Opinions on this build - Tech Support Forums

hrev0 · August 28th, 2008, 08:26 PM

This is gonna be my first real build and just wanted some opinions on everything that im puttin together.

780i FTW Mobo
Newegg.com - EVGA 132-YW-E178-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI FTW ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
eVga 260 gfx
Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
OCZ (2 x 1GB) 1066 DDR2Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
stuffed into Antecs big a$$ server case
Amazon.com: Antec ATLAS Black Server Case 550W External 5.25" Drive Bays: Electronics
which comes with a 550w PSU:
ANTEC TPII550 TRUEPOWER 2.0 ATX 12V VERSION 2.0 550W UL & FCC POWER SUPPLY
is that going to be enough power? The 260 requires some 500w.

And If I decided to go with Vista 64bit do you think 4GB ram is necessary?

O yea and is that ram any good?

KarmaKiller · August 28th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Hi.
A couple of thoughts here.
1. Unless you plan on going Tri-SLI (which is a waste of $) there is no need for the 780i boards. The 750i boards are a great option though. They are much cheaper, and have pretty much all the goodies.

2. I myself would put no less the 600watts into that system. I have a 680i Mobo, OC'd Q6600,9800GTX,2Gb's or RAM, and I think I'm pushing it. Really, a quality 600-700w PSU would be right for your system IMO.

3. I'd wait till they release the GTX260 +. They are coming out very soon. They'll use a die shrink, less power, run cooler, and probably OC better also. I'm not for sure when, but I know LOTS of people are waiting for them.

4. The RAM is okay. I myself would be getting these
Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Just my two cents..

Rootstonian · August 28th, 2008, 08:46 PM

I'm not the expert on this, but a lot of your stuff is based on SLI; are you going to use it?

If not, I imagine you can save a few bucks and scale back.

Windows 3.1, 95, 98, XP, Vista...all love memory. Get 4 gig for Vista and make sure you can expand to 8. I haven't checked in a while, but I recall memory being pretty cheap these days. In the past, I've paid $100 for a 512K stick and my last TWO gig a few months back cost me $80

2monsters · August 28th, 2008, 08:48 PM

I would go with a better power supply, as karmakiller suggested.
Hold out a little while longer for the GTX260, as prices are falling on the regulars cause the + is about to hit the shelves. Also there has been a few sites within the last few days selling the GTX 260's for $180.
Last but not least i run Vista Ultimate fine with 2GB's of memory
Ocz's platinum rev.2 xtc to be exact. As far as the memory goes it really depends on what your going to be using the system for.

batmeat · August 28th, 2008, 10:14 PM

That's a good build. What do you plan on using the computer for? Are you going to try and overclock it?

hrev0 · August 28th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Thanks alot for all the input.

Ive been going back and forth between the 750i and 780i. I doubt ill ever utalize the tri-sli or even the sli but ill probably end up going with the 780 just because of the 2 extra sata ports. (Building this with long-term in mind) And that way can also throw the gfx card all the way to the right to avoid some of the heat comming from the north bridge.
I dunno how I missed that RAM. Ill take an extra 2 GB for 5$ more; thanks for the link KarmaKiller.

What do you think about this PSU:
Newegg.com - COOLMAX CUG-700B 700W ATX 12V( V.2.2) SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
I havent looked into PSU ... is this good for the price?

Dunno if I can wait for the 260+. I did a quick google but didnt find a release date; anyone know of a ballpark date or month when its commin out?

Umm I really just need to update my comp. Im willing to fork over a decent ammount of money so that this build lasts me for awhile. I know Ill mess around with the OC settings when I first put it all together; but unless I can actully notice a difference Ill probably end up reverting it back to its original settings to try and keep the heat down and the longevity up.

KarmaKiller · August 28th, 2008, 10:50 PM

I'll look for the link for the + release date.

As far as the PSU, I would not get that particular one. There are better choices out there. I can link you to some, but basically you want one of these:
Corsair
OCZ
Silverstone
PC Power&Cooling
FSP/Sparkle
Tagen/ABS
Those are the "big" names as far as quality. There are more, but that's just the one's I thought of of the top of my head.

EDIT:
Release date info..Supposed to be by the end of next month.
Where Is Gtx280+/gtx260+??!! - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

EXreaction · August 28th, 2008, 11:43 PM

Spending $240 on a motherboard is a huge waste unless you intend to use all of it. You can get more than adequate boards for under $100.

If you need more SATA ports in the future you can pick up a 2 port SATA controller card for $10 or a 4 port for $25.

Instead of the GTX 260 I'd go with a 4870.

hrev0 · August 28th, 2008, 11:52 PM

Thank again fo rthe link. Dunno if I cant wait a month :/ but ill try

Think Im going to go with OCZs 700w
OCZ GameXStream 700-Watt ATX 120mm Fan SATA Ready SLI Ready EPS Active PFC Power Supply OCZ700GXSSLI at TigerDirect.com

Do you know if you can use the mobos build in RAID controller with those SATA chips?

nickslick74 · August 29th, 2008, 12:07 AM

You can get the OCZ at Newegg for $20 less if you don't mind using MIR's, also the shipping is free. Otherwise, nice PSU and total build.