Computer Build Hardware Suggestions - Gaming Rig

[newsposter]

multiple cores doesn't guarantee multitasking.

Not just the OS, but the individual apps need to be coded for multitasking.

Even Photoshop CS3 does better with two fast cores (E6850??) than a quad core.

[foolios]

newegg.com for everything

get a 150gb raptor

corsair 620HX

2x2GB muskin, its only $100 now

Q6600 G0

8800GTS 512MB

Those are all great. You didn't recommend a motherboard. Which one would you recommend for this system?

For the Mushkin, I notice that the timings are 5-4-4-12

or

5-5-5-12

or

5-5-5-18

and for other memory like OCZ:

8-8-8-27

7-6-6-24

7-7-7-20

G-Skill:

From 5-5-5-15 to 9-9-9-24

Lower is better right? So in this case the Mushkin is blowing out the others right?

How do I make sure that this motherboard:

http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmen...l3=397&l4=0

will work with this memory:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146731

I see a cpu support list but not a memory support list.

Edited December 27, 2007 by puntoMX

[ripken204]

How do I make sure that this motherboard:

http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmen...l3=397&l4=0

will work with this memory:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146731

I see a cpu support list but not a memory support list.

i was just going to post a link for that ram

and mushkin's HP2-6400 2x2GB sets do work on the Striker Extreme

it is just hard to find info and that ram you listed as it is pretty new. the previous 2x2GB sets work perfectly tho

[foolios]

Thank you so much, you are awesome!

[foolios]

Ok, this is the new list. Thanks to all the info and help here. If someone finds anything wrong/incompatible or just not a good choice. By all means, please reply!

CPU

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115017

MB

ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131074

Manufacturer’s Website

http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmen...l3=397&l4=0

Video

BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOC2E GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814143117

Memory

Mushkin 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Cas 5-4-4

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146731

Drives

2x - Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136012

ROM

LITE-ON 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 40X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner included extra White bezel - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827106079

PSU

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...corsair%2b620HX

Ok, I don't know if I am forgetting anything besides the case. I still have to see if there's a case I'll like better. I think my biggest concern for the case is that it has plenty of airflow and a side fan opening in the case to blow outside air into the case at the video card and maybe help proc fan cooling. If anyone knows of a great one to recommend that would be appreciated. I have read that Antec and Luan are good, maybe Thermaltake?

As for the BFG video card choice, I chose that one because I've been told you can add an add-on card that gives you some kind of enhanced visuals for your games that only the add-on card can provide.

Thanks again for all the help. It's getting real close to final!

[tim_ver]

Foolios: looks good, what is the total cost so far for this?

I am also looking at getting a gaming rig. But I have a little different choices then you. I will post mine here also to see what you think on them. I have heard Cool Master cases are suppose to be the best for air flow and keeping hardware cool.

[ripken204]

coolermaster do have some case by they are definatly not the best

foolios- have you thought about waiting until the 780i boards come out? there are some out now but more are to come soon.

[foolios]

I would love to see your list. Thanks in advance.

As far as waiting for 780, I only have the opportunity now because family is chipping in. If I wait, the opportunity will slip by.

I will compile a cost list.

EDIT:

I just found them, these look really good. I may change my list to this board instead.

What do you think?

XFX Nforce 780I SLI LGA775 1333FSB ATX 3PCI-E16 1PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN 1394 Motherboard

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku...manufacture=XFX

or

EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...24&Tpk=780I

Edited December 27, 2007 by foolios

[tim_ver]

Ripken204: So which case on say newegg would be the top 5?

I am having an issue with deciding on an MOB myself. I though Ii had it locked into two of them both ASUS MOB's but after reading reviews from people on Newegg I am a bit worried to buy either now. The MOB's were:

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Seems to have a major issue with BIOS not working and they have gone through serveral BIOS versions already. Also stated it runs on the warm side and hard to fit an after market cooler on the cpu due to the piping.

ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - This one seems to be a little better as not as much wrong with it. BIOS seems to be an issue on this one as well.

So what would be so solid MOB's for this CPU and Memory?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6700

Kingston HyperX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Also looking at going with this OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64Bit SP2C.

Thanks

[newsposter]

8800GT cards are big, very big. make sure that your case is deep enough and that the mobo you choose is going to let you install the card w/o losing access to anything 'important'.

If you're really serious about keeping this system for a while, you are going to want a graphics card that does DX10.1 and OpenGL 2.1.

You might also want to read the graphics cards 'roundups' on extremetech, xbitlabs, and toms hardware.

Edited December 27, 2007 by newsposter

[foolios]

I noticed that they are really thick, that last board I listed has 3 pci-E slots, so I'm thinking with so much space for expansion, there should be enough room between two of them even if I have to skip a slot. Just not sure sli will work that way.

As for DX10.1 and GL2.1 I hadn't seen anything mentioned about them. I'll check out the reviews on the sites you mentioned.

[tim_ver]

The BFG 8800 GT 512meg is thin compared to, the 8800 GTS 640meg and should run a lot cooler.

[foolios]

The BFG 8800 GT 512meg is thin compared to, the 8800 GTS 640meg and should run a lot cooler.

Awesome it's hard to tell by pics. Sometimes the cards don't list their dimensions. I've run into video cards before that were so long that they ran into the hard drives. Then I remember there was a card that was designed to take up two slots, one pci-e and one pci. I think the second part was just for powering fans, don't remember. It's some seriously crazy amount of stuff to consider. And then I guess some pci-e cards take two 6-pin plugs to power them, so if you wanted to SLI, you'd need a power supply with 4x 6-pin connectors. I haven't seen one of those yet. That's crazy. Hopefully I won't need that.

[puntoMX]

The BFG 8800 GT 512meg is thin compared to, the 8800 GTS 640meg and should run a lot cooler.

The G92 based 8800GTS uses the double height cooler as well...

[foolios]

Foolios: looks good, what is the total cost so far for this?

I am also looking at getting a gaming rig. But I have a little different choices then you. I will post mine here also to see what you think on them. I have heard Cool Master cases are suppose to be the best for air flow and keeping hardware cool.

Total Price: $1593 + Tax/Shipping