• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

First Build, Feedback Please!!

Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
Hey guys, long time reader but very few posts.. Im putting together my first build so far this is what im working with. Feedback on how to improve this build hardware wise and bring down the overall cost. without further ado..

CPU: Q6600 ($284)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R ($136)

Memory: CORSAIR Dominator 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 1066 ($205)

Video Card: eVGA 8800 GTX 768MB ($516)

Hard Drive: Seagate ST3300631A-RK New Seagate Barracuda 7200 ($89)

Case: Thermaltake Soprano DX ($110)

Power Suppy: Antec NeoPower 650 Blue ($114)

Total: $1454 usd
 

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
That's a pretty damn good spec. Is this the first time you're building a PC?

I must admit I'm not a fan (no pun intended) on large ATX cases, but that Thermaltake case looks great as well as offering enough room to move your family into it. ;)

The CPU is a great, I'd try and get hold of a G0 stepping Q6600 if you can as these are meant to be extremely overclockable and should cost the same as any other revision. D'you plan on using the stock HSF? This is well and good, but you could be better off with a quieter, after-market cooler. Maybe something from Thermaltake. Still, that's adding to the cost which is going backwards I guess - if needed, you could always add one at a later date.

Can't say anything about the Antec PSU as I haven't read any reviews. I would recommend the Corsair 550W or 620W but these will most likely be more expensive. In my opinion, their currently the best make of PSU on the market.

You haven't mentioned which OS you're planning on using. You planning on XP, Vista (32bit or 64?) maybe you fancy y'chances with Linux... ;)

Good luck, and I hope you can post a work log of the build or something. If y'need anything, just shout. :)
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Messages
2,276 (0.36/day)
Location
Cairns QLD, Aussie
System Name GaMEr / HTPC
Processor FX8320 4.5ghz so far NB- 2815mhz / X2 255 @ 3.2ghz (Temp till BD)
Motherboard 990FX-UD5 / GA-MA785GPMT-US2H
Cooling XSPC - 240rad 480rad 5 x 120mm out, 6 x 80mm in / H220-edge 1/2" & 2 x 120mm Magma
Memory 4gb PI 6,8,6,18 1T 1706mhz / 4gb Crucial D9's 1400 @ 6,6,6,18,1T
Video Card(s) 3gb HD7950 / Onboard
Storage 2 x 120gb Sandisk ultra plus 2tb WD / 60gb vertex 2 + 2 x 2tb WD Greens
Display(s) 3x24in Dell Ultra (portrait) / NEC 32" FullHD LCD
Case LL PC71A Full tower / Antec fusion black with Imon remote Modded for WC
Audio Device(s) OB / Auzentech cinema 7.1
Power Supply TT 700w TR2 / TT 600w Litepower modded with Noctua S12 fan.
Software 7 Ult / 7 premium x64
I would go for a different psu man, I havent heard to many good things about antec psu's for a long while now, maybe try something from seasonic, silverstone, corsair, fsp etc..

and maybe change that ram, I am pretty sure you can get a better deal than that.

Double check the specs on that case to man, the soprano isn't a huge case and that GTX is HUGE... you may run into space issues. I know that newegg has the antec 900 on special for like $90 or something....
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
2,648 (0.42/day)
Location
UK
System Name Ma Biatch
Processor i7 860
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3A
Cooling Noctua
Memory 8gb (4x2gb) G-Skill
Video Card(s) GTX 470
Storage WD5000aaks raid0
Display(s) Sony Bravia 37" 1080p
Case CM 690
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair HX520
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
nice specs, although unless your into video editing/encoding multitasking big time you wont see much perf increase from that quad core. A e6850 would serve you better and give you a noticeable boost in games over the q6600
 

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
I would go for a different psu man, I havent heard to many good things about antec psu's for a long while now, maybe try something from seasonic, silverstone, corsair, fsp etc..

Corsair 550W or 620W ;)

nice specs, although unless your into video editing/encoding multitasking big time you wont see much perf increase from that quad core. A e6850 would serve you better and give you a noticeable boost in games over the q6600

At that price he's future proofing for a bit and games are slowing becoming multi-threaded, look at S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for instance. With Crysis and Alan Wake coming soon that's another two to add to the list. Forward thinking with back compatibility is what I like to regurgitate. :)
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Messages
2,276 (0.36/day)
Location
Cairns QLD, Aussie
System Name GaMEr / HTPC
Processor FX8320 4.5ghz so far NB- 2815mhz / X2 255 @ 3.2ghz (Temp till BD)
Motherboard 990FX-UD5 / GA-MA785GPMT-US2H
Cooling XSPC - 240rad 480rad 5 x 120mm out, 6 x 80mm in / H220-edge 1/2" & 2 x 120mm Magma
Memory 4gb PI 6,8,6,18 1T 1706mhz / 4gb Crucial D9's 1400 @ 6,6,6,18,1T
Video Card(s) 3gb HD7950 / Onboard
Storage 2 x 120gb Sandisk ultra plus 2tb WD / 60gb vertex 2 + 2 x 2tb WD Greens
Display(s) 3x24in Dell Ultra (portrait) / NEC 32" FullHD LCD
Case LL PC71A Full tower / Antec fusion black with Imon remote Modded for WC
Audio Device(s) OB / Auzentech cinema 7.1
Power Supply TT 700w TR2 / TT 600w Litepower modded with Noctua S12 fan.
Software 7 Ult / 7 premium x64
nah its more expensive, heaps nicer, I agree. The only reason I mentioned the 900 is because I saw it pretty cheap at newegg yesterday...

Antec to make really nice clean cases
 

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
Hey guys, long time reader but very few posts.. Im putting together my first build so far this is what im working with. Feedback on how to improve this build hardware wise and bring down the overall cost. without further ado..

CPU: Q6600 ($284)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R ($136)

Memory: CORSAIR Dominator 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 1066 ($205)

Video Card: eVGA 8800 GTX 768MB ($516)

Hard Drive: Seagate ST3300631A-RK New Seagate Barracuda 7200 ($89)

Case: Thermaltake Soprano DX ($110)

Power Suppy: Antec NeoPower 650 Blue ($114)

Total: $1454 usd

what is your price limit? i would get a different PSU, preferably something like the OCZ GameStream 750watt. its a very reliable PSU that offers a ton of clean power. you will need it considering you are going for the q6600 and the gtx. and if you can spend a bit more cash get a rapter HDD for increased gaming performance. then buy an external HDD for storage.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
thanks guys for the feedback

Im gong with the quad for the future, sure i probally wont get anything outta of it now but plan for the future.

I always thought antec was a good psu but im probally wrong.


As the case is concerned, I really want a nice looking case there arent many i like and the ones i do are mid atx.. ill search around..
 
Last edited:

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,731 (3.43/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
The Antec SMARTPOWERS are junk, the others should be fine. 650W will power that system easily. Looks nice and balanced. If your CPU gets the G0 stepping, you can almost effortlessly overclock to 3GHz (G0 usually hits 3.9 on air). I strongly reccomend this cooler if your budget allows. My uncle has this on his 6000+ (stock) and he lives on the 3rd floor of an apartment building which is always like 80F, and his CPU NEVER broke 45c. It usually stays around 42-41 after hours of BF2142. That's in a case with 2 8800GTS.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
ok, updated specs

CPU: Q6600 ($284)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R ($136)

Memory: CORSAIR Dominator 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 1066 ($205)

Video Card: eVGA 8800 GTX 768MB ($516)

Hard Drive: Seagate ST3300631A-RK New Seagate Barracuda 7200 ($89)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ($90)

Power Suppy: OCZ Technology 700W GameXStream ($127)

Total: $1447 usd

question: Is there a way to identify the quad cores with g0 stepping, maybe by model number or lot number?
 
Last edited:

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
I presume it's best to ask the retailer you're buying from in advice.

If you missed my previous question, what OS d'you plan to run with this rig?
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
I still want to run xp till vista gets its act together.

Good man!

From the way you're pricing your components I expect your either from the States or Canada right?

I'm not sure if Scan (UK) deliver overseas but they definitely sell G0 stepping Q6600's for ÂŁ170 ($340USD). I know that's a lot more than for what you've got listed but it's a certainty it's a G0 stepping. To be honest you're more likely to come across them in the States, cheaper too!

You've listed the 8800GTX - when d'you plan on building this thing, relatively soon? I better point you into the direction of a thread I made for potential DX10.0 buyers.
 

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,731 (3.43/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
You can identify what spetting you have by downloading CPU Z. It will tell you stepping and more.
 
Joined
Jan 28, 2007
Messages
2,648 (0.42/day)
Location
UK
System Name Ma Biatch
Processor i7 860
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3A
Cooling Noctua
Memory 8gb (4x2gb) G-Skill
Video Card(s) GTX 470
Storage WD5000aaks raid0
Display(s) Sony Bravia 37" 1080p
Case CM 690
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair HX520
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
You can identify what spetting you have by downloading CPU Z. It will tell you stepping and more.

gonna be a bit late by then if hes already bought it, cant send it back cause its not a g0 stepping
 

hat

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
21,731 (3.43/day)
Location
Ohio
System Name Starlifter :: Dragonfly
Processor i7 2600k 4.4GHz :: i5 10400
Motherboard ASUS P8P67 Pro :: ASUS Prime H570-Plus
Cooling Cryorig M9 :: Stock
Memory 4x4GB DDR3 2133 :: 2x8GB DDR4 2400
Video Card(s) PNY GTX1070 :: Integrated UHD 630
Storage Crucial MX500 1TB, 2x1TB Seagate RAID 0 :: Mushkin Enhanced 60GB SSD, 3x4TB Seagate HDD RAID5
Display(s) Onn 165hz 1080p :: Acer 1080p
Case Antec SOHO 1030B :: Old White Full Tower
Audio Device(s) Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro - Bose Companion 2 Series III :: None
Power Supply FSP Hydro GE 550w :: EVGA Supernova 550
Software Windows 10 Pro - Plex Server on Dragonfly
Benchmark Scores >9000
Most q6600's are G0 now. It's just a way of checking which stepping you have.
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
I did all my pricing thru www.pricewatch.com and are in US funds. Im looking to build within a month but will be waiting till the last second to purchase so there is a chance the price might come down.
 
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Messages
1,775 (0.26/day)
Location
Singapore
System Name Half-fucked overclockedd
Processor Intel Core i7 2600k 3.40Ghz @ 4.20Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte P67 UD7 B3
Cooling Antec Kuhler H2O 920
Memory G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 8GB X2 1866Mhz (Model F3-2133C9D-16GXH)
Video Card(s) Gigabyte AORUS 1080Ti Extreme Edition
Storage Samsung 840 Pro 256GB / Western Digital Black Cavier 2TB X2
Display(s) Dell U2715H 2560X1440
Case NZXT Phantom
Audio Device(s) Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional
Power Supply Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1000W
Mouse Logitech G510
Keyboard Tesoro Excalibur Spectrum
Software Microsoft Windows 10 Professional
You might wanan wait for the next-gen Gigabyte DQ6 X35 board from intel if you're buying a p35. X35 has dual X16 PCI-E to run of for your crossfire. Also i would recommend a ATI card since if're hogging on that mobo. I would also recommend a E6850 and the new silverstone 850W. Wizzard reviewed it lask week. Go for stable PSU rather then just PSU with high watts.
 

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
I would also recommend a E6850 and the new silverstone 850W. Wizzard reviewed it lask week. Go for stable PSU rather then just PSU with high watts.

Meh... I wouldn't recommend anything but a Q6600. Dual core will be the minimum in 6 to 12 months and (new) multi-thread applications such as games will start to take advantage and I can't help but think he'd stuck with a stupidly fast dual core CPU that's out-dated. He's thinking of future proofing I expect.

Johnny5 said:
m gong with the quad for the future, sure i probally wont get anything outta of it now but plan for the future.

I'll have to read that SilverStone PSU review as I freaking love SilverStone cases. I can't help but bollock on about how good Corsair's current PSU range is. Even it's 620W is capable of powering a Q6600 & a 8800GTX SLi set up - I'm still trying to track down the new article... with pictures!
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
After some research Im looking for suggestion on a different mobo. What do you guys like?
 

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
You looking for mATX or full ATX?
 
Joined
Feb 2, 2007
Messages
222 (0.04/day)
Processor 2600k @ 4.2
Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3
Cooling AC Freezer 7 Pro
Memory 8GB G.SKILL DDR3 1600
Video Card(s) 6950
Storage 128g SSD
Display(s) Samsung 2370
Case Antec 900
Audio Device(s) Audigy 2
Power Supply Corsair 850
Software Window 7 64bit
sorry, full ATX
 

InnocentCriminal

Resident Grammar Amender
Joined
Feb 21, 2005
Messages
6,477 (0.93/day)
System Name BeeR 6
Processor Intel Core i7 3770K*
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene (1155/Z77)
Cooling Corsair H100i
Memory 16GB Samsung Green 1600MHz DDR3**
Video Card(s) 4GB MSI Gaming X RX480
Storage 256GB Samsung 840 Pro SSD
Display(s) 27" Samsung C27F591FDU
Case Fractal Design Arc Mini
Power Supply Corsair HX750W
Software 64bit Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores *@ 4.6GHz **@ 2133MHz
Hmmm... decent motherboard for the Q6600 - what sort of budget are we looking at for this?
 
Top