New Gaming Rig Recommendations

[daba]

Hello all,

I've been out of the loop for a while but I'd like to build a new quiet desktop gaming rig that can adequately play games and watch movies on my monitors. Main limitations are my Dell 3007 and a secondary Dell 2405 so I'll probably need dual video cards.

I have no idea where to start so any setups are welcome. For budget let's say in the ballpark of $1500? Willing to go over if the price justifies it. I'm basically starting from scratch except for the case and PSU (Lian Li V1000, Corsair HX620) but if someone can recommend a better one than that I'm open to suggestions. I'll also need a recommendation on a heatsink, fan, etc.

I did some preliminary research and saw that the Q6600 just had a price cut to $185 so I'd be happy to use that chip unless someone recommends otherwise. Storage looking for at least 1TB and a MB that can do RAID-0, ASUS RAMPAGE or P5Q maybe?

In summary:
- Needs to be quiet
- Needs to be able to play games satisfactorily on Dell 3007 and be able to support an additional Dell 2405
- Would like at least 1TB storage and RAID-0
- Probably 4GB RAM
- Budget ~$1500 but can go higher if worth the value
- Motherboard with built in Wifi would be nice
- Have case and MB

Thank you!

 

[silent-circuit]

Built in WiFi is generally a bad plan -- it's rarely as good as a $20 add-in card, and boards including it tend to be horribly overpriced.

Q6600 - $185
Xigmatech HDT-S1283 HSF + Xigmatech bolt-thru kit - $40
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R - $135
Gigabyte AirPace G PCI WiFi - $15
4GB G.Skill DDR2-800 - $80
Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB 7200RPM SATA x2 - $220 ($110 each)
Samsung 22X SATA DVDRW - $25
ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 - $550

You already have the V1000 and 620HX, yes? So that should be it. $1250 + shipping. In fact, you could go ~$100 cheaper with no real ill effects by replacing the motherboard with a MSI P45 Neo3-F ($90 AR) and the Samsung F1s with a pair of Western Digital AAKS 640GBs for $180. Up to you.

Overclock the Q6600 to 3.2-3.6Ghz (depending on how lucky you get with the chip) and you, sir, are in business. No second graphics card necessary.

Also, add $100 for Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM if you need it.

 

[daba]

Hm, is an Sli/xfire set up necessary? What about a single nVidia 280 card? Would rather only have one so I don't have to get two quiet HSF for the GPU's.

For example this EVGA 280: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130367

Edit: doesn't look like it, I'll need 2 of them.

 

[silent-circuit]

I would go with a 4870X2 for that resolution. A single 280 may very well choke in newer titles, the 4870X2 is less likely to, and the price differential is not that great. 30" LCDs are murder on graphics cards.

 

[daba]

Yea, that sounds like a better idea. I'll go for the 2x4870's. Thanks a lot silent-circuit.

I'm also thinking of Vista 64-bit Premium, but I'm a bit apprehensive on 64-bit causing problems with software (esp. old software). Anyone have any experience with this? This is not included in the ~$1500 price, which I have allocated for hardware only.

 

[Zero82z]

Yea, that sounds like a better idea. I'll go for the 2x4870's. Thanks a lot silent-circuit.

A 4870X2 is a single card with two GPUs, not a two-card Crossfire setup. See the [H] preview of R700 for more details. You will also be able to add a second 4870X2 in Crossfire in the future if you aren't satisfied with your performance.

Also, about Vista x64, you have very little to worry about. Unlike XP x64, Vista has excellent driver support and works with nearly every single piece of software out there aside from really old stuff.

 

[daba]

Ah, so the 4870X2 isn't out yet. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[daba]

What about a Q9450 or a Q9550 if I don't feel like OCing?

 

[Zero82z]

What about a Q9450 or a Q9550 if I don't feel like OCing?

Those would be fine, although considering how easy it is to overclock Core 2 chips, you may as well give it a shot. It's basically guaranteed free performance.

 

[daba]

Hello all,

I ended up going with:

* Q9450 (Microcenter had it for only $280)
* 2x2GB OCZ Reaper DDR2-1066
* Asus Rampage Formula - went with this because the P5Q had issues with 1066 RAM and didn't feel like having performance issues - also came with sound card
* 2x750GB Samsung's
* Xigmatek HSF and the retention bracket
* Vista 64-bit premium

Waiting for 4870X2 (although are there going to be any HSF for this - preferably with fans that I can choose to mount [e.g. Thermalright HSF's]), temporary 8800 GT in there for now.

Spent a bit more than $1500 but I don't really care too much. The performance is great and runs the 3007WFP perfectly. Can finally watch HD video again!

Here's a little snapshot of it in the case:

Thanks to all.

 

[engiNURD]

Thats it?! one shot?! Well, looks good! lol.

 

[Zero82z]

Waiting for 4870X2 (although are there going to be any HSF for this - preferably with fans that I can choose to mount [e.g. Thermalright HSF's])

Doubtful. Since the card's design is odd and two GPUs need to be cooled, there will most likely be a few custom waterblocks for it at most. It's similar to the situation with the 3870X2. However, the stock cooler should be sufficient.

 

[daba]

That's what I figure, but the stock cooler will most likely be too loud, undermining the efforts to silence the rest of the computer.

Maybe I'll get the waterblocks and set up a separate loop for the GPU that is external, like the Zalman series reserators.

 

[lamboman]

Looks great. Mind you, the memory problems are apparently going to be fixed with a BIOS update, but whatever. You chose great parts.

 

[Zero82z]

Maybe I'll get the waterblocks and set up a separate loop for the GPU that is external, like the Zalman series reserators.

That's if waterblocks are actually released. Like I said, that's really the most you can expect, although there's no guarantee that any custom coolers will be made for it altogether. Hopefully there will be something decent though. Plus, it remains to be seen just how loud the stock cooler actually is.