Hi guys,

My boyfriend had a system built by you about 6 years ago and since it’s been handed down to me and just died, I’m in need of a new system. This will be my first custom build and I need some techie advice before I order from you. I’m a gamer and need as much performance as I can afford for $2k or under before tax. I’m a semi-noob at hardware but I know the parts and what they do and can follow general conversations on dual vs quad core processors and SLI cards but have no idea about the nuts and bolts.

Okay, after a lot research, this is what I’ve come up with:

Processor: INTEL Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.50GHz FSB1333 6MB LGA775
Mainboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-S3G P35+ICH9 5PCI/1PCI-EX1 4DDR2 1PCI-E X16 1333MHZ FSB
Operating System: Vista Home Premium (64 bit)
Memory: OCZ PC2-8500 Reaper Heatpipe Edition 4GB (2x2GB) 1066MHz
Hard Drive: Seagate ST3500320AS 500GB Barracuda 7200.11 SATA-II 32MB
Sound Card: SB X-Fi Xtreme Gamer
Video Card: BFG 9800 GX2 1GB PCIe 2.0 Dual DVI HDMI
Power Supply: PC P&Cooling 750W, 60A, 12V Rail, Quad PCIe, Crossfire Certified or the OCZ 800W Elite Xstream SLI 80+
Case: Antec Gamer 900 with window case
Optical Drive: LG SATA Black DVD/RW 20X Dual Layer


I took your Crossfire model on your website and customized it. With this build, the total is coming to $1896 before tax. 1 yr warranty, NO peripherals. I don’t even need a monitor. I’m thinking of upgrading the warranty to 2 yrs as well.


I have run this build by my guildies (pre-built guild awaiting WAR) and there was a suggestion about the mobo that I wanted your guys’s opinons on. I was told that the motherboard I’ve chosen, “does support your listed processor provided the BIOS is flashed to version F3b or later. Ensure that your builder covers that item or you will suffer performance issues.” This is too technical for me…. Can you advise?


Also, “With regards to the memory, the only item to be concerned with is the large heatpipe/sinks on the dimms. Those can create clearance issues/obstructions with some mobo layouts and/or CPU heatsinks. So long as your builder assumes responsibility if they don't fit, then no problem.“


OKAY, so any comments will be appreciated…..I’m not married to this build and can change my mind on components with good arguments.


Special questions: Do I need a Physics Accelerator? I’ve been told they’re gimmicks but an article on your site noted that future games will likely make more use of Physics when Nvidia includes in future graphics cards. Also, should I upgrade Sound card to X-Fi Xtreme Fatal1ty Pro series?


Finally, is this not a build you would advise at all? I’m open to something completely new but staying within budget.

Apols for wall of text...

Thanks!

HD4870 instead of 9800GX2. The GX2 can be faster if the game works properly with SLi, but it's slow as a 8800GT if it doesn't, and you can't run multiple monitors with Sli enabled.
Asus P5Q-E instead of GA-P35-S3G (latest chipset, better Crossfire performance should you require a second HD4870 in the future - Crossfire does support multiple monitors)
Pioneer 212DBK instead of the LG (LG is extremely noisey)
Vista, um well, er

Newer CPU's aren't always supported by the BIOS the motherboard shipped with, and sometimes you can't even get them to boot - at that point you need to find an old CPU the board does support, and flash the BIOS.

Physics - NO Nvidia is already doing PhysX on g92 and newer cards, Ati is going to support Havok and apparently someone has already made the nvidia PhysX work on Ati cards. The old Ageia PhysX cards are dead, doubtful nvidia will support them for vry long

Plain old Xtreme Gamer is fine

A girl on our forums?!? *cowers in fear* Kidding!

Note: Crossfire is supported on "DUAL MONITORS", the term multi-monitors is only partly correct. If you have more than 2 monitors then you will have to check/uncheck boxes, or just buy some PoS 50$ card to run the 3rd monitor. But that's no big deal, as the only one ludicrous enough to run more than 2 monitors would be Clarke!

I would also suggest ATi at this point, as their 350$ solution has far more bang-for-your buck then the 600$+ NV offerings.

I'd have to say talk to the guys working at MB to see if the OCZ ram will actually ever show up this decade. Otherwise just get the G-Skill.

If you are going to use Vista, just get Premium x64 and upgrade to 8GB of ram, the time is now! Otherwise PLEASE use windows XP for the love of gawd!

Boo!!
LOL

Yeah, yeah...I'm a girl and a gamer...and part-time geek. (Only part-time. I still like pink fluffy stuff every now and then!)

Thanks guys, I'll wait to see waht the MB crew have to say as well (not sure who everyone is around here)

Also, according to Steve-O and Dr B, I have to look at the ATI range...dammit, does that mean I need 2 of those instead of one? (if that sounds dumb, forgive me).

Oh, there are 3 types of Asus P5Qe, which one is best?

Thanks on the heads-up about the RAM delivery date. Site says mid-july but i guess that must be a hopeful date?

Thanks Dr on the optical drive suggestion.

I only have 1 lonely monitor....no plans or money for more.

I know the issues with Vista but I'm willing to try. BF did and is working great, so fingers crossed.

What is the dif between the Premium and Ultimate versions? The drop down does not list 6 or 8MBs for Premium 64 bit, so I think I'll ask the MB guys directly...

about 200$ is the difference. lol
what kind of games do u play. thats a pritty serious sytem. if yer nto "hard core" into gameing u can probbaly get away with a decent gamer rig for 500 600 bux. dual cores are barely used in most new games and apps. quad core is still a pipe dream for games and apps. i notice no speed difference form my q6600 oc to 3.33 ghz to my new e 4600 oc to 3.33 ghz.

The drop-down lists the MB site has is just an easy way to customize a system but it doesn't have all the options you'll be able to put together. For instance 8GB's is usually done by pairing two 4GB kits together but the customize page might not have the option of doing that.

As for Vista Ultimate vs Premium the difference is Ultimate comes with everything Vista Business has as well (to my understanding at least) and isn't needed for gaming. Premium has the core OS with the extra features you would want but none of the additional software Ultimate would have so it's the more preferred choice.

I play a lot of MMOs, FPSs, RPGs and some RTSs (but not many because I find they don't hold my attention for the long term).

Right now, I'm waiting for WAR and closed my WoW account a while ago. In past I've played Neocron, Diablo II, DAoC, tried AoC and Tabula Rasa but didn't enjoy them, HalfLife, HalfLife2, Age of Empires, Settlers (remember that?) old school RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale etc.....Used to love the old Unreal Tournament but haven't bothered with that in a while. My fav game of all time is a toss-up between Knights of the Old Republic and Thief 3.

I play enough to notice the dif between low-end systems and premium ones but this is the first time I've embarked on a custom-build.

And no, I don't play Hello-Kitty Online.

There's a Hello Kitty Online?! Why was I not informed!

Also, yeah that rig is serious business. You can probably trim some stuff down, but do:

- Keep that CPU (Everyone will love you)
- Get at least 4GB ram, but I too would say that you might as well go with 8GB, since it's so cheap
- Vista Home Premium x64 (Ultimate isn't worth the dollars)

Also, I agree on getting the HD4870.

Sa-weet! Ok to the extra RAM.
OK to the HD4870 but do I need to run 2 of them?

Hey Hello-Kitty lol


No you just need one. I can't see many pepole needing 2 of them.

Also Im a big fan of the E-8400 ATM. Why do a quad @ 2.5... I know people use the excuse for "Futureproof".. But by the time a "futureproof" takes effect you can buy a quad for cheaper then.

Plus you can overclock a e8400 to 4.0 on air in a few minutes by jacking up the voltage and fsb, etc, and shit.

It's not futureproof, it's futureresistant.

Even though the clocks may be faster on a dual core, two cores still get chewed up by windows processes and background stuff. Having a quad can offset all of that stuff to one or two cores and leave you with four for doing what you want on.

hahah what are u guys sales men for mb. they payin u guys commission? what am i missin out on? lol
seriously for about 300 400 bux u can get a computer to play all them games yer talkin about lol