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Critique My Build, Please

Post Date: 2008-06-30
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WeCanCallMeB View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote WeCanCallMeB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Critique My Build, Please
    Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:22pm
Hey guys,

I am a first-time DS buyer, looking for some with greater knowledge to critique my potential build and answer a few questions.  I have been trolling the forums for a while, and you seem to be very helpful. 

I am building a machine for ~$2000.  That's give or take about $100.  I am a student and I don't have a ton of extra cash for a real dream rig.  I will be playing games on this PC, mostly World of Warcraft and eventually Diablo 3, Starcraft 2, and the random FPS.  I am not looking to max out Crysis, but I would like for the games I do play to run consistently at 50-60 frames.

I would like to be able to run games while running an MP3 player or AIM as well.  I don't know if that makes a huge processor difference.  Basically, I am looking for a decently future-proof system that can play these mildly taxing games fluidly. 

Mainly, I was wondering if I should OC the processor myself with the mobo software or pay for DS to do it.  I'd like it to run at around 3 Ghz.  Also, is quad worth it for the future?  I realize the software must be designed for it.  Are there any obvious incompatibilities or wastes of money in your opinions?

I have build all of my PC's in the past, but I am behind on the times and I was just looking for some comments on my choices and some tips.  Also, I won't have much time to play for the next few months and I was wondering if there are any huge price breaks upcoming that would make me want to wait to buy a irg.

Thanks a ton!
Brandon

Here's my build:

$1986

Copy of Specifications:
Chassis: Antec 900
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 550W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: CLEARANCE PRICED: NVIDIA 680i LT SLI Core 2 Quad (Chipset: nForce 680i SLI)
System Memory: 4GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz XMS2
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Hard Drive 2: - No Thanks
Raid Option: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 3 WindTunnel (Copper Heatpipe Heatsink & Zalman Case Fans)
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Modifications: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my processor
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:26pm
I'd personally get the Radeon HD4850 or HD4870, both being better in price:performance compared to the GTX 260. And Blizzard has a partnership with ATI Wink

You'll going to have to upgrade the motherboard to a 750i or an Asus Rampage as the 680i does not support the Q9450.

You'll also want Vista Premium 64 bit to utilize all your RAM.

Quad cores are a good choice for MMO gaming since I'll assume you'll be running stuff in the background, alt tabbing, and possibly multi-boxing.


Edited by skyR - 30 Jun 2008 at 2:28pm
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Nickdapimp View Drop Down
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Posts: 324 		  Quote Nickdapimp Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:29pm
What SkyR is 100% true about video cards and also if you want to do SLI later on or upgrade which will take more power, upgrade power supply maybe ONE stage more. If not that then boost processor. Thats all probably =D
               
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WeCanCallMeB View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote WeCanCallMeB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:35pm
Originally posted by skyR

I'd personally get the Radeon HD4850 or HD4870, both being better in price:performance compared to the GTX 260. And Blizzard has a partnership with ATI Wink

You'll going to have to upgrade the motherboard to a 750i or an Asus Rampage as the 680i does not support the Q9450.

You'll also want Vista Premium 64 bit to utilize all your RAM.

Quad cores are a good choice for MMO gaming since I'll assume you'll be running stuff in the background, alt tabbing, and possibly multi-boxing.


Thanks, Sky.

I have always been an nVidia fan, but I will consider the ATI card.  What are your thoughts on the 9000 series of nVidia cards.  For $60 less, I could get one of those.

Roger on the mobo.  I have heard some folks have lots of bugs running some games on Vista 64 bit.  I suppose this could be the rumor mill talking.   I would definitely be running Ventrilo, Winamp, and possibly a browser while playing.
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:41pm

I havent had any software problems with V64 yet when it comes to gaming. None. Be it WoW, Crysis, CoD, Bioshock, C&C3, etc..
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Nickdapimp View Drop Down
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Posts: 324 		  Quote Nickdapimp Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 2:41pm
Originally posted by WeCanCallMeB


Originally posted by skyR


I'd personally get the Radeon HD4850 or HD4870, both being better in price:performance compared to the GTX 260. And Blizzard has a partnership with ATI WinkYou'll going to have to upgrade the motherboard to a 750i or an Asus Rampage as the 680i does not support the Q9450.You'll also want Vista Premium 64 bit to utilize all your RAM.Quad cores are a good choice for MMO gaming since I'll assume you'll be running stuff in the background, alt tabbing, and possibly multi-boxing.
Thanks, Sky.I have always been an nVidia fan, but I will consider the ATI card.  What are your thoughts on the 9000 series of nVidia cards.  For $60 less, I could get one of those.Roger on the mobo.  I have heard some folks have lots of bugs running some games on Vista 64 bit.  I suppose this could be the rumor mill talking.   I would definitely be running Ventrilo, Winamp, and possibly a browser while playing.



I've used Vista 64 bit while gaming in minimized mode in WoW and using AIM + Myspace browser + iTunes and Vent with a dual screen, and ran 4GB....It was LAGGING because of Vista, not lagging but the programs just closed randomly. (This isn't my Digital Storm computer, a laptop it is)
               
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Jun 2008 at 10:27pm

welcome to the forums

some good tips to get you headed in the right directions, read me

2000 is getting harder and harder to reach these days, youre certainly going to get some power, but around 2,400 is the best cost:performance ratio
 
If you have DSO oc your rig, its covered in the warranty, plus, getting a good OC can be something to leave to the experts if you want the best results. I defiantly do not think you'd be wasting money picking up a quad.
if you arent planning to play for the next few months i would DEFIANTLY completely reccomend you wait to buy, prices in this game drop so constantly that its like buying a new car, however if you do want to buy now and youre looking around 2k for a mmo and multitaskwhoring machine, heres my pick
 
hoenstly though, unless you have a lot of exp overclocking, its worth the extra 90 bucks to have them max out your CPU and RAM. I selected stage 3 cooling to cover you if you decide to OC yourself, or to just keep your rig nice and cool if you decide to stay at stock settings (yea rightWink)
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WeCanCallMeB View Drop Down
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Posts: 32 		  Quote WeCanCallMeB Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jul 2008 at 11:57am
Originally posted by !ender_

welcome to the forums

some good tips to get you headed in the right directions, read me

2000 is getting harder and harder to reach these days, youre certainly going to get some power, but around 2,400 is the best cost:performance ratio
 
If you have DSO oc your rig, its covered in the warranty, plus, getting a good OC can be something to leave to the experts if you want the best results. I defiantly do not think you'd be wasting money picking up a quad.
if you arent planning to play for the next few months i would DEFIANTLY completely reccomend you wait to buy, prices in this game drop so constantly that its like buying a new car, however if you do want to buy now and youre looking around 2k for a mmo and multitaskwhoring machine, heres my pick
 
hoenstly though, unless you have a lot of exp overclocking, its worth the extra 90 bucks to have them max out your CPU and RAM. I selected stage 3 cooling to cover you if you decide to OC yourself, or to just keep your rig nice and cool if you decide to stay at stock settings (yea rightWink)


Thanks a ton, Ender.

You guys are so helpful.  I like your setup.  I noticed you chose 2 Gigs of Dominator RAM instead of 4 Gigs of regular 800 Mhz Corsair RAM.  Is the difference really not worth the money?

I think I will get DSO to 'clock my rig when I get it.  The warranty is worth it, as you stated.  You are the second person to suggest ATI over nVidia for GPU.  Maybe I will look further into ATI options.  I will probably get Stage 3 regardless, because I have had heating problems in earlier machines. 

I think I may wait a couple of months, though, on a side note.  I just found a great deal on a RAM upgrade for my current machine and I think I will buy it for now and wait until the release on the games I'm interested in get closer.

Thanks again, and I will be back when I do buy. Wink
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Jul 2008 at 1:20am
while i believe in the strength of the ATI cards, im an nvidia fanboy, picking that was to keep under budget and still stay abover the curve on power, ram was the same issue, i was trying to stay as close to your budget as i could.
 
trying to help without being the annoying "sure you can have more power just spend 50 more here and 100 more here and 40 more here" lol
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