Building a new rig...

[lilbabimac]

What's up, what's up. I'm in the process of building a new rig right now and was wondering if any of you guys can give me some input on what I should get for the remaining parts I need to or should buy. Keep in mind, I've been using a laptop for the past 5 or so years and before that, I was using a rig that I built 8 years ago, so I'm starting from absolute scratch. This rig will be used as a everyday desktop and for gaming. Here's what I have so far:

Case - Cooler Master RC-690

Monitor - 22" LG Flat Panel

HD - 320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM & 250GB WD My Book External

Vid Cards - 2 MSI 8800GT (SLI)

Speakers - Logitech 2.1's (the older version of today's Z-2300 - forgot the model number)

So far, the parts above have set me back about $800 give or take. My budget is around $2000, but I'd prefer to keep it under $2000 as much as possible. Here are the parts I'm still looking for with preferences in parenthesis:

CPU (Intel based)

RAM (4GB DDR2)

PSU (550W? 600W? More?)

Cooling Fans (Necessary?)

Mobo

Rom Drives (Combo Package)

Sound Card

Wireless Adapter

*I plan to OC the vid cards and the processor*

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything. Thanks!

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

 

[Roguestar]

1) Use the template from Blain's stickied thread.
2) Don't SLI. Either get an 8800GTX or one 8800GT, based on budget, games and display size. I'd say go with the 8800GTX for your display size. Then overclock it if you somehow need to.
3) Any PSU around 500W will be enough if it's a good brand. Check out the Corsair 520W.
4) Onboard sound in the latest motherboards in the last year is great, you won't need a dedicated sound card. Expect 7.1 surround and optical out.
5) For that budget consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600.

 

[Nole7]

My theory is that a quality case and PSU are well worth the money, so I would get a quality PSU regardless of wattage but if you intend on running SLI, I would go for something that's at least 650W.
I'm only re-entering the hardware scene after an extended absence, so I may not be the best person to advise on this, but I am option for the P35 chipset over the ability to do SLI.

As Blain asked, which OS are you going to run?
If you intend on using Windows XP 32-bit, you don't need more than 2GB. Windows XP Pro 64-bit can utilize a lot more memory. I don't know how ready Windows Vista is as yet - I think I will do a dual-boot with XP Pro and Vista Home Premium myself.

I think that currently the sweet spot for Intel CPUs is the Q6600, which is a quad-core running at 2.4GHz and 1066MHz FSB. I've read that those CPUs overclock very well.
I don't know much about SLI-capable mobos but I'm going with a mid-range iP35 board from ASUS.

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
RAM (4GB DDR2)

Any and all input/advice/suggestions will be much appreciated. Also, let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

What OS do you plan on using?

Ah, my fault. Planning to use Windows XP.

1) Use the template from Blain's stickied thread.
2) Don't SLI. Either get an 8800GTX or one 8800GT, based on budget, games and display size. I'd say go with the 8800GTX for your display size. Then overclock it if you somehow need to.
3) Any PSU around 500W will be enough if it's a good brand. Check out the Corsair 520W.
4) Onboard sound in the latest motherboards in the last year is great, you won't need a dedicated sound card. Expect 7.1 surround and optical out.
5) For that budget consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600.

Why would I pay more for 8800GTX when I got both the 8800GT's for $450? Performance wise, wouldn't the two GT's be on par or even be better than one GTX? Or does it have something to do with my setup?

My theory is that a quality case and PSU are well worth the money, so I would get a quality PSU regardless of wattage but if you intend on running SLI, I would go for something that's at least 650W.
I'm only re-entering the hardware scene after an extended absence, so I may not be the best person to advise on this, but I am option for the P35 chipset over the ability to do SLI.

As Blain asked, which OS are you going to run?
If you intend on using Windows XP 32-bit, you don't need more than 2GB. Windows XP Pro 64-bit can utilize a lot more memory. I don't know how ready Windows Vista is as yet - I think I will do a dual-boot with XP Pro and Vista Home Premium myself.

I think that currently the sweet spot for Intel CPUs is the Q6600, which is a quad-core running at 2.4GHz and 1066MHz FSB. I've read that those CPUs overclock very well.
I don't know much about SLI-capable mobos but I'm going with a mid-range iP35 board from ASUS.

So does this mean that even if I have 4GB's of ram, it wouldnt matter if I were to use XP 32-bit?

I really appreciate the suggestions guys! As you suggest, I'm gonna have questions so if you can just bear with me...

 

[Racer7]

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
So does this mean that even if I have 4GB's of ram, it wouldnt matter if I were to use XP 32-bit?

If I'm not mistaken, 32 bit XP will address about 3.2G of RAM. You won't get your full 4G, but you will certainly get more than 2G.

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: Racer7

Originally posted by: lilbabimac
So does this mean that even if I have 4GB's of ram, it wouldnt matter if I were to use XP 32-bit?

If I'm not mistaken, 32 bit XP will address about 3.2G of RAM. You won't get your full 4G, but you will certainly get more than 2G.

Thanks for that info, Racer. So should I be upgrading to Vista then? I've heard a lot of bad things about Vista til now so that's why I'm reluctant to.

 

[Nole7]

XP 32-bit will recognnize ~3.3GB of memory but it really only uses 2GB.

To answer your OS question, no, not really. I'm very reluctant about Vista too, but clearly it'll be the way to go within a year. I'm probably going to dual-boot XP and Vista myself.

 

[Racer7]

Basic math shows that I worded my first post incorrectly. Sorry. 32 bit XP can address 4G:

2^32 = 4294967296 = 4194304K = 4096M = 4G

Of course, what XP does with that 4G is another story. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 555223 touches on this.

Originally posted by: Nole7
XP 32-bit will recognnize ~3.3GB of memory but it really only uses 2GB.

Would you happen to have a cite for that? I'm genuinely curious. The most I could find with some searching is that a single application (with a single thread) is limited to 2G of virtual memory space. There is a lot more than one app running on my XP boxes.

Incidentally, I got my previous number based on what I've seen a Windows app report as being available.

 

[heyheybooboo]

This rig will be used as a everyday desktop and for gaming.

C2D E6750 - or if you have to spend $275 on a cpu get the E6850

WinXP will reserve a portion of system memory for itself - that is why you can only effectively use 3Gb or so of 4Gb total. You could save a few bucks here going with less high quality ram that will OC to the moon with that E6850.

If you are really hooked on multiple vid cards I'd sit tight for a month or so and see how the 790fx rolls out - of course that would require consideration of those evil-doers at AMD This could be rather . . . . . intriguing

There are very few instances these days where you will bottleneck a $200 cpu like the E6750 or an AMD X2 6000 at $160 . . . . either is a good option

And with the money you want to spend - I'd go with $1k werth of computer and $1k werth of a really nice (BIG!) flat panel

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Racer7
Basic math shows that I worded my first post incorrectly. Sorry. 32 bit XP can address 4G:

2^32 = 4294967296 = 4194304K = 4096M = 4G

Of course, what XP does with that 4G is another story. Microsoft Knowledge Base article 555223 touches on this.

Originally posted by: Nole7
XP 32-bit will recognnize ~3.3GB of memory but it really only uses 2GB.

Would you happen to have a cite for that? I'm genuinely curious. The most I could find with some searching is that a single application (with a single thread) is limited to 2G of virtual memory space. There is a lot more than one app running on my XP boxes.

Incidentally, I got my previous number based on what I've seen a Windows app report as being available.

There are tweaks that provide forced ram for OS

(if I understand what your are asking) Google ""3gb switch boot.ini WinXP""

 

[Racer7]

What I'm really asking about is a clarification on the statement about XP 32-bit really only using 2G.

 

[lilbabimac]

After some more reading, I'm beginning to have some 2nd thoughts on SLI'ing. It seems that the general consensus is split 50/50 about it, but based on my needs and my planned setup here are my concerns:

1. The 8800GT is a known heater, with 2, things might get REALLY hot inside my case
2. My screen's size is 22" and its max resolution is 1680X1500 so it seems that SLI wouldn't really be a waste but it wouldn't be a big plus either
3. The games I'm interested in playing right now are Bioshock, COD 4, Orange Box, and Crysis. Out of those games, Crysis is probably the only one game that the 2 8800GT's would come in handy for
4.. It seems that the new cards are just around the corner - maybe waiting and going with a one card solution in the near future would be better

I don't know if 2 8800GT's would be the most viable option at this point. I already ordered the vid cards so if I'm gonna change my mind, I need to do it fast. I've been out of the "scene" for so long that all this new info is a bit overwhelming, but I'm trying to update myself every chance I get.

 

[jeebus2121]

Originally posted by: Racer7
What I'm really asking about is a clarification on the statement about XP 32-bit really only using 2G.

XP itself can use 3.12GB. The 2GB limit is per application (virtual address space). So, if you were using, say, Maya 8 and had a complex scene it would reach 2GB usage and stop there, limiting performance, even if you had another gigabyte memory available.

You have to use the /3GB switch in boot.ini to allow this to change (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/...erver/PAE/PAEmem.mspx).

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: jeebus2121

Originally posted by: Racer7
What I'm really asking about is a clarification on the statement about XP 32-bit really only using 2G.

XP itself can use 3.12GB. The 2GB limit is per application (virtual address space). So, if you were using, say, Maya 8 and had a complex scene it would reach 2GB usage and stop there, limiting performance, even if you had another gigabyte memory available.

You have to use the /3GB switch in boot.ini to allow this to change (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/...erver/PAE/PAEmem.mspx).

The link takes you to an error page.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: lilbabimac

Originally posted by: jeebus2121

Originally posted by: Racer7
What I'm really asking about is a clarification on the statement about XP 32-bit really only using 2G.

XP itself can use 3.12GB. The 2GB limit is per application (virtual address space). So, if you were using, say, Maya 8 and had a complex scene it would reach 2GB usage and stop there, limiting performance, even if you had another gigabyte memory available.

You have to use the /3GB switch in boot.ini to allow this to change (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/...erver/PAE/PAEmem.mspx).

The link takes you to an error page.

So take out the bracket at the end!

By the way, disregard what was said earlier about needing a 750W PSU; that's huge overkill. A 520W Corsair would do even for 8800GT SLI.

 

[lilbabimac]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Originally posted by: lilbabimac

Originally posted by: jeebus2121

Originally posted by: Racer7
What I'm really asking about is a clarification on the statement about XP 32-bit really only using 2G.

XP itself can use 3.12GB. The 2GB limit is per application (virtual address space). So, if you were using, say, Maya 8 and had a complex scene it would reach 2GB usage and stop there, limiting performance, even if you had another gigabyte memory available.

You have to use the /3GB switch in boot.ini to allow this to change (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/...erver/PAE/PAEmem.mspx).

The link takes you to an error page.

So take out the bracket at the end!

By the way, disregard what was said earlier about needing a 750W PSU; that's huge overkill. A 520W Corsair would do even for 8800GT SLI.

Hahaha. I didn't see that at the end of the link.

 

[VirtualLarry]

As far as dual 8800GTs versus an 8800GTX, I would opt for the dual 8800GTs, given the price. Possibly even a pair of HD 3870s instead, to save a few $$$.