Grampa's gaming rig

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   OK, so I'm probly old enough to be your grandfather. Can we talk Pong, here?Anyway, here I am retired with plenty of time to play my MMOs and the likes of Mass Effect and Bioshock and for once I want a computer that will let me play them with all the options turned up high. I am, however, a complete hardware noob. From the reviews, I think I like the idea of an ATI 4870x2, so I'm trying to build around that. I kinda want to get more than I need, but don't want to be ridiculous about it. So anyway, here's a strawman build, would love comments:
Ticket Number: 177229
Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,647.00
Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177229
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 P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP (Intel X48 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1600MHz DHX (High-Performance)
Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black)
Hard Drive 1: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (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: ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 2 (Silent Artic Cooling Heat-sink Upgrade (Copper Heatpipes)
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Modifications: - 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: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial 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: APC 650VA Uninterruptible Backup Surge Conditioner (Recommended)
Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Desktop 2.0 (Multimedia Keyboard + Optical Wheel Mouse)
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse
External Storage: - No Thanks
Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)

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GrayGamer Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Quote Reply Topic: Grampa's gaming rig Posted: 22 Aug 2008 at 6:32pm
	OK, so I'm probly old enough to be your grandfather. Can we talk Pong, here?Anyway, here I am retired with plenty of time to play my MMOs and the likes of Mass Effect and Bioshock and for once I want a computer that will let me play them with all the options turned up high. I am, however, a complete hardware noob. From the reviews, I think I like the idea of an ATI 4870x2, so I'm trying to build around that. I kinda want to get more than I need, but don't want to be ridiculous about it. So anyway, here's a strawman build, would love comments: Ticket Number: 177229 Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,647.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177229 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 P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP (Intel X48 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire) System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1600MHz DHX (High-Performance) Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive 1: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (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: ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB TV Tuner: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 2 (Silent Artic Cooling Heat-sink Upgrade (Copper Heatpipes) Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes) Modifications: - 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: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial 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: APC 650VA Uninterruptible Backup Surge Conditioner (Recommended) Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Desktop 2.0 (Multimedia Keyboard + Optical Wheel Mouse) Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse External Storage: - No Thanks Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 22 Aug 2008 at 7:23pm
	Lose the 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed),that big of a drive is crazy to begin with not to mention using it for the OS. Grab a raptor for your OS say 160GB and then get a second drive of 500GB, if he needs more you can always add more HDDs later. Go stage 3 fan cooling and drop the OS tweak ;) Drop the: Surge Shield: APC 650VA Uninterruptible Backup Surge Conditioner (Recommended) Speakers: Logitech 2 Piece (Black Edition) Amplified Speaker Set You can shop for those and get better prices IMO. You are not OCing so you need to drop your ram speed to match your processor's FSB speed. you have chosen the Q9450 which has a 1333MHz FSB, so your ram needs to be max of 1333MHz. Edited by DST4ME - 22 Aug 2008 at 7:23pm
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

GrayGamer Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Aug 2008 at 4:36pm
	Thanks for the input. So here's my revised build. Ticket Number: 177248 Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,297.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177248 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 P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP (Intel X48 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire) System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1333MHz Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive 1: 150GB Western Digital Raptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive 2: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) 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: ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB 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 (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes) Modifications: - 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) 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: Microsoft Multimedia Desktop 2.0 (Multimedia Keyboard + Optical Wheel Mouse) Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse External Storage: - No Thanks Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)

widdlecat Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS Veteran Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 840	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Aug 2008 at 4:57pm
	Since you enjoy Bioshock and Mass Effect, I would consider at least a mild overclock. The Q9450 can easily handle good overclocking without strain and those games will perform better with an OC. Future games like them will need at least 3GHz for smooth gameplay. If you do OC and can spare the cash, I'd recommend liquid cooling of the cpu for best results. BTW, I remember pong! I forget where I got that game tho...


TomD Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 289	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Aug 2008 at 6:03pm
	Welcome to the forums. From another who grew up playing pong... I agree with what Widdlecat said about the overclock (CPU only). It makes a very noticable improvement for little cost. My only other comment is to consider upgrading the Power Supply to 1000W in case you want to add a 2nd videocard later. Its much easier to do up front since it has wires going all over the place. Definately not a "must have", but a little bit of futureproofing. Very nice build you have there. You will love it.

GrayGamer Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2008 at 10:01am
	This is so great. Appreciate all the help! Here's my latest build: Ticket Number: 177535 Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,606.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177535 Specifications: Chassis: Digital Storm 850Si 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 Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache) Motherboard: Asus P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP (Intel X48 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire) System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1333MHz Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive 1: 150GB Western Digital Raptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive 2: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) 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: ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB TV Tuner: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: Cool-IT Eliminator Thermoelectric Liquid Chilled CPU Only Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue 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: - 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) 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: Microsoft Multimedia Desktop 2.0 (Multimedia Keyboard + Optical Wheel Mouse) Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse External Storage: - No Thanks Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)

Lawdog Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 64	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2008 at 4:28pm
	Ok the only thing I'm seeing now is the liquid cooling on the CPU. I think recommendation would be for the Frostbite Liquid Chilled CPU only and not the Thermoelectric cooling.

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2008 at 6:01pm
	Ya frostbite for cooling
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

GrayGamer Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2008 at 6:48pm
	OK, got it: Frostbite cooling.... Here's the latest state :) Can't wait until CS gets to work at DS tomorrow! Thanks everyone! Ticket Number: 177594 Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,636.00 Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177594 Specifications: Chassis: Digital Storm 850Si 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 Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache) Motherboard: Asus P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP (Intel X48 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire) System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1333MHz Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black) Hard Drive 1: 150GB Western Digital Raptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive 2: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) 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: ATI Radeon HD 4870X2 2GB TV Tuner: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite CPU Only Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue 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: - 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) 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: Microsoft Multimedia Desktop 2.0 (Multimedia Keyboard + Optical Wheel Mouse) Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse External Storage: - No Thanks Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2008 at 7:32pm
	Looks great
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

Grampa's gaming rig

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