Building a new rig / Take a look

[DarkslayrX]

With my team coming along nicely (and because I just want to), I have decided to build a new rig for my 4 alt toons. I plan to stick with my current setup of running the main on my HP (Core 2 Duo, 2MB Ram, integrated video*) and the 4 alts on the 2nd computer (which will be the new computer). I run 1 monitor with a KVM switch, 1 wireless KB connected to both, 2 mice and keyclone (While not the multi-monitor rig, it works great for me - PVE focus). I don't have a specific price tag in mind - but I am looking for a balance in price and performance.

So here is what I plan to get:

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

CPU Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118223

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131232

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Operating System: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116469

CD/DVD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135156

HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140 (I plan to run 1 copy of Wow on 1 HD - been doing that with no issues to date on a much worse build)

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Now here is where I am having issues (still trying to decide):

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002 , http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032 , or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023 (I am not convinced that you really need 700W/600W to run the system with 1 GeForce 8800 - I figure if I decide to add a 2nd card, I can change out the PSU)

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208009, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062 , or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068 (I have read the Xion is pretty thin as a case and that equates to heat gain, but not sure; I also like the 500W PSU / case combo as I feel this might be a good W compromise (not too much, not too little).



* The HP came with 64MB integrated video, plan to upgrade as follows:

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134046



Thanks for taking a look / Let me know if anything jumps out as a problem.

[Gallo]

Looks pretty good to me. As for the PSU, I would venture to say that you're better off assuming a number too high than a number too low. I run a quadcore/4gb/8800gt setup on a 750W with no problems.

[DarkslayrX]

Thanks Gallo - saving $100 might not be worth the risk of getting everything all setup and having to order a new PSU because my rig doesn't have enough juice.

[Bovidae]

You cannot get too much PSU for your hardware. However you can get too little. It is never a good idea to stress your PSU to 100% capacity (or anywhere near there) and as a rule of thumb, I try to use 66% capacity peak. Not only will your PSU last longer, but it will operate more efficiently, and cooler. I got the Thermaltake Toughpower 750w after Christmas for $99

I use the CNPS9700 on my Q6600, they work great.

[Gallo]

I got the Thermaltake Toughpower 750w after Christmas for $99

I got the same PSU for the same price. Was a great deal... still waiting on the rebate though :sleeping:

[DarkslayrX]

I finally settled on a power supply and case: 8|

New Rig:

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153036 (Thanks for the input!)

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146029

Upgrade old Rig:

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032

Total cost of new system and upgrades (for old rig) including shipping, but after rebates: $1585.29 (imo: not bad for getting a kick ass new rig and upgrading my old one). :D

[Bovidae]

I got my rebate check within 4 weeks, then turned around and spent it on more RAM.

Nice choice on your PSU btw

[Xorn]

Dude that's the best choice for a case in my opinion it's simply awesome. You got plenty of space for some HDDs (I think it was something around 6 or 8) and it's build as clean as a Chieftec would be if you know what I mean. Thousands of fans and which was the most important thing for me, enough space for a GF8800 even though it will be a little bit tight but nontheless a relatively small case which is well worth its price imho.

Ah and not to mention the look of it, I didnt spend much attention to it before I bought it but afterwards ... lovely black, shiny and glowing blue and all that stuff.

Xorn

[Havelcek]

I'm going with this PSU in my new rig: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153043
I'd rather pay a premium for a modular unit.

[DarkslayrX]

The early bird catches the worm! My NEW saying of the day... Persistence pays.

I got tied up yesterday and didn't get a chance to place my order; Went to pull the trigger this morning and noticed that the price of the EVGA 8800GT jumped from $155 (after rebate) to $209 (after rebate) per card (was buying 2 of them). Also lost the $40 mail-in rebate on the computer case. X(

I checked togerdirect.com and can get the cards for $160 (after rebate) per each, but that does not include the extra shipping and taxes which leaves me still with a $40 loss on the cards. Tigerdirect.com doesn't carry the computer case.

Lesson learned - once you are happy with your order, pull the trigger. Dam beer - distracts me every time!

Edit: Contacted newegg.com's customer service about tigerdirect.com's price - they matched it! :thumbsup:

[Old Dirty Bathtub]

I don't have anything against the Thermaltake power supplies; they seem to perform reasonably well. My last Thermaltake shorted spectacularly, but I think this was just an anomaly.

That said, in the price/performance neighborhood you're talking about here, I would be very tempted by the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 watt power supply. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009). PC Power& Cooling has a reputation for building a rock-solid PS that will perform exceptionally well under loads. Anandtech rated the Silence 750 as the best power supply of 2007 ('http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3186&p=2'). I would select a PCP&C at 750 watts over any competitor at 800-850 watts.

[Havelcek]

I just really want something modular. My case is such a cable disaster =(

[DarkslayrX]

Thanks for the feedback. :D

Placed the order last night - will post some pix of my rig delivery / install / setup once complete.

Keeping my fingers crossed everything shows up in one piece.