Some PC Building advice

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eitai2001

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Hi Guys.

I just wanted to ask all your advice, because I may know what I'm doing ... but collective advice is so much better.
I have a customer with quite a hefty budget for a gaming PC ... I don't necessarily want to use the whole budget, but it is there if needed. He wants to build a powerful PC that will be capable of running Far Cry 2 on everything turned high.
He also doesn't want to upgrade for another 2 years, or if need be, be able to do minor upgrades. He knows that a year from now he won't have the best stuff, but as long as he can play the latest games.
In terms of overclocking, he said he doesn't think he will, but he would like the ability to if need be for future more demanding games.
The list of components I've come up with are the following:
-Intel Q9550
-EVGA GTX280
-Either Asus P5N-T Deluxe, or Striker 2 Extreme, or Rampage Formula, or P5Q Deluxe.
-Memory ... looking at either 4GB (2x2GB) of OCZ Reaper series 1066, or maybe 4GB (4x1GB) OCZ Reaper 1200 memory. Other recommendations?
-For a case, probably look at something like Antec 1200 or Coolermaster HAF932 or something along those lines ... something that breathes well.
-Cooling ... I am thinking either Ultra 120 or Ultra 120 Extreme for best possible cooling performance.
-Psu ... I think a 700w should suffice right?

So is there anything you would change (Customer does not want AMD or ATI) ... such as SLI GTX260 instead ... or different motherboard, memory, case, PSU, etc. The reason I'm not going SLI ... is I know sometimes there are complications or incompatabilities ... and he wants none of that.

Regards

Itai
 
Looks good, just make sure he installs a 64-bit operating system in order to fully utilize the 4GB of RAM :)
 
I would definitely set up SLI for one, just in case he wants to add another card, say next year. And bump the PSU to a 1000W if he wants it to last 2 years. The rest I don't know enough about :D
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
I would definitely set up SLI for one, just in case he wants to add another card, say next year. And bump the PSU to a 1000W if he wants it to last 2 years. The rest I don't know enough about :D
Click to expand...

Overkill :eek:

The GTX280 should last another two years without the need to go SLI :D
 
Overkill, maybe slightly ... but if the money is there and it means less tinkering in 2 years time, I'd go for it in a flash.
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Overkill, maybe slightly ... but if the money is there and it means less tinkering in 2 years time, I'd go for it in a flash.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure than you'll need 1KW in two years' time to be honest.

But, as you say, if you have the money for it why not? :p
 
The_Techie said:
I'm not sure than you'll need 1KW in two years' time to be honest.

But, as you say, if you have the money for it why not? :p
Click to expand...

Well if you take the most expensive motherboard out that lot with the 700w, then you are already hitting 20k which is his budget. I"m not necessarily taking the most expensive motherboard though. Which board would you guys go for of those 4 ... I don't necessarily need overkill ... he MIGHT overclock, but he is not a bencher.
 
I suppose you do have a point Techie ..... everyone is going the 'use-less-energy' route these days, so ja a 700W is probably enough.


eita - complete mobo noob me :o
 
eitai2001 said:
Well if you take the most expensive motherboard out that lot with the 700w, then you are already hitting 20k which is his budget. I"m not necessarily taking the most expensive motherboard though. Which board would you guys go for of those 4 ... I don't necessarily need overkill ... he MIGHT overclock, but he is not a bencher.
Click to expand...

The P5Q should suffice ;)
 
The_Techie said:
The P5Q should suffice ;)
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking ... but was thinking maybe nvidia chipset? But I prefer the intel chipsets. I doubt he will SLI anyway, prob just buy the newest card in 2 years time which will prob be more powerful than sli-ing 2 of the current most powerful :p

HavocXphere said:
Go for 2gb sticks not 1gb sticks of ram.
Click to expand...

Thats what I'm planning on doing :) ... but 1200 doesn't have 2gb sticks in OCZ. So will stick to 1066.

DDR3 anyone? I think prob a waste of time for crappy performance increases? Thoughts?
 
If your customer is willing to spend that kind of money, could I suggest waiting for Nehalem etc?

Then you could have:
Nehalem whatever CPU
Gigabyte X58 mobo
4GB DDR3
GTX280
I'd get one of the Antec Signature PSUs, though they may be a bit expensive, but I read a review a while back that found them to be flawless.
Antec P180 - I never suggest anything else.

But with these new processors, it may push th budget... Also depends if your customer is willing to wait.
 
carderne said:
If your customer is willing to spend that kind of money, could I suggest waiting for Nehalem etc?

Then you could have:
Nehalem whatever CPU
Gigabyte X58 mobo
4GB DDR3
GTX280
I'd get one of the Antec Signature PSUs, though they may be a bit expensive, but I read a review a while back that found them to be flawless.
Antec P180 - I never suggest anything else.

But with these new processors, it may push th budget... Also depends if your customer is willing to wait.
Click to expand...

I'm personally waiting for final performance figures from Nehalem (especially gaming) before advising people to rather wait for it.
 
The_Techie said:
I'm personally waiting for final performance figures from Nehalem (especially gaming) before advising people to rather wait for it.
Click to expand...

I'd also rather wait for prices.... it might be kind of expensive.
Techie: What is the current Asus support situation? Last I heard it was like Telkom/SAPO support- nonexistant.
 
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