i want to build a new system for design + video + gaming

board
Maximus II Formula

ram
OCZ OCZ2P10664GK PC2-8500 DDR2 1066MHz Platinum Edition 4GB Dual Channel Kit

cpu
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor, 2.40 GHz, 8M L2 Cache, LGA 775

grfx
VisionTek Radeon HD4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card
(i will take 1 now but i will add another one after one month ) so i want the power supply include it


and dvd-writer and HDD 500GB ( i just add it for calculate the power supply )

please check the compatibility

and how many WAT i need for this system

up

Whats your $$$ range?

I would suggest the following.....


1. Ditch the p45 chipset MOBO. Go x48 Intel chipset. This will give you better Crossfire support:
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (both @ x16 mode) on X 48 chipset

vs.

2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (single max @16,dual @ x8 speed) on P45 chipset

*** note second PCIe slot running at x8 not x16

I have the Asus P5E Deluxe and its nice. The Rampage Formula is basically the same but with extra "fluff"
(more MOBO case fan plugs, dual LAN) Both are x48 chipset based.

2. Ditch 1066 memory and go with DDR2 800 memory.
I went with Corsair Twin2X4096-6400C4DHX...wortks great with both MOBO's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194

3. Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

or

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

4. Consider ATI 4870 over 4850. Single 4870 nice price drop since 4870x2 card just released.

5. PSU
750W should be good if you Crossfire.

See Corsair's web site. There is a nice calculator for PSU needed level.

I did the Antec 850W PSU and love it. Great price now on newegg. It is modular.
Antec TPQ-850 850W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Cabling Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371009

or

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V NVIDIA SLI Ready ATI CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006
Recommended a lot here. It is not modular.

Both brands are considered upper level for PSU's.

GL

The only article I ve seen on this show that todays videocards in crossfire only run 5% faster on an x48 chipset then the p45 chipset. Given that the x48 motherboards are $100+ more then the p45 motherboards a 5% gain is not a good value.

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=761

Seems to me that it would be a better value to get the P45 and stuffing the $100 savings into your video card.

Yeah just depends on the size of your monitor and your gaming needs.

The Maximus II is kind of an odd board because it's more about features and overclocking. Generally you could go for something like a P5Q deluxe and channel the extra cash into a Q9550.