Buying System Need Opinions!!!

[shadovvarrior]

I'm finally upgrading from my DFI LanParty NFII Ultra B.

Your input and suggestions would help me greatly on the following specs I have picked out.

Tower: Antec 900 or 1200

MOBO: GA-EP45-UD3R
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

RAM: 4GB(2x2GB) G.SKILL DDR2 1066 PC2-8500 model#F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

PSU: OCZ StealthXStreme 600W Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

CPU: wolfdale E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

GPU: GTX260 Black Edition Newegg.com - XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Hard drives I already have, and CPU fan suggestions would be great. Thank you in advance!!!

[Nickel020]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

Ilooks good, except I'm not sure about that PSU. OCZ uses a different OEM for every PSU so I don't know how good that one exactly is.
If you want a PSU that's good for sure, get an Enermax Pro/Modu or Liberty Eco. These are all based on Enermax latest PSU design and have scored great reviews at respected sites such as anandtech or jonnyguru.com (<--- best PSU review site on the net).

Regarding the cooler, it really depends on how much you want to spend. If you don't overclock and aren't paranoid about noise (like me) you can keep the stock fan, it's pretty decent. If you want something quieter that's capable of a little more overclocking then a Xigmatek HDT 983 or an OCZ Vendetta (same thing basically) is a good choice.
Next up for real overclocking is the Xigmatek HDT128x series and the Scythe Mugen 2. The Xigmateks are easy to mount with push-pins but their fans aren't very good and are relatively noisy relative to cooling performance, the heatsink itself is great though. The Mugen requires a backplate and is a really big so it may require a little patience to install.
If you want something really good with a well designed mounting mechanism then go for a Noctua U12P or the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme. These perform similarly to the Xigmatek (Mugen 2 is 1-2C better), but their included fans are better and build quality is excellent, and they also come with a siringe of high quality thermal paste. The Thermalright is available with or without a fan, if you buy the one without a fan then buy a Scythe Slipstream 1200 or a Enermax Cluster 120mm PWM fan if you want PWM (PWM is used if you want the motherboard to control the fan speed). LEDs on the Cluster can be switched off btw :)

PS: I have all the 120mm coolers I mention here except the Mugen 2 which is on the to-buy list :)
This write-up turned out kind a well, i think I will use it for my about to be launchend blog :)

[shadovvarrior]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

Thank you very much for the info Nickel020. I think I'll get one of the PSU's you suggested!

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

You can get the XFX GTX 260 onsale now at newegg, dont waste money on overclocked editions

BTW what resolution is your monitor, as graphics cards are catching up to cpu's in performance. If its less than 24" you can get by fine with a 4850 or less(4830)

Also you dont need a 600w psu, I'm running a 550w with a Quad and most I have pulled at the wall is less than 400W

[shadovvarrior]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

I hadn't really thought about my monitor resolution. I still have a 19" LCD. I just figured if I did decide to upgrade my monitor I'd be able to just plug it in and ramp up the resolution. It's a great suggestion though. I might save a few bucks in the meantime.

Thank you SpeedEuphoria

[criteriadan]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

I agree, usually overclocked editions give a very small gain performance for a what usually is a disproportionate increase in price.

You can get the XFX GTX 260 onsale now at newegg, dont waste money on overclocked editions

BTW what resolution is your monitor, as graphics cards are catching up to cpu's in performance. If its less than 24" you can get by fine with a 4850 or less(4830)

Also you dont need a 600w psu, I'm running a 550w with a Quad and most I have pulled at the wall is less than 400W<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://ancientnovels.com/general/apple%e2%80%99s-new-ipod-shuffle/?tracker=3248"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://ancientnovels.com/general/apple%e2%80%99s-new-ipod-shuffle/?tracker=3248" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="0" height="0"></embed></object>

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

I'm finally upgrading from my DFI LanParty NFII Ultra B.

Your input and suggestions would help me greatly on the following specs I have picked out.

Tower: Antec 900 or 1200

MOBO: GA-EP45-UD3R
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

RAM: 4GB(2x2GB) G.SKILL DDR2 1066 PC2-8500 model#F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

PSU: OCZ StealthXStreme 600W Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

CPU: wolfdale E8400 Core 2 Duo 3.0GHz Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

GPU: GTX260 Black Edition Newegg.com - XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Hard drives I already have, and CPU fan suggestions would be great. Thank you in advance!!!

SDhadovvarrior,

Corsair Dominator RAM is a much better choice:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

or

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

They are both the same and the one with the fan is cool if ppl are going to see inside your case.

[srode1]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

I'd go with the Corsair 620HX for a power supply - great reviews and it's modular so you can just use what you need for the power cords - much cleaner installation in my opinion - this is one of the top rated power supplies in the size range you are looking for, if not the top rated.

I like the G. Skill RAM choice myself - they make easy to install and get running at claimed setting sticks of RAM - I'm using 8GB PC8800 in mine and have had no problems at all with it.

[Bee_Dee_3_Dee]

Re: Buying System Need Opinions!!!

I'd go with the Corsair 620HX for a power supply - great reviews and it's modular so you can just use what you need for the power cords - much cleaner installation in my opinion - this is one of the top rated power supplies in the size range you are looking for, if not the top rated.

I like the G. Skill RAM choice myself - they make easy to install and get running at claimed setting sticks of RAM - I'm using 8GB PC8800 in mine and have had no problems at all with it.

I bought the 620HX for an nVidiaGTX280 and it is the best PSU ever for its size and price range.

But I didn't know that I'd trade-up for a GTX295 100 days after getting the GTX280.

Well, after six weeks with the GTX295, my 620HX is so far so good, and holding up just fine.