[Failsafe]

Well, its time to bite the bullet and invest in a new PC build.
My current P4 system has done me proud over the last few years but the time has come to start anew. It has gone through a few changes, the last being my AGP X1950 Pro video card. But now its time for a complete change.

This is what I use my PC for ...

a bit of gaming - I don't need a system that will give me top performance on Crysis though, I mainly play WOW, MAME and games like Need For Speed.
I have a freeview card and occaisionally convert the MPEG2 recordings to AVI or create DVDs.
I'd like to be able to add a blu-ray drive and a 24" monitor (1920x1200) in the next few months without the need to change/upgrade what i buy.

With these requirements in mind, this is the sort of system I'm thinking about :

CPU - Q6600 or 8400
Mobo - Abit IP35 Pro
RAM - 4 gig Crucial Ballistix PC6400
GFX - ATI 3870XT

Also, I've never set up a RAID configuration, how much benefit is there in getting a couple of drives for RAID0 ? Any advice on best way forward with my hard drive options?

I'll be using a Scythe Infinity cooler and OCZ GameXstream PSU (600W 4 x 18A) from my current set up.

Can anyone advise on my choices and/or point me in the right direction ?

Many thanks,

Failsafe

[samjohnson]

Everything you have looks good. I would go for the 8400 instead of the Q6600 though. Just cuse its cheaper and you really don't need a quad CPU. Your choice though. I love your board choice, it looks like a great board. About the RAM, unless you plan on getting XP/Vista 64bit you won't even be able to see 4 gigs of RAM. So I would go with two gigs. That would be plenty anyway. Your PSU will do you great! No need for a change there. Its always nice to use current stuff isn't it.
Now for the graphics card. Instead of ATI I would go for NVIDIA and a 8800. I just bought one recently and absolutely love it! You can pick them up for about $200. And they are probably the best card for the money on the market right now. Other than what I have said I think your build is awesome!

[Failsafe]

Thanks for the reply.
I'll be using XP for now, so will go for 2 gig of RAM.
I have looked at the 8800GTS as an option, what about this?

MSI GeForce 8800 GTS OC 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Its a bit more expensive than a 3870, but you reckon its worth it?

Cheers,

Failsafe

[samjohnson]

Ya that card will definitely be a good card for gaming. you should be able to put crysis on medium/high settings with it. If you want a blue ray player eventually, and they say that one is good for it than sure go for it.

[Albert Lionheart]

Hi
I agree with Sam on the chip - the E8400 is about the same price as the Q9600 and is rated faster by PCPro Mag in their latest comparisons. Better bangs for the buck.
If you can manage, go for the Nvidia 9600 - when I last looked the best price was with Ebuyer on Gigabyte 9600GT 512MB GDDR3 Dual DVI PCI-E Graphics Card - Ebuyer. Again, PCPro rated this better bangs for the buck - I have two of them - only comments would be about the racket the fans make!

[Failsafe]

cool , that 9600 is a lot less than the 8800GTS i listed

[samjohnson]

The 9600 is definitely allot less than the 8800GTS. But if you were to go for the 9600GT I would just go up to the 8800GT. They are around the same price. Here in the US the 8800 is maybe $20 more. Mine was about the same price though. I still would go for the 8800GT. It does perform better than the 9600GT. Though to tell you the truth its not by a whole lot.

[Failsafe]

Thanks again for your input

don't mind spending up to £160 or so if its worth it.
A friend just recommended BFG, so there is this at £158
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

or a 9600GT like this for £117
BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

I don't mind spending the extra £40 if the performance increase warrants it.

Cheers,

Failsafe

[samjohnson]

If you don't mind spending more money, then go for the 8800GTS. If you want to save a little go for the 9600GT or the 8800GT. It really is all up to you and what you want to do. All I can really do is say which I like better.
I recommend EVGA though. I have had two cards from them now and they both have been great.

[Daveskater]

Sam has been spot on every step of the way here, good job mate

As he says, if you want to save money then go with the 9600, but the 8800GTS 512MB is a great card and in some games can perform better than an 8800GTX. Just make sure you get a 512MB though, as the 320 and 640 ones are pansies.

BFG is a good make, especially if you want a pre-OC'd card. In fact I have a BFG card myself hehe. XFX and EVGA are also good brands, if there's a significant price difference then check the differences in clock speeds. If there's not much in it then they should all be the same and just go with whatever brand you like hehe.

[Failsafe]

I've done a bit of research into the 8800GT cards and it appears that they are quite noisy. Are there any makes/models that have quiet cooling.
I would be prepared to accept a drop in overall performance if the card was quiet. So, I've been looking at this ..
HIS ATI Radeon HD 3870 XT ICEQ3 TURBO 512MB GDDR4 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail

How much difference in performance is there between this and an 8800GT?
Am I mad to consider this over an 8800GT?

Thanks,

Failsafe

[Daveskater]

I don't know much about the ATI series of cards, but you could get a Zalman cooler for the 8800 to make it quieter. You might even be able to get one with a Zalman cooler pre-installed by XFX, but it'll probably be OC'd as well so will cost more :frown:

[samjohnson]

Ah thats a bunch of bull of them being loud.
I got a EVGA 8800GT, normal clock speeds, nothing OC'd. And it doesn't seem to be loud at all. Though I have two 120s and 2 250s (fans). But really my system isn't all that loud, I really can't hear it. Well I can't hear it at all really. I really recommend the 8800GT, its a great card. The card is around 55C idle and gets up to 70C or something when loaded. But these cards tend to run hot so. Personally I think NVIDIA is the way to go with graphics cards.

[Albert Lionheart]

As I said, the fan(s) on my two cards make a hell of a noise. Doesn't look as if there is any way of changing that without major surgery - which I cannot be bothered with.

[samjohnson]

I really recommend any NVIDIA card! If its the 9600GT or the 8800GT or GTS or whatever. But I would stick to NVIDIA. You won't be disappointed.
Really the fans won't be all that bad, and you will get used to it. Eventually you won't notice the fans are there.

[Failsafe]

Thanks for all your help btw

Looks like this could be an option ...

Gainward BLISS GeForce 8800 GT Golden Sample 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (4718462008941))

Apparently it has an excellent cooling solution.

But if Sam recommends the EVGA then I'd be happy to take the advice.

Just looking forward to buying everything in a couple of days

Cheers,

Failsafe

[samjohnson]

Ill show you the 8800GT I got.

Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Though you like the ones with the HDTV. Not sure if EVGA has that type or not. Though I like the card you showed there. So if you like it go for it.

[Failsafe]

Originally Posted by samjohnson

Ill show you the 8800GT I got.

Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Though you like the ones with the HDTV. Not sure if EVGA has that type or not. Though I like the card you showed there. So if you like it go for it.

Thanks for the link

Its only £116 at my local store ....

EVGA e-GeForce 8800 GT 512MB PCI-E, Dual DVI Video Graphics Card - 512-P3-E801-AR - www.microdirect.co.uk

So, I'll be getting an E8400, Abit IP35 Pro, 2 gig Crucial Ballistix PC6400 and the EVGA card on Friday

I'm amazed at the performance you can get for the price at the moment - only £375 for my upgrade. Roll on pay day

Just one more question, should I get PC6400 or go for PC8500. There is a £17 difference in price.

Thanks

Failsafe

[samjohnson]

Well your motherboard says it supports DDR2 800 or PC2 6400. I am not sure if it supports PC2 8500 or not. So personally I would stick with PC2 6400.
Glad you like the card.

Oh and btw, you don't have to quote someones post if you post right after them.

[Failsafe]

Well that clears that up then, PC6400 it is.
Thanks

Failsafe