Rate my configuration and some questions

I'm speccing out a new gaming rig and came up with the below, but first some questions.  This rig will do the normal games (Warhammer Online, Fallout 3, World in Conflict) but will also be a heavy duty FS X rig with lots of payware on it (GEX, UTX, FEX, etc)

1 - What's the real world difference between the Q9650 and the QX9650?

2 - I chose the Antec 900 case because of weight, I don't want an 80 lbs behemoth and the Antec 900 is less than 20 lbs, but will that compromise my liquid cooling solution or cause other heat problems?

3 - Liquid Chilled FrostBite, do I have to worry about filling a reservoir when i get the PC, emptying it out if I need to move it, or leaks?

4 - Overclocking memory, I selected the same speed memory as the CPU (1333) so I believe that means the memory needs to be OC'd alongside the CPU, but if the target OC speed for the CPU is 1600Mhz, would it be better to just get 1600Mhz speed memory?

The system itself:
Chassis: Antec 900
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 790i Ultra Core 2 Quad (nForce 790i Ultra SLI) (DDR3 Only)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1333MHz OCZ
Hard Drive 1: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Wireless Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite CPU Only
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)

1. None. The QX9650 has an unlocked multiplier where as the Q9650 has a locked multiplier of 9. So it doesn't matter to you if you aren't going to bother overclocking yourself.

2 - What case are you comparing to? The Antec 900 weighs about 30lbs which is pretty heavy compared to some other cases.

3 - Reservoir comes prefilled and you don't have to empty it to move it.

4 - The bus speed of the CPU is actually 333.25. Current Intel CPU buses are quad pumped hence the 1333 (333 * 4). DDR is duo pumped hence the name Double Data Rate. The advertised speed 1333 is actually 666.5 (1333 / 2). You have to match the non pumped buses. So you don't have to overclock the ram to overclock the cpu.

Edited by skyR - 10 Nov 2008 at 7:48pm

well u got 3 responses and there all pretty much the same

Originally posted by skyR 2 - What case are you comparing to? The Antec 900 weighs about 30lbs which is pretty heavy compared to some other cases.

DS would do the OC'ing so I assume that there's no difference for me between the Q and Qx 9650, other than price.

The DS site shows the Antec 900 at 18.5 pounds bare chassis and the HAF932 at 29.1 pounds bare chassis, but if size might be an issue I guess I could go with something else.  Any opinion on the 950si?  Yep, I'm squabbling over 5 pounds.

Originally posted by DST4ME 4. if target FSB is 1600, yes it makes sense to go with 1600, however keep in mind that if you turn OC of the CPU off then you will be limited to the none OC FSB speed (1333) so even tho your ram is 1600 you would be able to use it at 1333 transfer speed. Having said that, the new mombos allow you to unlink the fsb and ram so you don't need to match it. what resolution are gonna be gaming at?

I assume if I get the 1333 RAM that DS will figure out the best way to make the system run as fast as possible, but I'm not sure if that means I should leave the Boost Memory option to Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed).  suggestions?

Currently running at 1680 x 1050, a 20.1" LCD.  I don't plan on upgrading in the next 6 months, but I will eventually go to a 24" (1900 x 1200) once I move into a bigger apartment and get a real computer desk (I'm set up on my dining room table currently and it's very cramped for space).

I don't think its far to compare 2GB to 4GB to begin with not to mention different speeds.

its best for you to oc the cpu for best speed and then oc the ram for the extra timing and ram speed. if you want the edge go with 1600, otherwise you won't notice the difference with a 1333 and go with 4GB of ram no matter what speed you decide.

for the price the HAF is the best case IMO but its upto you.

are you gaming at 1680 x 1050 right now and if so what card/s are you using?

Edited by DST4ME - 10 Nov 2008 at 8:17pm

for that resolution and high settings you want 2 cards, I'm sure if you have 2 x 800 gts you would have a different experience

as for i7, I always like to get a PC that I can upgrade to future CPU when they come out, if you go with the i7, in a year or two when a new version comes out with the same socket you can upgrade to that CPU anytime you choose. But if you go with the current CPU then there is no new processor thats gonna come out that you can upgrade to.

just something to think about.

ya CyberpowerPC sucks and you are right g92 models are much better.

sounds good on the ram and the case, no matter what you can't go wrong with those

yes the 1000w would be enough. and for the gpu issue i would prob get the dual 260s would prob be the better price for performance. or if u went with ati 4870x2 would also be good


Edited by MyThLoSt - 10 Nov 2008 at 11:40pm