Hardware Help?

[Qoatl]

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum, so let me start by saying hello

I worked in the computer field for 8 years in the past and I always built my own computers, but I have been out of the field for a number of years and find that I am out of touch with some of the changes in technology regarding specific components.

I am looking to build a new gaming rig and wanted to enlist the help of some folks whose knowledge might be a bit more current than my own. Here is one set of hardware that I am considering. This list does not sap my budget, so there's room for upgrades. Anyone had any good or bad experiences with the following components, or have others they would recommend?

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X48T-DQ6

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.66

Cooling Fan ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler

Power Supply: OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V (considering 1010W)

Video card: Dual GeForce 9600GT

Case: LIAN LI PC-61 USB Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Memory: CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

I have the hard drives, sound card, and optical drives already
I don't are if a case looks good, I just need it to have good air flow/cooling.

Thanks!

[interman]

It looks like a nice system. One thing though, is it the Intel Q9450 CPU you're getting?

The case should have good air flow. I've used Lian Li for years and I have practically no complaints.

[Qoatl]

Yeah, good case.
Actually, the system as described comes in $300-400 under my budget.
I'm just not sure which components I want to upgrade.
I could go for slightly better video cards but I'm not sure that's really necessary.
I could go for faster RAM.
Any thoughts?

As far as the Q9450... I was looking at the 6700. I see the 9450 has a 1333 FSB for not that much more money. From my previous experience, I've found that you have to watch intel. Sometimes the processor that is faster in theory is really just more expensive and sometimes the "better" processors heat up a lot more. What processor would you recommend for $600 or less? Would I be better off buying something more in the $300-$400 price range (like the Q9450) and picking up faster RAM or better video cards?
Thanks!

[Gazz]

One simple question, what OS are you going to use for gaming?

If you have some time to spare, then wait a few weeks for the new Nvidia/AMD GPUś to come out.

[interman]

I'd consider waiting a little bit and hopping on the Intel Nehalem (x58) wagon. Performance will get a fairly significant boost, but it means you'll need three RAM sticks for triple-channel goodness. As far as I know OCZ has the best bang for the buck, but Corsair is good too (though a bit more expensive).

In terms of CPU you probably want to consider a faster core 2 duo if you're mostly using it for games. Quads are great for stuff like encoding and multimedia in general, but are definitely slower in games (until programmers get better at using more than two cores). I'm really happy with my E8500, which is also super affordable.

Lots of x58 motherboards were shown at Computex a few days ago, so they really just need to manufacture and ship.

edit: did some searching and it looks like the platform isn't shipping until Q4. In that case get x48, a good quad if you do multimedia, or a good duo if you're mostly a gamer. In terms of gaming performance the vidcard is going to make the most difference though. You could consider getting one really fast card for now, and consider adding another later.

Here's some nehalem info if you're curious AnandTech: The Nehalem Preview: Intel Does It Again

[Richard_Rahl]

He wants to build in two 9600s in SLI. Wouldn't it be better to change that into either a GeForce 9800 GX2 or 2 8800GT's?

[BuffaloChips]

If he must have right now, I'd say the 8800GT's would be the better choice.

I do agree with Gazz, if you can wait a bit go for the new cards when they come out.

[interman]

Also worth remembering that with new cards out the older ones get cheaper

[Qoatl]

Yeah, 8800s probably are the way to go. I can wait for the new cards to come out, but I never buy new video cards because they're always overpriced for what you get (unless there is a substantial upgrade in features, not just speed -- e.g. SM2 to SM3). It will drop the price of the cards I'm looking at, though. Right now I have an ATI X800XT PE, so 2 8800 GTs would be a significant upgrade ;)

Interman: Interesting point regarding core 2 duo vs quad for gaming. I guess it boils down to how long I think it's going to take before game developers start making games that run efficiently on the quads. If the answer is soon, then the Quad will give more longevity. I'll probably go with the duo. Thanks for the advice.

Someone suggested the mobo I listed above doesn't work with SLI. I have to look into that, because I thought it did.

Any recs RE: mobos?

BTW, I just figured out that my budget is around $200 more than I thought (thanks for overcharging me last year Uncle Sam),
so I can actually go around $600 beyond the parts I listed in the initial post. I could get one 9800 GTX, but I have to think you get more bang for your buck going with two cheaper cards as long as the technology is similar to the more expensive card.

[interman]

By the time developers get better at using 3+ cores the nehalem (8 cores) will be out, and that'll completely outperform anything else. Alan Wake was supposed to be one of the first games using four cores, but no one knows when that'll be out. I seem to recall the unreal 3.0 engine being decent at using multiple cores, and it's definitely one of the main goals in whatever engines are being made now.

I think a solid strategy would be to spend a reasonable sum on motherboard, cpu and ram, and more on the video card(s). Maybe early next year when a bunch of new stuff is out you can just replace the cpu and motherboard, and maybe get another stick of ram - and be set once again.