Gaming PC check

[ikix]

Needing a new computer for university (so last about 3 or so years), primarily used for gaming. Here's what i've got so far:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 - Link
GPU: 768MB XFX 8800GTX, XXX - Link
RAM: 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 XMS2 Dominator, PC2-8500 (1066) - Link (2 lots of this to make 4GB of RAM)
Mobo: Asus P5KC, iP35, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2/DDR3 1066/1333/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX - Link
HDD: 500 GB Seagate ST3500320NS Barracuda ES.2, SATA II, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache, 8 ms - Link
PSU: 750W Silverstone ST75F modular, SLi Quad +12V rail, 6X PCI-E, ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS12V, 80 Efficieny - Link
Soundcard: Auzentech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS - Link
DVD: Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN Lightscribe SATA - Link
Cooling: Zalman CNPS9500-AT Intel LGA775 Aero Flower Cooler - Link
Case: Silverstone Kublai KL02BW Black Tower Case - Link
Monitor: Samsung SM2493HM 24" TFT Monitor 1920x1200 10000:1 400cd/m2 5ms VGA/DVI/HDMI - Link

Cost: £1405.13

Could you guys pick through that and make any suggested alterations (especially with regards the PSU and motherboard since i'm not too sure about those two bits), obviously looking to make it cheaper so anything absolutely bonkers please point out

[r_j_k_p]

with the cpu i would go for a q6600 as they overclock very well and are much cheaper than the q9450.

As for mobo, i have an asus p5k deluxe/wifi which works well
but i hear the abit ip-35pro is also a very good board.

psu is overkill, a corsair hx620 would do the job, or even the hx520

[hermeticist]

Thermalright is currently (probably) the best air cooler (you`ll also need to buy a fan):

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Not sure if it will fit in your case though.

Wouldn`t bother with the P5KC (see R J K P above for `boards + PSUs).

If overclocking, the jury is out (& will be until they`re launched) on the merits of Q9450. It has an 8x multiplier (9x on Q6600) which means you`ll need to hit a 450MHZ FSB (compared to 400MHZ on Q6600) to reach 3.6GHZ. It is pretty uncommon to be able to overclock a quad beyond 450MHZ. So unless the FSB limit is better on retail Q9*** as opposed to ES samples or the new X48/P45 boards can eliminate this FSB limit, you`ll most likely see an improvement of around 6% (I think), for an extra outlay of £60/70 - though you can also factor in lower power bills.......

[dangel]

I agree:

The q6600 is so easy to get to just 3ghz it's laughable 600W psu's are fine. RAM is probably a bit OTT too really if i'm honest - more is better than faster and clocking the cpu doesn't require silly speed RAM either.

[Hunain]

yeah, r_j_k_p is correctos!

[ikix]

cheers guys, could you give me some more clarification on the mobo

[Webby]

Okay if your considering the Q6600 over the Q9450 then you wont need memory faster than 800MHz in that case you can easily find 4GB for £65-£100 depending on manufacturer and overclockability.

Motherboard wise a lot of people will suggest the ABit IP-35 series either the IP-35 Dark raider (~£60 on Scan today only at least once a week) or the IP-35 Pro (~£95 again when on Scan today only). It could also be worth considering an X38 board but they tend to be a bit more expensive.

GPU wise which nobody else has mentioned you would save a bit by getting a 8800 GTS 512MB (G92) or a 3870 X2 (was available a few weeks ago for £235). Performance wise the X2 is probably on a par or a bit head of the GTX at stock not sure for the OC model and the GTS is not far off really.

Consider a Western Digital AAKS for your hard drive whisper quiet and fast as well.

CPU cooler you should be looking at a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme or an Ultima 90 or the Scythe Ninja or Mine alll are better than the Zalman offering.

[hermeticist]

Abit IP-35 Pro (available now at the price below).

£95.76 inc vat

[Blitzen]

Motherboard - I just picked up the Abit X38 QuadGT (usigna Q6600 in it). Its fantastic and let no-one tell you otherwise
YOYOtech <--- Here

A bit dearer than the IP35 Pro but its also new tech and will take 1600FSB CPU's (when they are affordable).

Also runs PCI-E2.0 (if that even means anything )

[999tigger]

Imo you are overspending alot . Do you buy the best now for an extra 10&#37; or save the money and buy the technoloy as you need it later?


CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 - People are going for the Q6600 or E8500. Price cuts are due in April. Overclock it with a decent board.
GPU: 768MB XFX 8800GTX, XXX - I'd get an EVGA with 10 year guarantee, but would an 8800GT do. You need the 8800gtx for the higher resolutions, but you could run SLI.
RAM: 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair TwinX DDR2 XMS2 Dominator, PC2-8500 (1066) - Link (2 lots of this to make 4GB of RAM)- Id just get pc6400.
Mobo: Asus P5KC, iP35, S 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2/DDR3 1066/1333/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX - Link Hmmm I like a board other than the IP35 pro.
HDD: 500 GB Seagate ST3500320NS Barracuda ES.2, SATA II, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache, 8 ms - Link- staff mikes prefers the WD- I prefer the Samsung, but as you are a stude and wnat 3 years, then the seagate with 5 years guarantee is fine.
PSU: 750W Silverstone ST75F modular, SLi Quad +12V rail, 6X PCI-E, ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS12V, 80 Efficieny - Link-peopleprefer the Corsair hx 620, above that then I would get the 850 Antec Quattro.
Soundcard: Auzentech HDA X-Plosion 7.1 DTS - Would the X-Fi extreme gamer not be enough? Have you got good enough speakers?
DVD: Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN Lightscribe SATA - Heh fine.
Cooling: Zalman CNPS9500-AT Intel LGA775 Aero Flower Cooler - Besideds the thermalright I like the scythes mugens- cheaper.
Case: Silverstone Kublai KL02BW Black Tower Case - People stillprefer the antec p182- I also liked the Gigabyte Aurora.
Monitor: Samsung SM2493HM 24" TFT Monitor 1920x1200 10000:1 400cd/m2 5ms VGA/DVI/HDMI - Discussion on the board sways from the value monitor at ocuk which seems to be a real bargain. Ask Staffs Mike or if you wnat the best then the new Dell 2408 is due in March and seems to be the one to have.

[staffsMike]

I'd agree with most of what 999tigger says.

No idea about the sound card. My advice is usually give the onboard sound a shot and then upgrade the sound card later if you feel the need. Some people have uses for th extra quality and input/outputs though.

I doubt even that system needs more than the corsair 520w HX which is a better deal than the 620W.

I deffinatly wouldn't get the zalman cooler. Thermalights Ultima 90/ ultra 120 extreme or the scythe ninja depending on what's important between overall performace, noise and cost.

If you get the Q9450 (i would get the q6600) then you will want the faster RAM to get decent overclocks out of it. There are some nice 2x2gb 8500 kits from g-skill for around &#163;115 which is pretty good.

I would also get an abit IP-35 board. Personally wouldn't get the X-38 but then if you want a few upgrade options over the next year or so then it might be useful.
I don't see it's extra features as useful, but my PC's last me around 3 years without upgrades.

That monitor looks pretty awesome to be honest. Not seen anything about it but the specs and price look great

[Blitzen]

I would also get an abit IP-35 board. Personally wouldn't get the X-38 but then if you want a few upgrade options over the next year or so then it might be useful.
I don't see it's extra features as useful, but my PC's last me around 3 years without upgrades.

C'mon Mike.
You have to agree the X38 QuadGT is very good value compared to the overpriced IP35-Pro.

For the 'usual difference of only &#163;20-25, the X38 will support any CPU around straight out of the box and has 7.1 HD sound...

Those 2 things alone make it better value. Not to mention its a new chipset anyway.

[staffsMike]

Yeah I might consider one over the pro but I wouldn't buy that either The dark raider is such good value for money I just wouldn't bother with anything else.

Both the PRO and the X-38 will be overkill for most people. RAM will be the limiting factor for most people's overclocks at the moment, not the board.

If you are planning on another upgrade soon the X-38 will put you in a better position but my advice is, don't plan another upgrade soon