Computer Build Hardware Suggestions - Gaming Rig

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

foolios

Posts: 18   +0
I am looking to build a gaming rig and it's been a while. I was hoping someone could point me to two things:
1) The hardware that is recommended
2) A reliable place online to get the parts

Based on my limited knowledge, I am guessing at things like;

10,000rpm drives - Raid 0

SLI or Crossfire video cards(2)

650 Watt P/S

2GB Memory, not sure what memory is low latency or how to tell, I'm guessing numbers like 2 2 2 2 2 is best?

Windows XP Pro

Intel quad processor

No clue about what motherboard brand to go with. I have had bad luck with Gigabyte, I know that...

Thanks so much in advance!
 
Go with an ASUS board. I've been runing them for about 4 years and haven't haed a problem with them and I've run about 3 of them. Do yourself a favor though, make sure you run DDR2 Dual channel. You'll thank yourself for it.
 
First off, unless you have a large monitor capable of resolutions above 1600x1200 forget about running SLI or Crossfire, since it is at these resolutions that the real performance benefits from these configurations show up. If you want any recommendations for your PC, give me a budget and the name of the country you're living in right now and I'll whip up something for you.
 
http://www.newegg.com

That is where you should be getting your hardware, if you live in the US.

I'd go with a Core 2 Quad, any model will do really.

2 8800 series cards (GTX, GTS 512, GT 512, or Ultra)

An ASUS SLI Motherboard

2GB of a good brand of memory (Corsair, OCZ etc)

You don't really need a 10,000 RPM hard drive, just get a nice 500GB or so.

Personally I'd recommend Windows Vista, but if you'd rather use XP then that's fine too.

And as for the PSU, before you buy one, come and tell us here which one you plan on buying, because we'll tell you if it's a good one or a bad one, and the PSU is perhaps the most important part of the system.
 
Yes, U.S.

Sorry I didn't mention that. I'd say around $1000, no monitor or case included. I have a case. Need the P/S for it though.
 
i'm in the same boat as this guy!
foolios im building something similar to yours!
I live in Vancouver,BC Canada
and I shop at NCIX.com
I'm looking to build with a q6600
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core Processor LGA775 Kentsfield 2.40GHZ 1066FSB 8MB Retail Box
My problem is there are many Mobo's out and different versions of the 8800 GT(s)(x)
that it's got me confused on what to purchase!
hope you can help me out...Asus striker extreme, evga nforce 680i, Asus formula Maximus? Oh and does the Asus striker and maximus only use ATI cards? i just don't know!
hopefully you guys can clarify some things for me :) i don't think i'll be using RAID as you know..setting up raid you'll own yourself silly as it has zero fault tolerance!
oh yeah no real budget here so throw things u'd really want in your own rig HEHE :p
my other option is just to get something made from alienware..but..that'll take all the fun out and ill end up spending more then i should :) hehe
thanks again guys!

this is the case i will be using

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26671&vpn=RC-830-KKN3&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
 
Ok, so far for the video:
BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOC2E GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012

For the processor:
Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

or

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor BX80562Q6600 - 2.40GHz, 8MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB, Kentsfield, Quad-Core, Retail, Socket 775, Processor with Fan
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2905631

I'm not sure why the second one has more cache(8mb) for the same price but I would think that makes it better. I need an opinion.

Memory:
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565

The only motherboard I can find on newegg that seems decent is:
ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131074

For power supply I am still looking at them, it appears that I will need one that has 4 6-pin connector for the PCI-e video cards, if in case I add a second one later on. I am guessing I will need at least 600Watts. I gotta match a lot of things still.

Drives:
2x - Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012

Thanks for the help so far.
 
For foolios, this is the build I recommend:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 CPU BX80562Q6600, 8MB L2 Cache - $278.00
Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R P35 Motherboard - $138.98
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - $46.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply 90 - 264 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail - $74.99 after $15 rebate
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail - $269.99
Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $99.99
LITE-ON 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner included extra White bezel - Retail - $29.99

Grand Total = $938.93 which leaves enough for shipping charges. An excellent computer that will rip through most games and apps without breaking much of a sweat.

@zazazoom, look for the same parts as in the Alienware Area 51 desktop on sites like NCIX, TigerDirect.ca and CanadaComputers.com and you should find what you want. However, feel free to pick up some tips from the build I made for foolios above. :)
 
Thank you so much. I am going to browse your list and make changes to mine.

Concerning ESD.

Would it work if I had an extra power cord that I strip of the two prongs for hot and neutral and left the 3rd prong for ground and plugged that in from the power supply to the wall outlet?

I was thinking that if I had my ESD wriststrap on and that cord plugged in as a ground that that would really help my system and not jeapordize it by still having power from the wall outlet?

What do you think?

For the Mushkin memory, I notice that the timings are 5-4-4-12
or
5-5-5-12
or
5-5-5-18

and for other memory like OCZ:
8-8-8-27
7-6-6-24
7-7-7-20

G-Skill:
From 5-5-5-15 to 9-9-9-24

Lower is better right? So in this case the Mushkin is blowing out the others right?
 
Ok, this is the new list. Thanks to all the info and help here. If someone finds anything wrong/incompatible or just not a good choice. By all means, please reply!

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

MB
ASUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131074
Manufacturer’s Website
http://usa.asus.com/products.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1439&l1=3&l2=11&l3=397&l4=0

Video
BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOC2E GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143117

Memory
Mushkin 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Cas 5-4-4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

Drives
2x - Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136012

ROM
LITE-ON 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM IDE DVD Burner included extra White bezel - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106079

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002&Tpk=corsair+620HX

Ok, I don't know if I am forgetting anything besides the case. I still have to see if there's a case I'll like better. I think my biggest concern for the case is that it has plenty of airflow and a side fan opening in the case to blow outside air into the case at the video card and maybe help proc fan cooling. If anyone knows of a great one to recommend that would be appreciated. I have read that Antec and Luan are good, maybe Thermaltake?
As for the BFG video card choice, I chose that one because I've been told you can add an add-on card that gives you some kind of enhanced visuals for your games that only the add-on card can provide.

Thanks again for all the help. It's getting real close to final!
 
hey yo rage if i get the
Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R ATX LGA775 Conroe P35 DDR2/DDR3 1PCI-E16 SATA RAID Sound GBLAN Motherboard
and get the
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

can they be put on SLI with that mobo?
 
nevermind that board doesn't support SLI but like you said.. don't really need SLI unless u plan on playing games at uber EXTREME resolutions
 
i'm thinkin about the choices u made and i really might consider them
they have that
mobo at NCIX for about 163
for the graphics card they dont have that at NCIX and newegg doesn't ship to canada you think you can pick one from tiger or ncix?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
Need Help for Choosing a Part to Build Gaming PC
Replies
5
Views
929
m3tavision
m3tavision
Shawn Knight
Lenovo's Legion 9i gaming laptop packs integrated liquid-cooling and top-tier hardware
Replies
11
Views
550
Trapped Nowhere
T
Shawn Knight
Asrock and MSI motherboards now support 256 GB of DDR5 memory
Replies
7
Views
461
thewelshbrummie
T

Latest posts

Back