This is my first full build really, so bear with me.

I am building a computer, did massive research and is 100% sure that all parts are of high quality, all match each other, and good bang for buck.

Just letting you guys look at it to see if there are any problems with the set up I have, or that I am missing something. I checked and double checked and triple checked to see if there is anything missing or wrong but i cant find anything, so it does not hurt to let other people to look and see if there is anything i am missing. I have built computers before, but not as fast as this, so I want to be sure.

I am still debating the Vista 32bit or 64bit OS (Ultimate). 64bit has much better security features than 32bit, but does not support old 16bit applications. Since I am building a computer with brand new parts that will all have 64bit drivers approved by the company, I will have 0 problems on that end. 64 bit Vista supports all 32bit programs to my understanding. Also 64bit Vista will recognize all 4gigs of ram installed. Has anyone have any complaints with AC or other normal programs not working?

Here is a great article on the pos/neg's on 64bit Vista http://www.winsupersite.com/showca [...] ff_x64.asp

Thanks in advance.


Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

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EVGA 132-CK-NF79-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI DDR3 ATX Intel Motherboard

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Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

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G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

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EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card

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Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

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SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

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CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

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ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

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Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

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no need for keyboard/mouse/speakers

Too much money spent on too little performance.

This 4870 is far better than the GTX 260:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131113

The nVidia chipset is unstable when compared to Intel chipsets.

DDR3 is not worthwhile. In fact, the only board I know of that shows any useful performance gain with DDR3 is an x48 (Intel) board.

In short, you could save a great deal and have a faster computer by getting an x48, 4 Gb 800Mhz DDR2, and a 4870.

The article you referenced for Vista 64 was last updated 18 months ago. Vista 64 is far better now.

Also, it's really not a great idea to put a huge engine in a sub-compact. Get at least a 22" monitor. You can save at least 200 dollars between MB and RAM, so cost should not be a factor.

Wow, thank you for that info, I did not know the x48 chipset was so close to the 790i, I would gladly take reliability over anything.

The reason why I did put ddr3 was so that the FBS of the CPU would match the speed of the RAM (1333). Would there be a noticeable difference if there was ddr2 800?

I found this overclocked version of the 4870 for 10 bucks more, good deal?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131117

also, looking at mobo's and your recommendation of ddr2 800 I came across this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136046

a x48 mobo that supported ddr3 1333 looks promising, except for the ram compatibility issues:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136048
my g.skill ram that i have up there hopefully should work, since others i see can use g.skill 1600 (mine is 1333)

edit: oh, could someone elaborate how 64bit vista improved? and what the drawbacks are compared to 32bit vista?

Thank you so much.

My opinion would be no on that 4870. The reason is that they have ruined the rear exhaust by replacing the heatsink. Now the card will dump it's heat inside the case.

There is a slight performance increase by matching the FSB. In the case of that CPU, the FSB would be 333 at stock speeds. (You may see 1333 here and there, but that is just because Intel CPUs are "Quad Pumped".

Since DDR stands for "Double Data Rate" 333 FSB is equal to 667 RAM. So in fact, you do not even need 800Mhz RAM unless you are overclocking. However, given the prices it's good to just grab 800Mhz.

Your RAM will run at 667Mhz stock speed, and that will give that 1:1 ratio you want.

I have nothing against DFI, but I think ASUS is the better choice. DFI is a better choice for experienced overclockers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131317
Would do well and save some cash.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284
Would be the more expensive option.

If you do not intend to ever run a second 4870, or want the option but think it unlikely, then a P45 board would be better yet. More features, lower price, more memory allowed, maybe even better single video card performance.

Oh, and I should have been specific. When i said DDR3 only saw performance gains on an x48 board, I meant that the only review I have seen that indicated performance gain was on the ASUS Rampage Extreme. The gains were slight and would only be noticeable in memory intensive programs.

just get a X48 with some good 1066 DDR2 and a stock cooler 4870. those aftermarket cooler leave heat inside the case which will heat up the NB then CPU which then will hamper he OC ability of the setup. plus those stupidly low factory OC can be achieve my yourself so easily. those people who buy factory OC card are the most stupid person on earth who like to get rip off.

Thanks for all the input, you guys really helped me out a lot.

but still, questions...

so, since the speed of the ram if I want a 1:1 ratio is 667mhz, then why would someone get 1066mhz ram? What speed should I set the ram if I get:

ASUS Rampage motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

G.SKILL 4gb DDR2 1066 RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231184

Intel Q9550 quad processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041

?

I'd just get the g.skill 2x2gb DDR2 800MHz.

Also, the 64-bit OS will NOT automatically be able to run all programs 32-bit properly.

What do you mean "would not automatically", what do you have to do manually to run these programs?

+1 for Proximon comments - saving money and getting more performance.

-1 for ilovegillgill comments - not cost effective and wasteful. You don't need DDR2-1066 or an X48, why spend money needlessly?

that Q9550 needs very high fsb to get pass 4Ghz which is what the CPU is capable.with 8.5x multiplier you will need FSB470 which will be 940mhz on the ram.so he needs those 1066 ram. and X48 would be great for future Xfire setup rather then the 8x/8x on the P45. of course P45 will be cheaper is he stated he dont want Xfire but he didnt.

if he is being cost effective(on a budget) then Q9550 or 790i or DDR3 wont be on the option list,which is what he originally planned.

i think you should look at the OP before judging on other people's judgement.

But there was no mention of going past 4Ghz? Yes your setting are good for a huge overclock but surely not for just stock speeds.

Jeremy

No huge overclocking will take place, so should i go with the 800mhz?

so, with all the help I recieved, I changed up the config:




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ASUS Maximus II Formula LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

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Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041


G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

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VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

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Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

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SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

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ASUS Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model

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CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

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ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

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Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

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Antec 761345-75121-6 120mm Case Fan

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LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support

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