Check out what i just ordered on newegg!

[vles007]

Hey guys!


I've been lurking here on AT forums for several weeks now reading up on people's builds and getting an idea of how mature the boards are here. Seems pretty fun and legit to me, so i decided to sign up, so here's my 1st post!

Now... i DID read the sticky about posting and getting input about your build, but i already ordered the parts so i figure that doesn't apply to me at this time. I'm just merely telling you guys what i got and getting opinions about how i did.

I have been building/repairing/troubleshooting computers since i was 13 years old. So that makes it about 11 years now that i have been in the hobby. So it seems like I should feel right at home here at the AT forums!

Anyways, I have been out of the loop since my last build which was several years ago. The only thing i have recently upgraded within the last year to year and a half was my videocard and memory. BTW, I'm REALLY huge into gaming and modding.

So here's what I'm upgrading FROM:

P4 Northwood 3.4 with H/T technology
Intel 915 PBL Mobo
2GB OCZ Gold series ddr2 800 PC 6400 (3-3-3-8)
EVGA 7950GT KO 512MB
Seagate Cuda 320GB 7200rpm IDE
Pioneer 16x16 DVD Burner
Aspire XPlorer ATX Case
Antec 400w PSU
MX518 Gaming Mouse





Now here's what I just bought last night from Newegg: (some items such as the mouse and the monitor i already bought locally.)

E8400 Wolfdale 3.0
Gigabyte DS3R Mobo
EVGA 9800GTX 512MB
2x 2GB GSkill DDR2 800
WD 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0 HDD
Pioneer 20x SATA DVD Burner
Raidmax Smilodon Case
600w OCZ GamerXStream PSU
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro HSF
Logitech G5 Laser Gamers Mouse
22" Widescreen Samsung monitor - 2ms response - 10,000:1 contrast ratio 1680x1050 native



Here's a link to what I ordered last night:

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVe...WishListNumber=7653471








I just basically want to hear opinions from forum members and just kinda talk to you guys about it. What do you think I'll be able to do with Crysis with this build?

 

[DSF]

I'd expect that you could run Crysis on High on that monitor.

Not exactly what I'd have done, but I can't say it's a bad build.

 

[vles007]

What would you have done?

 

[Ausm]

I think you did pretty well myself. I like that case too and I think I might get one for my next build.


Ausm

 

[vles007]

Thanks a ton i appreciate the comments guys

 

[modoheo]

A lot of people will tell you the Raidmax cases are junk and that you should've waited for the new family of GPU's coming out next month, perhaps going with something cheaper but still high performance like the 8800GT until then.

IMHO, you did really well though. It'll overclock well, and you'll be very pleased with your gaming experience. If you plan to overclock, don't install DES (just uncheck it) when you install the MB drivers from the CD - it'll sabotage your efforts. When I say that, I'm assuming your MB is: GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver

Have fun!

 

[vles007]

Yes, modoheo, thats what my board is. If you click the link to my list, you'll see everything i ordered.

I don't plan on overclocking right away, but i do plan on it down the road once i get used to my system.


Thanks for the advice!

 

[vles007]

Anyone else have any thoughts or input? Anyone a big gamer?

 

[Ike0069]

I like the build. My only comment would be the WD 640GB 2-platter HDD would be a better buy.

I too like that case and contemplating purchasing one. Can you give us a quick review of your thoughts on the case?

 

[NoStateofMind]

I do like the case you picked but I think the black and green is better IMO (just like the color scheme). I would have went with the EVGA 750i motherboard instead of the Gigabyte. I wouldn't have gotten the GTX because it stands to lose most of its value within a month (new GPU's coming out). But I see you have an EVGA version so that protects your investment by way of stepup which I would do immediately upon launch (middle of next month). Those are the only things I would have changed. But this type of thing is personal preference and you will not be disapointed IMO. Enjoy

 

[postmortemIA]

I think that case is not worth half of that price. It screams plastic and cheap steel.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
I think that case is not worth half of that price. It screams plastic and cheap steel.

Its got decent looks and that nifty fold down feature for the motherboard tray

 

[Baked]

Everything looked good until you got to the case. 80mm exhaust fan? Really? Do they still make 80mm fans? Antec Solo would bitch slap that Raidmax case back to china.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Baked
Everything looked good until you got to the case. 80mm exhaust fan? Really? Do they still make 80mm fans? Antec Solo would bitch slap that Raidmax case back to china.

This is the one I was talking about. Front and rear 120mm fans.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156098

 

[vles007]

Thanks guys for the replies.




The reason i went for the p35 is because im not doing SLI.




Thanks for the step up program recommendation. I will probably do that when the new GPU's launch.


I love the smilodon case. I especially love it in black/silver/blue. The green one looks nice, but it's just not my style. I have 6 brand spanking new 120mm blue case fans sitting here ready to go in my case when it arrives so im not too worried about the 80mm being in there. it's just coming out when i get my hands on it. I especially love the way that the case is designed with gamers in mind. The fold down tray for the motherboard gives such easy access to everything it's so nuts. It also helps that the case is sexy. I did a lot of research on my case and this one stood out to me as the best every time. I'm a sucker for lots of lighting and gaudiness. lol. But seriously, i chose this case because i like it. Thats what it comes down to.


About the WD 640gb,

Yeah. I know. I should have gotten that one, but i didnt really see it when i was searching. I narrowed my search to the size i was generally looking for. I should have done it by price.

 

[vles007]

ttt

 

[vles007]

ttt

 

[betasub]

Why are you bumping? To get more approval?

Anyway, looks like a nicely balanced selection - but why are you buying first and asking questions later?

 

[vles007]

Read the initial post... and that will answer your question.


I just basically want to hear opinions from forum members and just kinda talk to you guys about it.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: vles007
Read the initial post... and that will answer your question.

No it doesn't. Why order first and then ask for opinions? And yes, I've seen your GTX thread.

I just basically want to hear opinions from forum members and just kinda talk to you guys about it.

That's nice, but no need to bump repeatedly if there isn't a particular problem that needs attention.

 

[WT]

Hey, I just ordered similar parts on Friday, but I wish you would have thought about the Raidmax Smilodon Extreme, which is the updated version of the silver case that you bought. The black Extreme case replaces the two important 80mm fans (front intake and rear exhaust) with 120mm units, so that was initial gripe with the Smilodon, and with that out of the way, I was more than happy to order the case. At $75, with a $25 MIR and FREE SHIPPING (saving me $16), its a great case for $50. You can't beat that price for that kind of case.
I am waiting until the third week of June but I expect to order the eVGA 9800GTX as well. I'll then possibly Step Up to the GTX2xx card in three months. Went with the eVGA 750SLI FTW board which replaces my current 650 board.