tealeafkitty

I'm planning on building a high-performance desktop computer for gaming and information processing/computing. I'm not planning on over-clocking from the start (I'm a completely new to this, so I'd prefer not to take risks). I mainly just want a powerful computer that will last me a long time.

I'm basing it around the Q9650 (3GHz), with perhaps 6GB RAM (or 8? Is it really worth it?) and two internal Hard Drives of 150GB and 300GB.

I'm mainly confused about what type, how much and which brand of RAM I should use, so input about that would be amazing help.


Current Build:
- CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W
- Motherboard: Asus P5Q-E ATX
* I was also suggested the GA-EX48-DS4 because its an easy setup for first-timers. Is this true?

- Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295
- Memory: 6 or 8 GB
* Which brand is best for the motherboards I've listed?
* Which type is best for the GA-EX48-DS4?
* DDR2 or DDR3?

- Hard Drive 1: 300GB Velociraptor
- Hard Drive 2: 150GB Velociraptor
- Power Supply: 650 Watts (Enough? If not, how much?)

Other:
- DVD +/- RW Drive
- Sound Card
- Network Card
- Cooling Supply: Besides CPU fans, would just a front and back case fans be enough? No water necessary, right?

Please let me know if this is all compatible, and whether it'll run okay

Thank you so much!

I_am_McLovin

That looks like a solid rig. Make sure you get a good PSU to power the GTX 295

tealeafkitty

Thank you-- do you think 650W would be enough, or should I go up higher just in case?

meticadpa

Instead of that motherboard get a Gigabyte EP45-UD3P.

And get some Western Digital Caviar Black Drives in RAID 0 instead of the velociraptors.

Get 4GB of 1066MHz RAM.

Get a Thermalright Ultra Extreme 120 CPU cooler.

Get a CoolerMaster Haf 932 case.

Get a good power supply, Corsair 750TX would be great.

Any SATA DVD R/W is fine.

Also, get a good monitor with a resolution of 1680 x 1050 or above.

And if you want amazing sound quality, get an Asus Xonar Sound Card.

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gnolnats

My PSU runs the 295 just fine. You can always run THIS for a sanity check.

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3DmarkVantage.v1.01=P15,434::17022:12059(stock, no PhysX)
3DmarkVantage.v1.01=P24,155::20817:46545(690|1466| 1073MHz,PhysX on)
3DMark06v1.1.0.Pro(PhysX=disabled)=22,564::8526.11 642.5660@1280x1024

Q9650 Club

tealeafkitty

Thank you very much for your advice! I've taken your advice on the cooling system, and added your recommended power supply, along with case/cooling to my list. As for the RAID 0 problem, I've decided to knock it down to a single 300GB Hard Drive, just to simplify things.

For memory, I'm going with 2x of Corsair's 4GB Set Dominator 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500).

I'll keep your tips about the sound card and monitor when I'm getting peripherals and such.

Thanks again!