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Final Config

Post Date: 2008-07-24
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Final Config
    Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 10:12pm
Hey everyone. Well after weeks and weeks of numerous builds, this is what I came up with. My budget is/was $3,000 so I tried to keep everything under this amount. I included a monitor because my old monitor which is 19in is a bit outdated and I would prefer to be gaming at 1650X1050.

This computer will mostly be used for WoW and upcoming WoTLK, Diablo 3, Warhammer Online, Spore etc.

Please let me know what you think/suggestions. I decided to go Crossfire with two 4850's because of the price/performance ratio. Upgrading later on will not be a problem. Do you think it is best to stay with the 2 4850s or would I get better performance going with a single 4870 and later on adding a second 4870? 

Specifications: 
Chassis: Digital Storm 850Si 
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 750W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) 
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache) 
Motherboard: Asus Rampage Formula (Chipset: Intel X48) (Supports CrossFire) 
System Memory: 4GB DDR2 OCZ at 800MHz 
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 320GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) 
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) 
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Wireless Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 2x CrossFire Dual (ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB) 
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: - 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: 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: Acer 22 inch (Widescreen) (Black) (High-Performance Gaming Display) 
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
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 11:04pm
Im personally a fan of getting the highest single card you can get, and if it isnt enough adding a second. SLI or crossfire should be only a last resort if you dont like the performance you are getting, or if you just like to show off(me).
 
I dont know if the ATI Crossfire cards have this somewhat problem, but i know the nvidia cards do. My GX2 had it really bad, and the 280s have it somewhat, its a thing called microshutter. Its hard to explain without having the person see it in action, but its when the SLI in my case isnt perfectly timed and one of the cards falls out of sync. This doesnt really have any bad effect, it wont crash your games or anything, but it causes the FPS to swing wildly unexpectly, or it will just feel like your FPS is lower then what the screen is telling you. Some people claim this doesnt happen to them, but a lot of people have experenced it, and I didnt believe these people either until it started happening to me.
 
 Microshutter does exist in SLI, Crossfire..i cant really tell you...but this is the main reason why I say itd be in your better intrest to get a single 4870 card and get a second one later if you are unsatisifed with its performance. Or if you will try to find the extra cash to 4870 crossfire now by maybe removing some luxuries you have like the OC and Lighting for example.
 
The OC is more a time thing then anything, if you do a little homework on the subject you can easily do it yourself, the key there is time, if you dont have the time then by all means keep those options. The lighting is something im just bias against. I find case lighting to be sorta silly. Its only function is to show off, it does nothing to make your computer better. If you want to show off then thats fine.
 
The rest looks alright. The dual HDs are up to you as well. I like mine as harley has said, its nice to have a boot drive that just has the windows crap on it and then a second one for my games and other data. So if I ever have to reinstall my OS my data is safe or vice versa, if my gaming HD fails..I will still have access to my computer at least. It is also more orderly, I like having a pure gaming hard drive where every one of my installed games is in a single file folder and within that folder all subfolders for each game..its just extremely orderly. But also keep in mind that you have to custom install everything because the programs will always try to install on the tiny windows drive...thats somewhat annoying.
 
 
Id also recommend if you can checking out your local best buy before you buy a monitor, just so you can compare picture qualities of various monitors. DS probably doesnt like that i scare away their monitor sales, but I think seeing a monitor first is a good idea. If you find one you like at best buy you might try to find it online cheaper, newegg is a great site and almost always has things much cheaper then Best Buy. Im not a huge fan of Acer displays to be honest.
 
 
Anyways good luck on your computer. I hope it turns out great.
 
 
P.S Im on some really good pain medication right now, so if i rambled somewhere or just really bad sentence structure sorry about that lol..im a little high =P


Edited by SunfighterLC - 24 Jul 2008 at 11:06pm
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 11:11pm
Thanks for the reply's guys! Yeah I checked out Newegg and Samsung has some pretty nice looking monitors for around $260-70 which isn't bad at all.

Now I have heard some mixed reviews...some people say Single Card is better which is fine, I really cant justify SLI/Crossfire only gaming on at 22in. Granted thats where you START to see some results, nothing big.

Which do you think would be better? Single 4870.....or completely switch MB's and go with the 780i and a GTX260?

And is Stage 3 cooling sufficient enough? Or would I get better results in Overclocking the processor with Liquid Cooled? If I chose the Liquid Cooled route, would the 850Si case be a waste?
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 11:30pm

A 4870 is better overall then a 260, its close, but the 4870 is better.

Liquid cooling is pretty expensive, but if you want to go that route liquids are better at removing heat then air is. But it requires more maintence, namely checking fluids and refilling every now and then. How long i wouldnt know though cause ive never done it.
 
The general rule of thought is that the 950i is better suited for liquid cooling then the 850i while the 850i is better for air cooling then the 950i.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 11:34pm
Awesome thats what I was looking for! It looks like I will be going with the Single 4870 then and sticking with Air.....my current system is Liquid Cooled...but its one of those self contained systems from coolermaster....I believe its the Aquagate Mini or whatever.....but I have never done any maintainence on it and its 2yrs old....system still show's its at 23C degrees =x
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schulni View Drop Down
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Posts: 58 		  Quote schulni Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 12:31am
I would definitely point you to a Samsung monitor over the Acer. I also agree with Sunfighter about the single 4870. Even though it's a luxury, I like multiple hard drives too. I was at a similar price point to you and did go for a raptor for the OS. So far I like it...
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bfrank2me View Drop Down
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Posts: 193 		  Quote bfrank2me Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 1:10pm
Originally posted by SunfighterLC

 
P.S Im on some really good pain medication right now, so if i rambled somewhere or just really bad sentence structure sorry about that lol..im a little high =P
 
Actually, this is the first time you've been clear, concise and meaningful...
For the sake of the forum share your meds with Harleyman...
...the first hundred years are the hardest
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widdlecat View Drop Down
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Posts: 840 		  Quote widdlecat Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 2:00pm
Originally posted by bfrank2me

Originally posted by SunfighterLC

 
P.S Im on some really good pain medication right now, so if i rambled somewhere or just really bad sentence structure sorry about that lol..im a little high =P
 
Actually, this is the first time you've been clear, concise and meaningful...
For the sake of the forum share your meds with Harleyman...


You know... that was the first thing that entered my mind when I read sunfighter's post... LOL!  Ermm As for the second part... I think Harleyman just needs to go for a long ride on his bike with the wind in his face. Thumbs%20Up
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Ratbreath View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		  Quote Ratbreath Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 2:33pm
Originally posted by widdlecat

I think Harleyman just needs to go for a long ride on his bike with the wind in his face. Thumbs%20Up


Oh, so now you're telling him to go eat bugs, huh? That's just mean. Ouch

BTW From the research I've been doing, the cooling fluid works at peak efficiency if you change it every 6 months, and you can make your own pretty cheaply.


Edited by Ratbreath - 25 Jul 2008 at 2:35pm
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 2:53pm

crap...the stupid pain pills must of fixed my social problems! Luckly i stopped taking them! Woo! you all suck. 

 
Good luck on your computers though...
 
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 3:27pm
LOL you guys are too funny!
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 3:50pm
Keep in mind this btw..if you can have the option to have DS not install any video card, granted they dont do as much 'tests' on your computer i hear...but still..if you know how to install a video card...
 
You can get a GTX 280 now new for 399.99.
 
Not a particularly well known company, but still...very nice price.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 6:24pm
Nice find. Thats a good price, I am a little iffy on the brand though. Never even heard of them...
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 6:42pm
Palit is the EVGA of Asia. They just started selling in the American market.
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Sneakerz View Drop Down
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Posts: 386 		  Quote Sneakerz Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Jul 2008 at 9:28pm
Ah nice. Might have to really look into it then, cheapest one I've seen on Newegg so far.
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