting those modules aren't running in dual channel mode ;)

thats what i thought too but if you look at the colours you can see its setup up so dual channel is right next to each other.

EDIT: oops, brain fart there... your right, they need to be in the same coloured slot for dual channel.

[chaksq]

So wait am I supposed to have them in matching color slots for dual channel or different color slots? My friend mentioned something about having them in the same color but the booklet with the board showed them next to each other. Maybe the green is one channel and the orange the other channel? I can try them the other way after I install some benchmarking software and compare.

[Spawn-Inc]

So wait am I supposed to have them in matching color slots for dual channel or different color slots? My friend mentioned something about having them in the same color but the booklet with the board showed them next to each other. Maybe the green is one channel and the orange the other channel? I can try them the other way after I install some benchmarking software and compare.

install/download CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) and go to the 'Memory' tab and it will tell you if your running dual channel or single.

[crenn]

I just read the manual.... you're right and it's installed correctly. This is the first time I have seen a mother board which hasn't got the slot colour matched for dual channel setup.

[Spawn-Inc]

well thats just dumb, i guess i was half right, yeah! haha. i wonder why they would do that?

[crenn]

It's strange to say the least. CPU-Z should confirm that it's running in dual channel mode.

[chaksq]

CPU-Z Confirms that I'm running in dual channel mode, useful little utility.

[crenn]

It is, anyway.... GET BENCHING!

[chaksq]

Well I ran 3DMark06, my system scores at 8953. Although it didn't like my drivers apparently.

I also installed speedfan, although I'm not sure which fan is which. It looks like my CPU peaked around 43C or so for a short time during the benching test. Idles temps are all in the mid to lower 20C range. Not sure if it's detecting my GPU temps either.

I'll try aquamark later and the Crysis demo. Eventually I plan on at least adding another GPU and more RAM, although newegg stopped carrying the card I bought so I'll have to see whats up this summer.

[Spawn-Inc]

that score is WAY to low, someone with a e6600 and dual 8600GT's got 9855! you for sure need new drivers.

for temps use Core Temp (http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/). for gpu temps and overclocking use ATI Tool (http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/), it works for nvidia too.

[crenn]

Actually that score sounds about right.

[Spawn-Inc]

oops i was thinking this was a q6600 with two 8800GT's. too many people here have new systems, and i'm not one of them! :(

[crenn]

Buahahah.

X2 6000+ and a 3850!