2nd build + 08 tax refund = lasting fun !?

[TJohn]

*** I'd like to thank everyone that helped me from PCMech build my first PC 2 years ago ***

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...ighlight=akasa

Hey guys, I'm in the process of researching parts for my new home/gaming machine, which I'll be building after I receive my tax refund (2k). I also have one wireless lappy and one desktop mounted under a spare cabinet in my kitchen. Anyway, I have to say first that since building the machine in my sig 2 years ago.... I couldn't be happier with it's performance! No, hardware problems what so ever. Here's a pics of the old boy 1 2 3

Here is a list of new build components I'm looking at so far. I want to go dual boot, mainly cuz I use Quicken 2007 which has no 64 bit support but I also want to use Vista Ultimate 64

Antec Nine Hundred Black Case

Unsure about how much power I need??

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express

I have a Gateway 22" LCD (1680 x 1050)

Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA

Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate

Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2C

Any comments and help will be much appreciated. I should be fine assembling. Setting up a dual boot system is new to me however, and I try and keep up with the newest/best components but I do also have work alot

TJ

[Alaron]

Looks like a good list to me. For the power supply, something around 500w would be fine. I'd pick up a 550w Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

[Dave21]

You don't need vista ultimate. Get the home edition and save some money. Depending on when you plan on building it, get the 8800GT. Or wait for the 9800 cards to come out in the upcoming weeks.

You really don't need a raptor drive, waste of money. Get the new seagate 7200.11 32 mb cache hdd.

Other than that, I like your list.

[Katreat]

List looks good.

I personally dont think the speed increase from the raptor is worth the money you will spend. If you look at the access times for the new 16 and 32 mb Cache 7200 drives on Toms Hardware you will find that the gap between 10000 and 7200 drives has really shrunk. But the price differnece is still huge. Also, if you go with the raptor you might consider a second HD for storage, 150 GB is not really very large by todays standards.

I would also recommend a 32 bit OS for a gaming machine. From everything I have read it is faster. Most software today has 64 bit support but is still written for 32 bit. So your 64 bit OS has to translate it into 64 bit before it will execute the commands. For this reason systems with 64 bit OS tend to actually run slower in games even though they can access more ram. For other uses with software that is actually written for 64 bit or software that really benefits from lots of ram then 64 bit might be better, but in gaming benchmarks the 32 bit OS is faster.

I second Alarons recommendation for a PSU. I went with Corsair on my last build and it is very quiet and smooth running. Could not be happier.

As I said at the begining your build looks fine, I am just throwing out some suggestions to think about.

Kat

[TJohn]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like the Corsair psu's really have some great ratings (everywhere) I thought I'd need a little more power though? Is 550 enough if I want to expand in the future? I guess I'm running an SLI system now with a 600.....

Wow, that Seagate drive is pretty cheap! I guess the reason I was looking at the 10,000's is just that I see so many people using them for their OS's and then getting another larger one for apps and such. Is it better to do that now? (OS on one drive / apps, storage on another)

Well I still would like a dual boot, but I guess I don't need ultimate 64. Maybe I'll go with ultimate 32.

And I'm hoping by the time I start gathering parts, the new GPU's will be out and woth buying. I want to get something that I don't have to OC ever time I play a new game. I'm playing Bioshock now and I have to OC my processor 10% and both my vid cards to their max

TJ

[Ferrus]

Really TJohn, don't bother with Vista Ultimate. If you want the extra pretty features like Windows Aero get Home Premium, Ultimate doesn't offer much more than Premium. It's just marketing hype that drags people into buying the "Ultimate OS".

[Dave21]

Everything on the ultimate vista, you can download thrid party. Just get home edition...

[TJohn]

Ok... I know.... I'm falling into the hype (both marketing and feedback from others with money to burn) I really need to change my thinking here. I will make a new part list and post it soon.

I REALLY appreciate you guys helping me with this!

TJ

[TJohn]

I can get this drive right now or $70.00 shipped!

http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/st...&storeId=10001

Would it make a decent storage drive? 8 mb cache????

[Dave21]

I can't view it, what harddrive is it?

Don't get 8 mb cache. That is old technology. Get 16 mb or 32 mb cache.

[TJohn]

Yea, it's a western digital model WD4000JSRTL

[TJohn]

I'm seriously thinking about keeping my current case cuz I love it so much. Does anyone think buying the antec 900 would be better?

Here's a link to my Akasa http://www.akasa.co.uk/akasa_english...k_bkcse_01.htm

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by TJohn I'm seriously thinking about keeping my current case cuz I love it so much. Does anyone think buying the antec 900 would be better? Here's a link to my Akasa http://www.akasa.co.uk/akasa_english...k_bkcse_01.htm

Then keep it. It's all personal preference. I think your case looks pretty sleek. I personally don't like the 900 because of the design + fan leds.

[TJohn]

*** Build update ***

Ok, here's an updated parts list. I'm keeping my current case, psu, hd (for 2nd drive), and 1 of my optical drives. I want to upgrade one with litescribe.

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

EVGA 512-P3-N841-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
(Still shakey on the vid card, might go with 8800gtx if nothing better come of the 98's)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail

OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T - Retail

Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2C - OEM
(Already purchased Vista Home 32 bit)

ASUS Silent Square 92mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

As it looks now in my newegg cart, $1255 with some rebates. I should be able to get some of these parts from different vendors and save a few $$$

*edit* WOW like this > http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=Q6600&show=p

Looks like I'll have some extra cash to play with, so I might upgrade something.. processor maybe??

[Katreat]

To be honest it is hard to recommend video cards above the GT right now because they are all so close in performance and you pay so much for that last little bit of speed. If I really had some extra cash I might go up to the GTS, but I would personally stay away from the GTX, it is just too much for too little. If the new 9800 GT ranks any higher than the current 8800 GT it will probably eclipse the performance of the GTX.

Processors are kind of the same boat. If you want speed then the new E8400 is the gaming chip of choice. It has the best performance/cost ratio. If you want more multitasking and future proofing then the Q6600 is a very good choice. if you want a better quad you would be best waiting for the new 45mm (E9xxx) series which should be showing up now. Not sure how they are going to fit price wise.

Kat

[liambl]

If you want to upgrade the graphics cerd, maybe get a Radeon HD 3870 X2. It outperforms the Ultra in most situations and won't break the bank either: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161224

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by Katreat To be honest it is hard to recommend video cards above the GT right now because they are all so close in performance and you pay so much for that last little bit of speed. If I really had some extra cash I might go up to the GTS, but I would personally stay away from the GTX, it is just too much for too little. If the new 9800 GT ranks any higher than the current 8800 GT it will probably eclipse the performance of the GTX. Kat

What is the main difference in these cards?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130072
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130312

I know the gts is a g92 but the gtx has more ram 384 bit mem interface, and the same amount of steam processors.

[Dave21]

I think the GTX uses more shaders than the GTS. Also more memory as well.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by TJohn What is the main difference in these cards? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130072 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130312 I know the gts is a g92 but the gtx has more ram 384 bit mem interface, and the same amount of steam processors.

From a performance perspective, these cards perform about the same, so even if the specs look better on the GTX, either card will work fine for you, your best bet would be to get a 8800GTS since it uses a newer core (which should translate into better fps in newer games vs. the 8800GTX). You should take a look at this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130325 , it's made by the same company as the card you listed, and has the same specifications, but costs $50 less.

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 From a performance perspective, these cards perform about the same, so even if the specs look better on the GTX, either card will work fine for you, your best bet would be to get a 8800GTS since it uses a newer core (which should translate into better fps in newer games vs. the 8800GTX). You should take a look at this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130325 , it's made by the same company as the card you listed, and has the same specifications, but costs $50 less.

Thanks for the info. And yes I saw that card in a search I did on newegg and was wondering about the difference. I just thought there was something I was missing?

[TJohn]

Processor question. Since I'm planning on getting an after market cooler, would it be better for me to look for OEM?

[Katreat]

If you are going with a aftermarket cooler there is no reason not to go OEM. Aftermarket cooler will get rid of the 3 year warranty on the CPU anyway so all retail will give you is a spare cooler.

As for Video card I would stay away from the GTX. With the current G92 offerings, both GT and GTS, the performance gain just does not justify the price. If you really want to spend a bit more I would look at the card Liambl posted, the 3870 X2, which has been getting rave reviews. Or wait for the 9800 GT which is suppose to come in a X2 version also.

Kat

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by Katreat If you are going with a aftermarket cooler there is no reason not to go OEM. Aftermarket cooler will get rid of the 3 year warranty on the CPU anyway so all retail will give you is a spare cooler. As for Video card I would stay away from the GTX. With the current G92 offerings, both GT and GTS, the performance gain just does not justify the price. If you really want to spend a bit more I would look at the card Liambl posted, the 3870 X2, which has been getting rave reviews. Or wait for the 9800 GT which is suppose to come in a X2 version also. Kat

Thanks Kat, just as I though about the cooler situation. Still up in the air with the video card.

[TJohn]

For a dual boot system, is it better to get separate drives for each OS? I'm not sure what to do. I already have a WD250 and I'm getting another 500 gb drive. Maybe I should get 2 smaller drives instead.

TJ

[doubledragon5]

I dual boot using two seperate drives, this way if one dies then you still have access to the net with the other..

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by doubledragon5 I dual boot using two seperate drives, this way if one dies then you still have access to the net with the other..

Did you create partitions for the OS's on each drive or just install without?

[doubledragon5]

Just installed without.. I'm not much into partition.. My theory is what gets installed can be unistalled just the same..

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by doubledragon5 Just installed without.. I'm not much into partition.. My theory is what gets installed can be unistalled just the same..

Thanks for the info dd5

[doubledragon5]

No problem, enjoy and hope it all works well when it is done.

[TJohn]

Ok, well since I've found out that the Asus arctic blue square cooler I'm looking at is not compatible with the MB I want (which is also Asus) LOL, I'm looking for another after market cooler. The main reason I wanted the Asus cooler was it's looks. I don't do heavy over clocking but I do want a sharp looking rig. Any suggestions