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Gaming Rig!

Post Date: 2008-07-24
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Gaming Rig!
    Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 2:12am
Alright, so I know nearly nothing about computers but I use mine 24/7, the problem is that my current one can barely run TF2 at a constant 30FPS, so I want to buy a new high-powered rig that can run every game out there (Except Crysis) on max or near max settings.

So after talking with some people I've come up with this build, could someone review it and tell me what I could possibly change in it or any problems I may encounter? 
Chassis: Antec 900
Power Supply: 750W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: NVIDIA 780i Core 2 Quad (Chipset: nForce 780i SLI)
System Memory: 2GB DDR2 Corsair at 1066MHz Dominator DHX (Extreme-Performance) 
Hard Drive 1: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Wireless Access: D-Link Wireless-G 108Mbps (Supports 802.11g/b) 
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX 512MB
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 2 (Silent Artic Cooling Heat-sink Upgrade (Copper Heatpipes) 
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
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: McAfee Internet Security (Includes: AntiVirus, FireWall and AntiSpyware)
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse
External Storage: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

This rig will be costing about $2,200 US dollars, and I'm in Canada so after shipping is done I'm expecting to end up paying around $2,600. 
So then, for what I'm getting, is it worth it? Is there anything I could tweak with this build such as adding more fans or getting a larger power supply? 

Thanks a ton for your time! :D



Edited by Sowaka - 24 Jul 2008 at 2:14am
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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 2:39am
Drop to a single DVD writer to save some cash.
 
For the same price, the ATI HD4870 is a much better buy as far as graphics cards. Seriously, the HD4870 is roughly equal to a GTX260.
 
Unless you plan on doing some serious overclocking on your own, the RAM does not need to be that fast. Anything at 800MHz or better will give you the same performance. If you did plan to overclock, 800MHz RAM would be enough to take you to 3.2GHz+. If you want the potential for more, the higher binned RAM might be worth the expense.
 
I would do the 64Bit version of Vista. This will allow you to run 4+GB of system RAM. More and more games are coming out that want at least 3GB of RAM to run smoothly and you can bet it will only go up from there.
 
The X48 chipset will OC better than an NVidia based board, particularly with quad cores. The difference isn't huge, but it's there. This also opens up the possibility of Crossfire.
 
 


Edited by Tyler Lowe - 24 Jul 2008 at 2:39am
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 12:03pm
Thanks a ton for the advice! Here's my new set-up: 
Chassis: Antec 900
Power Supply: 750W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: NVIDIA 780i Core 2 Quad (Chipset: nForce 780i SLI)
System Memory: 4GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz Dominator DHX (High-Performance) 
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) 
Wireless Access: D-Link Wireless-G 108Mbps (Supports 802.11g/b)
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB 
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 2 (Silent Artic Cooling Heat-sink Upgrade (Copper Heatpipes)
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
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 (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts) 
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Protection: McAfee Internet Security (Includes: AntiVirus, FireWall and AntiSpyware)

Alright, with this newly updated build would I expect slightly better or worse performance to my old build? 
Also, if I did choose to overclock for gaming, would I need the graphics, CPU or memory boost, and would I 
need to upgrade to a higher power supply or get the cooling system stage 3? And yet another question, does everything
look compatible? I barely know anything about computers, so I'm hoping to get all the kinks out of the build long 
before ordering it. 

169963 is my ticket number if you need it at all. And again, thanks for your time and help =D
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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 12:15pm
Go with the Asus Rampage Formula X48 motherboard instead of the 780i if you go with the HD4870. This will allow you to not only install a second graphics card at a future date, but will also lend itself to better overclocks with quadcore CPU's. A 750W PSU should be fine unless you wanted to CrossfireX with more than 2 cards (which much like tri and quad SLI has never scaled all that well tbh).
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 12:24pm
Awesome! Thanks yet again! Switched the motherboard over to X48.

Now if I want to overclock purely for gaming, should I get the graphics, CPU or memory boost? And would I need to upgrade my fan system so that I don't overheat?

And is there anything else I could downgrade ever so slightly to save a tad bit of money? The current configuration is going to cost me $2,300 and I live in Canada so after shipping and taxes I'm expecting to pay about $2,700 in the end. My mother is going to have a fit =P
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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 12:53pm

1. OC the CPU for gaming. The graphics cards can be overclocked with the Catalyst Control Center (ATI's user interface) if you really need to.

2.You could select something other than that Dominator RAM to save some money. There is nothing wrong with OCZ. Everyone I have ever talked to that uses OCZ to overclock swears by it. DSO would not have added it to the configuration page if they did not get excellent results with it. You could also ditch the McAffee security option (which I am not overly fond of to begin with) and use free versions of anti virus programs such as AVG, and free anti spyware such as AdAware to get you started.
 
3.You can always install more 120mm fans yourself later. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would call installing more fans a 2 in terms of difficulty. Virtually anyone can accomplish that sort of DIY upgrade. The default case cooling in an Antec 900, along with a dual slot graphics card, and solid aftermarket cooling for the CPU should be an extremely solid basis to start from without the need to spend more $$$.


Edited by Tyler Lowe - 24 Jul 2008 at 12:58pm
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Ratbreath View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		  Quote Ratbreath Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 7:25pm
^^True story. I've used the free version of AVG for years and have had no virus problems, and I LOVE how it's non-intrusive and doesn't tie up your resources.
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 10:43pm
Here's the updated config: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=170322

Got rid of the virus protection, I'll just get that AVG program you guys mentioned. Now then, does everything look alright?

I was also wondering.. does DSO apply thermal paste to the processor?
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 11:19pm
hmm..the paste, i never really thought of that...but id assume they do considering they use a aftermarket heatsink. Your build looks really nice. You should be really happy with it.
 
For a pure gaming rig though, you may want to look into the E8400/8500 (only if this is completely pure gaming). The excuse being that very few games take advantage of the extra cores you have with a quad. I suppose youd be better prepared for future games but who knows if those games will even have quad support in the 4-5 years+ you plan to use this computer. Thats just personal preference though. With the money saved from that going from a Q9450 to a E8500 you can either save that money or change your 4GB of  800Mhz  OCZ ram to 4GB of 1066 OCZ for example. So youd have a faster processor in 99% of the games out there and faster ram for OCing that CPU even more. But again, this is a pure gaming get up where you wont be multiasking a huge amount nor having a lot of crap running in the background via vista.
 
1000th post woohoo!
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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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 12:38am
Very strong build with no fat on it. Lean, mean gaming machine on the way. Now, all that remains is Mom. Hopefully she doesn't do you any grave bodily harm when she sees the total. LOL
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 1:52am
Argh, sorry for this but one more question. I'm getting a D-Link Wireless-G 108 Mbps receiver with this... if I do get it, will I still have the option of hooking my computer up to the internet network via cables?

 I currently live on the third floor, and there's no way to get a hard line connected to my computer from the first floor so wireless is the only option, but I'm going to be moving out soon and I'll likely be able to hook my computer up directly to the router, but would getting this wireless thingie take over the slot or cause any problems with hooking my computer up? If it does, then I'll just go for the High-speed network port option that DSO lists instead ($60 cheaper too!) and then buy one of those wireless receivers that hooks up to your computer via USB. 
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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 2:20am
The "high speed network port" option is actually built into your motherboard. You will have zero problems connecting to the internet later on in a non wireless fashion, with, or without the D-Link installed.
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Sowaka View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		  Quote Sowaka Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 2:23am
Many many thanks for your time, effort and patience with me! I'll be ordering soon hopefully, and with any luck I won't have anymore questions! =P
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