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Old 08-14-2006, 05:15 PM   #1
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Building a new pc from scratch...
I already have a case, power supply, fans, internal dvd drive, AMD 4400 socket 939 processor, and a EVGA 7600 gt video card (PCI Express).

I want to get dual raptor 36.7 GB hard drives for operating capacity (unless one is sufficient; I was under the impression it is better to have dual raptors).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054

I also want a storage hard drive of 300-320GB and 2 GB of RAM (2x1GB).

The main thing I need is a motherboard that can support all of the above criteria. Are there any suggestions? Every motherboard that I have looked at seems to have SATA100 capabilities, but the raptor hard drives are SATA150.

Is there any hope?

Thanks..
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:19 PM   #2
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ASUS A8N-SLI would be a good choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131517


Dual harddrives let you run RAID's. I run Dual Raptors @ RAID 0, but if my computer ever crashes their is no way to gain the data back...it never has for over a year though. RAID 0 would be the fastest.
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Last edited by barch 88; 08-14-2006 at 05:22 PM.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:23 PM   #3
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131540

The ASUS A8N-SLI has SATA 100 and I don't think it would support the raptor hard drives which are SATA 150 ...

And should I get dual drives? or is one sufficient..
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:26 PM   #4
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The ASUS board you linked to has support for SATA-150 and SATA-300. There is no such thing as SATA-100, or atleast I don't know of.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minsonngo
There is no such thing as SATA-100, or atleast I don't know of.
That is what I was thinking too. All the HDD's I look at are SATA 150 or 300...so I doubt their is a 100, besides ATA.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:28 PM   #6
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There is ATA-100 but not SATA.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:29 PM   #7
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Exactly.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:29 PM   #8
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Okay, so the motherboard will work.. now what RAM do you suggest for this if I want to maximize performance at 2 GB of RAM?

And also, is it better to have dual raptors or is one all I want?

Trying to make this a gaming pc.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:31 PM   #9
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Corsair XMS Series is some good quality stuff, I love mine. My next build is going to include it too. You will need to get just DDR, the MOBO don't look like it supports DDR2, correct me if I'am wrong anyone. Which MOBO you going with? The $105 or $140?
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:31 PM   #10
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One raptor is enough if you don't plan on using RAID. RAID is not needed by most computer users.

Just get a second large SATA HDD for storage.

For the memory go with two identical sticks of DDR 400 (PC 3200) for the best performance. Since you want 2GB then get a 2 x 1GB kit.

Like barch 88 suggested, Corsair XMS is good.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:33 PM   #11
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If you want 2GB:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145575
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:35 PM   #12
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I would like to use RAID if at all possible .. the only limits I have are my already purchased 4400 AMD socket 939 processor and EVGA 7600 GT video card..

Other than that, if RAID will make it better, please explain

Let me know what I should purchase as to everything besides the Corsair XMS ram.

Thanks!
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcichetti
I would like to use RAID if at all possible .. the only limits I have are my already purchased 4400 AMD socket 939 processor and EVGA 7600 GT video card..

Other than that, if RAID will make it better, please explain

Let me know what I should purchase as to everything besides the Corsair XMS ram.

Thanks!
A good quality PSU, what kind do you have now that you plan on using? If it came with the case, it's trash.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:38 PM   #14
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Raid is really not necessary and does not provide much of a performance boost.

You can read about it here: http://www.pcmech.com/show/harddrive/296/


Here is a good PSU most people recommend these days: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103931
Last edited by minsonngo; 08-14-2006 at 05:40 PM.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:39 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minsonngo
Raid is really not necessary and does not provide much of a performance boost.

You can read about it here: http://www.pcmech.com/show/harddrive/296/
To be honest, I don't know if my computer is going faster with it or not, because I never ran it without RAID 0.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:41 PM   #16
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I bought an Antec Sonata II that came with a 450 Watt PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

There is option to upgrade PSU if Raid will run better..
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:43 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcichetti
I bought an Antec Sonata II that came with a 450 Watt PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

There is option to upgrade PSU if Raid will run better..
AHH EDIT, yeah seen it was a Antec.
Last edited by barch 88; 08-14-2006 at 05:46 PM.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:44 PM   #18
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The PSU that comes with the Sonata II is made by Antec. It is the Antec Smartpower 2.0 psu.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:45 PM   #19
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So it looks like I won't see much difference from dual raptor drives?
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:47 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcichetti
So it looks like I won't see much difference from dual raptor drives?
I would just get one Raptor, then get a larger drive for storage...you will only have 72GB of storage with 2 of you're Raptors because their only the 36GB...you might use all that up quick.
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Old 08-14-2006, 05:50 PM   #21
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A single Raptor running the OS and your applications will be good. Two Raptors setup in RAID 0 mode is good too, but you will not see any real world difference in performance.

So it is better (more cost effective) to get one Raptor drive and set it as your primary, and buy a large 7200rpm SATA I or SATA II drive simply for storage.
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:01 PM   #22
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Ok, so in total, let me know if this will turn out to be a kick ass gaming PC...

Antec Sonata II Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

1 Raptor 36.7 GB For OS/ Applications:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136054

1 320 GB Western Digital HD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136003

AMD 4400 socket 939 Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103626

EVGA 7600 GT Video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130283

2x1GB Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145575

Anything else besides an OS?
Does it look good?
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:08 PM   #23
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It looks pretty good to me man. You need a CD/DVD drive, and Motherboard. Do you plan on just using Onboard Audio? I take it you have Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, etc...
Last edited by barch 88; 08-14-2006 at 06:12 PM.
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:13 PM   #24
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Yup.. 19" Widescreen acer lcd monitor and all the other basics.. thanks a lot you two it has been very helpful and I am much appreciative...

Oh yeah, the motherboard..

should i go with the premium socket (136.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131540

or the deluxe socket (172.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131568

is there a big difference because the price isn't too different and the specs seem to be the same..
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:14 PM   #25
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The processor he picked out is Dual Core.

Lite-On is a good brand to go with for your optical drive.

You still need a motherboard too.


I think the Deluxe is better if you want to go FULL SLI mode. Meaning both cards will run at x16.

I think the Premium one can go SLI but both slots will only run at x8.

Not sure if I am right though.
Last edited by minsonngo; 08-14-2006 at 06:19 PM.
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:15 PM   #26
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I'm not sure on this, but I think I asked that same question before and the only reason the Premium is more is because it comes with a bunch of extra crap. Just go with the cheaper one.
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Old 08-14-2006, 06:20 PM   #27
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The Deluxe version cost more than the Premium.
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Old 08-14-2006, 09:38 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minsonngo
The Deluxe version cost more than the Premium.
Yeah, whatever...I just got them mixed up.
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Old 08-14-2006, 09:39 PM   #29
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I understand...
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Old 08-16-2006, 12:40 PM   #30
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If u r going SLI u need to get a bigger PS as the smartpower does not support SLI
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