Looking for feedback on gaming rig configPost Date: 2008-09-15 |
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acs9000 
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Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19 |
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 Topic: Looking for feedback on gaming rig configPosted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:02pm |
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Hi everyone,
After a close call with the Dell XPS series, I've been shopping the boutique builders and am taking a close look at Digital Storm having read all the positive feedback on Reseller Ratings.
I've put together the following spec for a new gaming rig - any thoughts? What would you change, if anything?
Edited by acs9000 - 15 Sep 2008 at 4:03pm |
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Lawdog
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Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 64 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:25pm |
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I would switch to the OCZ RAM as they have been having a higher failure rate with the Corsair RAM lately.
I'd probably only go with 1 DVD drive unless you tend to do a lot of copying and such.
You could also probably get away with vista premium 64bit as opposed to ultimate edition if you need to shave a couple bucks.
If you ever want to consider a second 4870 x2 you'll need the 1000w power supply if you don't think you ever will the 750w is more than enough.
I would bump up to Stage 3 Air cooling at the least. If you do consider OCing the CPU you may want to look at the Frostbite Liquid Cooling CPU only option. If liquid cooling something you don't want to do I thing there are cases better suited to air cooling than the 950si you have currently chosen.
Oh and to get specific builds based on your specifics please post what you plan on using the computer for (may wish to specify genre ie FPS, MMOs, RTS as they all tend to tax different components) and what size monitor you'll be using, and your budget for the build.
Edited by Lawdog - 15 Sep 2008 at 4:30pm |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:36pm |
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I'm just like you, an ex xps owner looking for something I can upgrade and that is more powerful.
can you give me your ticket number? what is your budget? is your resolution gonna be higher then 1680 x 1050? if not then you don't need 2 gpu-s here you go $4039 Edited by DST4ME - 15 Sep 2008 at 4:37pm |
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acs9000
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Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:49pm |
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Lawdog - thanks for the OCZ tip. I'll also take a look at the Stage 3 cooling as well. I'll be using a Dell 2407 WFP as my monitor, which has a max resolution of 1920 x 1200, and I'd be using the rig for RTS, FPS, and MMO, in that order.
Primary games are Company of Heroes, Dawn of War, and Neverwinter Nights 2. Looking to (re)play and Starcraft now that the next versions are finally coming out...someday. And, I'm looking forward to playing Crysis - it would have been a crime to try to play it on my Dell 8400.
As for budget, trying to keep it under $3k - I specced out a similar system on Puget and it came out to nearly $3,400.
 Current ticket number is 183368. |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 4:55pm |
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ok then here you go $3131
besure to ask for the ram fan when you order, I have your monitor 
if I were you, I would upgrade my HDD to a velociraptor that would make the price $3400 or atleast go with digital raptor that would make the price $3253 raise teh warranty to 4 years 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: Asus Rampage Formula (Chipset: Intel X48) (Supports CrossFire) System Memory: 4GB DDR2 OCZ at 1066MHz (SLI-Ready Edition) 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) (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: - No Thanks 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 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 my keyboard comes with a mouse External Storage: - No Thanks Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty Edited by DST4ME - 15 Sep 2008 at 4:59pm |
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Lawdog
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Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 64 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 5:26pm |
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DST has put together a nice build here and the only thing I would mention is that the nVidia cards seem to perform better with Crysis. If Crysis is going to be a major part of your gaming you may want to consider a different mobo/gpu solution otherwise a very solid build. If you need to trim more look at downgrading the ultimate OS to the premiun OS in DST's build for a few bucks and you can also go with the stage 3 air cooling option instead of the liquid cooled but you will lose some ground in your OC doing that.
Edited by Lawdog - 15 Sep 2008 at 5:29pm |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 6:18pm |
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I'm sorry, that should be vista premium not ultimate, thanks for that catch LD.
I also like to point out that I too have heard that nvidia does better with crysis then ATI as LD said
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acs9000
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Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 7:48pm |
Thanks guys. LD - which case(s) would you suggest to improve airflow? The Cooler Master HAF 32?
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 7:55pm |
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Cool master has best of both worlds so you can't go wrong and it has more vents then the 850si
I highly recommend liquid cooling, it much more cooler, quite, faster and stable Edited by DST4ME - 15 Sep 2008 at 8:44pm |
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Lawdog
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Posted: 15 Sep 2008 at 8:03pm |
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If you don't want to go with liquid cooling I would probably suggest either the Cooler Master HAF 932 or the 850Si. Both are exceptional air cooling cases and after that it's just a matter of what you like and price you want to pay.
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acs9000
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 9:20am |
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It's really that I've never worked with liquid cooling before, so I'm a bit leery of it. What kind of maintenance do liquid cooling solutions need? What have people's experiences been with DS's Frostbite solution?
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 1:59pm |
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there is basically no maintenance, you may want to check your liquid level every month or two.
if you go with haf case this how how you add the liquid: 
check out the first pic on top left
other then that you may want to clean/flush your liquid every 5 years. Don't forget you got life time support from DS, so any problems you have you can call them or post here and either way you will get help/walk thru Edited by DST4ME - 16 Sep 2008 at 2:13pm |
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acs9000
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 3:34pm |
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Wow - looks pretty darned straight-forward - thanks DST! BTW - I just noticed that the configurator doesn't have the Rampage Formula as a mobo choice anymore. Instead, it's got either the P5Q3 Deluxe (P45) or the P5E3 Premium (x48) as the Crossfire mobo choices. Is it worth seeing if the Rampage Formula is still available?
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Lawdog
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Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 64 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 3:41pm |
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It's still there just don't pick the gaming dominator or the benchmark crusher as you starting system to configure. Those motherboards are the DDR3 mobos while the Rampage is DDR2.
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 4:17pm |
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All you need to do is go to my other post that has the config, the link for the setup is there, just click on that and the setup is right there
your ticket number is 183417 Edited by DST4ME - 16 Sep 2008 at 4:19pm |
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Axel Daemon
Senior Member 
Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 623 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 5:14pm |
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"The Beginners Watercooling FAQ."
This helped me out alot in terms of food for thought when it came to about water cooling heh. |
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"People believe in people who believe in others."
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 5:22pm |
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Axel Daemon
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Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 623 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 5:25pm |
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Oooh thanks! -ignores the possibility you did that to hurt my ego- (Though that's a joke too lol)
Edited by Axel Daemon - 16 Sep 2008 at 5:35pm |
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"People believe in people who believe in others."
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 5:44pm |
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No not at all, you guide is great too, I just like the details in this one, but yours is great also
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widdlecat
DS Veteran 
Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 840 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 7:15pm |
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Bah, I still prefer the solid aluminum beefiness that is the 950Si (silverstone TJ09).
It's a case that will last and has a classic beauty that won't go out of style. I agree with the liquid cooling though! heheh |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 16 Sep 2008 at 7:19pm |
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LOL I was not aware that the HAF was going to disintegrate faster then the 950
  Edited by DST4ME - 16 Sep 2008 at 7:20pm |
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acs9000
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Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19 |
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Posted: 17 Sep 2008 at 5:53pm |
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Ok... almost there. I've got two configs that seem about right - the first is 183924 for $3,664, the second is 184071 for $3,570:
183924 Gaming Dominator ($3,664)
Specifications:
184071 Benchmark Crusher ($3,570)
Specifications:
The only difference I can see between the 2 configs is that the first uses the Rampage Formula mobo with DDR2 memory, and the second uses the P5E3 Premium WiFi-AP@n mobo and DDR3 memory, and the config with the DDR3 memory is $94 cheaper. So my question is this - which is the better config given that I'll probably not tweak the system after DS does once it's delivered? My guess is that it's the DDR3 system with the P5E3 Premium mobo given that overclock3d.net called it a Maximus killer even though it's not technically a gaming mobo per Asus - but, this, shall we say, is not my area of expertise... Edited by acs9000 - 17 Sep 2008 at 5:55pm |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 17 Sep 2008 at 6:15pm |
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ddr3 should get you higher oc speeds then ddr2, other then that its not much.
your ddr2 setup has a lightscribe as one of the dvd-s where the ddr3 does not. I would go 790i if you are gonna spend that much money. |
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acs9000
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Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 19 |
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Posted: 17 Sep 2008 at 7:08pm |
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Ok, so that would bring it to $3,502
But why the 790i? I thought the 4870x2 is faster than the GTX 280, and it supports DirectX 10.1.
Edited by acs9000 - 17 Sep 2008 at 7:19pm |
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DST4ME
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Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758 |
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Posted: 17 Sep 2008 at 7:32pm |
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If you play crisis nvidia is better, if not then go for it
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