A very big 'Thank you' folks for reviewing this and providing your comments.
This build is for a Gaming machine to mainly run the upcoming Age of Conan and Warhammer games. I will not be multi-tasking, or editing videos, or any other big things. Just gaming and web surfing.
I am building this for the immediate future and don't want to spend a lot on trying to "future-proof" since I usually end up just building a whole new system every 3-5 years anyways. I usually just give away my older systems to family members (8 nieces and nephews), so I don't plan on reusing too many parts. (Although this time I'm going to spend a little extra on the Case and PSU, so may off-load the contents of this rig to a cheaper case & psu later.)
Main precepts:
No major upgrades for next 3 years. (Maybe the GPU if 'really' needed, but no RAM, CPU)
No SLI
I don't care too much about PCIe 2.0
No future-proof of the MOBO (No one even knows if the next gen CPUs will use 775 sockets anyways)
I have added a few questions below in the parts descriptions, but my main questions are:
1) Will this MOBO/CPU/GPU/RAM combo work decently for slight Over Clocking? (e8400 to 3.6 GHz, whatever I can get out of the GPU and RAM that is very stable for long periods.)
2) What is the best sequence for over clocking the components? (I'm guessing - CPU, then RAM, lastly the GPU)
3) Will the pc6400 RAM run at native speeds once I OC the e8400 to 3.6 GHz?
4) What is the best way to OC the e8400 CPU to run most effectively with the RAM and GPU?
5) Do I really need RAID 0? Most games should not be running from the HD I think.
6) What is the difference between the 'Artic Silver 5' and the regular 'Artic Silver'? Which should I be using?
7) Do I need the Artic Silver thermal paste REMOVER if I'm just building from scratch using new parts?
8) Lapping - Is this really needed for my level of OC? If so, I take it that I should do this after I've made sure that everything posts correctly...yes?
===============================
Buy.com parts:
Antec Nine Hundred Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $89.99
[Best reviewed case for OC and max cooling - $30 cheaper than at newegg]
Corsair TX 650W ATX12V Power Supply - $97.99 ($30 rebate = $67.99 total)
[Solid power - No SLI needed - Single Rail for good peak load - $12 cheaper than newegg]
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz 240-pin DDR2 Memory
qty: 2 - unit price: $58.59 ($30 rebate = $28.59 total per pair = $57.18 total for 4GB)
[This is the 4-4-4-12 CAS timings. I don't need to upgrade to 8MB, so can fill all 4 slots with this 4GB. Cheaper than what I could find at other places.]
-----------------------------------------------
SubTotal: $305.16 (free shipping - also $10 coupon used)
***This stuff is already ordered, so no changes will be made here unless I made a major mistake.***
==============================
NewEgg parts:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail - $89.99
[No SLI needed - PCIe 2.0 not really used right now - great OC - New to OC and don't want to push too far, so the 3.6 GHz limit on the e8400 is fine with me. I just needed 'rock solid', and this should be it.]
EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $254.99 ($30 rebate = $224.99 total)
[No SLI - runs cooler and faster than 8800GT - New to OC and don't want to push too far, so this core clock of 678Mhz is a great start. I know that the 8800GT is 'more bang for the buck', but the extra $65 is more than worth it to me to not worry about having to OC too much.]
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model - $199.99
[Strictly gaming and not multi-tasking so no Q6600 - I went with the e8400 over the e3110 since I will only be OC to 3.6Ghz and don't need to spend the extra $20.]
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $99.99
[I don't think I'll need RAID 0, so only 1 of these. 32MB cache on this newer model!]
Acer P223Wwd Glossy White 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $249.99
[This is the new model and has 1000:1 contrast (as opposed to the 700:1 used for the most popular model, and for only $20 more too.) This is also white in color which is a nice change from the usual black, although I chose this because of the better contrast ratio.]
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM - $33.99
[basic stuff here]
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM - $99.99
[DirectX 10 is the only reason I am using this. I can't believe you can only install this one time. I have transferred my WinXP to 4 different machines - only 1 at a time of course.]
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM - $5.99
[What is the difference between this and the regular "Artic Silver" ? Which should I be using?]
Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM - $5.99
[Do I really need this if I'm building from scratch with new parts?]
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail - $36.99
[Protection for even a slight OC from 3.0 GHz to 3.6 GHz. Has anyone tried to install this on my MOBO in a Antec 900? I bet someone has who can share...]
Subtotal: $1,077.90
***These items have not yet been ordered. I wanted to solicit everyone's feedback first.***
===============================
Thank you again for your time and help in responding. It is greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Josza
This build is for a Gaming machine to mainly run the upcoming Age of Conan and Warhammer games. I will not be multi-tasking, or editing videos, or any other big things. Just gaming and web surfing.
I am building this for the immediate future and don't want to spend a lot on trying to "future-proof" since I usually end up just building a whole new system every 3-5 years anyways. I usually just give away my older systems to family members (8 nieces and nephews), so I don't plan on reusing too many parts. (Although this time I'm going to spend a little extra on the Case and PSU, so may off-load the contents of this rig to a cheaper case & psu later.)
Main precepts:
No major upgrades for next 3 years. (Maybe the GPU if 'really' needed, but no RAM, CPU)
No SLI
I don't care too much about PCIe 2.0
No future-proof of the MOBO (No one even knows if the next gen CPUs will use 775 sockets anyways)
I have added a few questions below in the parts descriptions, but my main questions are:
1) Will this MOBO/CPU/GPU/RAM combo work decently for slight Over Clocking? (e8400 to 3.6 GHz, whatever I can get out of the GPU and RAM that is very stable for long periods.)
2) What is the best sequence for over clocking the components? (I'm guessing - CPU, then RAM, lastly the GPU)
3) Will the pc6400 RAM run at native speeds once I OC the e8400 to 3.6 GHz?
4) What is the best way to OC the e8400 CPU to run most effectively with the RAM and GPU?
5) Do I really need RAID 0? Most games should not be running from the HD I think.
6) What is the difference between the 'Artic Silver 5' and the regular 'Artic Silver'? Which should I be using?
7) Do I need the Artic Silver thermal paste REMOVER if I'm just building from scratch using new parts?
8) Lapping - Is this really needed for my level of OC? If so, I take it that I should do this after I've made sure that everything posts correctly...yes?
===============================
Buy.com parts:
Antec Nine Hundred Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $89.99
[Best reviewed case for OC and max cooling - $30 cheaper than at newegg]
Corsair TX 650W ATX12V Power Supply - $97.99 ($30 rebate = $67.99 total)
[Solid power - No SLI needed - Single Rail for good peak load - $12 cheaper than newegg]
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz 240-pin DDR2 Memory
qty: 2 - unit price: $58.59 ($30 rebate = $28.59 total per pair = $57.18 total for 4GB)
[This is the 4-4-4-12 CAS timings. I don't need to upgrade to 8MB, so can fill all 4 slots with this 4GB. Cheaper than what I could find at other places.]
-----------------------------------------------
SubTotal: $305.16 (free shipping - also $10 coupon used)
***This stuff is already ordered, so no changes will be made here unless I made a major mistake.***
==============================
NewEgg parts:
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail - $89.99
[No SLI needed - PCIe 2.0 not really used right now - great OC - New to OC and don't want to push too far, so the 3.6 GHz limit on the e8400 is fine with me. I just needed 'rock solid', and this should be it.]
EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $254.99 ($30 rebate = $224.99 total)
[No SLI - runs cooler and faster than 8800GT - New to OC and don't want to push too far, so this core clock of 678Mhz is a great start. I know that the 8800GT is 'more bang for the buck', but the extra $65 is more than worth it to me to not worry about having to OC too much.]
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model - $199.99
[Strictly gaming and not multi-tasking so no Q6600 - I went with the e8400 over the e3110 since I will only be OC to 3.6Ghz and don't need to spend the extra $20.]
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $99.99
[I don't think I'll need RAID 0, so only 1 of these. 32MB cache on this newer model!]
Acer P223Wwd Glossy White 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail - $249.99
[This is the new model and has 1000:1 contrast (as opposed to the 700:1 used for the most popular model, and for only $20 more too.) This is also white in color which is a nice change from the usual black, although I chose this because of the better contrast ratio.]
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM - $33.99
[basic stuff here]
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM - $99.99
[DirectX 10 is the only reason I am using this. I can't believe you can only install this one time. I have transferred my WinXP to 4 different machines - only 1 at a time of course.]
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM - $5.99
[What is the difference between this and the regular "Artic Silver" ? Which should I be using?]
Arctic Silver ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier - OEM - $5.99
[Do I really need this if I'm building from scratch with new parts?]
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail - $36.99
[Protection for even a slight OC from 3.0 GHz to 3.6 GHz. Has anyone tried to install this on my MOBO in a Antec 900? I bet someone has who can share...]
Subtotal: $1,077.90
***These items have not yet been ordered. I wanted to solicit everyone's feedback first.***
===============================
Thank you again for your time and help in responding. It is greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
Josza
