[deldrice]

I have decided to build my own pc and I am looking for some advice/feedback on specific components and hardware that I should get. My price range is anywhere below $2000. I plan on getting most(if not all) of my parts from newegg since they are the easiest to work with IMO. I haven't found the exact parts I want yet but these are the rough specs that I am looking for, i'll fill the spots later with choices I make and I would like to hear from you guys on what would be a good choice.
Specs(these are rough ideas)
Cpu: Amd/Intel(not sure which one to pick)
Quad Core- 2.4ghz+
Dual Core- 3.ghz+
Graphics Card: Ati/Nvidia
Nvdia: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130338
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130391
Ati: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161236
Those are the general specs im interested in for the graphics cards
Motherboard: I'm a bit lost on which to look into
Ram: 4gb ddr2(I've heard that ddr2 at 4gb would be a better option than ddr3, but since I don't have enough specifics I guess its to early to decide)
Hard Drives: I will take a 250gb sata out of an older computer.
Sound Card: Motherboard input most likely
PSU: To early to decide I think

Again, I'm sorry I haven't chosen anything specific, but at the moment, the oh so many options are a bit overwhelming so I need some help narrowing it down. Any info on good brands for certain components would be a great help.

[deldrice]

I came up with a list of stuff, all of the components. Since I can't seem to find an edit post button? I'll just make a new one about it.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9400 (4x 2.66GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)

MB: Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R Intel P45 CrossFire Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394 Dual PCI-E MB

Ram: 4 GB [2 GB X2] DDR3-1333 Memory Module

GPU : I need some suggestions, at the moment i have my eyes on a single Ati 4870 512mb since it goes with the MB. I can get two sli 1gb Nvidia 9800 GTs for 15 bucks more but since the MB is not an SLI chipset will I need a different one? I am also considering crossfiring two 4850's. crossfired 4870's is a bit pricey right now.

HDD: I found a cheap 500 gb drive

Optical Drive: [Lightscribe Technology] LG 22X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive (Lightsribe will be very useful to me so I am looking into that)

Sound: Onboard MB

PSU: XION SuperNova XON-800F14R-201 Power Supply 800 WT

It all came out to $1,400 which wasn't bad, after adding a new case,liquid cooling, and vista.
I'de like some feedback on this, I know I just went from not knowing about any of the hardware I wanted to basically picking it all out, but I had some help from a friend.

[Carbon]

Please read the sticky, it's what it is there for.

[deldrice]

Ok, heres an updated list.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115131

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102795 (still not 100% sure of this)

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817128008

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231122

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131297

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136218

Optical Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151173 (Lightsribe will be very helpful for me)

How does this look to you guys?

[serverguy]

Well heres a rough spec for you to ponder on.



Antec Twelve Hundred Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811129043Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$214.99$174.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822136073Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $14.99
• 2 year: $19.99

-$5.00 Instant
$74.99$69.99

HIS Hightech H487F512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814161236Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $32.99
• 2 year: $59.99

$20.00 Mail-in Rebate $279.99

ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A3T - Retail Item #: N82E16827135176Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $9.99
• 2 year: $14.99

$22.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817139004Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $24.99
• 2 year: $39.99

-$7.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate $104.99$97.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail Item #: N82E16820231145Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy -$40.00 Instant
$112.99$72.99

ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813131296Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $24.99
• 2 year: $39.99

$159.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115037Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for optionshide options)

Service Net Replacement Extended Warranty Plan The product will be replaced and shipped directly to you at no charge(more info)

• 1 year: $24.99
• 2 year: $39.99

$169.99

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail Item #: N82E16835233003Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99

Subtotal: $1,083.91

[serverguy]

Your second spec looks much better apart from the PSU, which is still hopeless. It has four 12V lanes of only 16A, so is equivalent to about a 300W PSU.

Everything else looks fine, apart from you may want to think about a dual core processor rather than a quad, but that is personal preference. You would get better overclocks on a quad.

[deldrice]

Thanks a lot for the feedback serverguy. I will be sticking with the quad because I will be overclocking at some point.However, do you think the 9400 is worth it over a 6600? The 6600 is $70 cheaper and I guess I could just overclock it to 2.66+ and have the same results. As for the case, I think i'll go with the midtower version of the case you posted, the reviews all seem to show that the airflow is extremely good and if I will be overclocking that is a must. For the PSU I was thinking of the 650W version of the one you posted, its only $2 more. The final thing is the aftermarket cooler, the one you posted seems quite large, would that fit in a midtower case? If not, would either of these be good?
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

[serverguy]

Originally Posted by deldrice

Thanks a lot for the feedback serverguy. I will be sticking with the quad because I will be overclocking at some point.However, do you think the 9400 is worth it over a 6600? The 6600 is $70 cheaper and I guess I could just overclock it to 2.66+ and have the same results. As for the case, I think i'll go with the midtower version of the case you posted, the reviews all seem to show that the airflow is extremely good and if I will be overclocking that is a must. For the PSU I was thinking of the 650W version of the one you posted, its only $2 more. The final thing is the aftermarket cooler, the one you posted seems quite large, would that fit in a midtower case? If not, would either of these be good?
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185125

Addressing your questions in turn:

Generally duals will clock better than quads. You should be able to hit 4Ghz with and E8400. Definitely get a 45nm quad like the Q9300 or Q9400 rather than a 65nm Q6600. The difference in temps will be worth it alone. Q6600 is old school now.
But if you prefer a quad, then by all means get one. I just think an overclocked dual offers more price and performance.

By the mid tower version of the case, do you mean the Antec Nine Hundred? If so, I suggest you get the Twelve Hundred one I suggested. It has more space in it, and will be easier to get watercooling in like you said you wanted to. The Antec 900 is a good case, but I think the 1200 is better all round.

In terms of the PSU, by all means get the higher wattage one if it is only $2 more! Thats a bargain. Just stick to Corsair.

The fan I linked to is considered superior now to the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro. Its just better. You may not notice the difference on a dual but on a quad you definitely will.
Either will fit in any of the cases, the Xigmatek one is about the same size.
If you really want a good heatsink for quad clocking get a Thermalright 120 Ultra Extreme. Its a bit more money, but is a seriously (best or second to best you can get) good cooler. It will fit in the Antec 900 or the 1200. You need to remember to get a fan to go on it if you get one, they don't come with one.

The second fan you posted was for the AMD style processors.

[Bubba]

Twenty more bucks? I think I can swing that for the cooler AnandTech calls the best cooler they ever tested lol.

Deldrice: a few months ago when i got my Q9450 the Q6600 was up over $500. It has since dropped WAY down and I've seen a bunch of seriously smart computer dudes jumping up and down about it. I don't know enough to say one way or the other, but based upon what I have read from these folks, I would buy a Q6600 over the Q9450 I have in a heartbeat if I were building now.

[serverguy]

Originally Posted by Bubba

Deldrice: a few months ago when i got my Q9450 the Q6600 was up over $500. It has since dropped WAY down and I've seen a bunch of seriously smart computer dudes jumping up and down about it. I don't know enough to say one way or the other, but based upon what I have read from these folks, I would buy a Q6600 over the Q9450 I have in a heartbeat if I were building now.

Yh, what you say is very true. It has dropped a lot.

But the Q9300 and Q9400 have now come out, which are on the smaller die tech (45nm) so you get better temperatures and better overclocks.