Simple Build, 100% dedicated for AHII only - Help/Input Needed

[Miller]

This is what I am looking at right now.  Let me know what you guys think, please.
Keep in mind that I am only using this system for AHII.  I don't play any other games right now, and I use my laptop for everything else.

Motherboard ---- $269.99
EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU ------------ $279.99
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Memory --------- $85.00
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X3G1600C8D

Graphics Card --- $69.99
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

PS ------------ $124.99
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

Sound Card ----- $49.99
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Hard drive ------ $41.99
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Case ---------- $149.99
Antec Skeleton Black ATX Mini Tower Computer Case

DVD-ROM ------- $20.99
ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A3T BULK

OS ------------- $89.99
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders

Subtotal ------ $1182.91

1. Does anyone see any problems or parts that I shouldn't use?
2. Do you guys think the CPU is the right one for this game? 
3. Can I save any money with a cheaper CPU or Motherboard without sacrificing AHII performance?
4. I was hoping that I could keep all of this under $1000, but its only about $200 over budget.
5. I selected a cheaper graphics card, and plan on upgrading it next year, or maybe when the AHII update is released.

I still got a week or two before I will start ordering this stuff, so I will be open to and appreciative of any advice.  Thanks.

[llama]

I have been looking through sound cards and headsets and I think I found what I want:

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail  ($34)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012
-OR-
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail ($49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

Head Set:
TRITTON AX 51 Pro 3.5mm Circumaural True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset  ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007

It looks like those sound cards have their own processor, right? 
Does that mean these cards will take the sound processing load off of the CPU?
(Skuzzy, GetBack...?)

Also, the Headset says 5.1 surround, but most of the sound cards were 7.1 Channels. 
What does that mean, and is that going to be an issue?

I posted this in January, and it seems relevant to this discussion:

---------snip----------

I reviewed a lot of USB sound devices for a review in CPU Magazine last year, and I wrote up the CPU usage results in a post here.

To summarize:

A good sound card with its own DSP consumes about 1-2% cpu.

A cheap sound card without its own DSP consumes about 2-5% cpu.

Onboard sound (which almost never uses a DSP) uses about 4-6% CPU.

The High-End CMEDIA USB converter that Turtle Beach uses consumes about 4-7% CPU.

The low-end CMEDIA USB converter that most other vendors use consumes between 5-10% CPU.

If you have a very fast CPU and matching video card in a well-working system, you can probably afford to lose 5-10% of your CPU (and corresponding framerate drop) without any noticable effect. If your system is marginal, then you'll notice it and changing the sound card is worth it.

I believe the best deal in sound cards these days, if you have any PCI slots in your system, is to get a used or old Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for around $35.

-Llama

[TheZohan]

This is what I am looking at right now.  Let me know what you guys think, please.
Keep in mind that I am only using this system for AHII.  I don't play any other games right now, and I use my laptop for everything else.

Motherboard ---- $269.99
EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU ------------ $279.99
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Memory --------- $85.00
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X3G1600C8D

Graphics Card --- $69.99
EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

PS ------------ $124.99
PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply compatible with core i7

Sound Card ----- $49.99
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Hard drive ------ $41.99
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Case ---------- $149.99
Antec Skeleton Black ATX Mini Tower Computer Case

DVD-ROM ------- $20.99
ASUS Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DVD-E818A3T BULK

OS ------------- $89.99
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP3 for System Builders

Subtotal ------ $1182.91

1. Does anyone see any problems or parts that I shouldn't use?
2. Do you guys think the CPU is the right one for this game? 
3. Can I save any money with a cheaper CPU or Motherboard without sacrificing AHII performance?
4. I was hoping that I could keep all of this under $1000, but its only about $200 over budget.
5. I selected a cheaper graphics card, and plan on upgrading it next year, or maybe when the AHII update is released.

I still got a week or two before I will start ordering this stuff, so I will be open to and appreciative of any advice.  Thanks.

i think its the right step for a new build these days .. everyone wants to go with the older 775 chips but when it comes times to upgrade to a chip anywhere near the power of the the i7 they would have wished they'd ponied up a little more and  gone with the newer X58 platform 

[stran]

the items you listed for motherboard, cpu, memory are little overkill. i'm only saying that because you did say you wanted the cheapest computer that will play ah2 the best.
BUT, in terms of future upgrades just stick with what you have listed. otherwise you'll just be spending more on upgrades next year.

[Masherbrum]

I'd get an NZXT Tempest Case and use the money saved on a better Video Card.   Other than that, it looks good.   

[Getback]

I'd get an NZXT Tempest Case and use the money saved on a better Video Card.   Other than that, it looks good.   

Ditto or an Antec 900.

[1701E]

I posted this in January, and it seems relevant to this discussion:

---------snip----------

I reviewed a lot of USB sound devices for a review in CPU Magazine last year, and I wrote up the CPU usage results in a post here.

To summarize:

A good sound card with its own DSP consumes about 1-2% cpu.

A cheap sound card without its own DSP consumes about 2-5% cpu.

Onboard sound (which almost never uses a DSP) uses about 4-6% CPU.

The High-End CMEDIA USB converter that Turtle Beach uses consumes about 4-7% CPU.

The low-end CMEDIA USB converter that most other vendors use consumes between 5-10% CPU.

[. . .]

-Llama

By this do you mean if one is listening to music, that much of the CPU is used?  Such as with WMP playing Music, and it says "CPU usage: --" that would normally fall into those ranges?

Or am I completely reading this wrong, which is very very likely?
Also are those CMEDIA USB converters, just USB headsets?


Lot of questions, but curiosity killed...the human.

[AirFlyer]

Cheaper yet get a Intel Duo and a 775 mobo with some cheap OCZ DDR2-6400 RAM and save yourself a few hundred that will be wasted anyways. Considering I go by the topic heading that this is an AHII only comp, an I7 is a complete waste of money.

[AirFlyer]

Decided to do a quick rough build for you, came out cheaper then what you currently have and is a lot more well rounded IMO.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9566125

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8004GK - Retail

EVGA 122-YW-E173-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2C 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total = $893

[Miller]

I'd get an NZXT Tempest Case and use the money saved on a better Video Card.   Other than that, it looks good.   

I agree, I could save plenty if I just go with a cheaper case.  The only problem is when I saw that Skeleton case, it was love at 1st sight.  I think by using the Skeleton case I wouldn't need to buy any additional fans and still have nice circulation/cooling, which would possibly make up for the higher priced case.

[Miller]

Decided to do a quick rough build for you, came out cheaper then what you currently have and is a lot more well rounded IMO.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9566125

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8004GK - Retail

EVGA 122-YW-E173-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2C 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total = $893

Thanks dude, I will go through that and read up on all the parts later, I am short on time at the moment.

Now I'm kinda back and forth on the i7.  I see it is overkill, but I would save money in the long run when it is time for upgrades.  I'd like to get more opinions on this because I am having trouble deciding.  Really, I have no idea what CPUs would be substandard for AHII, optimum for AHII, or overkill for AHII. 

Is there a way to know, or can anyone lay out, the line where optimum CPU ends and overkill CPU starts?

[Masherbrum]

I agree, I could save plenty if I just go with a cheaper case.  The only problem is when I saw that Skeleton case, it was love at 1st sight.  I think by using the Skeleton case I wouldn't need to buy any additional fans and still have nice circulation/cooling, which would possibly make up for the higher priced case.

The NZXT Tempest comes with four 120mm fans and two 140mm fans.   PSU is on the bottom as well.   Should be around $90 ($74.99 after Mail-in on Newegg).   

[humble]

horrible VC choice
horrible HD choice
overkill on CPU
wouldnt be my choice of MB at that price point...

[TilDeath]

The NZXT Tempest comes with four 120mm fans and two 140mm fans.   PSU is on the bottom as well.   Should be around $90 ($74.99 after Mail-in on Newegg).   

6 Fans total included in the Tempest  2 Front, Two Top, 1 rear, 1 Side panel,  All 120mm all same CFMs so there is equal air in as out

[TilDeath]

Decided to do a quick rough build for you, came out cheaper then what you currently have and is a lot more well rounded IMO.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9566125

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

OCZ Vista Upgrade 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2VU8004GK - Retail

EVGA 122-YW-E173-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2C 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Total = $893

For 116 more you can get a much better and faster system then this.  I have the system posted with its benchmarks.  Look for the E8400 OC post