Trying To Build Dream Gamer PC

[tailtiu]

I'm a complete newbie with anything electronic atm and decided to build my own PC none the less. Can you tell me;
1. Will they all work together?
2. Is it a good set up for a gaming pc?
3. Have I left anything out?
(Please Check URLs)

PC Case/Chassis: NZXT LEXA BLACKLINE Classic Series
(http://www.xcase.co.uk/p/356644/nzxt...---no-psu.html)

Motherboard: NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI LT Motherboard
(http://www.nvidia.com/object/designe...0i_lt_sli.html)

CPU/Processor: (Comes with motherboard? Please tell me if it doesn't - and if it doesn't please advise me on best CPU for my requirements)

Video/Graphics Card: XFX GeForce 8800 Ultra / 768MB DDR3 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / Dual Link Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card
(http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=P450-8800)

CPU Cooler/Heat Sink: Intel Socket 775 Heatsink with Fan (http://misco.co.uk/applications/Sear...459&sku=110757)

Hard Drive: 500GB Western Digital Caviar RE 2 (http://www.povonline.co.uk/product.p...=6686&xSec=545)

RAM: eXtreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220144)

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster 7.0 PCI X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Sound card
(http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/4619...blaster-7.html)

Network Interface Card: Killer K1 Network Interface Card
(http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/660/867...archtype=genre)

I Also Have DVD Writer & DVD Drive, But I Don't Have An Issue With Them.

Thanks.

[mroz]

Ah, I'm guessing your post countdown from five was a result of the forum not allowing one to start a thread until then. That makes sense now.

Oh, the questions. Too tired to look at anything but the most obvious:

CPU - no it doesn't usually come with the mobo, you need to buy one. Suggest C2D E6750.

Anything missing - a PSU would be helpful as the case doesn't come with one.

Sorry to not be more specific.

One other thing - post your budget, as anyone wanting to help you fully will need to know that.

[Premium]

If money isn't an issue and you're looking for the best money can buy right now, then why not get another 8800 ultra for a SLI setup, a QX6850 CPU and maybe also run 2 Raptors in RAID 0. Make sure you have a beefy PSU for it though, one with 4 sets of 6-pin connectors since the card will need 2 each.

[tailtiu]

Yes indeed the post countdown was indeed for that. Ok, budget eh? Umm, I don't really want to spend a lot more on the comp as I already have to. So, $400-600 more, maximum. Ok, so I need a PSU? Ok. You must also understand I have almost 0% knowledge on computer jargon. So - to be honest I don't know what PSU is, although a complete stab in the dark A Power Supply Unit? If that's right then I can order a PSU along with the chassis. Ok and yes I don't think the mobo does come with a CPU, I have been advised before to get a intel 2 core duo or something like that, is that not good?

[Queelis]

1) Yes, the PSU is a power supply unit. Get a Seasonic, Corsair or Enermax, they make great PSUs.
2) Yes, currently the best processor is something from Core 2 Duo/Quad range (Quads are by the way CPUs with 4 cores). I suppose if you choose a 8800Ultra you have money to burn, so get either E6850 (2 cores at 3Ghz) or Q6600 (4 cores at 2.4GHz).

[this_is_gav]

If money isn't an issue and you're looking for the best money can buy right now, then why not get another 8800 ultra for a SLI setup

Given how many 8800 Ultra's are being RMAd and how well SLi works, I'd be getting a single 8800GTX personally.

[weegie.geek]

a £130 network card, eh? I can sell you some mains plugs that've been cryogenically frozen if you like.

[0iD]

Forget the network card, your motherboard of choice comes with a gigbit network port, so you probably wont need it.
As for the processor, is you can stretch to it, a Q6600 is a sound choice of price/performance.
A good all-round CPU cooler would be the Arctic Cooling - Freezer 7 Pro over what you have chosen. It's cheap & effective.
Good hard drive choice, but considder two drives & setting them in a raid config.

Ram, sound card, GFX card, all good sound choices.


Also, operating system? XP/Vista? 32/64 bit?

[katana6434]

I agree with a Q6600. A good CPU that is fairly future proof. It would probably be best to go with a motherboard based on the P35 chipset, as it is newer and more future proof. It is also cheaper than the 680 chipsets. The 680 motherboards are only needed if you want to go with SLI, which isn't needed with an 8800GTX (Unless you are playing on a 30" monitor). I also wouldn't bother with the ultra and just get a normal 8800GTX. You can normally overclock these to ultra levels anyway.

[DratUK]

Hiya M8.
Can I ask where you intend to source the parts from ie which supplier? $ means Cnadian or USA so we could probably only advise on components.
$600 is gonna be a bit short especially if you are having to include a monitor and Operating system

If its USA then I would look at www.newegg.com

Canadian no idea

Basic low cost system

Asrock mobo something like this

CPU Core 2 Intel E6420 that alone is $159

Memory 667mhz low cost from Corsair OCZ Patriot.

Case as long as it has 2 120 mm fans, 1 front 1 rear and has decent venting to allow good air flow.

Video card: Dependent on what you intend to use the system for, with that budget looking at Newegg you are going to be pushed to get any halfway decent gaming card. ATI 1950 Pro is now considered a decent halfway budget gaming card. If it is just for Tinternet browsing word etc pretty much any low cost card will do. Even built in graphics on the motherboard will do.

PSU 400 watt from a decent manufacturer such as Tagan, FSP, who make decent budget PSU. Do not under any circumstance but a cheap 700 watter from a no name company, it potentially invites complete disaster, ie it blows up.

Use on board sound chip built onto the motherboard, and as already said the motherboard will have a built in NIC connector.

Thats pretty much it. That might keep within your budget, if you want a monitor keyboard etc then I think you will be above your budget. Check out Newegg and using the above info see what pricing you come up with.

Good luck

[tailtiu]

Ok I've read through all the comments and this has helped. Seems mostly everyone is advising the Q6600 so i'll look at that. Also the $600 i set was in american dollars, i'm actually in the UK so 50% of my parts are in £ and the other in $. Also you asked where I'm buying the parts from, well... Everywhere, which probably isn't the best tactic but some from newegg some from misco and some from tigerdirect etc. Also yes $600 is a bit short for operating system and monitor, but it isn't for the monitor or operating system, it is souly towards the actually tower. The OS I will buy after the tower is made and the monitor I already have.
Oh and also OiD I'll do as you suggested and change the CPU cooling and I will look into getting 2 hard drives, I heard about raid config quite a lot but don't particularly understand it.
Someone suggested "raptors" are these really needed?
(btw operating system I'm going with is Vista)

One more thing, some people are saying the 680i isn't the best way to go, it was the only thing I was sure about with all the reviews but people don't think it's best. Can anyone either tell me whether it is a good way to go or suggest another like DratUK. And perhaps if anyone knows of a better case/chassis with more vents or if the one I've chosen is good can you say please.

Thanks.

[IBM]

Why are you quoting everything is $ if you're in the UK? This is a UK forum.

Secondly

I Also Have DVD Writer & DVD Drive, But I Don't Have An Issue With Them.

Is this code? Sounds like someone's holding a gun to your head...

Raptors. Western Digital high performance drives, 10,000RPM. I use them, and they're pretty good. I doubt you'll need RAID 0 (which is risky, as you're using two drives together as one drive, with the data split between the two, which improves your write speeds. However, if one drive dies, you loose all you're data. And it's very difficult/expensive to recover. Most companies quote around the £400 mark for RAID data recovery.).

[tailtiu]

^_^ I'm using $ basically because the sites like newegg are in $ I think, just trying to help people a little bit with my prices. Lol and no it's not code just can't be bothered to deal with the dvd stuff atm anyway.

[tailtiu]

Ok, spent a little time updating my knowledge, now I understand SLI. So, I don't want to go SLI I have decided this is because I'm getting (http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...dhs1&sku=88215) 19" Monitor and i'll stick to the ultra just to make sure I get quite good performnce, unless the usual 8800GTX is A LOT cheaper than the ultra then i'll consider it, considering it isn't much worse. The CPU I'm going to go with is indeed the Q6600 and I want to change my mobo from the 680 because as people have said it is only needed for going SLI so I'll go with a P35 mobo, if anyone has any decent choices of a P35 and a link, I'd be more than greatful.

[Fornowagain]

Its a gaming rig? Then why a quad core? It'll run hotter and overclock lower than a faster dual core, E6850 clock really well. To be honest for games much over a C2D 3Ghz wont be much difference. And an Ultra is overkill for a 19" low res monitor. Better to buy the GTX and put the rest to a 22" widescreen.

[DratUK]

Hi M8
Clears a few things up.

The Q6600 is the way to go so thatsin the bag

P35 I would go for Abit simply for the support from here and on the Abit USA forums.
Budget Abit P35
here

Or Top of the range
here

Running a Quadcore they tend to run hotter than Dual so a third party cooler such as
the AC PRO 7

or more expensive
ZeroTherm

Case
Antec 900
Plenty of bling if you like that sort of thing
Or look at
P180

Video Card
If your going with a 19 inch TFT then no way on this earth do you need a GTX or Ultra 8800, a 320mb 8800 Nvidia is more than adequate to run at 19 inch tft resolution.

Memory as already posted Corsair Patriot 6400 take your choice.

PSU
Corsair 520 HX
OCZGameStream
The above is made by FSP and is marketed by FSP as the Epsilon. I have the 700 watt Epsilon which powers a E6600 8800GTX so the 600 watt version is fine.

The rest mose keyboard Headset/Speakers is up to you.

Do a comparison with Scan's prices and maybe a couple of others like MicroDirect or Aria.

Most companies do web specials so if you pick right you can save some money.

Good Luck