Could use some help

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   Hey
everyone,

This
is my first attempt at build specs, all the other machines I’ve ever owned were
store bought and required very little thought. 
As much as I love video games I don’t know much about the machines that
make them run.  This is why I would appreciate
any and all help I can get from this community.

First
off I have a budget of roughly $4,000 and with that I need a computer and monitor
(24”).  The monitor I will buy separate from
this build, but it still needs to be figured in.  No, I do not have a monitor in mind.  However, my company gets a discount from Dell,
so I will probably be looking at taking that route.

I’m
a big fan of FPS’s which I intend to play more of when I get a machine that can
handle them, I’m also into MMO’s.

I
have already looked over some of the other threads before making these
selections, so I hope it’s not too much of a cluster… 

One
of my concerns is with the HD, is it worth getting the 300GB VelociRaptor over
a slower HD?  A friend (not an expert)
said I should get the 150GB VelociRaptor x2 in raid 0, what are your thoughts
on this?

Also
the video cards I have selected are they enough to run the more current games at good
or great settings?  If not and I get a
third video card is air cooling going to be enough?

And
it doesn’t have to be only upgrades, trim some fat if need be.  My wallet won’t mind!  

Thanks!

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=309595

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: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or
CrossFire)

System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced
(Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)

Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent
Edition)

Card Reader: - No Thanks

Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K
RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)

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)

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 275 896MB (Includes PhysX
Technology)

Add-on Card: - No Thanks

Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio

Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-U12P High Performance Cooler
(Compatible With ONLY i7 Processors)

Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System
Selected

Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans)

Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)

Enhancements: LCD Temperature Display & Fan Controller (Requires Chassis
Airflow Upgrade)

Chassis Mods: - No Thanks

Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
(Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)

Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)

Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking
service)

Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating
system

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows
7 Upgrade Coupon

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

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version
Izzard Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Topic: Could use some help Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 2:18pm
	Hey everyone, This is my first attempt at build specs, all the other machines I’ve ever owned were store bought and required very little thought. As much as I love video games I don’t know much about the machines that make them run. This is why I would appreciate any and all help I can get from this community. First off I have a budget of roughly $4,000 and with that I need a computer and monitor (24”). The monitor I will buy separate from this build, but it still needs to be figured in. No, I do not have a monitor in mind. However, my company gets a discount from Dell, so I will probably be looking at taking that route. I’m a big fan of FPS’s which I intend to play more of when I get a machine that can handle them, I’m also into MMO’s. I have already looked over some of the other threads before making these selections, so I hope it’s not too much of a cluster… One of my concerns is with the HD, is it worth getting the 300GB VelociRaptor over a slower HD? A friend (not an expert) said I should get the 150GB VelociRaptor x2 in raid 0, what are your thoughts on this? Also the video cards I have selected are they enough to run the more current games at good or great settings? If not and I get a third video card is air cooling going to be enough? And it doesn’t have to be only upgrades, trim some fat if need be. My wallet won’t mind! Thanks! Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=309595 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: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed) 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) 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 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-U12P High Performance Cooler (Compatible With ONLY i7 Processors) Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) Enhancements: LCD Temperature Display & Fan Controller (Requires Chassis Airflow Upgrade) Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service) Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon 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

Jennings386 Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 5:03pm
	It fits in your budget so I would seriously consider upgrading to the Stage 3 Frostbite. I was a bit leery of getting LC (because of shipping damage), but I am very glad I went that route. If you stick with air cooling, the Noctura is the way to go, along with the upgraded fans. I would also think about upgrading to the 4 or 5 yr warrenty if you plan on keeping the build around for a while. The extra peace of mind never hurts. I would also think that the single Raptor is better than the raid 0 set up. Raid 0 is better performance, but is probably not worth the risk. I'm sure that some others will tell you to get a HDD to get you by for now and to add a SSD later when the prices have come down.

e.fruman Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 14 May 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 140	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 6:07pm
	DELL ULTRASHARP 2408WFP for the monitor

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 7:07pm
	If your budget is $4000 then this is what you want, the ocz vertex will beat veloci in raid: Here you go Ticket# 309738 --- Price: $3667 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $3417 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: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Digital Storm Certified by mushkin enhanced (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (250GB Solid State (By: OCZ) Vertex Series (Model: OCZSSD2-1VTX250G) 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) 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 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-U12P High Performance Cooler (Compatible With ONLY i7 Processors) Liquid Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a H20: Stage 3 Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans) Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) Enhancements: LCD Temperature Display & Fan Controller (Requires Chassis Airflow Upgrade) Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade) Boost Video Card: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s) Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service) Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) With Windows 7 Upgrade Coupon 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 that leaves you with $600 for a monitor.
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

Izzard Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 9:12pm
	Thank you guys for your help so far, these are all good suggestions. DST4ME even though the 250 SSD is with in my range, would one with a smaller amount of storage like the 120 be worth the cut in price? or is it if your going SSD go BIG or go home. Also if one did get the 120 SSD could one get a second HD to run everything but games? This is where i don't have a clue on how things work...

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 9:26pm
	ok HDD1 = fast drive for os/apps/games HDD2 = slow dirve 7200rpm for file storage. I only gave you the 250GB cause games take space, however if you think 120GB is enough for you go with 120GB notice I chose vertex for you, all ssds are not the same, so go with vertex, the 250GB and 120GB have the same speeds
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

Izzard Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 10:04pm
	Thank you sir! With that bit of information I think I'm good to go, just need to pull the trigger..

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 18 Jul 2009 at 10:04pm
	My pleasure call Sarah at 1-866-817-8676 Extension: 115 and she will set you up
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

Could use some help

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