feedback for new build

[jirad7359]

I'm building a new pc for gaming, and I was looking for some feedback. Any experience with any of these would be great or other suggestions. Also I plan on overclocking everything but only to a point where it's stable with good air cooling. Looking for most of the feedback for how much power I need out of my psu (also taking into account for future upgrades, 2 video cards and lots of overclocking), how well the mobo overclocks and bios runs. And whether or not the case will have enough airflow to stabilize decent overclocking.

Motherboard - Asus p5e lga

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813131219

Processor - Q6600 core 2 quad --- with http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...amp;dcaid=17902

Ram - 4x 1024 corsair PC 6400

Video Card - nvidia 8800 GTS

Power Supply - either ABS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817814013

or Ultra http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=2534

(not sure what wattage I'll really need so I just linked the first ones of either type)

Case - Either the Antec nine hundred http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...bnine%2bhundred

or Ultra http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=1521

Again mostly just looking for feedback. I am trying to save a few dollars here and there where it's worth it but I'm mainly looking to get a system built that can run sufficiently and cool. Any comments or feedback on any of this is greatly appreciated, or any other suggestions on different parts would be awesome too, thanks in advance.

[puntoMX]

Well, the power supplies really look flashy with all those lights, but you don’t need 800 or 900 watt PSUs to run that system, even a 520 watt powerfully from Corsair for example will give enough power to run your new rig stable. If you like Crossfire later on you could pick a 620 watt version.

If you pick an 8800GTS, make sure you get the 512MB version based on the G92 GPU, or when it comes out the 1GB version (if not overpriced).

The 2 cases are way different, while the Antec case is a new design, the Ultra uses an aging design that got updated. The Antec is by far more sturdy then the ultra, as the ultra doesn’t use a frame like the Antec does; it uses the right side panel as part of the frame and there for can’t be moved. These kinds of constructions are seen by compact cases, or lightweight cases for lowering fabrication costs and weight. Be aware that the Ultra case doesn’t come with any case fan while the Antec comes with some good 120mm case fans and a big 200mm top fan. ($79.99 after $40.00 Mail-In Rebate) Makes it a must have over the Ultra case!

[jirad7359]

thanks for the feedback. So you think even a 600w power supply would be sufficient? Even if I'm running 2 video cards, and overlocking memory, processor, and gpu? By any chance do you know of any good up-to-date psu calculators? Also the only thing I don't like about the antec case is that the motherboard tray is not removable =/ kind of makes for a hassle.

Edited January 20, 2008 by jirad7359

[jcarle]

I can't speak for the Asus P5E but I can tell you that the Asus P5B is a rock solid overclocking motherboard. The quad-core processors tend to not be so overclock friendly. And I'd also recommend the Corsair HX620 power supply, even with two crossfire videocards (SLI is not supported on Intel motherboards as of yet). I'd also make the suggestion of getting 2GB sticks instead of 1GB as this will free two slots for later expansion to 4GB if you ever want to (and the cost is the same). You should look at getting yourself a good aftermarket cooler for the processor as well, the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme is the highest recommendation available.

[jirad7359]

mmm I think most of the problems for overclocking the quads was in the b3 stepping versions. Most people I know haven't had any trouble clocking them to 3.6 with the g0 one. Anyway you're probably right I might as well just go with 2x 2048 sticks for now. Three people have already told me to go with the corsair's 620w , must be the way to go, however kind of nervous it being only 620w... I've talked to a few people that when oc'ing a core 2 with 2x graphics cards, that they're pushing the limit of their psu @ 600W. Know of any other good 700w+ modular psu's?

Edited January 21, 2008 by jirad7359

[jcarle]

mmm I think most of the problems for overclocking the quads was in the b3 stepping versions. Most people I know haven't had any trouble clocking them to 3.6 with the g0 one. Anyway you're probably right I might as well just go with 2x 2048 sticks for now. Three people have already told me to go with the corsair's 620w , must be the way to go, however kind of nervous it being only 620w... I've talked to a few people that when oc'ing a core 2 with 2x graphics cards, that they're pushing the limit of their psu @ 600W. Know of any other good 700w+ modular psu's?

Thermaltake Toughpower series in the 700+W range are quality built but only in the Toughpower series, the quality of other series by Thermaltake are questionable at best.

[suryad]

I recommend the PC Power and COoling 750W Silencer. I am running my rig on that no issues at all even with some high doses of overclocking. Also you may want to look into getting a crossfire capable ati hd3870 x2. It is faster than a lot of nvidia cards out there.