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End of Semester Project - SFF Gaming Rig

gamer210

New Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
136 (0.02/day)
Location
University of Texas San Antonio
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz
Motherboard ASUS P5Q Pro
Cooling Zalman CNPS 9700
Memory Mushkin XP 4GB DDR2 1066
Video Card(s) 2x Radeon HD 4850
Storage Seagate 750 GB w/ 32MB Cache
Display(s) Dell 2007WFP Rev A04 S-IPS
Case Tuniq 3
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar DX
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 610
Software Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit
All right. My semester officially ends today, so I've already started planning my next project. I was thinking of going SFF because I wanted to try something different. Here's a preliminary parts list:

CASE: Thermaltake Lanbox Lite
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811133044

PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 650W
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817153040

MOTHERBOARD: Foxconn G9657MA-8EKRS2H
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813186110

CPU: C2D E6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115003

MEMORY: Mushkin EM6400 (2 X 1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146118

HDD: Western Digital 320GB SATA II
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822136074

ODD: Lite-on 20X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106073

COOLING: Zalman CNPS 7700 || Thermaltake Blue Orb II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118115
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835106069

I'm going to reuse my X1950 pro and my Audigy 4. I don't see the point in using RAID 0, as it doesn't give you that much of a noticeable difference in gaming. My main issue is going to be the cooling. From the reviews I have read, the Blue Orb II seems to perform better, but the 7700 takes up less space. As always, I would appreciate y'alls input and advice.
 
Last edited:

raven009

New Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
56 (0.01/day)
Processor e6550
Motherboard Gigabyte p35c
Cooling Zalman 9700/ 3 120mm fans/ 200m fan/ 80mm fan
Memory G.Skill 2 gig DDR2 800
Video Card(s) XFX 8600 GT xxx edition
Storage seagate 250 gig
Display(s) 20.1 viewsonic widescreen monitor
Case Antec Nine Hundred with custom paint job
Audio Device(s) onboard
Power Supply Antec Quatro 850
Software xp
i would get the e6600 instead and a different psu like the corsair psu
 

gamer210

New Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
136 (0.02/day)
Location
University of Texas San Antonio
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz
Motherboard ASUS P5Q Pro
Cooling Zalman CNPS 9700
Memory Mushkin XP 4GB DDR2 1066
Video Card(s) 2x Radeon HD 4850
Storage Seagate 750 GB w/ 32MB Cache
Display(s) Dell 2007WFP Rev A04 S-IPS
Case Tuniq 3
Audio Device(s) Asus Xonar DX
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 610
Software Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64-bit
Regarding the PSU, I really wanted one with modular cables. I figured it would be better for a SFF build. I'm looking to spend between $100~$150, but it's not a hard budget. I also wanted something that was capable of handling R600/G80, should I ever upgrade my card, so I'm thinking around 600W, but it's the amps that are more important. Does anyone own any of these:

Mushkin - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812004
Enermax - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194004
Zalman - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817379003
Corsair - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002
OCZ - http://forums.techpowerup.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=327687

I'm leaning more towards the Mushkin. It's seems like a better value, has plenty of amps, and I think it might be shorter than some of the other ones. Plus it has an led fan.
 
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