Critique my New Build

[darqice]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
-gaming, general internet, good value, low energy footprint.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-$800

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
-USA - newegg

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
-n/a

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-big antec case, mouse, keyboard, 19" dell 1907fp (may upgrade to 22" widescreen?).

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
-yes

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-yes OC

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-buying parts tonight
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Can I do any better?


ASUS P5Q-E ATX Intel Motherboard - Item #:N82E16813131296
$148.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Item #:N82E16819115037 -
$164.99

OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Item #: N82E16820227298
$94.99 - $30.00 Mail-in Rebate

Open Box: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Item #:N82E16835186134R
$12.99

EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896-P3-1260-AR Video Card - core 192. - Item #:N82E16814130370
$254.99 - $40.00 Mail-in Rebate

Western Digital Caviar SE16 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Item #:N82E16822136218
$74.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - Item #:N82E16827136152
$23.99

PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply - Item #: N82E16817703005
$95.00 - $30.00 Mail-in Rebate

Grand Total: $885.0 - $100 total rebates

= $785.

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Notes:
I'm going to shoot for: 4.0ghz = 9 x 450fsb - memory @ 6:5 = DDR-1080 - Trd = 6.
I'd be happy with: 3.6ghz = 9 x 400fsb - memory @ 5:4 = DDR1000 - Trd = 5. - lower energy footprint as well.

Also considered: Core 216 gtx 260 - but $65 more, 150 gb Velociraptor, but $100 more.

Still thinking about adding a 22/24" widescreeen monitor - thoughts?

 

[Blain]

"7. -yes OC"


Buy a cheaper 45nm CPU (E5200 or E7200), along with Non-OCZ DDR2-800 1.8v memory and a HD4870.

 

[Roguestar]

I'd go for the 4870 1GB and RAM at 1.8V (I think there's G.Skill "DDR2-900" (yes 900) at 1.8v on offer on newegg at the moment).

 

[darqice]

Good points - I could save about $60 with e7200 + 1.8v ddr-800.

I would probably run the e7200 @ 3.33ghz = 10 x 333fsb - memory @ 5:4 = DDR-832 - Trd = ?

But for $60 more I get 6 vs 3 mb cache, and should be ablte to overclock the e8400 to 4.0 ghz - which I think is worth it for the performance?

"I'm going to shoot for: 4.0ghz = 9 x 450fsb - memory @ 6:5 = DDR-1080 - Trd = 6."

The gtx 260 with 896mb ram @ $215 is a little cheaper than most 4870 512mb - and about the same on most benchmarks, and over 40watts less power when idle! (and cooler)

http://www.techspot.com/review...-4850-4870/page10.html

Thoughts?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: darqice
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-yes OC

I'd be happy with: 3.6ghz

Don't worry about 4GHz vs 3.6GHz.
Why slam more core voltage at a CPU just to get slightly elevated benchmark scores?

 

[Roguestar]

If you're going to upgrade to 22" (1920 resolution) then the 4870 1GB is a much better choice.

 

[DSF]

I wouldn't worry about running your RAM asynchronously.

Can you find a review where RAM running 100MHz faster has any impact in gaming? I can't.

Incidentally, trying to overclock to 4 GHz doesn't jive with your "low energy" goal.

 

[darqice]

What would be the main reasons to go with 1.8v ddr2 800/900 vs 2.1v ddr2 ram that's spec-ed for higher speeds?

Can't I just run the higher spec-ed RAM @ 1.8v at lower speeds if I want? But I have the higher speeds also if needed for OC stuff...

 

[darqice]

anyone other comments before i click "buy?"

 

[Blain]

Shorthand on the 1.8v issue, according to Blain...

* The DDR2 voltage "standard" is 1.8v
* Some companies can push mediocre memory to run stable at higher clocks by slamming more voltage to the modules.
* Over time, higher voltage degrades the quality of memory chips.
* I see voltage slamming as a sort of "cheat" to sell low to medium quality memory at a premium price.