Simviation Forums

OK so here is what might be my new system that I will build.

EVGA nForce 780i SLI motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Extream QX9650 2.26Ghz (is there any that runs at 3.2Ghz?)I think. I have to go and take a look at the store once more to confirm.
Windows XP Pro 64bit
Crucial 2x2Gb RAM or 4x1Gb DDR2
Geforce 8800 Ultra or GTX. May go with the 9800 cards when they come out though.
500 Gb 10,000 RPM HDD. SATA connections and i think a RAID set up as I only have one HDD.
HP DVD/CD rewritable drive and a Philips DVD-ROM drive
Antec 900 case with those massive fans
1,100 Watt PSU from Thermaltake or some other brand


Advise me if I need any extra cooling devices or maybe set up the wrong thing.

My first build so I need all the help I can get from you SimV computer people. Hardware recomendations are more than welcomed.

Thanks

Good computer... but I would change some things. Change motherboard to ASUS X38 or Gigabyte X38 and buy some nice DDR3. Gigabyte makes cheaper X38 boards, cheaper than the 780i, but still fantastic. I am not sure about the 780i, but as far as I know, it doesn't support DDR3... 3 way SLI seems more like a gimmick unless you specifically NEED that power.

The 8800GTX is good... but it's almost two years old. 3870x2 is faster and doesn't have the driver issues that Nvidia has.

Here's what I would build:
ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME LGA 775 Intel X38 or Gigabyte X38
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield
2x2gb DDR3-1333 or higher.... perhaps 4x1 DDR3-1333+, or maybe 2gb... I don't know what you want to do with it.
Radeon HD 3870 X2
Antex 900
PC POWER & COOLING 750 watt or higher
Thermalright 120 extreme



There's no such a thing as a 500 Gb 10,000 RPM HDD, unless maybe some kind of ultra expensive SCSI drive. Fastest you can get now that are SATA are Raptor 150gbs. There are also the new Seagate drivers (7200.11), 7200RPM with LOADS of cache. I don't know how good they are so you'll have to check.

QX9650 is 3ghz.

If you OC, Thermalright 120 ultra extreme or Tuniq 120.... and clock that thing to 4ghz with REALLY high FSB speeds.


Once you've picked everything make sure you tell us EXACTLY what you're getting to minimise any problems that may occur.

And where does a 14 year old get all this money LOL?

P.S. I don't think you need.... 3 threads for it.

HAHA well my dad is quite excited about this too so that's how I get the support and money.

I woul dlike to stick with the Nvidia cards for now. What is wrong with DDR2? From what I see DDR2 is still very good. DDR3 is faster but more expensive. the ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME

Last check on the Asus Maximus Extreme. Will it have any errors or any trouble with 4 gb DDR2 memory? I have read some things that said that 2 gb was better for this card than 3 gb. Also how effective is the built in water cooling system?

Id ditch the GTX and also the 9650. My q6600 is clocked to 3.2 on air EASILY. If thats all your shooting for, id save the extra $800. Also ive heard that the maximus boards have had cooling problems. Id recommend researching a bit more and possibly waiting for the x48 and  9800 series to come out.

Here is a list I have compiled detailed now. This is as of what I know and see fit.

Intel core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield LGA 775 3GHz

ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard

2 Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive RAID

EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU ATX12V / EPS12V 1200W Power Supply. will find a 1,100 Watt if possible.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64Bit SP2C

CORSAIR XMS3 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9DHX

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


Check it they all will be compatable and work well with one another. When the 9800 comes out I might ditch the GTX. The Asus board is the best one I have researched as for now. Any newer better boards please notify me.

ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME

Yeah cool, that should work

I could see a problem if you were buying DOMINATOR ram though, there would be so much testosterone flowing, VIAGRA would go out of business.

I had Dominator RAM in the first iteration of this machine with a Phenom 9600+ and an Asus M3A board. It would not boot-up reliably, taking 3, 4 or even 5 attempts to get to Desktop. We tried new RAM, to no avail. We tried a new power supply, to no avail. We finally went with the set-up below, and no problems. I'm not too hip on Dominator RAM after that.

Now I have the opportunity to buy a Phenom 9500+ chip for a C-note. I know it works because it's in the machine of the gent who built this one. Should I buy it?

ASUS MAXIMUS EXTREME

Yeah cool, that should work

I could see a problem if you were buying DOMINATOR ram though, there would be so much testosterone flowing, VIAGRA would go out of business.

That's how I like it.

Any reason why you need 1.2KW PSU? Plan to have 20 hard drives, or quad 8800GTX?

I'd just get a 8800GTS. If you look at some benchies, the GTS (and even GT) is only a few FPS behind the GTX.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_ ... &chart=293


1 fps between GT and GTX.. 1fps for

Also, the 9800 series cards aren't anything other than the G92 8800 series with better printed circut boards and slightly higher clockes.

[quote]Also, the 9800 series cards aren't anything other than the G92 8800 series with better printed circut boards and slightly higher clockes.

Yeah it sounds like want to throw money at a PC...spending more doesn't get massive increase in performance. Compare 8800GT, GTS and GTX...very very little in between it. As you post about Raptors shows. Something like 3x the cost of a standard drive, for smaller capacities. Perhaps get four smaller 7200rpm hard drives, RAID-O for one pair (OS) then another RAID-O for FSX. I found FS-X is quite slow loading, more so than other games so I think RAID-0 is worthwhile.

As I said, are you willing to pay

a decent 600W PSU is plenty.

For a rig like you are planning, I personllay would not recommend anything less than a good 750W PSU (such as the PC Power And Cooling Quad Silencer). 1.2Kw does seem a little excessive, but if you plan on adding extra HDDs or going Quand SLi, it may be worth it

I say go with 2 HD3870 x2's. Nick said those were the best. Better than the GTX and ultra. Maaan...your dad will buy all this? My parents wouldn't even buy me an $8 cooler. Oh well lol...I need a job. :-/ Why not throw in a PPU, too? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143055
That may be my next investment.