First Time PC Build

[dedge7181]

I have been purchasing systems from Best Buy and Circuit City and I just want to build one myself for the first time.

This is my equipment list:

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

COOLMAX CUG-700B 700W ATX 12V( V.2.2) SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Newegg.com - COOLMAX CUG-700B 700W ATX 12V( V.2.2) SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

All this for under $1000. That is my budget. Anyone have suggestions, or can confirm a good build that would be great.

This pc will be used for a good bit of gaming. I am playing Lineage 2 right now and also AION when it comes out. Also, some HD streaming to my xbox 360 for movies, etc. My wife may use it for designing with Quark, Illustrator, etc.

Thanks!

 

[Hussein19891]

If your going to spend 150$ on the 8800GT (great card by the way) then could you afford to stretch it another 15~20$? If so then you'd be looking at the Ati 4850's which perform much better and would last you longer then the 8800GT's which are now a generation older.

This seems like a great card and 150$ after mail in rebate.

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

 

[dedge7181]

Thanks for your suggestion. I have been doing a lot of research on this and i work for a technology consulting company and my engineers here that play games tell me that the nvidia boards are better to go with. I never questioned why. Maybe you can give me some insight on ATI vs. NVIDIA.

Thanks!

 

[Hussein19891]

AnandTech: The Radeon HD 4850 & 4870: AMD Wins at $199 and $299

Nothing wrong with the 8800GT. But its a generation older and the 4850 outperforms it by quite a bit. If your willing to pay 150$ for a 8800GT it'd be better to go with Ati this time. Because their new 4000 series have been amazing.

As far as Nvidia Vs Ati goes. The Ati 4870X2 is the best single card solution on the market as of right now. While the 4870 is VERY close to the GTX 280 at almost half the cost.

 

[NightSurge]

I agree with Hussein, and disagree with your engineers. I do not mean to be insulting, but many people who are technology buffs are often not that up-to-date about gaming hardware. Either that or they are highly favorable of one brand over another from constant usage. Me, I've used a plethora of all hardware, and recently ATI has taken the pedestal form Nvidia. You may wish to pass this information on to your engineers to see what they say, because ATI's 4000 series cards are winning against Nvidias 9000 and GTX series.

EDIT: Also, if you are going with ATI, there is no need for that motherboard. Look into a P35/P45 or X38 chipset motherboard. Those are more reliable than Nvidia 700 chipset motherboards and can probably be found for less.

 

[dedge7181]

EDIT: Also, if you are going with ATI, there is no need for that motherboard. Look into a P35/P45 or X38 chipset motherboard. Those are more reliable than Nvidia 700 chipset motherboards and can probably be found for less.[/QUOTE]

I was thinking the same thing. Is Crossfire the same technology as SLI? Supporting 2 video cards "bonded" together to get better graphics performance?

Just curious. I will redo my configuration and post the changes and let me know if you agree.

THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES!

 

[NightSurge]

It is the same idea, but a competing technology. In most cases, Crossfire performs smoother and better than SLI. Plus, with SLI you can only use one monitor, but you can still use 2 monitors with Crossfire if you want.

It uses a small item known as a "bridge" that connects the cards, combines their attributes and makes them operate as one unit rather than two.

 

[dedge7181]

Updated build list:

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache IDE 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

COOLMAX CUG-700B 700W ATX 12V( V.2.2) SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
Newegg.com - COOLMAX CUG-700B 700W ATX 12V( V.2.2) SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail
Newegg.com - OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

How does this look?

I have done some research on your post and ATI looks to be better, just by some of the reviews I have seen.

Am I ok on my PSU as well?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lukas]

If you are overclocking maybe look at a different processor due to the bad batch of the Q6600's and maybe invest in a better cooler other than that it all looks good.

 

[NightSurge]

The PSU is good. There is better, but for that price, your PSU is a great buy. Although, don't plan on SLI/Crossfire anything more than 2x 4850's. Otherwise you wouldn't have enough Amps or power connectors. This one has 2x 6 pin which is just enough for 2 HD 4850s.