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Configuration Advice Please

Post Date: 2008-12-17
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drumdog20816 View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		  Quote drumdog20816 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Configuration Advice Please
    Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 2:34pm
Hi - I'm quite new to computer configuration, but have been reading this forum a fair bit.  It's great!  You all and DS should be proud of what you have created.  
 
I am looking to build a solid (but not beeding edge) system with future upgrade potential for home office applications and gaming, with a bit of photo editing on the side (nothing professional).  In terms of gaming, monitor would be 20" or 22", and I do not play at super high resolutions.  I'm looking to spend around $2000, but would go higher if the value / performance is really worth it.  For now, I do not intend to do any SLI, but I like the flexibility of adding a GPU later if needed. 
 
My proposed configuration is below.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, particualrly regarding cooling, power supply, getting two HDs, and whether to OC the processor. 
 
Also, in terms of bang for the buck given my proposed applications, would it be smarter to go with one of the two Holiday Deals?  (I wish DS offered the first Holiday Deal with a CoolerMaster HAF 932.  Seems that would be a great base system with lots of upgradeability and cooling.) 
 
Thank you. 
 
 
Ticket Number: 216914

Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,182.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=216914

Specifications:

Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932

Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)

Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Dual SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair DHX (High-Performance) Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260+ 896MB (216 Streams) (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Cooler Master GeminII S (Compatible With i7 Processors) Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)

Enhancements: - No Thanks

Chassis Mods: - No Thanks

Boost Processor: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my processor Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost 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 Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts) Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based) Virus Protection: - No Thanks

Office: - No Thanks

Benchmarking: - No Thanks

Install/Test Game: - No Thanks

LCD Display: - No Thanks

Surge Shield: - No Thanks

Speakers: - No Thanks

Keyboard: - No Thanks

Mouse: - No Thanks

External Storage: - No Thanks

Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks

Priority Build: - No Thanks

Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 3:14pm
your build is great but for a little more you can a lot more power and speed:

here you go Ticket# 217264 --- Price: $2277 (To see this build click here)

Copy of Specifications:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Dual SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260+ 896MB (216 Streams) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost 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 Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

as you see I raised you to coolmaster v8 for cooling and added OC on the CPU only.

this will take your current system which has a speed of 2.66GHz to something around 3.2GHz, this rise in speed is well worth it, to get a CPU at runs at 3.2GHz stock it would cost you a $1000 more, yet you are paying less then $90 for it, even at 3.0GHz a stock CPU would cost $400 more.

so the OC on the CPU and a better cooling so we can achieve higher OC speed is well worth the money as you can see.

Liquid cooling would give you the best shot at a high OC speed, if we changed my system to LC cooling, the price would changed to: $2457, with LC on CPU people have been getting speeds of 3.8GHz with room to push further.

Just some info, I'm not saying you should LC, just giving you the info so you can make your decision knowing everything.

now the config above, you can add another 260+ GTX, you can upgrade to a veloci HDD for faster HDD speed, you case can hold 6 optical drives (CD/DVD) and 5 HDD (hard-drives)

you can upgrade to the next gen of CPUs.

this is a great system.

Edited by DST4ME - 17 Dec 2008 at 3:16pm

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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drumdog20816 View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		  Quote drumdog20816 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 4:01pm
Thank you.  That is incredibly helpful advice.
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Posts: 13 		  Quote PTGeek Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 8:50pm
Originally posted by DST4ME

your build is great but for a little more you can a lot more power and speed:

here you go Ticket# 217264 --- Price: $2277 (To see this build click here)

as you see I raised you to coolmaster v8 for cooling and added OC on the CPU only.

this will take your current system which has a speed of 2.66GHz to something around 3.2GHz, this rise in speed is well worth it, to get a CPU at runs at 3.2GHz stock it would cost you a $1000 more, yet you are paying less then $90 for it, even at 3.0GHz a stock CPU would cost $400 more.

so the OC on the CPU and a better cooling so we can achieve higher OC speed is well worth the money as you can see.

Liquid cooling would give you the best shot at a high OC speed, if we changed my system to LC cooling, the price would changed to: $2457, with LC on CPU people have been getting speeds of 3.8GHz with room to push further.

Just some info, I'm not saying you should LC, just giving you the info so you can make your decision knowing everything.

now the config above, you can add another 260+ GTX, you can upgrade to a veloci HDD for faster HDD speed, you case can hold 6 optical drives (CD/DVD) and 5 HDD (hard-drives)

you can upgrade to the next gen of CPUs.

this is a great system.
 
DST4ME, have people really been getting 3.8 on the 920 with stage 3 LC?  (that would be AWESOME!! Confused )   Or is that for the 940?
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Dec 2008 at 9:23pm
no, DS has been doing a great job and the two 920 systems we have heard of here have been around 3.8GHz, which is AWESOME and what intel had promised it could do.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Posts: 13 		  Quote PTGeek Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Dec 2008 at 11:03am
Originally posted by DST4ME

no, DS has been doing a great job and the two 920 systems we have heard of here have been around 3.8GHz, which is AWESOME and what intel had promised it could do.
 
That is amazing..........and might actually make my decision on CPU choice easier (finally!).   Thanks again DST4ME!  As usual on here, you da man!Angry
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Dec 2008 at 1:25pm
NP keep in mind the two 920-s that hit 3.8 with OC were both on liquid cooling but with that CM V8 you should get respectable OC speed still but for best shot at 3.8, LC is the way to go.

good luck

Edited by DST4ME - 18 Dec 2008 at 1:26pm

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drumdog20816 View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		  Quote drumdog20816 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Dec 2008 at 2:14pm
Thank you again.  I think I will go with this set up, but I am likely going to go with the 850i case because my wife likes the aesthetics better.  Please let me know if you think that will affect any of your recommendations.  Thanks.
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Dec 2008 at 2:57pm
well the HAF stock comes with more fans thus providing better cooling, but can spend another 80 bucks and add fans to the 850si and get the same cooling.

this is the option you would add to the 850si:

Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With LED Performance Fans (Blue)

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Posts: 9 		  Quote drumdog20816 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Dec 2008 at 4:36pm
I just pulled the trigger on this one to benefit from the promo discount.  Thank you for your help.

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P6T Deluxe (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Dual SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260+ 896MB (216 Streams) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Liquid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Windows Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus 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
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Sub-Total: $2,117.00
Tax: $0.00
S&H: Ground $0.00
Grand Total: $2,117.00
*****************************************************************
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Dec 2008 at 4:52pm
very nice

you gonna love that system and you are very welcome, it was my pleasure

Edited by DST4ME - 26 Dec 2008 at 4:52pm

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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