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configuration assistance

Post Date: 2008-01-01
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: configuration assistance
    Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 11:53am
I had an issue with my tracking number, so here is the text version. I am looking for value.
 
Primary concerns:
1. bigger PSU?
2. better RAM?
3. more cooling?
 
***
 
Specifications:
Case: Digital Storm Twister EXTREME (Black Anodized Aluminum Finish)
Power Supply: 560W SilverStone Strider (Model: ST56F) (Silent)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz (1066MHz FSB) (8MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 680i LT Core 2 Quad (By: eVGA) (nForce 680i SLI)
Memory: 2GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz XMS2 (Dual Channel) (Performance)
Floppy / Card: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Hard Drive 2: 320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Raid Option: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Network Card: D-Link Wireless-G 54Mbps (Supports 802.11g/b)
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB (By: eVGA) (PCI-Express)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Motherboard Multi-Channel High Definition Audio (7.1 Channel)
Physics Card: - No Thanks
Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 1 (Certified Digital Storm Heat-sink)
Case Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Round Cables: - No Thanks
User Manual: Personalized Platinum Digital Storm Binder (Includes Paperwork/Benchmarks/CDs/Manuals)
Overclock Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
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 Vista Home Premium
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: Logitech 2.1 System (Black Edition) (Model R20) (Includes Subwoofer)
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
Support: Lifetime Toll-Free Platinum Care Technical Support
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Solo View Drop Down
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Posts: 395 		  Quote Solo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 11:56am
go to air cooled stage 2 and ask to have additional fans, it will help them be able to overclock your processor. 
That ram is fine, 1066mhz ram doesnt have a huge difference from what everybody says.
 
That power supply is sufficient, i would upgrade it though if you plan on upgrading the computer in the future.
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 12:22pm
Thank you, Solo -- I'll request additional fans and Stage 2 cooling.
 
Re: power supply, I'd like this unit to be a foundation for growth going forward. I don't plan on becoming an uber-gamer, but if PSU requirements will continue to expand going forward for basic functionality, I have no objection to buying a better PSU off the bat (PSUs don't need to be replaced regularly, right?).
 
What PSU would you recommend? I'd hate to go too expensive, but the 750W is at a reasonable price point (+$86).
 
Does going with a larger PSU mean that I'll burn more electricity constantly, even when idle?
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Solo View Drop Down
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Posts: 395 		  Quote Solo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 12:39pm
I went with 750, it will suffice.  PSU should never have to be replaced unless it goes bad, in which case DSO will send you a new one.
 
Keep in mind 750 is still overkill for what you got, but if you're going to be upgrading video card/cpu in the future it wont hurt to have it. 
 
I am currently trying to find out if a larger PSU even though its not utilized will run up your electricity bill.  Give me a few minutes
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Solo View Drop Down
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Posts: 395 		  Quote Solo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 12:46pm
It will use "slightly" more, but lets say for example your computer only uses 400 watts of power and you have a 560 watt PSU.. it will only use 400 watts of power.  If you upgraded to a 750 it would still only use 400 watts of power. 
 
a lightly loaded PSU should be more efficient than a heavily loaded PSU of lower rating, but that's offset by increased losses due to lower impedances in the components in the higher rated PSU... for example the larger capacity components use a little more power.
 
 
All in all,  if it even does use more of your electricity bill it would be very minor .


Edited by Solo - 01 Jan 2008 at 12:47pm
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 12:59pm

Thank you for going out of your way to investigate. I will go with the 750W PSU.
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 1:13pm
A larger PSU will be less efficient if you are only using a small amount of the power. A PSU reaches it's top efficiency at 50% load.

Go with a Corsair 620W or 520W. Seasonic is one of the best in the business.

power requirements usually always goes down in the future as the fab process gets smaller. Only reason why you would need a larger than normal PSU is the aging factor and multiple cards.

Most people never use more than 400W and your setup won't use more than that...
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 1:52pm
OK, would you go with the Corsair 520 or Corsair 640 given this configuration?
 
Sorry for needing this level of confirmation -- I truly have no idea what I'm doing here.
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Solo View Drop Down
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Posts: 395 		  Quote Solo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 2:02pm

Either one, i would  get 620, but they both would work.

I recommended a higher pSU if you plan on going SLI in the future , but its not necessary.  I have a just in case mentality..
 
Bottom line, you would be fine if you went Corsair 520 Watt or Corsair 620 Watt .
 
 
 
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 2:43pm
Hi again. I've been reading through this forum, and there's a lot of interesting tidbits, such as:
 
"If you're going to over clock, go with the A1 revision board. You'll see a much better over clock that way."
 
So I'd like to start over. Here's what I know I want:
 
1. Q6600
2. 8800 GT
3. Extreme case
4. dual 320GB HDDs
5. DVD-RD+CD (single drive)
6. Wireless network PCI
7. Motherboard sound
8. Case lighting (and additional LED fans)
 
Otherwise, I have no knowledge whatsover on what is best. Overclocking and cooling are new concepts for me -- I've always been a Dell/HP basic configuration user.
 
So please, help me determine the best configuration. I read somewhere that it makes sense to overclock the Q6600. I know that the 650i board lacks an optical audio output that I want. I don't plan on utilizing SLI. But otherwise, all the other options are a complete mystery to me.
 
I'm not concerned with budget as much as value. I want a high-value, high-quality product. That's why I'm here at DS.
 
Is it asking too much for someone to spec out a machine for me? Sorry for being clueless here [but at least I know now that a smaller PSU will suffice. =)]
 
Perhaps this should be handled over the phone. I'm not sure the best way to go about this.
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 2:50pm
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=107750
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Mike View Drop Down
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  Quote Mike Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 2:56pm
Thanks, SkyR. I can order now. =)
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Solo View Drop Down
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Posts: 395 		  Quote Solo Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Jan 2008 at 2:57pm
there it is
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