New build, your thoughts?

GardenGroveVW

GardenGroveVW

USS VIN NUMBAH?!?!
Executive
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Jun 15, 2007
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The only crit I would have is that the case seems to be a bit overkill... Unless you just WANT to dump a lot into the case, you are not gaining any real clearance (for something like the CPU HSF), you are only gaining height... it looks like you only gain a single HDD space with it...

Like I told Fowtrotniner, I have built 2 computers using the Antec 300 and my own using the 900... I realy like my 900, but I would NOT spend that much more than the 300.

I would suggest thinking about getting the Antec 300... saving $100... if you are concerned about HSF clearance, I have the Zalman 9500 in my 900 and there is PLENTY of space for the 9700. Spend the $100 on some added RAM for Vista or something... the 1200 is more about bragging rights than anything else.
 
I'd go for more ram (with 64bit OS) and fans, fans, fans... that 140W processor and two 8800gt's are going to get HOT.

I have a 6000+ X2 with a pair of 8800gt's and my feet and lower legs get pretty damn toasty after about an hour of play time.

Oh and splurge a bit and go RAID. I have a pair of 500GB in RAID 0 and its nice not having to wait for things to load.
 
Jubei said:
I'd go for more ram (with 64bit OS) and fans, fans, fans... that 140W processor and two 8800gt's are going to get HOT.
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You must have never had an Antec before.... awesome with airflow with huge fans everywhere... it has 5 120mm fans in it dude...

I-Die-Often said:
I would suggest thinking about getting the Antec 300... saving $100...
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I think he wants the clear side and going for the bragging rights :)
 
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I-Die-Often said:
The only crit I would have is that the case seems to be a bit overkill... Unless you just WANT to dump a lot into the case, you are not gaining any real clearance (for something like the CPU HSF), you are only gaining height... it looks like you only gain a single HDD space with it...

Like I told Fowtrotniner, I have built 2 computers using the Antec 300 and my own using the 900... I realy like my 900, but I would NOT spend that much more than the 300.

I would suggest thinking about getting the Antec 300... saving $100... if you are concerned about HSF clearance, I have the Zalman 9500 in my 900 and there is PLENTY of space for the 9700. Spend the $100 on some added RAM for Vista or something... the 1200 is more about bragging rights than anything else.
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That case is NOT overkill IMO. I have a full tower Antec also and it is the BEST case ever. If you have the money then get that case. The large fans and space makes them spectacular for a high end gaming rig.

I love the specs. I just built a beast similar to that and I freakin' love it.

Garden: Do you overclock?
 
I love my Antec 900, Antec makes great cases. I also use 2x 8800GT's in SLI -- rocking fps rates at 1920x1200!

With that said, I have read that the next-gen intel mobos for nehelam will support SLI. You know you want one....

I am also a fan of Corsair PSU's, the 750W should be plenty for ya.
 
Looks good man :D. My phenom build looks pretty much the same, though is there a reason why your going air-cooling?

Most of the time if you OC, water cooling would be the way to go. But with a 1200 and all those fans, it might be a moot point. Though if you overclock, a Q6600 would probably be better for you. Its maybe 10$ more, and it's a very good overclocker. Though you may end up paying more for a mobo for it then an AMD.

And I agree, if you're going Vista get 4 GB and not 2. It will help out your gaming tons, and give you more leeway in regards to more applications.

Edit: About whats this costing you all told?
 
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Let me say what I do like:

Heatsink - Zalmans are slick.
HD - Good
DVD - Whatever - it don't really matter. But LG is good, I like them.
Motherboard - Wise choice. Can't get better than ASUS.

Antec makes good cases, true -BUT- there's other companies who are not as well known as Antec (brand name-ed) where you can get just as much case for less.

Adding your own Delta or Sunon fans to a good case is no big deal either. Delta or Sunon you ask - only 2 of the most reliable names in cooling fans there are. I assure you, better than what you'd get stock-installed in a case. Don't be afraid to change something else that looks "inferior" at first glance.

Another thing to consider - like what I do - I go for minimalist cases. Yeah, true, way back in the old days I liked my case to look sweet. Not anymore. Now, I couldn't care less if it were a garbage can with wires hanging out of it. It sits under my desk anyways. You could probably get an extra $100-120 worth of system if you thought like that. ( Now that I think of it ... a garbage can for a case would be pretty cool - just imagine how many drives you could jam into that thing :D )

Further than that - since you're going for a new system - why not get this: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...le-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-Intel-_-19115017

I don't even own an Intel CPU, but I'm regretting that my X2-6K ISN'T a Core 2.

The opinions: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/253265-28-9950-phenom-q6600

And benchmarks:
http://www.expreview.com/news/hard/2007-10-29/1193620830d6602.html

... speak for themselves.

My next system - will be a Core 2 - well - assuming there's nothing better at the time.

Though if you want a Core2 instead - you'll need a different MB. Here's my pick

ASUS P5N-D $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

P5N-D + Core 2 Duo Q6600 - I'd buy that myself today if I were looking for a new system. If you're looking at that Phenom - I'm sure you'd be even more pleased with this setup.

( Yeah ... this advice coming from someone who's been an AMD user since the 5x86. I'm not an Intel fanboy - I just like good hardware. )

---

Another thing you would want to consider is stepping "down" to a dual core.

Core 2 Duo E8500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Quad core tech is not really supported - and by the time it is supported - the current quad CPUs will most likely be outdated and slow. Stepping back to the absolute top of current supported tech would be a better immediate choice for the next few years. I picked up my Athlon FX55 when Dual cores were getting all kinds of attention. The FX55 is a sweet unicore CPU - packs a huge amount of power - and satisfies very well. I've been VERY happy with that purchase. Now, if I had gotten one of the first Dual core chips instead - like an Athlon X2 3800 - well, how do you think I'd be feeling right now?

Ideally - plan a couple years ahead when building a power build. It's good also to get a feel of the tech. For gaming, right now, Dual cores are the stuff. It's going to stay that way for a couple years at the least.

Besides - when the REAL tech comes out - you don't want to be stuck with a clunker - and right now, you don't want to be stuck with bleeding edge new tech that turns out to be slower than the current good stuff.

( Just like during the HL2 planned release - there was that giveaway of free copies of HL2 with video cards. The release of the game was 2 years after the "free copy of HL2" offer. I bought 2x Radeon 9600SE cards to get 2 free copies of HL2. Radeon 9600SE... ever play HL2 on one of them? What? It doesn't play? Yeah ... well 2 years after I bought the cards I doubt the game would work on them anymore. :D )
 
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I did a little research for you Garden.

If you plan on getting this primarily for gaming, I'd switch up a few parts:

CPU: To be honest, I'd go with the Q6600 Quad from Intel. Even at stock speed, it's faster than the 9950BE and it overclocks FAR more. The BE would be lucky to hit 3Gz or more, stable...while the "sweet spot" for a Q6600 is 3.6Ghz.

Cooler: The Zalman 9700 is a very good cooler. This is more of a personal choice than an actual upgrade. The Thermalright-120 Ultra (or the 120 Ultra eXtreme) and the Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer are also very good air heatsinks. They perform or even outperform the 9700 (by a few degrees C, nothing major) and cost about the same.

Mobo: You're looking to SLI and not crossfire, so a good mobo for you would be (if you went the intel route) a 750i SLI board. Dependent on the memory you could use (Most boards are 1066 now, which isn't that much more expensive. OCZ 2x2GB memory at 1066 will run you 109$) the different boards you could use vary.

I'll try and pick out a more specific board, but those are my recommendations so far.
 
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I like it, I am rocking an AMD 9850 and its been good to me so far. Asus board as well, I use ATI cards though, but the 8800s are tight. Pretty solid build in my opinion.
 
Case will be empty imo, altough that case has a good reputation of being silent but cooled..
 
I like the Antec 1200 but I think you could get a better deal with the 900

Your proccesor isn't one that I would choose. I am using the E8400 45nm Tech and its stock speed is 3.00 GHz and I am running stable at 4.2 GHz

The PSU looks good but if your wanna be a little more powerful for maybe Tri SLi I would get this 1200 W PSU that I am using now. Click Here

I used to have that CD/ DVD combo drive and it was great its in my mom PC right now I love it mom burns CDs to use at office :D

I would get some more RAM maybe 8 GB and upgrade to Vista x64 or XP x64.. i love Vista x64 and I have encountered no problems

The 8800 GT's are great but in the future you might wanna upgrade so try the 1200 W powersupply.
 
Rosewill is a disreputable brand despite the semi-positive reviews posted on newegg for that PSU. Chances are you will never get the full 950W if you needed it for some reason. Also, chances are the efficiency is going to be less than stellar despite the manufacturers claims. While on the surface it seems to be a high quality PSU because it's expensive and had 950 Watts, it can still be made of cheap components and Rosewill is know for that. The problem with low quality power supplies is that they are connected to everything in your computer so if they catastrophically fail there is a good chance it will take other components with it.

Get the ZALMAN ZM850-HP 850W it's ten dollars cheaper. Although it is only rated at 850W (more power then you probably need anyway) it is more efficient and you are more likely to get 850W which is probably closer to what the Rosewill actually produces despite its 950W claims. It's modular so you can leave out cables you don't actually use and the Rosewill is not.

Here is a review.

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3343&p=1
 
I specifically agree on those who have said to upgrade the mem (though I like the RAID thought as well) - 2x1GB seems a bit underpowered, I went with dropping to 800mhz and going with the 2x2GB for my build, but you can do the 4x1GB for about the same price with the 1066.
 
Am i really going to have to break down and buy intel?

bleh

PS: Deutschland ?ber Alles, i'm not sure why you deleted your post. You make a good point :/
 
Well, you won't REALLY have to do it. If you don't plan on OCing the CPU, then the 9950BE is a nice processor. With ANY quad, it's highly doubtful you'll be running anything that it won't be able to handle.

The Q6600 is just slightly better at stock speeds, and by far a better overclocker is all. Both are good processors, both are within 10$ of each other. It's just personal preference (especially when you consider I am and always will be an AMD person, it's just sadly they've been letting us down on CPUs lately -.-).

As for PSU, the Zalman is a good one yes, but you could also look into the Thermaltake brand as well http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153062. Average 85-87% efficiency and you'll get plenty of connectors.
 
I am pretty darn fond of OCZ for PSUs... and the new line (Elitexstream) is a joint venture between PC Power and Cooling and OCZ (PCP&C bought OCZ). I have been running one of the OCZ StealthXstream 700 watt psu for a while with no problems. Unlike some mfgs, they print what connector is on which one of the 4 +12 rails... makes planning the set up really nice.
 
I-Die-Often said:
I am pretty darn fond of OCZ for PSUs... and the new line (Elitexstream) is a joint venture between PC Power and Cooling and OCZ (PCP&C bought OCZ). I have been running one of the OCZ StealthXstream 700 watt psu for a while with no problems. Unlike some mfgs, they print what connector is on which one of the 4 +12 rails... makes planning the set up really nice.
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I currently have a 750w OCZ, and i love it. Came with many extra plugs.
 
I-Die-Often said:
I am pretty darn fond of OCZ for PSUs... and the new line (Elitexstream) is a joint venture between PC Power and Cooling and OCZ (PCP&C bought OCZ). I have been running one of the OCZ StealthXstream 700 watt psu for a while with no problems. Unlike some mfgs, they print what connector is on which one of the 4 +12 rails... makes planning the set up really nice.
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The BRAND doesn't make the PSU, they buy them from manufacturers and put their decals/stickers on it. So one PC Power and Cooling might be as bad as any other. Read reviews, look up who manufactured the actual PSU model you're buying.

Edit: The company does NOT manufacture all their models, if any at all. They have other manufacturers produce them. Some better than others.
 
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