First custom built PC spec check.

[Rizza]

Hi all, This is the first PC I have considered building myself, I think I'm at the stage where I'm relatively happy with my choices. But, I could do with some people with better knowledge on PC components to give it a once over.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Sound Card (£27.01)
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) (£157.44)
EVGA nForce 680i SLi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard A1 (£164.49)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black) (£82.24)
Pioneer DVR-212DBK 18x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) (£19.96)
Tuniq Tower 120 CPU Cooler (£32.89)
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) (£240.86)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache (£65.79)
OcUK Value L2442W 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Glossy Black (£270.24)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD (£70.49)
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (£82.24)
Antec Quattro 850W PSU (£117.49)

Total Inc Vat = £1,360.45

Now I don't want to make this post to lengthy but I want to give a bit of background to some of my decisions on the above components. My thinking is that the above spec will give me a good 6 months gaming, without any problems. Then if needs be, I can add another GTX (when the prices should have dropped significantly) giving me another few months. And, with the good reviews on the above motherboard, I should be able to OCed the system, giving me a bit more performance. Also, it has to be noted the price on the GTX is pretty damn good considering how crazy the prices for the 8800 GT have been recently.

Now if that sounds crazy with all the new processors and GFX cards on the horizon. I could just swap the 680 SLi with an Abit P35 Pro. Sticking with the idea of running a single GTX.

Also, CPU coolers, which one? Is the Tuniq adequate, or should I look at the Thermalright, or Arctic solutions?

Let me know what you think?

[staffsMike]

If the tuniq uses a backplate it won't work with the evga i dont think. The abit is better anyway.

I would go with a scythe cooler I use the ninja.

Power supply is over kill. A decent 500 - 600 watt would do.

Try onboard sound first..it's as good most cheap PCI solutions anyway.

GT is good.. GTX is slightly better, the new GTS should be as good as the GTX.

[daza]

If the tuniq uses a backplate it won't work with the evga i dont think. The abit is better anyway.

Why the back of the board is clear nothing in the way as Ive used a backplate with one before

What I will say is unless your going to use sli (dual gfx) then STAY AWAY from the 680i Ive just found out myself how bad they are thinking what everyone had said was untrue honestly save your self the bother and get a p35 or x38 board.

[staffsMike]

What's wrong with the 680i?

I would deffinatly go with the IP-35pro but my 680i is perfect as is my mates Abit.

[daza]

Ive found a load of people I know have problems with it, its got fsb holes everywhere and is know to be a buggy board when using a quad core cpu.

[staffsMike]

havn't tried a quad in mine yet. Probably won't though to be honest. I made my bed with the E6600 and I shall lay in it

[daza]

Oh the 680i also doesnt support the 45nm (yorkfield) Quad core cpus either so thats something else to be aware of if you'll be ungrading.

[NightshadowUK]

OCUK... *shudders*...

Anyhoo:

- I'd go with the Abit board for sure, it's much cheaper than the EVGA plus SLi is pretty pap anyways.
- As Mike said, the PSU's overkill - anything around 500W will be more than adequate.
- Tuniq Towers are pricey if you ask me, I'd second what Mike said again and go with a Scythe cooler, he likes the Ninja, I like the Mugen/Infinity - you won't go wrong with either.
- Graphics card wise I'd wait for the GTS v2's to be released, however, if you REALLY have to get the setup now, save £60 and go with a 512MB 8800GT.
- My gut tells me that any £270 24" display is gonna be pretty awful, but the reviews seem to say otherwise... so I'm not sure.

Hope that helps a little.

[staffsMike]

That monitor worries me a bit too but it i'd be willing to buy it if I was in the market for a new monitor.

DVI/VGA
PVA panel.. it's all very nice

[Rizza]

Wow. Thank you for the great response.

After a bit more delving, it does seem like a stupid idea to go for a 680i motherboard.

This is what I've come up with, if i'm going down the single card route.

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) (£157.44)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black) (£82.24)
Pioneer DVR-212DBK 18x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) (£19.96)
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) (£240.86)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache (£270.24)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD (£70.49)
OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 Dual Channel Vista Gold Series DDR2 (£82.24)
Thermalright HR-03-PLUS (8800 GTX) VGA Cooler (£35.24)
Scythe Infinity/Mugen CPU Cooler (£31.71)
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (£93.99)
Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (£123.36)

Total : £1,302.88

Or....

The above with a Asus P5KC Combo (£79.89). Total : £1,259.40

Both support the 45nm processors, but the Asus also supports DDR3 ram.

The graphics card, I know the GT/GTS will give performance close to the GTX but I think I might get more out of the GTX, especially with the uprated cooler. Seeing as I'll be running only the one card, i'll have the space for it.

The monitor, I also have my reservations about it. There is no harm in giving it a go.
But, with the apparent ghosting problems on the best Dell's and Samsung's, It could go either way.