Please review my build

rweyant · 05-20-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi, I built a computer a couple years ago, and I'm looking to do it again, but I wanted to get an OK from others who know more about this than I do before I put the money down. I don't really do a lot of heavy gaming, but I'd like it to be able to handle some of the mildly intense games.... I'm reusing an ATX case. Here's what I got so far:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20CPU%20Cooler

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20GA-EP45-UD3P

Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0%20Core%20216

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166

Harddrive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

DVD Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173

I plan on running Vista 64-bit on this. I'm a little under budget now. My main questions were about the PSU being good enough and whether it has enough of the right cables. Concerning the processor, I heard a lot of complaints people not getting one with G0 stepping, and I wasn't completely sure if that's something I should worry about or if there's anything that I can do to ensure that I get one. I don't really do overclocking now, but it's something I might try it out. I was also looking between newegg and tigerdirect, and I wasn't sure if one might be better/more reliable than the other. I found some of the items at tigerdirect for cheaper, but I couldn't find some of the parts on it. Is there a huge advantage to buying all from one site? Any recommendations or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know if anything doesn't look like it'll work together. Thanks!

Tumbleweed36 · 05-20-2009, 07:42 PM

That power supply should run that card fine IMHO.

I also wanted to mention that many of us on the hardware team find NewEgg.com the most responsive and most reasonably priced.

If you have a specific reason for the Q6600 quad like heavy number crunching or cad work, then the quad core is fine. However, with general usage and gaming as an option at times, I would go for the e8500 if this were my decision. I just think it makes more sense in most cases and you will normally get better performance.

sethy666 · 05-20-2009, 07:45 PM

Looks like a nice setup. I really cant comment about your question around the CPU, so Ill leave that to someone who knows what they are talking about.

Corsair are generally a good bet and 750w is enough to be geetting on with, unless you go all SLI on me. If your worried about cables, there are more than enough makers of modular type PSUs that supply all the cables eg: Thermaltake

I like the choice of mobo. I am also considering this board for my next build.

Is there any reason for your choice of graphics card?

**Tyree** · 05-20-2009, 08:02 PM

The E8500 would be the better choice for gaming.
Newegg has MUCH better customer service/support and you will get exactly what you order from them.

rweyant · 05-20-2009, 09:42 PM

Thanks for your help so far guys, I think I'll be switching to the E8500.

As for the video card, I chose this relatively late compared to my other parts, and had some extra room in my budget. I think it's more than I need, but it got decent reviews. I'm not sure of the amount of time that I'll have to game anymore, but if I do, I'd like something with a little beef. Like I said, it's been awhile since I've done this, so if you have any recommendations towards the card (and everything else), I'm very open. Thanks again.

Tumbleweed36 · 05-21-2009, 04:45 AM

I think the card you have chosen is fine.

05-20-2009, 04:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
rweyant Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8 OS: xp service pack 2	Please review my build Hi, I built a computer a couple years ago, and I'm looking to do it again, but I wanted to get an OK from others who know more about this than I do before I put the money down. I don't really do a lot of heavy gaming, but I'd like it to be able to handle some of the mildly intense games.... I'm reusing an ATX case. Here's what I got so far: Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017 CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20CPU%20Cooler Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20GA-EP45-UD3P Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0%20Core%20216 Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231166 Harddrive: Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218 Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006 DVD Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151173 I plan on running Vista 64-bit on this. I'm a little under budget now. My main questions were about the PSU being good enough and whether it has enough of the right cables. Concerning the processor, I heard a lot of complaints people not getting one with G0 stepping, and I wasn't completely sure if that's something I should worry about or if there's anything that I can do to ensure that I get one. I don't really do overclocking now, but it's something I might try it out. I was also looking between newegg and tigerdirect, and I wasn't sure if one might be better/more reliable than the other. I found some of the items at tigerdirect for cheaper, but I couldn't find some of the parts on it. Is there a huge advantage to buying all from one site? Any recommendations or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know if anything doesn't look like it'll work together. Thanks!

05-20-2009, 07:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,686 OS: XP Professional	Re: Please review my build That power supply should run that card fine IMHO. I also wanted to mention that many of us on the hardware team find NewEgg.com the most responsive and most reasonably priced. If you have a specific reason for the Q6600 quad like heavy number crunching or cad work, then the quad core is fine. However, with general usage and gaming as an option at times, I would go for the e8500 if this were my decision. I just think it makes more sense in most cases and you will normally get better performance. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 05-20-2009 at 07:43 PM.

05-20-2009, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
sethy666 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 123 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 My System	Re: Please review my build Looks like a nice setup. I really cant comment about your question around the CPU, so Ill leave that to someone who knows what they are talking about. Corsair are generally a good bet and 750w is enough to be geetting on with, unless you go all SLI on me. If your worried about cables, there are more than enough makers of modular type PSUs that supply all the cables eg: Thermaltake I like the choice of mobo. I am also considering this board for my next build. Is there any reason for your choice of graphics card? __________________ Do YOU hear the voices too?!?

05-20-2009, 08:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,746 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Please review my build The E8500 would be the better choice for gaming. Newegg has MUCH better customer service/support and you will get exactly what you order from them. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

05-20-2009, 09:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
rweyant Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 8 OS: xp service pack 2	Re: Please review my build Thanks for your help so far guys, I think I'll be switching to the E8500. As for the video card, I chose this relatively late compared to my other parts, and had some extra room in my budget. I think it's more than I need, but it got decent reviews. I'm not sure of the amount of time that I'll have to game anymore, but if I do, I'd like something with a little beef. Like I said, it's been awhile since I've done this, so if you have any recommendations towards the card (and everything else), I'm very open. Thanks again.

05-21-2009, 04:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,686 OS: XP Professional	Re: Please review my build I think the card you have chosen is fine. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.