Gaming build

[Az00123]

Hi, I'm a first time builder and I want to build my first rig.

I have a budget of around 1400-1500 quid, I plan on keeping this comp for at least another 2 years (hopefully 3)

So here's my decision so far

CPU
Intel Q6600
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HSF
Tuniq Tower 120
Tuniq Tower 120 CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775)

Paste
Artic Cooling Mx-2
Arctic Cooling MX-2 Thermal Compound

Mobo
Abit ip35 dark raider
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RAM
2x Corsair Xms2 4gb
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GPU
BFG 9800gx2
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Hard Drive
Wd 6400AAKS
Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD6400AAKS)

CD/DVD
Samsung SH-S203P
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Case (already bought)
Coolermaster Black Stacker 831 With Red Mesh - No PSU - Ebuyer


PSU
Corsair Hx620
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Speakers
Logitech G51
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Monitor
Samsung 245b - i don't mind going with a TN panel
Samsung SM-245B 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black

OS
Vista Home Premium 64bit
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I've chosen this setup because it leaves me room to get another 3870x2 in the future.
Also, what's the sound card that comes with the mobo like? is it good enough to get decent sound quality on a 5.1 system?

I'm mainly buying from scan, and ocuk where the price is cheaper or the item isn't available on scan


Advice will be appreciated

[s_kinton]

Looks pretty good on the whole to me.

The only thing you might want to think about is the PSU. 1000w is overkill for that setup, I would think 600w+ would be fine. I have to suggest Enermax and Corsair PSUs over Silverstone.

[Salazaar]

You could save £100 getting a cheaper motherboard (like an IP35 Dark Raider) and then get a 9800GX2 and just not bother with Crossfire. Neither that or SLi have ever really been worth it.

[Az00123]

Ok, so what about switching the psu to a corsair hx620, the mobo to an ip35 dark raider and getting a bfg 9800gx2, with those adjustments to my build it adds up to about 1402.

Should i get a x-fi xtremegamer for the g51s or will the built in sound on mobo suffice?

[Jay]

Don't forget your OS, Keyboard and Mouse

[Az00123]

Added the OS, i'm going to be using a ms digital media pro/steelseries ikari/steelseries qck from the comp i have now

[Salazaar]

Should i get a x-fi xtremegamer for the g51s or will the built in sound on mobo suffice?

The sound from the Xi-Fi might be marginally better but I've heard that Creative cards are problematic under Vista. It's probably worth spending the money elsewhere - maybe get a bigger HDD?

[Az00123]

Erm I don't really think a bigger hdd will benefit me, I've got a wd my book premium 320gb atm and i've still got 200gb left on that to fill.

What about getting a better mobo like the p5k premium/ip35 pro/foxconn mars?

[Salazaar]

What about getting a better mobo like the p5k premium/ip35 pro/foxconn mars?

It won't buy you much performance really.

[Az00123]

Hmm, now i'm thinking about going for the overpriced (imo) z5500s or getting another 4gb set of xms2 for futureproofing and uber multitasking :d

Anyone got any ideas?

Also, will the 9800gx2 even fit in an antec 900? I hear it's a big card

[cotswoldcs]

Good spec mate!

I know you don't need the space, but a 500Gb WD (AAKS) wouldn't cost much extra and will provide better performance. 250Gb won't last long with newer MP3 players, digital cameras, newer games etc. I'd also recommend that you use the external drive for backup not storage - you'd be miffed it it got stolen or the hard drive died.

Both the Ip-35 and Asus P5K series of motherboards are excellent and it's more a personal choice and features required. The only thing I would state is that the Dark Raider doesn't have eSATA ports, whilst the Ip-35 Pro and Asus p5K premium do. But then you have a USB external drive so it may not bother you.

[Az00123]

Hows the wd6400aaks sound? Apparently it's meant to be good with 2 320gb platters

[directhex]

Ok, so what about switching the psu to a corsair hx620, the mobo to an ip35 dark raider and getting a bfg 9800gx2, with those adjustments to my build it adds up to about 1402.

Should i get a x-fi xtremegamer for the g51s or will the built in sound on mobo suffice?

skip the x-fi. creative don't know how to write drivers

[Salazaar]

Hmm, now i'm thinking about going for the overpriced (imo) z5500s or getting another 4gb set of xms2 for futureproofing and uber multitasking :d

Anyone got any ideas?

Also, will the 9800gx2 even fit in an antec 900? I hear it's a big card

You could always put the extra towards a bigger case if the Antec doesn't fit.

[Az00123]

After googling some people say it will fit, some say it won't and some say you'll have to mod the case, so looks like a need a new case
what's the thermaltake armor va8003bws like? (armor with a big side fan)

So far i'm interested in the va8003bws
Thermaltake VA8003BWS Armour Super Tower - Black

or the stacker 831 (the other stackers from scan/ocuk cost more than 150 quid, which doesn't leave me room to buy case fans )
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Also, how many case fans does the stacker 831 come with and how many can i install, scan says you can have upto 5 but CM's site says it supports upto 9

[Ommid]

After googling some people say it will fit, some say it won't and some say you'll have to mod the case, so looks like a need a new case
what's the thermaltake armor va8003bws like? (armor with a big side fan)

So far i'm interested in the va8003bws
Thermaltake VA8003BWS Armour Super Tower - Black

or the stacker 831 (the other stackers from scan/ocuk cost more than 150 quid, which doesn't leave me room to buy case fans )
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Also, how many case fans does the stacker 831 come with and how many can i install, scan says you can have upto 5 but CM's site says it supports upto 9

Stacker is 80 quid here, have only got white or red mesh, both nice, id go for white, especially with blue cathodes

It is 5 fans but you can get an adapter thing for the side that allows 4 to be placed on the side mesh