[Hedworx]

I posted a while back with questions and now that I'm ready to build I have a few more questions. Sorry for the amount.
I will be using this pc mainly for online gaming. I dabble in Photoshop a little, but nothing major.

1. Is it worth buying DDR3 now and if not, then can I buy a DDR3 motherboard and use DDR2 memory for now?

2. How much of a difference is memory at 800mhz and at 1066mhz

3. What is a good modular PSU and that will work in the Antec P182 case (already bought) Antec 850W ?? It is said in the review given here that the Corsair does not work very well in the P182.

4. Memory....corsair vs patriot?

5. 680i or 780i

6. I'm wanting to run 4GB of RAM. Looking at running XP Pro for now. Will 4GB run on Vista in the future (I hear it has issues now)

7. Is it worth the money to buy something like the KI Gaming Interface Network Card?

8. Is Intel a good motherboard...or should I go with EVGA

9. Q6600 or E6850 ?

10. Is it a plus in performance/compatability to buy a video card and motherboard by the same maker.....say EVGA?


Hedworx

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Is it worth buying DDR3 now and if not, then can I buy a DDR3 motherboard and use DDR2 memory for now?

No and no. DDR3 is still to expensive for what it offers, all current motherboards won't be able to properly support DDR3 when it reaches it's prime, the clock rates should dramatically increase as the technology matures.

How much of a difference is memory at 800mhz and at 1066mhz

Performance wise, virtually none. If you are overclocking with anything but a nVidia chipset, you'll need the higher frequency for additional headroom.

Memory....corsair vs patriot?

That can't be answered without a budget, also I wouldn't limit yourself to those two manufacturers.

680i or 780i

That depends on your budget, do you plan on overclocking? Do you plan on running SLI?

I'm wanting to run 4GB of RAM. Looking at running XP Pro for now. Will 4GB run on Vista in the future (I hear it has issues now)

There is nothing wrong with Vista, I'm on it right now and havn't had any issues with it yet. If you choose an nVidia chipset and you're dead set on 4GB of RAM you'll need a 64bit OS to support all 4GB. A 32bit OS would only see about 2.75-3GB of RAM, assuming you had a high end video card as well.

Is it worth the money to buy something like the KI Gaming Interface Network Card?

Intel has a very cheap networking hard for 30$, it's just as good as the killer card, but at a fraction of the cost. Is it worth it? If you download stuff it is (from what I hear) and if you are typically far away from the servers you play games on (you'd notice this if you had pings higher then 100ms).

Is Intel a good motherboard...or should I go with EVGA

Intel doesn't produce any nVidia chipsets, again, do you wish to purchase SLI? I highly recommend you don't purchase SLI unless you are running a 24" monitor or larger and have money to burn.

Q6600 or E6850 ?

Neither, I suggest the Q9450, it'll be out very shortly, it's already appearing on the market.

Is it a plus in performance/compatability to buy a video card and motherboard by the same maker.....say EVGA?

Many people believe this, but there is none.

James

[james_8970]

Is it worth buying DDR3 now and if not, then can I buy a DDR3 motherboard and use DDR2 memory for now?

No and no. DDR3 is still to expensive for what it offers, all current motherboards won't be able to properly support DDR3 when it reaches it's prime, the clock rates should dramatically increase as the technology matures.

How much of a difference is memory at 800mhz and at 1066mhz

Performance wise, virtually none. If you are overclocking with anything but a nVidia chipset, you'll need the higher frequency for additional headroom.

Memory....corsair vs patriot?

That can't be answered without a budget, also I wouldn't limit yourself to those two manufacturers.

680i or 780i

That depends on your budget, do you plan on overclocking? Do you plan on running SLI?

I'm wanting to run 4GB of RAM. Looking at running XP Pro for now. Will 4GB run on Vista in the future (I hear it has issues now)

There is nothing wrong with Vista, I'm on it right now and havn't had any issues with it yet. If you choose an nVidia chipset and you're dead set on 4GB of RAM you'll need a 64bit OS to support all 4GB. A 32bit OS would only see about 2.75-3GB of RAM, assuming you had a high end video card as well.

Is it worth the money to buy something like the KI Gaming Interface Network Card?

Intel has a very cheap networking hard for 30$, it's just as good as the killer card, but at a fraction of the cost. Is it worth it? If you download stuff it is (from what I hear) and if you are typically far away from the servers you play games on (you'd notice this if you had pings higher then 100ms).

Is Intel a good motherboard...or should I go with EVGA

Intel doesn't produce any nVidia chipsets, again, do you wish to purchase SLI? I highly recommend you don't purchase SLI unless you are running a 24" monitor or larger and have money to burn.

Q6600 or E6850 ?

Neither, I suggest the Q9450, it'll be out very shortly, it's already appearing on the market.

Is it a plus in performance/compatability to buy a video card and motherboard by the same maker.....say EVGA?

Many people believe this, but there is none.

James

[Hedworx]

Hey James...thanks again for helping me out and answering my questions.

I didn't intend on running SLI and I don't plan on overclocking. This is my first complete build and I'm not much on the tweaking of things.
I haven't got a monitor picked out yet, but I'm looking to get a 22" LCD...maybe 24". As for the memory, I'm not set on just those two brands, they just seem to be popular buys. My budget for the whole system is around $2000. Lower would be nice and higher would prolong my wait to build. It's hard to get the wife to agree to spend that much money on a "gaming pc" .
I'd rather have Vista, so if your running Vista with 4GB of RAM and not having any trouble, then I'll go with Vista.


Take care,
Hedworx

Edited by Hedworx, 15 March 2008 - 03:14 AM.

[Hedworx]

What is the price going to be for the Q9450? It's not going to be like the QX9650 is it? I know it's the Extreme series, but $1000 for the processor is not in my budget. Wish it was though.

[james_8970]

What is the price going to be for the Q9450? It's not going to be like the QX9650 is it?

No, the 'X' sybolizes an unlocked multiplier, I'd never suggest a $1000 cpu, not even if it was within someones budget
You'd be looking within the 300-350$ area.

I didn't intend on running SLI and I don't plan on overclocking.

Then I suggest a cheap board like the GA-P35-DS3L, it's a great board and it's under 100$.

I haven't got a monitor picked out yet, but I'm looking to get a 22" LCD...maybe 24".

In my personal opinion, 24" is not worth the price premium. Sure you could get a cheap 24" panel, but would you be happy with it? I have the Samsung 226BW, and couldn't be happier. I suggest to take a glance at this monitor.

As for the memory, I'm not set on just those two brands, they just seem to be popular buys.

Depending on what your looking for OCZ and Mushkin are other popular brands. Though I'd suggest a Mushkin set, as there is a great performing, cheap kit that doesn't require any adjustments within your BIOS.

I'd rather have Vista, so if your running Vista with 4GB of RAM and not having any trouble, then I'll go with Vista.

Yes I am running 4GB of RAM with Vista right now but my setup, which would be similar to your own, only sees 3.35GB of RAM. You could go the 64bit OS route and see all of it, but you may have compatibility issues with older hardware such as printers and scanners. I'm not going to go into detail, but just because you'd see the full 4GB of RAM in a 64bit enviroment, doesn't mean you'd see a performance increase.
James

Edited by james_8970, 15 March 2008 - 06:00 PM.

[Hedworx]

I put this list together last night after my previous post. The motherboard is different, but I'll change it if the one you listed is better. The monitor you suggested is the one that I had picked out . The processor is not listed because I'd like to get the Q9450 if it will be out soon. As for the memory, I'm in the dark as what to use. I would like for this pc to last me awhile before having to build another. Upgradability is a plus, which I guess just intales the motherboard. For a quick list I linked them all from newegg.

Case: Antec P182 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811129025
MB: Abit IP35 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813127030
PSU: Antec 850W http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371009
Memory: Corsair 4GB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820145184
HD: Seagate 750 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822148298
Video: EVGA 8800GT http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130319
Optical: Samsung DVD http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827151154
Monitor: Samsung 226BW http://www.newegg.co...N82E16824001096
Sound: Turtle Beach 7.1 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829118109
Processor: Q9450

What else?

Edit...my short hand links didn't work. Had to put them long hand.

Edited by Hedworx, 16 March 2008 - 01:28 AM.

[james_8970]

If you intend on overclocking, how far do you want to go? Just a heads up, a 32bit OS will not be able to see all 4GB of RAM.

The motherboard is better then the one that I had selected, but also costs more money. If you're happy to spend more money on a motherboard go for it It also has a few more overclocking options as well.

I suggest this optical drive over the one you have selected.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827129009

I personally wouldn't get a sound card at all unless you have a decent pair of speakers. If you really wanted a sound card, I'd suggest the xtremegamer.

The PSU you have selected is overkill, I recommend this one.
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817812004

James

[Hedworx]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll change my list to include the Optical drive and the PSU that you have suggested. I've always wondered about Mushkin but guess I was hesitant because I haven't heard as much about them and I'm new to all of this. Should I go with Mushkin Memory as well or is the ones I selected OK? Again this will mainly be a gaming pc, but I don't want to spend hundreds on memory.

As for the soundcard, I use a set of headphones made by Turtle Beach and am currently using one of their sound cards. However I realized that I linked the wrong one here. I'd rather have the Creative sound card, but I would have to get the Fatal1ty Professional because I need the AD Link connector shown in the picture http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102005 Sound is a big deal because I play a couple of FPS.

I don't plan of overclocking. Wouldn't know how.

Do you know approximately when the Q9450 is suppose to be out. I've searched on the net but see different dates....and most are guesses.

I looked at the Monitor today in person. I like it.

Thank you!

[kamille316]

I'd personally go with a Mushkin memory anyday as it just works perfectly for me and for other people especially for those that are having problems with memory compatibility.
Mushkin also has great customer support, one of the reason I went with it too.
But the Corsair memory you selected is still a good one.
This mushkin 4GB(2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 has a tighter timings (5-4-4-12) than the Corsair one and costs $109.99 ($84.99 after the rebate).

Edited by kamille316, 18 March 2008 - 10:00 AM.

[james_8970]

Mushkin also has great customer support, one of the reason I went with it too.

Yup, you cannot beat MushkinGregs support at NCIX.

Sound is a big deal because I play a couple of FPS.

If you only game using 5.1 surround, I suggest you stick with XP for the moment, though most of the issues should be resolved on newer popular games in the future on Vista.

Do you know approximately when the Q9450 is suppose to be out. I've searched on the net but see different dates....and most are guesses.

Everything is a guess, so if you wanted to wait for this, be ready to be patient Because you don't plan on overclocking, I suggest you purchase a E8400 if you can find one, otherwise I'd recommend the E6850.

I've always wondered about Mushkin but guess I was hesitant because I haven't heard as much about them and I'm new to all of this. Should I go with Mushkin Memory as well or is the ones I selected OK?

The ones you selected will be fine but the ones kamille suggested are better for overclocking if you ever go that route. I'd go with whatever is cheaper considering you have no plan to overclock, in this case it's cosair.

As for the soundcard, I use a set of headphones made by Turtle Beach and am currently using one of their sound cards. However I realized that I linked the wrong one here. I'd rather have the Creative sound card, but I would have to get the Fatal1ty Professional because I need the AD Link connector shown in the picture http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102005 Sound is a big deal because I play a couple of FPS.

That's fine, there are very few sound cards with that, so I have no other suggestions.

James

Edited by james_8970, 18 March 2008 - 11:57 AM.

[Hedworx]

Thank you for helping me with my 'to buy' list. I found out that I can purchase a seperate card for the AD Link so I will probably get one of the creative sound cards.

Again, thank you and I'm sure I'll be back to ask questions along the way.

Take care!