Under 750 Gaming Box
 

I'm drawing up a build for my friend who's upgrading from a Sempy, and I have something up.
The case is non-negotiable, as he's pretty attached to it :laugh:
He only needs the box, no need for an optical drive and OS.
http://i25.tinypic.com/1tx4ir.png

This is what I have so far. Remember, budget is 750 USD

I convinced him not to get an ibuypower box, so he'll listen to what I have to say. What he wants is to make it as futureproof as it can be within the budget constraints. Now there are 3 options from here:
(8800gt in SLi) 8800gt with 750i, SLi later
(3870s in Crossfire) 3870 with P45, Crossfire later
9800gtx/4850 with a p35/p43

Which is better in terms of power, and which in practicality, and which is better in cost? (which is the best in their respective categories)

Any other thoughts?

that doesnt look bad. HOwever I would replace that card with a 4850. In my opinion. It wont put it much over the budget, it'll be a few bucks over only. Just my two cents.

I think this build would do him alittle better(especailly if your friend can do a moderate OC on the CPU)

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...spx?ID=6518754

is he reusing a monitor, keyboard and mouse?

- Christine

I'm guessing he is considering his build didn't include those.

Not bad at all, Sunchips. I like the build and wouldn't change a thing. What size monitor is going to be paired? Does he mainly game?

looks good. i'd get the second 9600GT for SLI fast if he wants one, as i dont think they'll be in the market too much longer (i've got a suspicion they'll get phased out really soon (<6 months), since theres a very fierce price war going on atm)

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...spx?ID=6519154

- Christine

that link doesnt work for me, and requires a login.

I just unlocked it. try again, however for future you may want to register an account you can lie and say you live in Washington, DC or whatever the register script is not GeoIP based just find a Washington postal code in google.

- Christine

it still wants me to login. i cant be bothered creating an account for a site i'll never use, so i cant be of much help discussing the parts you chose, sorry.

try this? http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...hristinethejew

I chose Geil (out of stock at the moment) because they are Micron D9 and inexpensive 2x1 Kits with Micron are beginning to evaporate, I wanted the Corsair TX 650 because it's the last one manufactured by Seasonic but the 550 is built by Channel and will do, Tuniq TX-2 because I have been convinced by some peers that live by it rather than MX-2 also good for a once over on the CPU, GPU and North/South bridge heatsink. I wanted a KFA2 9600GT because they use the Samsung 0.8ns memory but it was too expensive. I like the Asrock board has support for DDR2 and DDR3 good overclocker see here

- Christine

nice build Christine

I changed my list alittle, changed the G.Skill 1066 ram I picked out for the Geil 800 Christine picked. I still like my build better, that 9800gtx for less than $200 will give a nice advantage over the 9600gt.

Tuniq TX2 isnt as good as arctic cooling MX-2.

the only other change i'd make is, go for the asrock penryn1600SLI-110db motherboard, its SLI capable with stock 400 FSB support. The only real change over that P35 board you listed, is that it has SLI support since he's going a 9600GT.

forget SLI, 9600GT won't be around forever if your going to buy 2x 9600GT you mine as well just purchase a 4850 for $150. I usually use MX-2 on everything except for my CPU I use OCZ Freeze because it doesn't need to burn in.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2...zfgraphlg6.gif

- Christine

get a Radeon HD 4850 for 160 usd http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...n=4850&x=0&y=0
and meybe a cheaper motherboard like GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L for 89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128337

and OCZ memory instead its CREAPY cheap now at $18.99 after $25.00 Mail-In
Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227139
good memory too!

What are those stats from...... its nameless.... sourceless...... :laugh:

incase you were not being sarcastic. tweaktown :p

the graph shows a definitive winner, only $4 a tube.

- Christine

ok. i merely suggested the board because you had a 9600GT in the build.

You are forging documents. That couldn't be true. :laugh:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/126...ial/index.html

- Christine

OCZ freeze is supposed to be pretty good, but thats the only review i've ever seen to show all their temps so close together, let alone the TX2 beating AS5, freeze, or MX2.

who has more credibility tweaktown or a forum post. oh well it probably isn't that good but for $4 a tube it's got to be better than stock.

- Christine

I was being "tongue and cheek". ;)

Well, I think ditching the whole SLi deal and getting a 9800gtx or 4850 would be the better choice. I'm going with the Biostar P43 found here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138122

EDIT: Oh, I swapped out the e8400 for the e7200