Config review - thoughts on GPU & CPU pls!Post Date: 2008-01-21 |
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Salmon 
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Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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 Topic: Config review - thoughts on GPU & CPU pls!Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 1:35pm |
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Hello all - will be purchasing mid-February. Unfortunately, I'm on a narrow budget of $1600 and need a desktop that can still satisfy my gaming needs. The goal here is to have a reasonably current system that has some limited upgrade potential for the future.
Copy of Specifications: Case: Digital Storm Twister PRO (Black Anodized Aluminum Finish) Power Supply: 620W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz (1333MHz Front Side Bus) (4MB Cache) Motherboard: nVidia 650i Core 2 Quad (By: eVGA) (nForce 650i Ultra) Memory: 2GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz XMS2 (Dual Channel) (Performance) Floppy / Card: - No Thanks Hard Drive 1: 160GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Hard Drive 2: - No Thanks Raid Option: - No Thanks Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Network Card: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 512MB (By: eVGA) (PCI-Express) TV Tuner: - No Thanks Sound Card: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy SE (Up to 7.1 Channel) Physics Card: - No Thanks Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 2 (Silent Artic Cooling Heat-sink (Copper Heatpipes) Case Lighting: - No Thanks Round Cables: - No Thanks User Manual: Personalized Platinum Digital Storm Binder (Includes Paperwork/Benchmarks/CDs/Manuals) Overclock Processor: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my processor Overclock Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Overclock Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home (Includes Service Pack 2) Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Benchmarking: - No Thanks Pre-Install Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: - No Thanks Mouse: - No Thanks Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty Support: Lifetime Toll-Free Platinum Care Technical Support Thoughts and comments would be appreciated! My main concerns: 1. Went with the GTS G92 model (instead of a GT) because I have concerns about the heat and need to up the stock fan speed (plus the loud fan), based on reviews of the GT. The GTS 512 retains the dual slot solution that, by all accounts I've read, is quieter and much cooler. Thoughts? 2. Am I sacrificing that much by going with a 2.66 dual core, as opposed to buying up into the 3.00? I'm sure for current needs, the CPU is fine, but I worry a little two years down the road... 3. I can't fathom how 2GB RAM @800 won't be sufficient for a 32-bit OS. There's no need for 4GB on this config, correct? 4. I don't plan on going SLI... just not budget-reasonable, now or in the future. 650i should be just fine, yes? |
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skyR
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Digital Storm Apprentice 
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2220 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 3:32pm |
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1. The GTS is just cooler by a few degrees. Not sure about noise.
2. The CPU is fine. You can always overclock it to 3.2ghz or 3.6ghz in the future. 3. You're correct. 4. yes. You can also save a few extra dollars going down to the 520w corsair psu. |
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Salmon
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Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 3:59pm |
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Concerning PS wattage for future cards, though - one of my goals is to still retain some minor upgrade potential after a couple years.
If I went with a 520W PS, would I still be well within the acceptable range for upcoming GPU generations? I know some of that is speculation, but I want to make sure I could upgrade the GPU in a few years with this system. On that note - perhaps just going with the 560 Silverstone would be a better idea? What are the pros/cons of the 560 SS versus the 520 Corsair (I put a Corsair PS in my current desktop and have been really pleased with it). Last thought - is the minor sound card upgrade really worth it? I'm starting to wonder if that small upgrade from the on-board sound is really worth it... |
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skyR
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Digital Storm Apprentice
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2220 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 4:21pm |
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Sound card is just a matter of opinion. Some don't hear the difference while others say there is a major difference.
Yep, 520w should be able to allow you to upgrade to better GPUs in the future. Corsair PSUs are made by Seasonic which some say is the best in the industry =) |
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Salmon
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Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 5:51pm |
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Hmm, questions continue to come to mind...
Anyone know the difference between the Corsair 800MHz XMS2 and "Dominator" memory? From what I've read, I believe the "Dominator" line is more suited for memory overclocking? So if I'm not planning on OC'ing the memory, would there be any other tangible benefit to go with this "upgrade"? |
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skyR
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Digital Storm Apprentice
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2220 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 6:28pm |
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The dominator has a better heatsink. So there wouldn't be any benefit for you if you aren't overclocking.
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Salmon
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Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 11:20pm |
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Last question (I think):
Regarding the stage 2 CPU cooling - is there any reason to go with this solution on a 2.66 GHz, non-OC, dual core processor? Heat is a concern for me given the high temps (relatively speaking) of the 8800 cards. Also, I live in a very hot region and constant AC isn't exactly cheap... So, does stage 2 offer any sort of overall heat benefit to the entire case? Or would this be a complete waste? |
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Tyler Lowe
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Joined: 14 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
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Posted: 21 Jan 2008 at 11:30pm |
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Stage 2 cooling is a very good idea if you live in an area that gets hot. It doesn't only affect the CPU temps, it helps overall case temps, since the AC Freezer 7 pro exhaust is pointed directly at the rear fan in a Pro case.
You may also want to ask about high flow fans for the case. At least for the exhaust. If DSO can put a 100 cfm+ fan in that rear exhaust for a couple dollars more, you will see a tremendous difference in case temps. My system idle went from 38*C to 33*C, and case internal temps are now only a 5*C rise over ambient.
The sound card is worth it on a 650i if you want/need 8 channel audio support. Edited by Tyler Lowe - 21 Jan 2008 at 11:31pm |
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