Dead Xbox = New PC

[J3DI]

Since my 360 has ring'd out on me (this just 2 weeks after my PC died), I've found the motivation necessary to build a new PC. So here is my project for this weekend... I've never really been a PC gamer, but I think now is as good as any time to start. I'm not trying to build a Crysis type PC, but Stalker and Far Cry are on my lists. I haven't built a PC since my Votech classes in high school more than 10 years ago... So this is what I've got so far:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345)

OCZ Gold 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227290)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB 7200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148373)

LITE-ON Black 6X Blu-Ray DVD ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106270)

LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106269)


I haven't really figured out what kind of GPU... I don't really know what kind of GPU I should be looking for. MicroCenter has a pretty good deal on some cases w/power supplies (nice quiet fans with 650W power supply). So this is what I got so far... So does it sound good? Or do I need to go back to the drawing board? I might have to cut some corners, due to not wanting to go over $750.00.

[Chill]

No need to go so overboard if you don't plan on playing recent releases at high resolutions or doing other demanding work. This (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272)will do everything you need it to for quite awhile. ASUS 4850 for $115 AR.

Advice for a case/PSU: Do not get cheap! Those two components will last for years and will go through numerous builds.

Don't forget a display. A good display can be the most significant upgrade.

[J3DI]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm using my 32" HDTV as a Display, so I won't have any issues there.

Are you saying no need to go overboard on the GPU or everything else? I kinda want to future-proof the thing. Is that even possible? To build a PC that will last 5 years w/o significant upgrade?

[Chill]

My mistake. I was referring to the CPU/Mobo/RAM as being overboard, but I just realized its not the CPU I was thinking of. But, I think 8GB of RAM is quite a bit. You could get away with half that, especially now that DDR3 is becoming the new standard. Who knows when you'll upgrade. But, I can pretty much guarantee you it'll be in the next 5 years. At least, I would hope you would upgrade :)

But, I would theorize a brand new i7/AM3 platform could last that long with only minor upgrades...and, maybe a new CPU. Though I wouldn't recommend it. With the parts you'll end up getting, any upgrade will be pretty reasonable.

[Jackel]

Since my 360 has ring'd out on me (this just 2 weeks after my PC died), I've found the motivation necessary to build a new PC. So here is my project for this weekend... I've never really been a PC gamer, but I think now is as good as any time to start. I'm not trying to build a Crysis type PC, but Stalker and Far Cry are on my lists. I haven't built a PC since my Votech classes in high school more than 10 years ago... So this is what I've got so far:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115055)

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345)

OCZ Gold 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227290)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000333AS 1TB 7200 RPM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148373)

LITE-ON Black 6X Blu-Ray DVD ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106270)

LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106269)


I haven't really figured out what kind of GPU... I don't really know what kind of GPU I should be looking for. MicroCenter has a pretty good deal on some cases w/power supplies (nice quiet fans with 650W power supply). So this is what I got so far... So does it sound good? Or do I need to go back to the drawing board? I might have to cut some corners, due to not wanting to go over $750.00.

Don't go for the DS3L. Rogue, Ghostbear, and NotJeff have all had problems with that exact board.

[Rogue_hunter]

Just a word of warning, the DS3L has been flaky for me, Ghostbear and NotJeff. MotWakorb linked an awesome Asus board, and Jackel is rocking the UD3P pretty well.

For gaming right now, this moment, a Core 2 Duo (E8400 or E8500) is a better investment. But since you want to minimize upgrading, go for the Q9550. ~$100 extra but better clock speeds and increased L2 cache.
RAM seems a bit slow, and 8 gigs is beyond overkill, even with Vista. Most games aren't going to take advantage, hell, I haven't encountered a game that takes full advantage of my 4 gigs.

As for a GFX card, ATi HD4000 series is a winner with price/performance, but the nVidia GTX 260 and 280 are no slouches either. HD4780 is quite awesome, but the 4780x2 would be perfect if you didn't want to upgrade for a long time.

Future-proofing usually only lasts for about 2 years until you have to upgrade some component. My previous system (stock 2.6 GHz P4, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB HDD, GeForce FX 5200) went through 2 GFX card upgrades and two RAM upgrades, as well as adding additional HDDs until I retired it after about 5 years.

You can check my blog posts about building my system. It absolutely destroys Crysis on the High Settings, and Supreme Commander is actually playable (and is actually somewhat fun now that it's playable)

[Smoof]

Go with 4Gigs of ram and ditch that quad and go with a faster clocked dual core, it'll do you better. If you plan to "future proof" get a better board as well, one that supports DDR3. It's the wave of the future!!

Oh and as far as a video card goes: What's the res on that TV? 720p? No need for overkill on the video card in that case. A 9800GTX+ will outperform a 4850 for the same price, at a reasonable $150 and with a good setup, you'll be set for at least 3 years.

[J3DI]

Hmmmm.... Interesting. This might be a silly question, but if I get a DDR3 board, I'm guessing it won't be backwards compat with DDR2 memory, right? The most common board that comes up with support for DDR2/3 seems to be ASROCK... how are those? And yeah, the TV is 720.

[Shadowstorm]

Don't go for the DS3L. Rogue, Ghostbear, and NotJeff have all had problems with that exact board.

I have the same board. It sucks.

[J3DI]

This seems to be more work than I thought it would be... My estimates now put me over 800 :( I think I may just buy a 400 dollar PC and a 400 laptop, and just settle.

[Shadowstorm]

This seems to be more work than I thought it would be... My estimates now put me over 800 :( I think I may just buy a 400 dollar PC and a 400 laptop, and just settle.

I was going to go that route, but I stuck with building a new desktop for myself and I've never looked back.

[Smoof]

Pick up a Blu-Ray if you want, but it's unnecessary:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231226
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148373
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106269
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130420
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104014

$744.88
You could sacrifice 1TB HDD for something cheaper if you wanted. You're not going to be needing ALL that space immediately.

But here you have it. A high-end (not the highest, naturally) gaming rig that will run whatever is out on the market right now. I just went with the same mobo since I haven't seen any bad reviews about it, though if Coggers say otherwise, maybe look into something else. Though, I've been happy with my Gigabyte board, although it's a 945P-DSL3 if I recall.

[Philonious]

Futureproofing is a fools errand. I haven't exactly built many rigs, but everytime I splurge in order for something to last longer I still end up spending to keep it up to date. I'd say save money now, and then start from scratch again in a few years.

[Tron]

I second the idea of going with a faster clocked dual core.

4850/70 should work great for a video card.

[Tron]

Pick up a Blu-Ray if you want, but it's unnecessary:.

Isn't that something that only he knows?? What if he wants to watch BluRay movies and either has no other means or wants to be able to do so in multiple rooms or while working on the PC?

[J3DI]

Pick up a Blu-Ray if you want, but it's unnecessary:


Well, I'm hoping it all works out. I'm starting to see that I prob. did go a little over board with my specs. I don't think I'll need the 1TB drive really. As for the bluray drive, I was just getting the player cause it'll all be hooked up to my TV. I'd rather pay 100 bucks for one than 200 for a semi-good one (or more for a PS3).

[J3DI]

This is the case that I'm thinking about:
XClio A380BK: (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.160683)

There is a combo price for getting the ps with it. Also a xclio.

[Smoof]

I'm not sure about Xclio for a PSU, but generally it's a bad idea to go with a non-namebrand PSU.

[Ancalagon]

I'm not sure about Xclio for a PSU, but generally it's a bad idea to go with a non-namebrand PSU.

The reviews I've read have generally been positive actually. They say its made by the same manufacturer that makes PSU's for other more well known brands (I think Antec?)

Its something like, Channel Well Technology (I think thats what the company is called) makes PSUs, and those PSUs are rebranded as XClio's, among others.

[MagGnome]

Good luck building your new system! Be sure to keep us updated. :)

I'm going to be building a new one sometime this year (hopefully sooner rather than later), so I've enjoyed reading these threads and seeing what parts others are going for.

[J3DI]

I've forced myself to get started by ordering the Case and PSU. If I didn't do it, I'd just keep on talking about it and probably would've just ended up buying something. I did go with the XClio combo w/PSU... I really just feel in love with the case when I saw it.
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-103-010-16.jpg

It might be a bit over the top, but no matter how it runs at least it'll look like a beast :)

[harle]

Nice! Have you decided on any other components yet?

[J3DI]

I'm looking to order more stuff today. So I'll probably be posting more about what I'm going with later as I do more research.

Question:
If the video card uses DDR3 does the mobo have to use DDR3 as well? Or will the card work just as well on a DDR2 only supported mobo?

[harle]

It will be just fine with DDR2.

[Grifter]

I'm looking to order more stuff today. So I'll probably be posting more about what I'm going with later as I do more research.

I'll tell you the same thing I told Shadowstorm this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358) and this RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166) is the way to go for best performance under $200.


Question:
If the video card uses DDR3 does the mobo have to use DDR3 as well? Or will the card work just as well on a DDR2 only supported mobo?

Video memory and system memory for AIC run independent of each other and there is no need to match them.

[harle]

I'll tell you the same thing I told Shadowstorm this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358) and this RAM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166) is the way to go for best performance under $200.Crazy. I just ordered some new parts last week that included that exact same motherboard and ram. :) I had to search a bit for a CPU cooler that would work with the UD3P, as the northbridge heatsink and cover are pretty big. I ended up getting the Xigmatech 1238 rifle cooler. I am pretty stoked for it all to get here next week!

[Grifter]

Crazy. I just ordered some new parts last week that included that exact same motherboard and ram. :) I had to search a bit for a CPU cooler that would work with the UD3P, as the northbridge heatsink and cover are pretty big. I ended up getting the Xigmatech 1238 rifle cooler. I am pretty stoked for it all to get here next week!

It's a pretty sweet board, I'll be doing another build with it tonight.

I've been using that RAM for almost 2 years now (about a build a month) and not once have I received a bad module. I used to swear by Mushkin but G-Skill really puts them and as far as I'm concerned all the others to shame when it comes to consistent, quality chips.

[MagGnome]

That case is crazy! :eek:

[J3DI]

So I've chosen the board and memory that Grifter suggested;
This CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)

This PSU, RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028)

Still splitting hairs on the video card though... Grifter, any suggestions?

[J3DI]

XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150316)
I'm leaning towards this one...

[harle]

So I've chosen the board and memory that Grifter suggested;
This CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)

This PSU, RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028)

Still splitting hairs on the video card though... Grifter, any suggestions?Good stuff. I am going to recommend the BFG Tech LS SERIES LS-550 550W power supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702008) after reading great things about it in the recent Anandtech article.

The 9800GT looks great for the price. What are you expecting to run with that card?
Edit: If you want another card with some more power, newegg has a deal on the EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814130434)
Price = $189.99 after rebates - $10 coupon code EMCLNML82 = $179.99 w/ free shipping

[Grifter]

So I've chosen the board and memory that Grifter suggested;
This CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)

This PSU, RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028)

Still splitting hairs on the video card though... Grifter, any suggestions?

Good stuff. I am going to recommend the BFG Tech LS SERIES LS-550 550W power supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702008) after reading great things about it in the recent Anandtech article.

The 9800GT looks great for the price. What are you expecting to run with that card?
Edit: If you want another card with some more power, newegg has a deal on the EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814130434)
Price = $189.99 after rebates - $10 coupon code EMCLNML82 = $179.99 w/ free shipping


Listen to Harle and stay away from raidmax.

That GTX260 is an awesome deal.

[Smoof]

Man, and I just bought my GTX260 a week ago for $30 more :(

[Ancalagon]

XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150316)
I'm leaning towards this one...

if you want Nvidia, your choices are 9800GTX+, GTX 260, GTX 260 Core 216, or GTX 280. Or 285 I suppose.

I'd probably go with the 9800GTX+ if I was you. Theres also the ATI 4850 or 4870, both very good cards.

[J3DI]

Man, I had already gotten the Raidmax PSU... lets hope it works out well. I also ended up up going with the 9800GTX+ (of course the free Far Cry 2 and World at War helped with that decision).

[J3DI]

I GOT BOXES!!!!!

Man the case is HUUUGE!!!

[Jackel]

I GOT BOXES!!!!!

Man the case is HUUUGE!!!

Be sure to take some pics so we can see the build getting put together.

[J3DI]

Be sure to take some pics so we can see the build getting put together.

I will do that sir... With my new Touch Pro, which also came today :D Sadly though, they didn't send my HDD, so I had to go out and buy one so I could get started :(

[MagGnome]

Yes, please post picks! I'll be building my own PC soon enough, so I need all the visual aids I can get. :D

[J3DI]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/3322051832_a0bd68aef1.jpg?v=0
STUFF!!!!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3321221765_c12c795bf3.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3322052590_c8d9f73785.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3322051576_d9d5e99246.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3322052882_1505c28ab1.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3322053708_3c5f539923.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3321223761_121a6a041e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3322055170_1726c3fd29.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3321225075_1e7e9446f3.jpg?v=0
"It's thinking"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3322056214_88acb8eabe.jpg?v=0
So 7 seems really nice... but knowing that it isn't finished made me apprehensive...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3322056572_b87664a2e1.jpg?v=0
Back to Business... Vista Business that is ;)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3321291715_181665c3f1.jpg?v=0
What is so important about 5.9? That has to be the dumbest rating ever!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3321225275_135c41131b.jpg?v=0
The mess left behind...

Final Price tag: about $750 (not including shipping).

I'll probably be buying smaller stuff later to add to it. I know for sure I'll need another CPU fan; the one that came with is pretty noisy.

[J3DI]

Question:
I have 4GB of memory installed. The system only states there is 2.5 installed. Where did my memory go? I think the GPU stole some, but I'm not sure.

[MagGnome]

Awesome pictures J3DI! Thanks for sharing. :)

[Voodoo]

Question:
I have 4GB of memory installed. The system only states there is 2.5 installed. Where did my memory go? I think the GPU stole some, but I'm not sure.
In a 32bit OS, the largest addressable memory space is 4GB. It is important to note that this includes any memory that resides on expansion cards. For example, if you have a 512MB GPU, that memory is mapped to the end of addressable memory. This leaves 3.5GB available for other expansion cards and main memory. In your case, you have expansion cards that are using 1.5GB of addressable space leaving you with 2.5GB of main memory available. To solve this loss of memory, you will have to move to a 64bit OS.

[J3DI]

In a 32bit OS, the largest addressable memory space is 4GB. It is important to note that this includes any memory that resides on expansion cards. For example, if you have a 512MB GPU, that memory is mapped to the end of addressable memory. This leaves 3.5GB available for other expansion cards and main memory. In your case, you have expansion cards that are using 1.5GB of addressable space leaving you with 2.5GB of main memory available. To solve this loss of memory, you will have to move to a 64bit OS.

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
Total available graphics memory 1534 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 512 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 1022 MB
Display adapter driver version 7.15.11.8206
Primary monitor resolution 1360x768
DirectX version DirectX 10


I thought that is where my memory was going... I guess that is about right. Funny thing is though, I just finished installing SP1 and now it says I have 4GB of memeory again. Will this fluctuate btw 4 and 2.5 based on the system requirements (ie. when I'm running COD/Far Cry)?

[Voodoo]

I thought that is where my memory was going... I guess that is about right. Funny thing is though, I just finished installing SP1 and now it says I have 4GB of memeory again. Will this fluctuate btw 4 and 2.5 based on the system requirements (ie. when I'm running COD/Far Cry)?

Here's a good thread which discusses this phenomena.

http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/203200-vista-sp1-32-bit-memory.html

[J3DI]

Here's a good thread which discusses this phenomena.

http://www.vistax64.com/general-discussion/203200-vista-sp1-32-bit-memory.html

Thanks. That did shed a little light on the subject. I feel smarter already :)
To be honest, I'm really excited to have a PC performance rating be more than 2.5 :cool: