PC World Community: A complete gaming rig

24 Replies Last post: Apr 4, 2008 4:16 PM by smax013 1 2 Previous Next

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

Mar 26, 2008 11:19 PM

A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Hey guys, so I'm trying to build a gaming rig because my computer is getting a bit old. Here's everything except monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers:

Computer Case:

XCLIO A380BK Fully Black High Gloss Finish SECC 1.0mm thickness ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail

Power Supply:

Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 ATX12V / EPS12V 1000W Power Supply - Retail

Motherboard:

GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DQ6 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Processor:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

CPU Cooler:

ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail

Memory:

G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail

Video Card:

EVGA 768-P2-N831-AR GeForce 8800GTX 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

Sound Card:

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail

Hard Drive:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

DVD/CD:

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail

OS:

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

It's a pretty expensive build, so if you have any ideas where I can improve and/or save money, let me know. All suggestions and comments are welcome.

~BK

coastie65

3,459 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

1. Mar 27, 2008 10:42 AM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Hi bk, Looks good to me. The one thing that may be a problem, and I'm really sure of this, may be the OS. I'm not really sure how well games play with a 64 bit OS. I guess if you go into display settings and cut them back to 32 bit you should be OK though, that is if there is a problem with running the game(s). coastie65

eMachines T5212.... Intel Pentium D 945 3.4Ghz..... evga 8600 GT 256 Mb PCI-E video card..... Realtec HD audio......2 Gb 533 Mhz DDR2 memory..... Lite on CD RW; DVD +R / RW DL optical drive...... Windows XP MCE 2005....... Antec Basiq 500w PSU......200 Gb PATA HDD

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

2. Mar 27, 2008 12:22 PM

in response to: coastie65

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Yeah, I was debating on the OS.... Some people say that even with a very nice rig they've had troubles with Vista... I've been using XP for over three years now and I'm loving it--it has never given me any troubles. So I wonder if I should stick with XP or go for Vista. And not sure on that 64 32 bit thing either.. hmm

mphenterprises

9,066 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

3. Mar 27, 2008 1:14 PM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Hi BKBoggy. I believe you should go with the 32bit version of Vista rather than the 64bit. Even if this computer is going to be strictly used for gaming purposes, you still have to think of compatibility. Frankly, there just isn't the the same level of support for 64bit Vista as there is for the 32bit.

As to problems with Vista in general, I can attest to the fact that it is a toss up. I personally have a Dual Boot system (Windows XP & Windows Vista). I have not had one ounce of problem with Vista in the three months that I have used it. The only hiccup was configuring the surround sound. Once I got past that, it was smooth sailing.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

coastie65

3,459 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

4. Mar 27, 2008 3:17 PM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Hi bk, mph makes a good point with Vista as to the 32 bit - 64 bit issue. Personally, I am still running XP MCE 2005, and will for the unforseeable future I guess, but that is what I am comfortable with. As far as 64 bit goes, it doesn't matter whether or not it is XP or Vista, as mph said there isn't a lot of support there and more than likely, you would have to go into the display settings and set it to 32 bit in order to run the app. as most apps I've seen only support 32 bit. coastie65

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

5. Mar 27, 2008 6:05 PM

in response to: coastie65

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Sounds good. This rig is not going to be strictly gaming though--I do a lot of heavy graphics on my computer and I need something that can keep up with my Wacom tablet without much skipping and down times. My Dell XPS laptop has been good to me, but it's going down a hill steadily (I've had it for 3 years now).

Number3124

1,027 posts since
Apr 21, 2007

6. Mar 27, 2008 8:07 PM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Awesome rig, the only thing I'd recommend is duel booting XP pro32 bit with VistaHP32 bit to eliminate the possibility of compatibility issues.

"If they give you ruled paper write the other way"-dedication of Fahrenheit 451
Stick to games Microsoft! Leave the big stuff to the real programmers. Support Linux, Mozilla, and Open Office.org in the Open Source Revolution!!!

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

7. Mar 28, 2008 12:06 AM

in response to: Number3124

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Number3124, what do you mean by duel booting those OS's?

smax013

3,752 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

8. Mar 28, 2008 12:56 AM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

bkboggy wrote:Number3124, what do you mean by duel booting those OS's?

Dual booting would be to install both OSs in such a manner that you can choose which OS you want to use and boot into. In otherwords, have both Vista and XP on the system.

This site has a bunch of dual booting guides.

[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

piyushsingh

2,480 posts since
Jul 21, 2007

9. Mar 28, 2008 1:03 AM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

hi bkboggy

Regarding the 32-bit and 64-bit OS issue. Get the 32-bit now if this is a primarily gaming PC.I was looking at the requirements of the pc version of assasins creed to be released in april. What i saw there was that it will be released for XP, vista(both 32-bit only). They arent supporting 64-bit. This was just an example that just came to my mind. Also most of the games run under the emulation layer on a 64-bit OS which will also have a small effect on the performance until the developers make it specific for 64-bit.

Whether you want to go for xp -32 bit or vista 32-bit. Go for vista . Most of the comming good games have dx10 graphic details. If you want to maximize your gaming experience , then dx10 is a must.

Nothing is true , Everything is permitted.

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

10. Mar 28, 2008 4:47 PM

in response to: piyushsingh

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Yeah, that's one of the things that I kind of liked about Vista--the DX10.

TechyGuy

701 posts since
Oct 6, 2007

11. Mar 28, 2008 7:00 PM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

You've definately got a great build right there, though I would, instead of the Q6600, get one of the new Yorkfields (like the Q9450 or 0Q9300). Besides that, it should be a great machine.

bkboggy

54 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

12. Mar 29, 2008 12:51 PM

in response to: TechyGuy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

TechyGuy:

The Q9450 looks like but it's $380, while Q6600 is $250.Q9450 is definitely nicer.

The Q9300 has 45nm technology, but is it any better than Q6600? I mean, Q6600 offers 2x4 MB Cache, so I assume that it's 8MB? I may be wrong. It's 2.4GHz but that can be overclocked. Q9300 is only 6MB Cachce and just .1 GHz higher. Of course, 30 bucks is not a lot for an upgrade. But which one is better?

Compdude422

6 posts since
Mar 12, 2007

13. Apr 2, 2008 5:11 PM

in response to: bkboggy

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

I can most definetly answer that, the Q9300 is the better buy. Being that it is using 45nm tech, it consumes less power and creates less heat. You will be able to overclock it a LOT more ( like from 3.5GHz all the way to around 4.2GHz if you are brave (and smart about it)) In this case the cache will not make much of a difference because you are getting high speed RAM and will probably edit the RAM's FSB as well as the CPU's. The Q6600 is an ecellent overclockers cpu but the Q9300 is superior. Hope I helped.

Oh BTW I am getting Dejavo vibes reading your specs... about a 2K build right? I am purchasing and building a gaming rig this summer as well my parts are very similar. I have reasearched and hopefully they will help you, if you decide not to heed though please benchmark your soon to be rig and post results before and after overclock(if you do so). Anyways, my rig...

CoolerMaster COSMOS 1000 case

Intel Q9300 CPU

nVidia 790i ULTRA - OC all the way!!!

Corsair 1333MHz DDR3 DHX RAM

eVGA e- GeForce 9800GX2

500Gb 7200rpm Hard drive

LG Lightscribe Optical

750W Power Supply

High Performance Air Conditioning System

coastie65

3,459 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

14. Apr 3, 2008 6:13 AM

in response to: Compdude422

Re: A complete gaming rig - what do you think?

Hey computerdude, Looks pretty stout and should definitly get the job done. Personally, with that video card, I would ramp up the PSU a little. I woul dgo with at least 800w and more if my budget could handle it as those things use a lot of juice. coastie65

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