Ho boy here goes nothing.

Hello and good day to you all.  Since there doesn't seem to be a place to do introductory posts.  Guess I'll just do it here along with the setup for my computer rig. LOL

I've recently started getting into the craze of PC gaming (I still enjoy gaming on consoles, I just ended up realizing that PC games were just as much if not more fun too ahah)

As well as recently knowing the thrill and joy of understanding computer components and thanks to some friends online with patience, I can finally look at a motherboard and actually know what I'm looking at rather than giving a clueless face lol.

Back then about say.. 2 yrs ago, I was under the rock about alot of things regarding mechanics/rules about computers.  I thought buying a computer from a store (Frys) that was expensive was "all that" and that was all there is to it (and not even knowing about the specs!)  Eventually I gradually knew better.

Though I still had to learn some things the hard way.  Such as cleaning the inside of the computer of dust.  (And I live in an area where dust build up is more frequent than other areas.)  Not cleaning my computer of dust for as long as a year made it sound extremely loud after awhile and I had no clue why it did so.  Then after knowing about stuff like air cans and such, gave my computer a good dusting, and it became so silent, I've forgotten how silent the living room could be lol.

My old computer is from HP Pavilion Model 1445n  The only thing I've done to improve it as far as things go, is add an Nvidia 7800 GT by EVGA, and add 2 x 1 GB sticks of DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) along with an upgrade to the PSU.  Have a 19" monitor.

Now as you can see, I realize building computers the way you want is the way to go (and produces far more satisfaction probably lol)

Since this is my first computer being custom built, it'd probably do me alot of good if I built it myself, but seeing as how it's my first hence no hands on experience despite the knowledge I've attained.  And with the parts I had in mind being so high end... and with not a single person around me that I know that has built a computer themself.  I figure I'd look into a custom computer building site lol.

I found this place as a banner in tweakguides.com  I have to say, that's probably the first and last banner I'll be extremely happy that I clicked on.  This place is extremely professional (compared to the others I've seen, not to name them -coughs- )  And I enjoy alot of the benefits offered already ahaha.  (Especially after reading osme of the topics around and seeing so many happy reviwers/customers lol)

Anyways here's the setup.  (And for those that disapprove of the above babbling really sorry about that, I'll edit and remove it if I'm not allowed to do that lol)

http://digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=177039

Now just an important heads up before I go indepth about this.  I ain't doing any purchases until October at the earliest.  By then some new hardware or any other important aspects are bound to appear.  Wouldn't be surprised if the above setup is chucked out the window by October ahaha.

I'm buying it for gaming!  Nuff said lol.  Actually to be honest, I'm also doing it for anime, movies etc, media watching to, that's why the 1 TB HD is there for media storage.  I also happen to use applications that allow me to convert videos to DVD format and burn it on a disc.  Where you then can play it on any DVD player at say friends house etc.  In a nutshell it's the main comp that'll replace the one I have for every other daily action aside from gaming lol.

And well also with the intention of "future proofing" coming to mind too (some might think I'm doing this for bragging rights, but I'm quite modest honestly with a "go for the high end hardware!" or "eye candy" mentality).

I'm very open minded about video games. (though personally don't expect myself to play many racing games ahaha)  And since it's still only recent I got into PC gaming.  I've only recently played... I've only got a chance to play Black and White 2, Quake 3, Half Life 2, FEAR, Lost Planet.  And some others that escape me..  I'm looking forward to stuff like Starcraft 2, etc but I figured I'd play them with the above computer instead lol (as well as rerunning the above mentioned games I played with the new one to see how drastic things have changed)

Budget.... absolutely none.  No intention of having this computer restrcited by a budget ahaha.  If I had to list one.. it'd be.. a budget of $20,000.

Just to cover each hardware specifically and why I chose them I suppose.  (Since I scowered for a specific topic in regards to "custom orders" it seems like you can do custom orders, but do so on the phone right?  I did Live Chat a fellow name "Jon" mentioned you can also do custom orders on email too?)  Since I have specific parts in mind.

Feel free to comment on anything that you believe should be changed.

Chassis: Cooler Master Cosmos S.  I just like the design about this overall as well as the fans offered in it already (plus the size is huge ahaha along with that 220mm fan on the side panel of the chassis).  Especially considering Liquid cooling is selected you can mount the radiators above the computer case right?  Is the combination of Liquid Cooling AND Air cooling a good idea?  If so I don't suppose upgrading the stock chassis fans with better ones would be a good idea eh?

Exterior and Interior Finish:  I was a bit bummed when there was not a single picture available on the site that showed the different paint jobs.  (This is probably the ONLY gripe I got with Digital Storms lol, bit odd to blindly dish out $290 without having a single idea what it would look like at least)  Fortunately I found a review that had an old configuration.  Here was the setup. I loved the interior blue, so I could only imagine what the white would do heh.  The Exterior is blank because... I have something in mind that I want to ask.

When I was checking the Cooler Master site, on the chassis (Cosmos S).  They offered custom paints at this site.  And while I do love the exterior paint jobs that are available in DSO.  I don't suppose you guys do custom exterior paint jobs?  If not, is it possible to do something a.... how should I put this.  Joint operation with these guys?  They make the custom paint chassis, and then send it to you?  If that doesn't work either.  I'll just do a Storm Blue exterior paint job ahaha.  Along with blue cathode tubes for the liquid cooling to add to the aesthetics.

PSU: 1200W ESA Edition... I saw the reviews of what a Triple SLI setup of GTX 280s eat up.... I presume this is the way to go?  Unfortunatley I don't know how to number crunch the rest of the components of the computer to see what is appropriate ahaha.

Processor: QX9770 3.2 Ghz.  I did some research on overclocking and such (thanks to the topics posted in DSO), but more on that later below.  And this component will be one major reason at a potential "bottle neck" done by the CPU right? 

Yes I'm aware of the new Processor that's coming out by Nehalm.  But seeing as how it's literally brand new, and some topic here already mentioned that any "real" incorporation of it with PC games (the hyper threading) has yet to be made, then I can just just let this new processor brand grow first a bit.

Motherboard: The Nvidia 790i Ultra mobo that I had in mind would be the Asus Striker II Extreme variation.  There was more than enough reviews and checking the site itself (and one topic over here talking about how they trusted ASUS) just persuades me to pick these dudes ahaha.  Still it's odd how newegg's variant of reviews is either good or bad.

System Memory: DDR3-2000 (PC3-16000) Corsair Dominator.  Now here's where I need to ask regarding O/Cs.  From that O/C guide that was listed in this forum under the "Performance Tweaks" tab up above.  I have to perform a 1:1 ratio right for stability?  And a friend said the processor could probably push up to a stable 4.4 Ghz (there's a video on youtube of the processor hitting 4.27 with a multiplier of 9.5 and another video hitting 4.0 Ghz with a multiplier of 10) So 4.40 by multiplier of 10 is a FSB of 440.  Meaning the DRAM is gonna be 880, hence the Mhz of the RAM would be downlocked to... 1760 Mhz?  (And I still have no clue how memory timings work with all of this lol)  Should I just downgrade the ram sticks to something else (though the fan kit is a nice plus)  Also would you be using the (2 x 1GB) kitsfor the 4 gig right?  Since they're the ones that are SLI-certified.  Which if I recall correctly in a review memory that isn't SLI-certified causes problems in the system.

And yes I realize the OS is Vista 32-bit.  At the most 3.5 GBs would only be used right?  I figured I'd just go with this setup, and if I feel inclined to upgrading to 64-bit in the near future, I'll do so.  Since at the moment there's not that *many* games (excluding Crysis and some others supposedly).  Unless you guys really feel that I should go with 64 bit instead.

Hard Drive Setup:  Two 128 GB SSDs in Raid 0.  1 TB HD for media and miscallaneous storage.  One thing I realized I can salvage the old HD from my old comp (which is XP 32-bit) and this way I have the best of both OS types available to me, where I can use one or the other depending on the circumstance.

Optical Drive: Blu-ray Write/Reader.  Does the same drive do DVD Burning and Reading to?  If so then great, saves alot of trouble.  If not... guess I'll add a DVD Burner/Reader to the 2nd drive lol.

Internet Access: Bigfoot Killer Network Card.  The reviews for this has either been the extreme positive or negative, where they like this or outright call it a waste of money.  Probably is especially considering the components probably ensures I'm not gonna lag, but since this computer ain't limited by a budget...Why not go for it eh?  And it's the Killer NIC M1 Card right?  (Also I saw a little review where this network card does wonders with a certain modem lol)

Video Cards: 3x Triple SLI (GTX 280)  Now there's the concern of the what was it called... lanes and the expansion bays occupying to the point most PCI slots would be blocked, no thanks to the gigantic air solution that has to be installed on the GPUs, and well, along with the vent that makes GPUs occupy a total of two expanion bays.  So even if the giant air cooling block on the GPU was removed that vent is blocking the way for any other PCI hardware to occupy.  And as far as removing it goes.. you'd have to what... get a saw?  Lol.  Since liquid cooling is being chosen here, do you guys order your own GPUs where it only occupies one expansion bay?  Or will something like this.  Have to be ordered?  (Feel free to remove the water block that's on those GPUs to use your own lol) 

Actually I'm still worried.  While the water block is smaller in size, will there still be enough space to squeeze say.. the Killer NIC and Sound Card (which is a PCI slot too, which is good considering the Striker II Extreme exactly has two PCI slots lol)  If both can't fit (I presume the PCI slot on the far edge is at LEAST usable right?)  I guess I'll ditch the Killer NIC then.  As much as I don't want to lol.

TV Tuner: Blackmagic Design: Intesity. Here we go.  Easiest solution to hooking up a PS3/360 etc while having digital signals.  Since the monitor which'll be mentioned later on has one HDMI and one DVI port.  My intention was to have my console gaming also be connected with the monitor and or gaming rig.  (Since it seems like LCD monitors do such a far better job displaying the PS3 and 360 in better detail, compared to using gigantic LCD TVs.)  But at the moment I'm curious as to how a person uses the sound card of their computer if they hook up the consoles directly to the monitor rather than the TV Tuner (cause I know connecting the console to the TV Tuner means the sound card will be used.).  Plus I read that a direct connection to the monitor forces the PS3 to be displayed only on a specific video signal (e.g. 720p, 1080p etc) where as the TV Tuner can list different modes in a windowed style fashion. (not sure full screening would be a good idea).

Sound Card: Auzentech Prelude 7.1.  This one gave me a real headache to decide on lol.  Before I was all gung ho in getting the Fatal1ty Champion by Creative, till I decided to research and look around.  I do understand that Auzentech is from Creative (The X-Fi Technology anyway), hence they both use the same drivers, hence things are gonna act all iffy with Vista supposedly.  Altough I think some reviews have said that the drivers for the Prelude have been progressing far better than Creative (despite the fact "Alchemy" is still supposedly a not so great solution to the Vista issue)  Then again other reviews said they hear perfectly fine when using the Prelude with Vista.  About an hour or so ago I read a topic on someone elses rig on this forum (the one with the $7-8k budget) where the recommended sound card was the Razer one.  Sounds tempting, but maybe the Prelude is a good "future investment."  If and when they finally get around to having drivers that'll make Prelude shine even more.

External Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite Dual Loop System for CPU and Triple SLI.  One thing I'm curious about here is.  What's the benefit of a dual loop?  (Someone did a triple loop with their computer in this one site I went too.)  Wasn't able to find an answer regarding this though lol.  You guys also happen to provide instructions on how to change the liquid for the cooling system right?  And the liquid you used special in any way?

Internal Lighting: Blue colored tubes sound awesome lol.

Modifications: ESA System.  Now that I think about it... I'm not exaclty sure if I have that many components that are ESA certified... I think the PSU was the only one as far as I know?  I guess it still wouldn't hurt to have this added.

CPU Boost: This needs to be boosted anyway to avoid having the CPU bottle necking the system as much as possible right?

GPU Boost: It's Triple SLI for lord's sake.  Not only that, a review has shown (only read one about overclocking GTX 280s though) that overclocking a single one won't do much, it does give a small boost alright.  4%-5% about.  Then again... I take it back, that was with a single GPU, what more with 3 GPUs at once... that and I guess with the CPU being boosted, that would make an overclock on the GPUs more meaningful I suppose?  Whcihever the case maybe it wouldn't hurt enabling this option I guess.  Though please do tell me if I'm going overboard here though lol.

Memory Boost: Well I guess the fact the RAM is gonna be downclocked to attain that 1:1 ratio with the processor, this setting actually had more meaning to it now (since from what I understand thus far, you gotta downclock the Mhz to get better memory timings anyway right?).  Though differences in 1 CAS Latency as stated in reviews said there's barely a difference.  Maybe gong down from 9 to 5/4 (if that's even remotely possibe lol) CAS Latency may be noticeable.

Windows Boost: I actually disabled alot of the services and modified the performance settings under My Computer, for this computer (XP).  I can say.... it did a whole lotta good lol.  Though this is Vista being dealt with here, and when I checked out the topic regarding the services for Vista, it seemed more complex ahaha.  (User Account Control probably being one of the more annoying settings lol, I never used Vista, but I've been around my friend's laptop to know how annoying it is for it to constantly pop up ahaha)

Windows OS: 32-bit or 64-bit.... I think I'l go with 32-bit for now lol, there's an update disc to "upgrade" to 64-bit right?  Anyways feel free to tell me otherwise.

LCD Display: ASUS MK241H 24" 2ms:  Lotsa 9/10 reviews on this thing, so I'll go with that.  After reading a topic in this forum, I udnerstand that for competitive gaming 1280 res is fine, 1680 is pushing it.  Well yeah... I have an eye candy mentality here.  But competitive gaming really hasn't crossed my mind.  Well normal online gaming probably isn't a big deal, ACTUAL real tournaments and such.  If I ever decide to do that I can always just grab a really good 1280 res monitor (or 1680, but then jumping from a 24" to 22" just for the sake of a competition may sound extreme ahaha)  But yeah purpose here was to get a 24" monitor with 2 ms, so this takes the cake.  Also the only reason why I didn't take a 30" so that it would do justice for the 3 GPUs is because my desk (which is multi purpose, it has shelves, cd case holders and what not.)  The place where the monitor is placed is an enclosed space,  I'd rather not push my luck with a 30", so 24" is a nice step from my 19" from Hyundai.

Surge Protector: CyberPower Intelligent LCD Series  I dunno, just looking at this one looks real awesome compared to the AVC one lol.  (though I forgot to remove the AVC one under the config, after I found out about this one.)  I had no clue what these were meant to do, till after a little research, and sounds like it'd be a good investment for those rare times black-outs and so on occur.

Speakers: Speakers?  More like headphones (yeah I prefer headphones over speakers lol)!  At the moment the world of headphones and how indepth they became just became real.... painful to learn.... it's like learning the motherboard for the first time except twice as worse...  Audiophile ranking headphones (not intending to be an audiophile, just I wanna happen to use the same stuff that an audiophile person would use ya know?)  Headamp gear, replacing the original cables.  And a whole lotta more junk. I'm planning on buying two sets.  One headset with the mic input from Beyerdynamic. (Even has it's own presumably miniature headamp!)  Actually a 2nd choice for a headset w/ mic was Sennheiser PC 350 Not sure which I should pick.  (Though the PC 350 actually HAS reviews you can find, so that probably alone says alot already.)

Now for times when headphones aren't needed. Senn HD 650.  I might be called crazy right about now.  In terms of top sound quality (that can be gotten with headphones.) Is there that much detail with games?  I mean hey for the times you don't need voice chat, for say.. RPG games, non-online oriented games anyway, something like these type of headphones could be dished out. 

That and there's been alot of reviews about these headphones anyway (well the problem with the reviews, it was more of "listening to music/sound ensthusiasts"), even though gaming is just something with alot of sounds and music too.  I for one ain't exactly a music person lol, I don't mind LISTENING to any music, but I don't have favorites.

Even if I was dead set about getting these, the problem about "headphone cables" headphone amp.  It's a completely seperate playing field already lol.  Any audiophiles in the house?

Keyboard and Mouse: Just looking at the designs for the Razer Lycosa Keyboard and Lachesis Mouse.  I like the designs lol.  The Lycosa specifically because it's compact.  Now I never got into macro, probably never will, but at least I can use the F1 and on row of buttons for that purpose.  As for the whole issue with mouses...  I found out I like having my whole hand on the mouse (Palm type it was called?)  As for "comfortability" which thankfully the site says the Lachesis is a palm type mouse.  And even if it wasn't.  I'm good at adapting anyway.  Then there's the Destructor Mouse pad from Razer meant for the Lachesis, but now I'm just sidely mentioning that.  Unless you guys can order that along as well.

Too bad there's not a single store around my area that has this stuff for me to try out lol.

Ok I'm done.  I might've gone overboard here, maybe over-detailed too many things lol.

Only last thing I want to bring up is.  When mailing the computer to a person already, do you guys send any left over screws, SATA cables, etc etc. whatever left over pieces to the person?  If ya don't, could you do so with me?  I'd probably be able to use them for something, or with stuff like SATA cables, I can imagine you can never have too many of those lol.


Edited by Axel Daemon - 23 Aug 2008 at 9:03am

That's crazy! I wish I had that kind of money to spend, can u give me some please ;p.

Yes Axel Daemon, you're definitely of the "Go for the best hardware" mentality! I'd definitely work closely with DSO staff to get exactly what you want! My specialty is audio as I was an audio reviewer for several years, so I can only make solid suggestions for sound cards. If you want the absolute best in sound quality, the ASUS Xonar D2X is at the top with burr-brown DACs, Cirrus Logic ADCs and Analog Devices op amps. Very high end stuff, especially for pcs. Their DSP is a top of the line CMedia. No front end jack support, however.
As for headphones, I've reviewed hundreds of home audio cans. I haven't compared any with mics... Sennheiser is extremely comfort oriented and very high quality sound. I'm not a big fan of Beyerdynamics. If you listen to them, I believe you will find them highly colored and inaccurate even in the all important midrange where voices are (if you like boomy bass, you might like Beyerdynamics). My faves are Grado, but I don't believe they make a gaming headset with mic. Sennheiser is my number 2 choice of headphones. Nothing else comes close to these two companies for sonic neutrality and musicality.

Saw some benchmarks that 1 4870x2 did better than SLI gtx 280. Two would be insane. Plus its $521 cheaper. 

The only thing I would disagree with on Tyler's discussion is about the network card.  However getting one of the big, powerful, Bigfoot Killer network cards is *ONLY* if you have a DSL/Cable access that has the bandwidth and the low-latency to make use of it.  I have done *some* research and I like what I see.  However, all this is a complete waste if you have a network card that goes faster than your network.  But you really have to be an extreme gamer to need to do that.

The RAID controller will ensure you get the full measure of performance from a RAID array, and yes, should also be more reliable. I personally would not bother with RAID for gaming, but some games will benefit from it. This is an area where discussion with a tech from Digital Storm would be of great benefit. Perhaps there is a hardware based RAID controller they would recomend given the rest of your configuration plans. I noticed several compatibility complaints in the reviews of the product you linked, one specifically complaining of compatibility issues with Vista 64 bit. I would expect a decent RAID controller to cost considerably more, probably in the neighborhood of $600 to $900 (they can actually run alot more than this), depending on which RAID modes it supports, how many drives it can handle, and how much onboard memory the card has. Again, this is not a cheap option, I would talk it over with DSO.

I may by wrong here, but I believe 4870x2 is basically two 4870. So when crossfire two 4870x2 its like having four 4870. Which I think would be better than 3 SLI gtx 280.