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Looking at getting a new system

Post Date: 2009-08-27
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Sid67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		  Quote Sid67 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Looking at getting a new system
    Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 4:22am
Budget:  2K - 2.5
Uses:    Gaming, Watching TV and downloaded movies (not into collecting Blu-Rays so I don't need a Blu-Ray player), Work stuff (nothing demanding - shouldn't be a factor)

I will network my new rig to my old one.  I'll probably use my current ViewSonic flatscreen (1680 x 1050) with the new rig and use some old POS with this one.  I can't crank the sound too much where I live except on rare occasions, so I'm more interested in sound quality and clarity.  CPU, GPU, and possibly striped RAID drives (if possible on my budget) are my primary priorities.

Windows 7 is going to have support built into media center for TV, so I want a TV tuner, preferrably one with FM radio as well.  I'm thinking I may scrap my digital cable package if I can somehow watch TV on my HD TV through the computer's tuner.  Not too up on that though so I'm not sure what channels are available, if it's actually free, and so forth.

I'd like 2 x 275s if possible.  Liquid cooling if possible. 

Probably asking too much on my budget though?
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DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 5:14am
for 1600 x 1200 you don't need 2 x 275, all you need is one:

Here you go Ticket# 326233 --- Price: $2611 (To see this build click here) Price after current promotion $2411

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 LE Edition SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz 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 (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
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: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896MB (Includes PhysX Technology)
Add-on Card: Pinnacle PCTV HD Card (HDTV, Video Recording, Video Capture, FM Audio)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU
Liquid Color:UV Redish Pink: Medium Glowing Non-conductive Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (UV) (Creates Glowing Effect For H20: Stage 3 UV Fluid)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
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

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Sid67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		  Quote Sid67 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 4:11pm
Hi.  Thanks for your time and for the build suggestion.

However, it doesn't seem like too great of a deal to me.  Only 1 video card, no RAID, 1 optical drive, only 500 GB storage, and no keyboard, mouse, or speakers for almost $2,500. 

Maybe I'm just not understanding your build, but it seems like the Extreme 1 is a far better deal. 

Why did you suggest the 1000W power supply and the stage 3 liquid cooling?  The Extreme 1 has 2 x 275 to power and cool instead of just 1, and it only has a 700W power supply and the Acetek stage 1.

Would I be able to get the Extreme 1 and add a TV tuner card and another 1 TB drive in striped RAID array to it later?
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Sid67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		  Quote Sid67 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 4:29pm
Also, I am trying to leave my options open for possible upgrade to a larger monitor with 1900 x 1200 res in the next couple years.  That is why I'd prefer 2 x 275s.  And because I assume most future games will benefit from SLI.
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lock52 View Drop Down
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Posts: 23 		  Quote lock52 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 5:50pm
The extreme 1 is an amazing deal.  The only problems I have with it are the motherboard and power supply. and yes you can add things in the future...without voiding your warranty even!  I cant wait till I can get the money together for my first DS machine.

The build DST4ME suggested is a great build as well...but as you said is not as economical as the prebuilt.  His build is much better in terms of upgradeability, but you are right in thinking the extreme 1 is a better deal.
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Aug 2009 at 7:55pm
1 video cared cause that is all you need, if you go with 2 x 275 at 1600 x 1200 res, you will never notice or benefit from the second 275. when you upgrade the monitor then drop in the second 275, it will cost you lot less by that time.

raid can be more of a headache then help, also if you want speed then SSD is the way to go, you can upgrade to a good fast, well prices SSD H1 of 2010, raid of 1TB HDD is not gonna be as fast as a OCZ vertex for example.

this build allows you to go Tri sli or dual sli of future GPUs, the extreme 1 best it can do is dual sli 275, you can even do dual sli 285 with it, which means if future GPUs are like 285 you won't be able to sli them.

1000w PSU again for future upgrades.

I went stage 3 cooling cause you asked for liquid cooling. otherwise I would have chosen the Noctua NH-U12P for you.

if you get the extreme 1, no you can't add a TV card to it later, cause if then there won't be room.

the extreme 1 build can't do what my config can do in short.

If extreme 1 had an x58 le mobo and a 1000w PSU then I would say its a better deal but do to lack of upgradability its not better then my config.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Sid67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		  Quote Sid67 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Aug 2009 at 1:29pm
Thanks for the food for thought.  I agree that your system is much more upgradeable.  However, I think you are kind of glossing over the savings on the Extreme 1 deal.  Yeah, the 2nd 275 will cost less in a year, but that is more than offset by the $600+ savings on the Extreme 1. 

The truth is I probably wouldn't end up upgrading all those things in the next couple years anyway.  By the time I am ready to upgrade, advances in technology may make even the x58 LE obsolete.

Ultimately, I decided that the Extreme 1 was too good of a deal to pass up, and ordered one this morning.

Thanks for your input and expertise - I appreciate it and I gave it close consideration even if I didn't opt for your build.
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lock52 View Drop Down
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Posts: 23 		  Quote lock52 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Aug 2009 at 2:45pm
Congrats on your purchase :) The Extreme 1 is an excellent deal.
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DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Aug 2009 at 5:35pm
If you are not going to upgrade then yes it is a great deal, personally I'm a type of person that thinks about a user keeping the PC for 5 years or so, but if you are going to buy a new PC in a couple of years then ya go ahead, but trust me when I say that LE won't be obsolete, sure it will not have some of the new features that come out, but for gaming all you need is that it can run newer GPUs which it will.

anyways its all about you getting what you like and it sounds like you have so congrats with a little luck newer gpus won't have power needs higher then the 275 so you can upgrade to new cards.

however you said you wanted a tv card and such and now you will not have room for it, you did catch that right?

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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Sid67 View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		  Quote Sid67 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 29 Aug 2009 at 10:44pm
Yes, but I decided I could live without it.

Few more questions:

- If I understand it correctly, to network my computers I will need network adapters for both of them and a network cable.  For both of them to have internet access, I will also need a router.  What if I only need one of them connected to the internet - will I still need a router?

 - Is it possible to pass files from my old computer to my new one with just a regular USB cable, or will I need a proper network just for that? 

- Does Vista have tools to help with moving files and aps from my old box (XP) to my new one? 

- Finally, how will the Win7 upgrade work?  That is, will they just send me the software, and will I need to uninstall my aps to do the upgrade?
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DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 30 Aug 2009 at 1:38am
if you connect one PC to the other then you can just connect to the internet for both PCs thru the first PC.

however if the 2 PCs are not going to be connected then yes a router will be needed.

you can use a USB 2.0 Bridge Cable to just connect the 2 PCs and transfer files between them.

win7 you can do an upgrade or do a fresh install, its best you do a fresh install.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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