Hey everyone,

I have the itch again to build myself a new main system, since mine is getting kind of out dated. I'm mainly asking for advice because since the days of the AMD K6 chips I've been an AMD Fanboy. I haven't followed Intel very much for the past couple of years and therefore have a very limited knowledge of their products. What I do know is that it seems like if your gonna build a system these days an INTEL Core2 Duo is the way to go, at least over anything AMD has out. So I may be making the jump.

This is what I had in mind:

MOBO: Product Details

CPU: Product Details

Video: x2 for SLI Newegg.com - MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Over Clock Edition HDCP Video Card - Retail

Memory: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Everything else I will be reusing from my current system.

Now some questions.

I have a 750W PSU right now, if I go with this setup or something similar I would assume it will be powerful enough to handle everything (SLI)?

I want the 4GB of ram, but I read somewhere that Windows Vista can only use 2GB unless u go with a 64bit version? Is this true or BS?


I'm not really lookin to OC anything or push this puppy to the limits, just a good everyday system, that can handle almost anything.

So please if you have any sugestions that would be better or more cost effective please post! LOL

Thanks guys,

Bouve124

P.S. if my post doesn't make sense at any point its probably because I'm typing this really fast right before I leave work.. hehe

I just put my E6420 on ebay, Its a great CPU.

eBay: Core2 Duo E6420 (item 230151658473 end time Jul-18-07 21:53:17 PDT)

If you'd like to save a bit of money on the mobo Newegg's got an XFX 650Ultra for $70. It's the same as the EVGA motherboard. Both have gotten really good reviews.


Also for the price you'd be a lot better off getting 1 8800GTS. The preformance will be better than the Sli'd 8600GTS, and you'll have a better upgrade path. You can pick up the 640mb version for $330 here. Or if you want to save a little more you can pick up the 320mb version for $280. The biggest difference between the two comes in terms of resolution; for anything above 1680*1050 go with the 640mb, anything less the 320mb. Both are very good buys.


What brand is the power supply? If it's a quality PSU it should have no problem.

As for the memory Vista will have no problem supporting 4GB's. Also if you're looking to save some more money check out this deal. The rebate's a bit big but it can make quite a difference and so far nobody's had any trouble with it. Plus the majority of people are getting Micron D9 chips which are very overclockable.


Hope that helps

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface What brand is the power supply? If it's a quality PSU it should have no problem. Hope that helps

This is the PSU I currently have.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake toughpower W0117RU ATX12V / EPS12V 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, CB, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, and BSMI certified - Retail

Yeah that should be just fine. I'm not normally a fan of Thermaltake but that seems to be a good one.

I'm currently running vista ultimate 32-bit... but I guess if I build a new system with said cpu, I should pick up the 64-bit version ?

I wouldn't bother with it. 64bit Vista has got a lot of incompatabilites/driver problems. Anandtech's got an interesting article about this.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface I wouldn't bother with it. 64bit Vista has got a lot of incompatabilites/driver problems. Anandtech's got an interesting article about this.

Thanks for all the help, that article was an interesting read. So with the question of which windows to go with... here is the next issue.. lol

Like I mentioned before I have Vista Ultimate 32bit running on my current main system. Now the issue is that it is one of those "BUILDER Disc's" .

From what I understand, this means it can only be used on this specific machine. I won't be able to build my new system (which means no longer using my current system, since I'm using parts from it) and then use this copy of vista and its key.

If the above is correct, is it easier to just buy another copy of vista, or get another key but use the same disc?




Also I was gonna +rep ya, but I gotta spread it around a bit I guess....

Since your reusing the hard drive I don't *think* you should have any problems. I'm pretty sure they modified the EULA to allow for your situation.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Since your reusing the hard drive I don't *think* you should have any problems. I'm pretty sure they modified the EULA to allow for your situation.

Ok well then i'll give my current copy and key a try before buying anything else. Worst case scenario would just mean I can't play WOW for a few days.... LOL (so sad thats what I think of, damn game is to addicting!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Bouve124 Ok well then i'll give my current copy and key a try before buying anything else. Worst case scenario would just mean I can't play WOW for a few days.... LOL (so sad thats what I think of, damn game is to addicting!)

Nope you wouldn't even have to worry about that. If you encounter problems Windows Vista kindly includes a 30day grace period.

Well I looked at the video cards you listed and came up with this.

Newegg.com - MSI NX8800GTS-T2D640E-HD OC GeForce 8800GTS 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card - Retail

Basically what u listed but just OC'd a bit. Its a little more money but whatever, lol.


Now I just need to convince my gf that I need all this stuff! Don't wanna get yelled at!

I would say get a P35 chipset board and wait for an E6550. Would be better than 650i and E6420.

PS E6750 (2.66GHz 333x8) will also be the same price as that CPU at the end of the month.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan I would say get a P35 chipset board and wait for an E6550. Would be better than 650i and E6420. PS E6750 (2.66GHz 333x8) will also be the same price as that CPU at the end of the month.

But if I got with a P35 chipset, doesn't that mean I couldn't go SLI? I saw a few boards with that chipset that had Crossfire.... but I would need an Nvida chipset to do SLI right?

Quote: Originally Posted by Bouve124 But if I got with a P35 chipset, doesn't that mean I couldn't go SLI? I saw a few boards with that chipset that had Crossfire.... but I would need an Nvida chipset to do SLI right?

Woops... yeah you would, sorry.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan Woops... yeah you would, sorry.

No problem, I appreciate the info though...

What is your reasoning behind goin with a P35 chipset? Like I said in my first post I'm not up with all the newest stuff.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bouve124 No problem, I appreciate the info though... What is your reasoning behind goin with a P35 chipset? Like I said in my first post I'm not up with all the newest stuff.

The motherboards are resonable prices and they seem to offer the best overclocking, even mATX ones are doing 450MHz FSB. Also it has proper support for 45nm and 1333MHz FSB CPU's.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan The motherboards are resonable prices and they seem to offer the best overclocking, even mATX ones are doing 450MHz FSB. Also it has proper support for 45nm and 1333MHz FSB CPU's.

o ok, well I don't plan on OC anything, never really been my thing. I've dabbled in it a few times with ok results but never really got into it.

Thanks again, for the info.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bouve124 o ok, well I don't plan on OC anything, never really been my thing. I've dabbled in it a few times with ok results but never really got into it. Thanks again, for the info.

If you don't OC a Core 2 system you're missing out on a lot of free performance. Fair enough if it isn't your thing, but I've got a 77% clock speed increase with my E6300, which translates to a large performance gain. It's very easy to do as well, but obviously its up to you.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux If you don't OC a Core 2 system you're missing out on a lot of free performance. Fair enough if it isn't your thing, but I've got a 77% clock speed increase with my E6300, which translates to a large performance gain. It's very easy to do as well, but obviously its up to you.

Now with that 77% increase are u running a water system? or HSF's? You've somewhat peaked my intrest...lol




HAHAHA I just noticed that I have a custum title! Funny Stuff.