Looking to build another one

[srpeters18]

Okay guys, I'm trying to piece together a new build. Something new, something toward the leading edge if not on it. Tell me what you guys think.

Modular Antec TruePower Quattro 1000 (249.99 before $60 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371012

Intel BOXDX48BT2 (264.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121338

Standard OEM Q6600 (234.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018

4GB(2 x 2GB) OCZ Platinum DDR3 1333 (279.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227287
OR
2GB(2 x 1GB) OCZ Platinum DDR3 1600 (215.99 before $30 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227255

XFX 9800GTX (329.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150287

2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB (64.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148262

This will be a bench system so I'm not worried about a case or anything fancy. I'm more interested in playing around with different cooling systems and having something thats easy to add to or take components off of.

Anybody with any recommendations?

[Gizmo-guy]

I would go with the 4GB(2 x 2GB) OCZ Platinum DDR3 1333, just remember if you install a 32-bit operating system you won't see all 4GB. I personally have had bad luck with Antec power Supplys, You can get Lemons with any brand though. Looks like it's going to be a sweet system.

[PP Mguire]

Looks like a good system. Id get an Nvidia chipset though instead of the X48 like a 790i Ultra. Id also hold off on the video if whats being said is true. The 9900GTX should be out around JUne.

[srpeters18]

Hmmm. Good suggestions. I've had really good luck with nvidia chipsets so far, and I was just getting an X48 cause I don't have one yet. Maybe 790 will be the way to go. Like I said, I want to start playing around with cooling gear, maybe SLI would be a good addition to that sort of 'research'. As for the mem, I was looking at the 4GB set as a better option, but I have to wonder what it would overclock to. Cause I can afford 4GB of 1333 or 2GB of 1600. Hmmm.

Keep the suggestions coming!

Oh, and I hadn't realized how soon the next GPU's would be coming out.

[Sadasius]

X48 is a waste of money as it is the exact same as the X38. X48 is just a higher bin chip to make sure it runs at 1600.

[srpeters18]

Aah, that I did not know. Still not totally sure on a DDR3 build. All just theoretical right now.

[Sadasius]

I am giving DDR3 a shot on this new build. I will let you know how it is! Just 2X1gb Crucial Ballistix 1600 for now. But the prices are coming down. Soon everyone will be running them and products will be using it more. You know how the story goes....same as the DDR to DDR2.

[srpeters18]

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking too. Just seems like the review that was done here there wasn't a whole lot of improvement over the DDR2. Some, sure, but not a lot. I'm on a budget for this build of about $1000, again, with no case needed. But the parts I've layed out here are about $1500. Cutting back to DDR2 would help, but mobo prices are still up there for the high end stuff.

[NoRest4wkd]

Curious on your rationale for selecting the Intel motherboard other than for the chipset...

[srpeters18]

Never owned one. Chipset was a primary factor, but it was a little cheaper than the Asus.

[Miles]

Intel makes very solid motherboards, they will not overclock quite to the level of the ASUS; but otherwise every bit as good in the quality department.

[PP Mguire]

I still always suggest an Nvidia chipset over an Intel one.

[nes]

....what no 45nm to round out all of that next gen?.....

[NoRest4wkd]

Never owned one. Chipset was a primary factor, but it was a little cheaper than the Asus.

The reason I asked was that Intel boards are typically known for not being very easy to tweak, if at all. They tend to lock down a lot of settings, making overclocking and tuning just about impossible. Depending on how much more the Asus board is, you might be better served going that direction.

Having owned a couple of Intel motherboards, I doubt I'll ever own another. Don't get me wrong - the boards are fine and pretty well made. They just aren't very user friendly if you want to customize settings. :icon_tiphat:

[srpeters18]

....what no 45nm to round out all of that next gen?.....

45nm quads are still to expensive/hard to find. My Q6600 at 3.5 still benches faster than a 4.0ghz E8400.

I thought Intel had put out some decent overclocking boards? Am I mistaken? And like I said, this is all an idea in progress, haven't started buying any parts just yet.

[Sadasius]

I would by myself an Asus board. Actually I always do...lol They have mucho tweaks and can really overclock depending on your cooling solution. Wait till you see how high this Asus Maximus Extreme can go with good cooling when I finish this project. On motherboards you get what you pay for.

[srpeters18]

I know, but I have heard of just as many problems with Asus boards as with any other. And my brother picked up a Striker Extreme, I played with it a little and didn't like it. I couldn't figure out how to dial in the overclock I wanted in the BIOS. The only options I could get were 5% 10% and so on. Just let me plug in the numbers I want!!!

[joz]

You wont need a 1kw psu, drop down to the PCP&C 750 or 610.

And then grab a 780 or 680i with a good pair of DDR2 DIMMs.

performance is same to the human eye., price is better.

[srpeters18]

I have been thinking about getting another 780i. I have a 680i sitting in a box, I'm giving that one to my dad though. If I do get another 780i I will certainly be sticking with the 1000w PSU. Remember, this is a test rig. If it has Tri-SLI capability I will, at some point, try it out. If I go with the Intel, I might step it down to 750 or so. But something that has plenty of overhead capacity to upgrade to more power hungry parts later is something I definitely want out of this. Especially since I've been thinking about different cooling systems, with a 1KW PSU, I could run a peltier off the same PSU, if I chose to. And then compare it to the performance of an external 15v PSU running the same peltier. Its just something to play with.

[joz]

in that case, run and grab a PCP&C 1KW, you wont be disapointed. If its power you want, this thing has it in four royal flushes and eight-aces.

[srpeters18]

I'm sure they're great, but my budget is definitely a limiting factor there. The only 1KW PCP&C they list on newegg is 479.99. I could get two of the other one for that price!

Plus the Antec is modular.

[joz]

I'm sure they're great, but my budget is definitely a limiting factor there. The only 1KW PCP&C they list on newegg is 479.99. I could get two of the other one for that price!

Plus the Antec is modular.
if your going 1KW, PCP&C is the only way to go.

Do not argue on me with this.

Im stubborn as an Ox, and ten times as vicous as a hungry lion.

PCP&C.

[srpeters18]

That's fine, but unless you're gonna send me the extra $300, I'll just stick with the Antec. I'm married, budgets are pretty strict. Especially since I spent $1200 on the last build while she was out of town...

[joz]

Ill suggest this then: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256010

or a bit cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128010

[srpeters18]

I appreciate your input (and the links) but I think I'll stick with the Antec.

[Goliath182]

I appreciate your input (and the links) but I think I'll stick with the Antec.

Good choice. All of the Antec PSU's ive had have served me well.

[Sadasius]

Antec's are pretty good. I only fried one of those. But then again it was only 450watts. For high power I have my Ultra X3 1000....Damn best PSU I have ever owned.