Finalizing My Build

I'll be building around early August and I am pretty much set on everything except for the graphics card, I'm just looking for suggestions if needed and trying to finalize what I'm buying.

CPU- Intel Q6600 Quad Core $266

GPU- HIS Radeon HD 2900XT 512MB GPU $380

Motherboard- Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R LGA 775 Mobo $130

Memory- Patriot eXtreme Performance DDR2 800 Dual Channel 2GB(2x1GB) Kit $74

Sound Card- Sound Blaster Audigy 4 (Already own)

Hard Drive- Seagate Barracuda 320GB 3.0gb SATA 7200rpm 16mb cache $80

Power Supply- OCZ GameXStream 700w PSU $115

Case- NZXT Lexa $130

HSF- Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler $35

Monitor- Sceptre 20" Widescreen (Already own)

Tell me what you guys think. For now I think I will just run the XP Home that I have, until Crysis.

HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4LouieV13

[QUOTE="LouieV13"]HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4Zaber123

[QUOTE="Zaber123"][QUOTE="LouieV13"]HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4LouieV13

[QUOTE="LouieV13"][QUOTE="Zaber123"][QUOTE="LouieV13"]HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4Zaber123

HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4LouieV13

Yay, a $600+ 2GHz Phenom X4 in December/Jan'08 and a mid range card! :roll:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=7915

- You should up the motherboard to the abit IP35 or the Gigabyte P35-DS3R. Those two have better overclockability than the E model.

- IMO, I would get this RAM instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

- Go for the HD 2900 XT. A lot more future proof than the GTS.

- This cooler seems to make a lot of budget overclockers happy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

I'll look at the gigabyte as it is only $10 more. While the Crucial is more widely used and has been tested and reviewed more, what I've read about the OCZ has been great. Unless there is some huge performance difference I'll probably stick with the OCZ as it looks sweet and runs so cool. Thanks for the input on the video card I'm going to go with the 2900 I think.

go with the Hd2900XT the drivers are much better and...there is a 1gb version. mrhankeydinks

If anything ATi has the worst drivers IMO.

[QUOTE="mrhankeydinks"]go with the Hd2900XT the drivers are much better and...there is a 1gb version. _SKatEDiRt_

If anything ATi has the worst drivers IMO.

I'll look at the gigabyte as it is only $10 more. While the Crucial is more widely used and has been tested and reviewed more, what I've read about the OCZ has been great. Unless there is some huge performance difference I'll probably stick with the OCZ as it looks sweet and runs so cool. Thanks for the input on the video card I'm going to go with the 2900 I think.

Zaber123

The Crucial have D9 memory chips made by Micron (their mother company). Micron are renowned for making the best memory chips on the market, whether it be for cooler operation (lower voltages required) or faster clock speeds (tolerance for high voltages). Micron have also made the world's first commercial DDR3-1600 chips, which have been sold to companies like Super Talent and TEAM (look at anandtech for some more details). If you're looking for RAM, always look for memory sticks that have Micron chips.

But I'm not too sure on what those OCZs use (probably some hynix or something).

[QUOTE="mrhankeydinks"]go with the Hd2900XT the drivers are much better and...there is a 1gb version. _SKatEDiRt_

If anything ATi has the worst drivers IMO.

NVIDIA are finally giving them a run for their for that title.

6 months it took for NVIDIA to get its Vista drivers up and running.

After looking at it I'm definately going to go with the Gigabyte board,and the 2900. Now I'm not sure about the ram, should I go with the OCZ that has the heatpipe which supposedly works very well or the Crucial? The OCZ says it it is EPP-Ready .1T, what does that mean?Zaber123

Nice choices!

Well, the Crucial has EPP as well (I have the sticks, in fact), but it's kind of a useless feature if you know your way around the BIOS (very easy). EPP automatically adjusts memory timing (numbers such as 4-4-4-12 or 3-4-3-9 and etc) to their optimal level. However, there are two useless things to this approach; only a handful of motherboards take advantage of EPP (nForce boards and Intel's own 975X 'BadAxe 2' motherboard) and the benefits are minimal. Besides, not many people pay much attention to memory timings uness they're looking to shave some time off of their SuperPi mark or something. Just put memory into stock timings or experiment in the BIOS for good stable timings and you should be fine.

Oops, forgot to even say what EPP stands for--Enhanced Performance Profiles. :P

Well my decision was just made alot easier. The Crucial mail in rebate expires today, so I would have to order them immediately, which I can't do. The OCZ expires the 31st. That sucks because I no longer have the choice but It's also good because now I don't have to make the decision.

BTW does Newegg combine shipping? Is there a bonus for me ordering everything at the same time or do I have to pay each shipping seperately anyway, because I was going to go ahead and order some parts now to get their rebate (PSU, memory) and then everything else later.

Wesker you're my hero. I have everything down except for the memory, and I think that either way I go I'll end up with good sticks that'll work fine. What's the warranty on the Ballistixs? Also I'm still wondering how loud the 2900s fan actually is, I wanna be prepared for it. Thanks.Zaber123

XD

Before I go on about memory and video card sound, have a look at this PSU:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100

Made by Seasonic (rock solid voltage outputs and really quiet) and $95 after MIR. But the MIR ends in 3 days time, so you might as welll go with newegg's MIR offer:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

The 2900 XT fan is silent during idle, but I'm sure it's far from silent at load. If it's anything like the X850/X1800/X1900 coolers, then it's probably going to annoy you. But a good set of headphones and an exciting game should cover for the noise. :P

As for warranties, the Crucials come with "limited lifetime" (...?...yeah, might want to check up on www.crucial.com) and the Corsair PSU comes with 5 years warranty!

EDIT: Just saw your new post. Hm... I'll look for some new sticks.

I never understood what limited lifetime meant, well cover you for the lifetime of this product...till it dies, then your on your own :). Is 520w enough? I was trying to go with something that has plenty of power for anything I add in the future because my family doesn't do the 2 year upgrade cycle, it takes more like 5. That's why I was going with the overkill 700w.

I have surround sound so if the video card acts up with the noise I'll show it who's boss.

The HX520W is enough for that setup, but a bit short for CF/SLI. You would need a good quality 700-750w for 2900 XT CF, IMO.

Also, these Geils may or may not have Micron D9s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144062

But in actual truth, unless you're overclocking crazy, you won't really need Micron D9s. If you aren't going for a fast FSB/memory, then you should look at cheaper modules like some Corsairs or Patriots.

You really don't like OCZ do you? Those Geils are D9. I may try a little Oc'ing and as the processor gets older I will probably do more and more. But like I said I don't upgrade much so I don't want to get too extreme and shorten the life of the processor or ram. There isn't much cheaper than 80 bucks, on newegg thats pretty much the bottom line.

Also what about that Newegg combined shipping, how does it work if it exists?

I've been looking around at some of the same stuff and found a few deals you might want to take

Abit IP35 $137.55 - $25 rebate ( the page says $20 but link shows it at $25) good til 25th

And saw the OCZ GameXStream 700w with a newegg newsletter coupon code (if your a newegg newsletter suscriber) at Slickdeals.net ($20 coupon code EMC713DOCZ7) This was posted last saturday so i'm not sure how long they last though

Wesker...somebody...anybody. What is Neweggs shipping policy.Zaber123

I've been looking around at some of the same stuff and found a few deals you might want to take

Abit IP35 $137.55 - $25 rebate ( the page says $20 but link shows it at $25) good til 25th

And saw the OCZ GameXStream 700w with a newegg newsletter coupon code (if your a newegg newsletter suscriber) at Slickdeals.net ($20 coupon code EMC713DOCZ7) This was posted last saturday so i'm not sure how long they last though

DLKings

I've been looking around at some of the same stuff and found a few deals you might want to take

Abit IP35 $137.55 - $25 rebate ( the page says $20 but link shows it at $25) good til 25th

And saw the OCZ GameXStream 700w with a newegg newsletter coupon code (if your a newegg newsletter suscriber) at Slickdeals.net ($20 coupon code EMC713DOCZ7) This was posted last saturday so i'm not sure how long they last though

DLKings

- So when I check out at Newegg I just enter in that code? I'll try that as I plan to buy the PSU in the next few days.

- Louie I was talking about combined shipping, if I ordered everything at once do I still have to pay for each items shipping individually?

Wesker...somebody...anybody. What is Neweggs shipping policy.Zaber123

XD

Sorry about that, I was playing some FEAR.

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't add up all the shipping costs. There should be a national rate they use for mutliple orders. Still, you should email them for more info.

ABIT = TEH UBER SUCK and I would get the ThermalTake cause I know thats good from my experiance

Since when did abit suck?

Sure the AB9 was dodgy, but most of their other boards have been extremely stable and adept at overclocking (they also invented commercial overclocking).

Also, OCZ are better than Thermaltake because OCZ's OEM partner, FSP are better than Channel Well (Thermaltake).

[QUOTE="Zaber123"]Wesker...somebody...anybody. What is Neweggs shipping policy.Wesker776

XD

Sorry about that, I was playing some FEAR.

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't add up all the shipping costs. There should be a national rate they use for mutliple orders. Still, you should email them for more info.

ABIT = TEH UBER SUCK and I would get the ThermalTake cause I know thats good from my experiance

Since when did abit suck?

Sure the AB9 was dodgy, but most of their other boards have been extremely stable and adept at overclocking (they also invented commercial overclocking).

Also, OCZ are better than Thermaltake because OCZ's OEM partner, FSP are better than Channel Well (Thermaltake).

Judging by the posts you've made the past few days, I don't think you like Louie. XD

That's not the issue, it's just that I run into him a lot (he posts a lot in topics I go to). :/

That's not the issue, it's just that I run into him a lot (he posts a lot in topics I go to). :/

Wesker776

Sorry.

No problems...?

I mean, sometimes the guy does get on my nerves (AMD fanboy talk) but most of the time it's just a difference of opinions.

No problems...?

I mean, sometimes the guy does get on my nerves (AMD fanboy talk) but most of the time it's just a difference of opinions.

Wesker776

Yeah..not to hijack topic...But Wesker, how do you like the Crucial Ballistix?

[QUOTE="Wesker776"]

No problems...?

I mean, sometimes the guy does get on my nerves (AMD fanboy talk) but most of the time it's just a difference of opinions.

TugboatTheGreat

Yeah..not to hijack topic...But Wesker, how do you like the Crucial Ballistix?

The Ballistix are awesome.

I played around with them at 1066MHz, and I even got up to 1230MHz (with an OCZ RAM cooler :D ) with 5-5-5-15 timings and 2.3V. I was bothered testing for stability though and I just put them back to 1066MHz. :/

But now, my motherboard is going apesh!t for some reason and I can't adjust the memory multiplier in the BIOS. I might try and contact Gigabyte or something. :/

Wesker (or anybody else) which one of these modules would yu go with?

-Patriot eXtreme Performance PC2 6400 $74 after MIR

-The Geil you pointed out earlier

-Or the OCZ Reaper

If you're NOT going for a crazy overclock (1000MHz+ on the RAM), then I would go for whichever is the cheapest.

All of them rely on MIRs so you have to make sure to get the company to send you back the money (hassle them by phone and email if you have to). That being said, OCZ are the most trustworthy of the three brands.

Also, you could try some other sites and see if they have some cheap RAM.

HD 2600XT and a AM2+ mobo and a Phenom X4LouieV13

You should change your avatar. Now its not intel inside idiot outside anymore. Its neither. Both AMD and Intel have good chips.

looks good, the case is awesomeAdo-odA