Hey all, I’m looking to build my first computer and was hoping for advice/guidance from those more experienced. The computer I’m building is just supposed to be mainly a gaming computer that can run the current games decently – nothing extreme. I have already chosen many of the parts (listed below), but I wanted another pair of eyes to examine the build to be sure I am selecting components that will function correctly together. (Obviously there are a few other parts like DVD drives and whatnot – just standard stuff that I didn’t think required listing.) So I would like to hear any advice for a first time builder, and comments about the parts I’ve selected. Especially those nit picky details a novice would overlook, but would throw a wrench into the whole thing. And if there is any other information, in relation to the build, you’d like me to state I would be happy to do so. -CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017 -I’ve heard some arguments for gaming that a fast dual-core would be better than a slower quad-core. What is your take on this? In other words what would be better, from a gaming perspective, a 2.4 Q6600 quad-core or a 3.16 E8500 dual-core? -Motherboard- ASUS P5Q3 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131344 -Video Card- SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770 -Memory- X2 CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X2G1600C9DHX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145199 -Hard Drive- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 -Sound Card- Creative 70SB088000004 7.1 Channels PCI Express 1x Interface PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102024 -PSU- -I’m unsure here. I would eventually like to run a crossfire setup (dual HD 4850s or better). When I use neweggs wattage calculator it suggests 900+ watts. Is this really necessary? Any suggestions here would be much appreciated. -Case- Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 (already purchased) -OS- Vista Thanks, -Searix-
If you are gaming I would go for an E8400 over the Q6600, it's cheaper, works better in games and overclocks like a beast. I'd change the motherboard for a P5Q Pro and get a proper 4GB kit of (DDR2) RAM. The graphics card is excellent, as for PSU, the Corsair HX520 is perfect, will be more than enough. Harddrive, 'tis good but I have seen a lot of recommendations for the 640GB WD Blue (something like that) they're cheap but good.
A 650 good branded psu such as Be Quiet, or Corsair, etc. etc. would be just fine. If your paranoid and want to be on the safe side, you could go with a 750 watt corsair psu. If you plan on using vista, would suggest something different for a sound card, since creative have horrible drivers with vista, the asus Xonar is i believe 89.99 on newegg, and it offers pretty much the same thing, with proper drivers. Seem to be great, quality cards, just wish I had one... If you went with a dual core, i would suggest the e8400 over the e8500 just because I couldn't justify spending a decent amount more for that .16, which you can easily achieve through a small overclock. As for mobo, looks good, but ddr3 is still pricey, so you could save money by switching the mobo and ram to ddr2, but that isn't too bad of a price. I would suggest a cpu cooler if you plan to overclock though. Besides that, it looks solid.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the q6600 doesn't even support ddr3 so if your going for a ddr3 motherboard and ram you'll have to get the e8400. Either that or splash out a bit more and get a q9450. Do you really need such a good sound card? I've personally never seen the need to spend a massive amount on a sound card when motherboards tend decent enough sound codecs built in.
Thanks for the suggestions, I decided to use some of your advice and make the following changes: -CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 -Motherboard- ASUS P5Q PRO + XONAR DX LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard Bundle http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131349 -Comes with the Asus sound card, so I’ll no longer want the one from Creative. -Memory- CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194 -PSU- SILVERSTONE ST75F 750W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V SLI Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256009 -And I’d just like to double check – this PSU would be fine if I decided to get dual HD 4850s, yes? -Also, I know when considering PSUs you also need to consider the amps available on the 12V rail. How do I know how many amps I’ll need? Feel free to mention anything about the update or the original post. -Searix-
I'd suggest the Corsair TX 750 instead of the ST75F; it's significantly cheaper, and it's very good. The only thing you really lose is modular capabilities though.
Depends mainly on the mobo's compatibility with the cpu, not the ram itself. This mobo supports quad core LGA775's and has ddr3. I personally went with a quad core on my system, easily overclockable to 3ghz, and with mobo's supporting ddr3 you can prolly hit much higher numbers. I opted for a 'slower' overclock so that my ram/cpu would sync properly. This makes a considerable difference on performance. And please, for the Love of God, go 64 Bit on your OS. That alone will give a huge performance increase (on either a dual or quad core). Virtually all software works on a 64 bit system, its just that you have to have 64 bit drivers for hardware. Not as big an issue as it used to be. Also a 64 bit OS supports ram configurations greater then 4gbs, and believe you me, you can NEVER have enough ram, EVER. Throwing even 2gbs more (making it a 6gb system) makes for a huge difference.
Looks good. 750W might be a bit ovekill, you could just go with a 650W Be Quiet or a 620W Corsair. They're both modular. Also, make sure to get Vista 64-bit.
