Configuration and ATA/SATA question.

I would like imput on the following system.

Chassis Model: Antec Nine Hundred Two
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: XFX X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 3GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3
Power Supply: 650W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (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-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT 512MB (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: - No Thanks
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: - No Thanks, Please test my memory, I will be responsible for software based support
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, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

My other question is... once I receive my system I would like to transfer an old IDE/ATA 300 GB drive to this computer because it contains all my photos and downloaded game updates and purchases from places like Gamersgate.com. This would save me an enormous amount of time redownloading files. Will there be a problem doing this? That is having the SATA drive come with the system and then adding my old ATA drive to in primarily for storage?

Thanks!

That would certainly be more my ideal system but am trying to stay in the $1300-$1400 range with the idea I can upgrade video card later. I do love the HAF case but am content with the Antec 902 since I am on a budget.

Still need information on using my old ATA drive in the new system.

Originally posted by DST4ME Steveski, you are not interested in upgrading this system in the future?

Yes, of course I would want to be able to upgrade in the future. What part of my build would prevent that?

you are better off with a 260+

I realize that, however, I was trying to build a budget system with the idea that later I could upgrade my video card at a later date. My current card is an Nvidia 7900 GT with 256 MG so I figured the 9800 was a significant improvement. I am also playing on a widescreen monitor at 1400 X 900.

what is the point of a dvd reader when the reader and writer is $14 more?

Can't really disagree but in all in the time I have had a reader/writer I have used the writer less than once a year. So I was trying to save a little cash.

why are you getting a GeminII S if you are not OCing?

Was planning on OCing it myself plus I heard the stock fan sucks.

I hope your os is a vista 64bit otherwise your are wasting your money.

Really? So this system will not run significantly faster even using XP than my current Athlon 64 3500+ system with the 7900 GT video card unless I upgrade to Vista?

evga is better then xfx

Agreed - my omission.

No you can't move your programs/games and stuff, they are tied to the registry, and you can't move your registry to the new system because it has all different parts then your old pc and those parts are connected to the new registry.

Sorry, my bad. By programs I meant the installation program not the programs themselves.

we can move the drives and your personal files (work files, music, video files.

So you work for DS?

Thanks DST4ME. I am looking for honest comments on my system and I appreciate your help. Basically I play MMORPG's such as WoW and Warhammer with some strategy games thrown in for good measure. Actually my current computer plays most of what I play pretty well. I do get some lag with Warhammer in big battles when the fps drops but I honestly not sure I could tell the difference between 40fps and 60 fps. First person shooters give me migranes so I don't ever see myself playing Far Cry 2 and for me even if I did medium setting would likely be fine.

I will probably upgrade to the Nvidia 260 card and the HAF case. I'm 54 years old so having a machine for fragging teenagers is not my dream and my online gaming it limited to MMORPSs. As far Vista I have heard of compatibility problems especially with older games but I may go with it. For the immediate future I think 3 GB ram is plenty though for the games I run. If I wasn't on a budget the following would be my idea build!

Ticket Number: 263284
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,660.00
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: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 3GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (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: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 896MB (216 Cores) (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 1: Coolit Domino Liquid CPU Cooler
Liquid Color:Red: Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 Cooling Package)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With LED Performance Fans (Green)
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)
Enhancements: LCD Temperature Display & Fan Controller (Requires Chassis Airflow Upgrade)
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, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

I just never see myself needing 2 or 3 sli video cards for the games I play. The above system would be my dream system if only it could be had for around $1800.

Edited by Steveski - 25 Mar 2009 at 3:46pm