Suggestions for new build

[ZoSo]

I'm going to be coming into a bit of monies soon and of course it's time for a new system build
In general I used AMD for 99% of my builds but this time I think I'm going to go with Intel.
I just started researching the Intel stuff and figured this is a good place to come for some advice.
I want to build a quad core for mostly gaming but will also use it as a DAW.
I don't plan to OC very much if any right now, maybe if there's a need for it down the road.
I most likely will get a 9800GTX.
But I'm not sure about which CPU, (Intel seems to have half a dozen choices) or chipset to go with. Also should I go with DDR3 or a DDR2 board?
I also want it to be very quiet.
Not too much of an order,,heh
Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,
ZoSo

 

[DSF]

A quiet computer is part case, part component choices. Have you given any thought to what you want in a case?

I wouldn't recommend the GTX. 8800GTSs are almost as fast for significantly less money, and new graphics cards are due out very soon which could shake up the video card market anyhow.

For gaming a fast dual core is going to be more cost-effective than a quad, especially since you don't really want to overclock. How much CPU do you need available for your DAW uses, and do you need it available while gaming?

DDR2 is the way to go right now. There's just no justification for DDR3's much higher price tag.

 

[ZoSo]

I would rather go with a quad core for the DAW, it can get pretty intense at times. No gaming while using DAW,,heh
As far as a case I'm looking at Lian-Li, either the PC-B25 or PC-X500.
I might just wait for the new Nvidia cards too.
I'm in no rush, might be close to a month before I start ordering parts, if I can hold off

 

[DSF]

If you're planning to wait that long, then any specific advice is likely to change. Your best bet is to follow the forums/articles for the next month and then post again when you're within a week of building.

Not that Lian-Lis are bad cases, but they won't be super-quiet with all-aluminum construction.

 

[ZoSo]

It might not be that long though,,hehe

 

[ZoSo]

Ok, this is what I narrowed it down to so far:

M/B - ASUS Rampage Formula
CPU - Q9450 or Q9550, depends on the mood I'm in when ordering
HSF - Still deciding but looking for quiet as possible with good cooling.
RAM - Either Mushkin 1066 or Corsair 1066, 4GB
HDD - WD VelociRaptor, possibly 2
VID - One of the new Nvidia G200 series
PSU - 750watt either PC Power and Cooling or Corsair, whichever one is quieter.
Case - Lian-Li PC-X500, if it's not out when I'm ready, then the PC-B25 it is.
I'll most likely change as many fans as possible with Noctua fans.
O/S - Vista Ult, XP Pro, and Linux Gnome 2008, all 32bit.

 

[roguerower]

Using 32-bit OS won't allow you to use the full 4gb of RAM.

Would need to upgrade to a 64-bit...Vista 64 probably being the better of 2 evils

 

[DSF]

There's nothing to justify the expense of the X48 motherboard for you really, and DDR2-1066 doesn't provide any tangible performance benefit over the noticeably less expensive DDR2-1000. I also wouldn't set your heart on a new Nvidia card until we see what ATI is bringing out. From everything I'm reading ATI may win this round in the price/performance arena. 750W is more than you need for a single-card setup, but the Corsair would be quieter.

I also wonder why you have Vista 32-bit on top of the other two OSes.

 

[ZoSo]

I run the trip boot setup now and am very happy with it. I might get the 64bit Vista Ult though. I use the XP Pro 32bit as my DAW. The software I use is incredibly stable under this environment as is the drivers I use, and that's what I need. As far as Linux, 64bit software still have alot of issues at this point, but it's easy enough to change down the road.
There's also the possibility I would jump to 8GB of RAM if it doesn't impair my XP DAW, still looking in to this one.

After reading the GT200 cards reviews so far, I'm kind of disappointed, especially for the price range I would've expected a little more to say the least.
For now I'll probably go with a BFG or EVGA 9800GTX and take advantage of there trade-up programs down the road for a GTX280, after it matures a bit and different flavors are out.

 

[DSF]

I don't really recommend the 9800GTX. The 8800GTS is 95% of the performance for 60-80% of the price. Buy one of those, overclock it, and you'll probably come out about even.

I would see what ATI comes up with this month though. The 4850 is supposed to compete well with current offerings and be under $300 from what I understand.