Do I need all of this and Why? Please evaluate

Hi.  First time poster, new fan and, if things go well, a future Digital Storm customer.

My goal:  config and purchase a new gaming only system that will not only run some of the current high end graphics games in maximum settings, but be able to handle what may come down the pipe over the next 4-5 years with only perhaps adding a second video card in SLI and increasing RAM.  Currently playing AoC and WAR, but on a 6 year old pentium 4 system- barely.  I really do not want to need a rebuild in 3 or 4 years from the motherboard up.
budget of $3000
playing on a 24" widescreen flatpanel display (max resolution? 1900x1200??) and using crap speakers or headphone/mic set, but also interested in hooking up DVI and audio out to a 60" Pioneer Kuro plasma and Denon home theater system.. if it is feasible (add the blu ray option then).  Advice here would also be appreciated.

Here is where I am currently at in my thought process:

Ticket #:  189320
Chassis: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 790i Ultra Core 2 Quad (nForce 790i Ultra SLI) (DDR3 Only)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair DHX (High-Performance)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
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) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Wireless Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 3 WindTunnel (Copper Heatpipe Heatsink & Additional Case Fans)
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Red Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Modifications: NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA) System (Install, Test, Optimize Computer)
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: Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
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
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Areas of confidence (aka, dont talk me out of):
love the 10k raptor drive, have high hopes for the GTX280, may sli a second one in later on, love the Q9550 processor with overclocking. Feel the power supply adequate with room for adding second GTX280 as noted above.  Don't need the peripherals, but may need a real sound card later on to link into home theater system if I go that route.

My areas of concern (help):
RAM types and quantity
still hearing conflicting information regarding DDR2 and DDR3 systems.  If the price is not far off, and it allows for a greater chance of longevity, I am willing to go with the latter.  Obviously, it is not just the cost of the RAM, but the motherboard requirements, overclocking, cooling options, etc.
Secondly, what speed will work best with this build for overclocking.  I saw a formula somewhere, but was not sure if it is based on starting processor FSB, or does the overclock change it.  Also, saw somewhere that a DigitalStorm rep reccomended the OCZ over the Corsair for some history of problems.
In short, am I wasting money today on a DDR3 package for future insurance, or should I consider sticking with dual channel memory and later picking up the I7 and then rebuilding.
Pretty much set on going with 4GB now, doubling to 8 when needed and more affordable- if it even improves performance (see RAM and OS below).

RAM and OS
I am interested in the Vista 64 bit, but read somewhere here that only the ultimate version allowed for the higher acceptance/utilization of RAM.  Can anyone confirm this or explain it better?  The other bells and whistles of Ultimate over Home do not appeal much.

Cooling systems and control
the HAF seems to have an impressive air cooling ability; what exactly do I gain by spending money on the Stage 3 system?  quiter replacement fanblades and a copper tubing heatsync?  I really can not support the budget for the nice liquid cooling systems at this point, and I anticpate adding a second GTX280 video card if needed in the short term (at a reduced cost), but I just don't expect having to overclock them to get good results.
Is this 'air cooling' only line of thinking within reason for the above, and do I need the ESA system for this level of cooling control?  I have never overclocked anything before, or had to manage system cooling, but the option does appeal, especially if it allows for noise control and future upgrade/overclocking modifications.


So thanks in advance for any and all criticisms or recommendations.  Considering my objectives above, what is overkill, what am i overlooking, and where can I shave some to feel better about my decision?

TD

I really like your build Damian. You've done your homework and it shows. I agree with most of your selections, but I have some suggestions.

Go 64 bit by all means, but if you don't need the business features of Vista Ultimate, you don't need more than Home Premium. Save your money. Home Premium can recognize IIRC, more RAM than your motherboard, so I'd call that a non issue.

Edited by Tyler Lowe - 01 Oct 2008 at 12:20am

Sorry, forgot to add-

here is the new Ticket Number with the modifications    189376

TD

DST4ME-  thanks for the input..  I need a little clarification (read this several times, but didn't make sense of it)
Also, am not ignoring the info about the vid card, just trying to hammer out more basic selections first. 

"keep in mind you are paying more for a ram that if your cpu is not oced or if oc is ff then the what ever speed over the fsb you has is a waste and not used."

can you say it again?

Also, reading about overclocking in general now; hearing good and bad; presumably if Digital Storm does the initial overclocking, and covers their own work under the warranty, seems like a reasonable deal for a gaming only system.

I read a post here about typical overclocking results in the 200Mhz range.  Wondered for cost/benefit and risk ratio, if simply choosing the next tier processor (Q9650), dropping the RAM seed to 1333, forgetting overclocking alltogether, and thus the real need for added cooling with its associated cost, would provide an equally speedy system with better long term hardware survivability.
see build here:

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=189583

Thanks

Alright, I understand the RAM and FSB relationship; it just was muddled with overclocking.. I was trying to sort out if just overclocking the CPU and using a non-OC RAM would provide similar, but safer results.

So with what we have now (yes, I'm hanging onto the GX280 at the moment):
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=189597

Is the Q9650 worth the $240 increase over the 9550?  I may not appreciate it now, but will I in 4 years?  I don't need the fastest thing alive, I just want to enjoy what I have and not be crippled by my CPU within 5 years.

Give me some insight about the ESA; helpful?  fun and showy?
 If I skip this, I would just go with the next bump in power supply (1k) that is not ESA compliant (as it wouldnt need to be)
I do see with the liquid cooled CPU that the cooling effect of the fans can primarily focus on the GPU, and if I go with an overclocked system, I will add the liquid cooling.

Is the 860W power supply adequate for a pair of GTX280s in SLI?  Your reccs were about the 260..




Copy of Specifications:
Chassis: Cooler Master HAF 932
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 860W PC Power & Cooling (ESA Edition) (Dual SLI Compatible)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 790i Ultra Core 2 Quad (nForce 790i Ultra SLI) (DDR3 Only)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1333MHz OCZ
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
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) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Wireless Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite CPU Only
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Red Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Modifications: NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA) System (Install, Test, Optimize Computer)
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: Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
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)
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
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

DST4ME..  thanks for your input; I was wondering as well, are you independent, employed by DS?  It is always good to know where someone is coming from.

DS- I was coming to a similar conclusion (nehalem) the further I read, and the more I went beyond my initial planned budget.  We eventually need 2 computer systems for gaming, so for now, maybe I will start a thread on building the secondary, less demanding system, and look to do my own in the next several months.
Do you expect Digital Storm to be offering builds based of the I7 in November?

Damian,

ESA is really of more interest to hardcore overclockers than it is to the average user. I would suggest ESA to someone that has more fun messing with their BIOS than playing games on their system, or for some one that isn't maybe that fanatical, but really enjoys tweaking every last nuance of their system to coax every 3DMark point from it they can. It's not something I would ever suggest to a normal user.