Critique my gaming build build

[1080p]

Critique my gaming build

-gaming at 1920, mostly FPS games
-high overclocking
-will be water cooling ($600 budget for those parts will be saved up) just before summer
-don't want i7 (too pricey).

Trying to keep the build under $2k excluding water cooling

1. ASUS Rampage Formula X48. <--99% sure

2. Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core <-- Is it worth going for 8600 or Quad core?

3. G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 <-- Don't know much about ram but I need ram that overclocks well with the Mobo.

4. Cooler Master Haf 932 Full Tower <-- 99% sure, great case for 360 rad.

5. Diamond Radeon HD 4870 X2 Xoc 800MHZ 2GB <-- Don't know much about which 4870 X2 are reference design for a full cover waterblock.

6. Corsair TX850W 850W CMPSU-850TX <-- 99% sure. Need a little extra watts for the pump. This PSU got great reviews. Any better PSU you can suggest in the same price range is welcome.

7. Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB <--100% sure.

8. LG Internal Blu-ray Disc / HD DVD Reader / DVD Rewriter (GGC-H20L) <-- 100% sure.

9. waiting for a good price for a dell 2408 a01 monitor if it goes on sale again for $549 or less.




Any suggestions for specific models for ram, video card 4870X2 (has to be ref design for full water block), and cpu.

 

[magictorch]

I know you said you dont want to but with your budget you can get the i7- something like the NCIX- EVGA X58 i920 bundle for $658 plus triple channel ram about 160-220 is doable for sure.

Also don't bother with the 4870X2 go for a GTX280 ($360) OR wait and get the GTX285 (~$450?), the GTX285 is going to be a bit of brute.

For your monitor something like a Ben Q 2400WD~$330 is great for movies and games..I have that model and although its a TN panel its really nice...rich black and vivid colors, decent viewing angles.

other than that good case, psu, and drive.

 

[3.0charlie]

For 2000$, I'd go for this i7 build anytime: NCIX.com - Buy Nx Fusion 12-SERIES PC Core i7 920 X58 6GB RAM GTX 280 1TB HDD DVD 650W PSU -ASSEMBLED - NCIXPC-V6200 In Canada.. With s/h, and taxes, comes down to 2000.27$.

 

[magictorch]

Yea thats one hell of a deal 3.0charlie!

 

[1080p]

yuck i7. Thanks but no thanks.
waste of $$$
that system not a strong enough power supply either for watercooling.

back on topic, thought I would get some expert advise:

Diamond Radeon HD 4870 X2 Xoc 800MHZ 2GB

I checked the 295 looks great but the 4870X2 are now coming with $50 rebates so I think I'll stick with it. Don't know much about which 4870 X2 are reference design for a full cover waterblock. Any suggestions?

G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 <-- Don't know much about ram but I need ram that overclocks well with the Rampage Formula Mobo.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core <-- Is it worth going for 8600 or Quad core?
It might be now that Intel is dropping prices because of the amd processor.
A 9650 with a 40% price drop might be a good buy, any opinions?

thanks.

oh any I"ll wait a while for new monitors by samsung 120hz and dell "g" led backlighting coming out in a month - 2 months. At least that will drive the price of the 2408 rev 01 ultashrap significantly. Not sold on 3d capable samsung monitor because FPS will take a hit and price of 3d glasses and 295 card.

 

[3.0charlie]

WHAT? If you think that spending 2G on a 775 system, when you can have an i7 for less, then I'm out of this thread. Also, that TX650W has plenty of power for that NCIx system, more than enough actually - even if you add a water-cooling pump... Heck, my water-cooled rig runs on a TX750W with sli'ed 260s....

Anyway. I'm no expert. Have fun.

 

[1080p]

WHAT? If you think that spending 2G on a 775 system, when you can have an i7 for less, then I'm out of this thread. Also, that TX650W has plenty of power for that NCIx system, more than enough actually - even if you add a water-cooling pump... Heck, my water-cooled rig runs on a TX750W with sli'ed 260s....

Anyway. I'm no expert. Have fun.

thanks but
Asked already, 650 is cutting it very close for water cooling and multifans. And the 850 was on sale thats why I went for that. yeah 650 is fine for that system just as you said. 100% sure I want the haf for watercooling after mreading many reviews between 1200 and haf for watercooling.

Unfortunately, the system you suggest has NO monitor. Pretty sure I need a monitor lol. My imagining what games looks like is not so good.:rofl:
THe system you suggest will push my budget closer to 2.5k and beyond (need a monitor) and seriously I don't see a need for i7. Maybe if I were building in 9 months yeah ok go for i7.

hope I did not hurt your feelings though, I said thanks a few times now. BUT i really don't want i7, especially not for that price premium 2.5k after monitor.

Anyhow these are the questions I would like input from people who have the parts already and/or experts:

Diamond Radeon HD 4870 X2 Xoc 800MHZ 2GB

I checked the 295 looks great but the 4870X2 are now coming with $50 rebates so I think I'll stick with it. Don't know much about which 4870 X2 are reference design for a full cover waterblock. Any suggestions?

G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 <-- Don't know much about ram but I need ram that overclocks well with the Rampage Formula Mobo.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core <-- Is it worth going for 8600 or Quad core?
It might be now that Intel is dropping prices because of the amd processor.
A 9650 with a 40% price drop might be a good buy, any opinions?

thanks.

 

[Andy]

You seem to already know what you want and need, so that is good. If you are happy with the 4870X2 then get that. I'd recommend a XFX, HIS, or Visiontek version, just do your research on the warranties. If you plan to watercool it, definitely go with the XFX Card, as they are known for having the best warranty of the bunch (they are however brand new).

As for the G.Skill Ram you are looking at, they should be just fine for your needs. However there was a thread over at XSF a while ago, concerning some overclocking issues, but I can't say for sure if it was these chips specifically. I personally have run G.Skill Ram for many years with no issues.

For your last question, you will never get an answer for that. Dual or Quad, it is all preference. The E8400 will be perfect for gaming, but so will the equivalent quad. Basically just decide on dual or quad, and pick the chip for your budget. As far as duals go, as I have owned three now, I can guarantee you will be happy with the 8*** series chips, and all have a very decent overclocking overhead, with the proper cooling.

Good luck with your build, as it should be quite the 775 monster when you are done.

Oh, and lol at the tags. Oh again, and that price chart you posted above, just remember that those prices are in US dollars.

 

[member 3099]

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Dual Core <-- Is it worth going for 8600 or Quad core?
thanks.

The e8600 has still quite a price gap to be considered worth it... check into the e8500, .16 more ghz, and barely more expensive than the e8400. Worth it? I would say it is.

 

[Andy]

The e8600 has still quite a price gap to be considered worth it... check into the e8500, .16 more ghz, and barely more expensive than the e8400. Worth it? I would say it is.

It may have a higher clock (.16) but it is the 9.5 multiplier that is important. Essentially allowing you to run a higher clock with less strain on the FSB.


Oh, and I just saw this, check the link below as he is selling a 4870X2 with block included.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/13598-watercooled-skulltrail-system.html