New Computer Build

[aowen416]

After months of waiting, I'm ready to order and build this rig However, I'm unsure about so parts, so...I'm asking you guys.

Here's my wish list:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/P...WishListNumber=6919725&WishListTitle=Computer

Note: I'm buying two Radeon 4870 HDs as well...obviously I can't add them to the list as they aren't listed yet.

I've read a lot about the ASUS Rampage, is it really as great as the reviews say? Is it worth the $300 price tag? I plan to overclock my E8500 to around the 4Ghz mark, so I figured that it would be a wise choice. What about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128089

Is the tuniq CPU cooler as a good choice? Should I get a Zalman instead? (I'm looking for the best CPU cooler possible)

Is 700W going suffice for everything? Should I go for 800W+ ?

Is the OCZ Reaper RAM worth the extra $30 over G.Skill RAM of the same speed and timings (nearly the same, 5-5-5-15 instead of 5-5-5-18)? Will it be better for OC'ing? G.Skill RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

What about the Corsair dominator: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197

Thanks a lot

I was told that the link was not working, so here is everything:

Tuniq 120 CPU Cooler: $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154001

Seagate Barracuda 500GB: $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148136

VelociRaptor 300GB: $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136260

Antec P182: $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025

OCZ Reaper 4GB DDR2 1066: $123
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

HT OMEGA STRIKER Sound Card: $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001

E8500 Wolfdale 3.16Ghz: $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115048

ASUS Rampage Forumla: $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131284

OCZ OCZ700GXSSLI Power Supply: $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002

 

[worshipme]

The E8500 isn't worth it over the E3110. The E3110 is a Xeon CPU so it's slightly higher binned. 9.5x multi doesn't do anything for OC'ing anyway. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117165&Tpk=E3110

I've read a lot about the ASUS Rampage, is it really as great as the reviews say? Is it worth the $300 price tag? I plan to overclock my E8500 to around the 4Ghz mark, so I figured that it would be a wise choice. What about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128089

You don't need an X48 to get the most out of your CPU. Even a P35 can reach the FSB speeds that the 9x E3110 requires. 450x9 = 4050
You'll need an X38 to get the 16x + 16x Crossfire support you'll need for the HD 4870s: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045

Is the tuniq CPU cooler as a good choice? Should I get a Zalman instead? (I'm looking for the best CPU cooler possible)

The Tuniq Tower is brilliant, yes. The 9700 is way overrated. I think even my 92mm Vendetta could match it.

Is the OCZ Reaper RAM worth the extra $30 over G.Skill RAM of the same speed and timings (nearly the same, 5-5-5-15 instead of 5-5-5-18)? Will it be better for OC'ing? G.Skill RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

I think you should go for a kit with CAS 4 timings and good modules, check this list for help: http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/
I'd go for this kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220293

Is 700W going suffice for everything? Should I go for 800W+ ?

700W will be more than suffice, but I think you can do better than OCZ for $130. The OCZ units are manufactured by the FSP Group, who are reliable but there are better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815001
The OEM for Xigmatek is Channel Well, who I would personnally place above FSP.

 

[aowen416]

The E8500 isn't worth it over the E3110. The E3110 is a Xeon CPU so it's slightly higher binned. 9.5x multi doesn't do anything for OC'ing anyway. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117165&Tpk=E3110

You don't need an X48 to get the most out of your CPU. Even a P35 can reach the FSB speeds that the 9x E3110 requires. 450x9 = 4050
You'll need an X38 to get the 16x + 16x Crossfire support you'll need for the HD 4870s: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136045


The Tuniq Tower is brilliant, yes. The 9700 is way overrated. I think even my 92mm Vendetta could match it.

I think you should go for a kit with CAS 4 timings and good modules, check this list for help: http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/
I'd go for this kit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220293

700W will be more than suffice, but I think you can do better than OCZ for $130. The OCZ units are manufactured by the FSP Group, who are reliable but there are better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815001
The OEM for Xigmatek is Channel Well, who I would personnally place above FSP.

Wow- thanks a lot

Ok, I'll get the Xeon...I can still reach 4Ghz, right..and 4GHZ on the E8500 and on the Xeon will run the same since they're both the Wolfdale core, right? (I don't mind paying more if the E8500 offers better performance). I've read that the E3110 is exactly the same as the E8400, just with lower voltages.

I'm unsure about the Mobo because:

1. I'm suborn, and although I know you have a better understanding, I'm still opting for the X48.

2. I want DDR21066...the one you recommended only does DDR2800...same thing with the ram. Will the lower CAS latencys outweigh the lower clock? Also, I don't quite understand your recommendations about my RAM.

Thanks a bunch!

Also, I'm opting for this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379007

I know I don't need the power, but I want to be safe, and this one is apparently extremely quiet.

 

[Laxgoalie1]

Quite a nice set-up, yes indeed.

 

[aowen416]

Poopie makes my head spin. And you, Sir AOWEN, ARE DIAREHHA mhmm suck the moisture.

jk guys jk u must realize the extent of this propositional joke.

Mike, you can't just spam this forum. :|

 

[Laxgoalie1]

well

 

[aowen416]

Is the truth spam? IF THE TRUTH WAS SPAM WE WOULDVE NEVER KNOWN THAT OSAMA BIN LADEN ATE MARS BARS WITH TWEEEZERS. ill stop seriously.

You're going to get banned...

Now stop clogging up my thread.

 

[worshipme]

Ok, I'll get the Xeon...I can still reach 4Ghz, right..and 4GHZ on the E8500 and on the Xeon will run the same since they're both the Wolfdale core, right? (I don't mind paying more if the E8500 offers better performance). I've read that the E3110 is exactly the same as the E8400, just with lower voltages.

Hehe, just keep your fingers crossed. There's a lot of variation in these new 45nm CPUs, some are hitting 4.0GHz with 1.25V, whilst some are topping out at 3.6-3.8 (You have to remember the 1.4V voltage cap).
There is a better chance of getting a good chip if you go with the Xeon though.
And the E8400/E3100/E8500 are all the same.

I'm unsure about the Mobo because:

1. I'm suborn, and although I know you have a better understanding, I'm still opting for the X48.

2. I want DDR21066...the one you recommended only does DDR2800...same thing with the ram. Will the lower CAS latencys outweigh the lower clock? Also, I don't quite understand your recommendations about my RAM.

OK, it's your money, not mine unfortunatley, because I'd love a couple of 4870s if you have some left over!
I understand what you mean. And you can go for 1066 if you like, but remember, the memory bandwidth is only ever as high as the FSB. Anything over a 1:1 ratio won't give you any performance increases.

 

[aowen416]

Hehe, just keep your fingers crossed. There's a lot of variation in these new 45nm CPUs, some are hitting 4.0GHz with 1.25V, whilst some are topping out at 3.6-3.8 (You have to remember the 1.4V voltage cap).
There is a better chance of getting a good chip if you go with the Xeon though.
And the E8400/E3100/E8500 are all the same.

OK, it's your money, not mine unfortunatley, because I'd love a couple of 4870s if you have some left over!
I understand what you mean. And you can go for 1066 if you like, but remember, the memory bandwidth is only ever as high as the FSB. Anything over a 1:1 ratio won't give you any performance increases.

Haha, ok Thanks, I'll be stuborn! However, I'm definitely going with the Xeon!

Considering that I am going to go with the X48, is that ASUS board a good choice? Would you recommend anything else?

Worshipme, I'm really confused again

I went to Newegg's forums and there, everyone told me both Vista and games will benefit from Quads and they're recommending the X3350 (I can afford it)...thoughts?

They also told me to opt for this board (it supports 1066, just not listed):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136046

Would you say it's better than the ASUS...? Is the Quad a stupid choice? The guy also said he hit a FSB wall with a different ASUS board at around 425...still learning about OC'ing..no idea what that means xD

Anyway, he said the DFI won't have this problem, will OC better, and is a better board...also the huge heatsink for the northbridge seems to obstruct the CPU heatsink...think that will be a problem...especially with the tuniq?