XS Official Rig Building Guide 2009

**demonkevy666** · 02-23-2009, 08:12 PM

Phenom II 940 and 920 are am2+ only, ddr2 board's.
you might want look over that AMD list.

**onethreehill** · 02-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Instead of

1. WD3200AAKS
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500410AS 500GB @$60 free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148377

2. SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1
HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.B 0A38016 1TB @$88 Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145233

**zanzabar** · 02-23-2009, 09:02 PM

those hitatchi are hideous unless u get an ultrastar or cinistar

**~~purecain~~** · 02-24-2009, 12:15 AM

i'd use an ssd on the last intel build..... apart from that i think youve chosen really well.... wish i was building them.... good luck....

**~~Chad Boga~~** · 02-24-2009, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by perkam

Intel Sub-$1,300 System

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail - $290
MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $190
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail - $120
EVGA 896-P3-1255-A1 GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 - $240
2 X Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $150
LG Black 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - $22
LIAN LI PC-8B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - $120
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC - Retail - $130

SubTotal: $1,261.99

Total w/Shipping: $1,299.99

This is a minor quibble but I thought I would ask anyway, why have you chosen this video card over a 1gig 4870 and/or not simply bracketed both these cards together?

**perkam** · 02-24-2009, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Chad Boga

This is a minor quibble but I thought I would ask anyway, why have you chosen this video card over a 1gig 4870 and/or not simply bracketed both these cards together?

I choose the fastest cards in their price range, and the 260 Core 216 is the fastest in that class.

ATI users can always substitute the card with a 1GB 4870, but right now the 260 is faster (and at the same price) and I have no intention of using "OR"s every 2 lines as that would make the builds confusing.

I have used the 4870 1GB with the AMD build as an alternative.

@ SSDs, this is the XS Rig Building Guide, not the "How To Increase Your Boot Time" Rig Building Guide, not to mention that there isn't room for SSDs or Velociraptors due to price constraints, and as most XS users need the space...the speed comes from the Raid 0 implementations.

Perkam

**One_Hertz** · 02-24-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by perkam

@ SSDs, this is the XS Rig Building Guide, not the "How To Increase Your Boot Time" Rig Building Guide, not to mention that there isn't room for SSDs or Velociraptors due to price constraints, and as most XS users need the space...the speed comes from the Raid 0 implementations.

Perkam

I think you are a bit behind on the times. Adding a decent SSD to the system is probably the largest impact on general performance you can make. RAID 0 doesn't impact performance in most situations. Read the raid sticky in the storage section if you want to know why. The price constraint is definitely there for cheap systems, but for the high end ones an SSD can be easily justified over say 12GB of ram.

**perkam** · 02-24-2009, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by One_Hertz

I think you are a bit behind on the times.

!!! That Hurts

!!

Et Tu, One Hertz? Then Fall Perkam

X_X

Added the SSDs to high end rigs as requested.

Perkam

**One_Hertz** · 02-24-2009, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by perkam

!!! That Hurts

!!

Et Tu, One Hertz? Then Fall Perkam

X_X

Added the SSDs to high end rigs as requested.

Perkam

In terms of the SSD you put there, possibly something a good deal better (that GSkill may stutter depending on usage patterns) is coming late this week (the OCZ Vertex). We'll need to look out for reviews and possibly update the list

.

128GB isn't really needed for most people as an OS drive. Around 60GB should be fine (and even 30 for some people) and then a big HDD for storage. SSDs are used just to make day to day things a lot quicker.

**perkam** · 02-24-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by One_Hertz

In terms of the SSD you put there, possibly something a good deal better (that GSkill may stutter depending on usage patterns) is coming late this week (the OCZ Vertex). We'll need to look out for reviews and possibly update the list

.

128GB isn't really needed for most people as an OS drive. Around 60GB should be fine (and even 30 for some people) and then a big HDD for storage. SSDs are used just to make day to day things a lot quicker.

The OCZ Apex Series is too expensive (60GB for $200? This isn't 1992 !!). I saw the Core Series from them which is similar to the Gskill in price but don't know if its THAT much better.

Perkam

**simoorta** · 02-24-2009, 09:47 AM

Good Idea perkam, but there are a lot of things imho to change.

When I've got time I post them.

**geo** · 02-24-2009, 02:04 PM

nice initiative perkam.. hopefully someone will come with a similar thread for watercooling

**RealTelstar** · 02-25-2009, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by perkam

Intel Sub-$2,000 System
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail - $290
ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail - $250
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit - Retail - $199
BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792E GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready - $500
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $100
G.SKILL FM-25S2S-128GB 2.5" 128GB SATA II Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - $234
LG Black 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner w/ SecurDisc Tech - $22
GIGABYTE GZ-FA2CA-AJB Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail - $150
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC - $150

SubTotal: $1,894.99

Total w/Shipping: $1,999.99

NOTE: **Please Use Aftermarket Thermal Paste With Your Intel Rigs To Avoid Intel IHS Damage**

Perkam

I would replace the P6T with Gigabyte EX58-UD5 (same price AFAIK but less bugged).
I dont know the case but I would suggest the Antec 902.

**RealTelstar** · 02-25-2009, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by One_Hertz

128GB isn't really needed for most people as an OS drive. Around 60GB should be fine (and even 30 for some people) and then a big HDD for storage. SSDs are used just to make day to day things a lot quicker.

For me 120GB would be the bare minimum. If you install a few games, here the capacity goes. If you answer to put them on the platter drive, the purpose of the system SSD is highly undermined.

So I agree with perkam choice of a 128gb average-speed ssd (not sure if that model stutters). Intel 80gb MLC is still $400 I think, so it wouldnt fit in that budget.

For an over $2000 rig, we can discuss about Vertex, multiple intels etc.

**perkam** · 02-25-2009, 08:22 AM

Sub-$1600 Intel Rig and Sub-$1500 AMD Rig Added w/ SSD

High End $2000 Intel Rig now has P6T Deluxe V2.

High End AMD system now comes with Asus Triple-Fan 4870X2.

AMD Sub-$1500 Rig Comes With Powercolor 4970 (TBA).

Perkam

**initialised** · 02-26-2009, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by perkam

I understand your point. I'll see if I can fit a Sub-$500 rig in there, but I'll see how the rest of the rigs play out first. NOTE: Budget Intel rig now comes with a Quad Core standard.
Perkam

You can pick up a Q6600 for less than a Q8200 and they OC better and have more cache.

**perkam** · 02-27-2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by initialised

You can pick up a Q6600 for less than a Q8200 and they OC better and have more cache.

Not in this universe

Average price for Q6600 = $195
Average price for Q8200 = $170

Guide is ALMOST done.

Perkam

**perkam** · 03-02-2009, 03:58 PM

Guide is in limbo until CEBIT finishes.

Perkam

**hecktic** · 03-23-2009, 08:37 PM

Hey guys.

Thanks for the thread.

1 suggestion if I may or request.

Can you add the breakdown of one of those custom built ultra low power mini-PCs or PC version of a netbook.

Im dieing to know how much it would cost and what kind of build I can get for about $500.

Going to be using a mini-PC for my home telephone server soon

**bot@xs** · 03-23-2009, 08:56 PM

for the 2 budget intel rigs i would rather go with one of these boards:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L - $98.99

GIGABYTE GA-EG43M-S2H - $102.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3LR - $102.99

ASUS P5Q SE PLUS - $102.99

i could go on but hey. even the asus p5q pro is $120 or the ud3p for $135

**clayton** · 05-08-2009, 01:05 PM

I was bored so I made this for $1500 budget (including 28" LCD monitor):
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=13372988

**perkam** · 05-09-2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by clayton

I was bored so I made this for $1500 budget (including 28" LCD monitor):
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=13372988

That would be a sub-$1000 build in the guide. A very nice one.

I'm going to update the build in the next week or so, bring it up to speed with the new hardware.

Perkam

**DaddyCool** · 06-30-2009, 05:52 AM

perkam no updated guides yet?

**perkam** · 06-30-2009, 06:23 AM

Updated Guide coming after launch of Core i5. I want to stay away from offering 775 solutions if they will be replaced in a few months by the i5.

Intel delayed the i5, so this guide is delayed as well.

Perkam