Looking to cut the cost of my new rig

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   Hi guys i came across DSO through a friend and decided to build a new rig here. I've decided to spend somewhere around $4000-$4500 i'm going to be using this computer mostly for gaming i play a variety of games such as COD4, Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Starcraft 2, and GTA4 among others. I'm looking for a rig that i can keep playing graphically taxing games on in the future without too much modding. In addition to gaming i need to do the basic work using MS office and i do some video editing when the bug hits. My first config came up as follows:

Chassis Model: Digital Storm 950Si
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 940 2.93GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage II Extreme (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) 
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1866MHz OCZ Platinum Edition (Extreme-Performance) 
Power Supply: 1200W Thermaltake (Triple and Quad SLI Compatible) (Toughpower Edition) 
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed) 
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) 
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x)
Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB) (Includes PhysX Technology) 
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: Razer Barracuda AC-1 (Recommended) 
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU 
Liquid Color:UV Blue: Glowing Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting) 
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans 
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
Enhancements: NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA) System (Install, Test, Optimize Computer) 
Chassis Mods: - 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)
Virus Protection: McAfee Internet Security (Includes: AntiVirus, FireWall and AntiSpyware) 
Office: Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student (Word Excel PowerPoint OneNote) 
Benchmarking: 3D Mark Vantage Advanced Edition (By: Futuremark) (Pre-Install) (Vista Compatible Only) 
Install/Test Game: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard 
Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade) 
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty

Ticket Numer:221127

I'll be running this new comp with a 22" widescreen i have lying around and i'm in need of a new keyboard and mouse. This rig will run about $700 over budget and i'd like to keep the GPUs and don't want to cause a bottleneck by downgrading the CPU or RAM too much. I'll try to explain my madness now, i tried to get more bang for my buck by holding out on the extreme edition CPUs and instead get CPU cooling and overclock it. I got the 1200W PWS and the Mobo for future upgrading possibilities. 

P.S. sorry for the ridiculously long post

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ocwoot Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Quote Reply Topic: Looking to cut the cost of my new rig Posted: 27 Dec 2008 at 11:37pm
	Hi guys i came across DSO through a friend and decided to build a new rig here. I've decided to spend somewhere around $4000-$4500 i'm going to be using this computer mostly for gaming i play a variety of games such as COD4, Crysis, Crysis Warhead, Starcraft 2, and GTA4 among others. I'm looking for a rig that i can keep playing graphically taxing games on in the future without too much modding. In addition to gaming i need to do the basic work using MS office and i do some video editing when the bug hits. My first config came up as follows: Chassis Model: Digital Storm 950Si Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 940 2.93GHz (Quad Core) Motherboard: ASUS Rampage II Extreme (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1866MHz OCZ Platinum Edition (Extreme-Performance) Power Supply: 1200W Thermaltake (Triple and Quad SLI Compatible) (Toughpower Edition) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1.5TB Seagate Barracuda (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 16x / CD Reader 40x) Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB) (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: Razer Barracuda AC-1 (Recommended) Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU Liquid Color:UV Blue: Glowing Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting) Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue) Enhancements: NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA) System (Install, Test, Optimize Computer) Chassis Mods: - 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) Virus Protection: McAfee Internet Security (Includes: AntiVirus, FireWall and AntiSpyware) Office: Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student (Word Excel PowerPoint OneNote) Benchmarking: 3D Mark Vantage Advanced Edition (By: Futuremark) (Pre-Install) (Vista Compatible Only) Install/Test Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade) External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks Priority Build: - No Thanks Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty Ticket Numer:221127 I'll be running this new comp with a 22" widescreen i have lying around and i'm in need of a new keyboard and mouse. This rig will run about $700 over budget and i'd like to keep the GPUs and don't want to cause a bottleneck by downgrading the CPU or RAM too much. I'll try to explain my madness now, i tried to get more bang for my buck by holding out on the extreme edition CPUs and instead get CPU cooling and overclock it. I got the 1200W PWS and the Mobo for future upgrading possibilities. P.S. sorry for the ridiculously long post

Mezzeron Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 212	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 12:21am
	Well, to save you a few bucks, here are my suggestions... Ditch the 280's and get the 260 core 216 +, they are ALMOST as good, and since you will be gaming on a 22' monitor, the difference will be almost nil. Saves you $300 Get the 1600 RAM and have it overclocked..honestly not a ton of difference. Saves $90 Get the i7 920...the OC numbers on those are unbeliveable. A friend of mine has a little over 4.0...completely stable..on air. (uses thermalrite ultra 120 extreme). The CM V8 is considered just as good, if not better in almost all review you can google. SO air and i7 920 will save you $500 Can't fault you for picking a great PSU, BUT, even with the new GPU's coming out, the 1000 Corsair will be all you need. The 12V rail on that thing is monsterous! Saves you around $80 Add it up, thats almost 1k in savings, hell, even put back the gtx 280, and you still save 700. Also, you can go to newegg or tigerdirect and get cheaper peripherals like KB and mouse, monitir..etc Edited by Mezzeron - 28 Dec 2008 at 12:23am

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 12:28am
	you can't run 1866 ram with the 940 or 920 they most they support is 1333. I left your razor in there but do you know that the rampage comes with its own sound card? here you go Ticket# 221141 --- Price: $3925 (To see this build click here) 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: ASUS Rampage II Extreme (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair XMS3 Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) Card Reader: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA) Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition) Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260+ 896MB (216 Streams) (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: Razer Barracuda AC-1 (Recommended) Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 3: High-Performance Liquid Chilled FrostBite System For CPU Liquid Color:UV Blue: Glowing Non-conductive High-Performance Fluid (Requires H20: Stage 3 & UV Lighting) Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue) Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - 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) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student (Word Excel PowerPoint OneNote) Benchmarking: 3D Mark Vantage Advanced Edition (By: Futuremark) (Pre-Install) (Vista Compatible Only) Install/Test Game: - No Thanks LCD Display: - No Thanks Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: Razer Tarantula Gaming Keyboard Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse (High-Speed Gaming Grade) External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: - No Thanks Priority Build: - No Thanks Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty Edited by DST4ME - 28 Dec 2008 at 12:31am
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

ocwoot Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 11:29am
	Cool those are some good suggestions i honestly thought only the 920 didn't support 1866 RAM i apparently was wrong. I'll look into the overclock results with the 920 processor. If i keep it on liquid and overclock it will it dramatically shorten it's life? Because if mazzeron's friend is getting over 4.0 with air i can imagine pushing it farther with liquid could cause some issues down the road. DST4ME: you chose to dump the better fanning, if i end up adding an extra GPU or overclocking other components will that cause a heat issue with only the stock fans? Also should i splurge on a 6gb 1600mhz RAM or just stick to the 1333mhz? And if i do stick to the 1333mhz would you recommend i overclock it?

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 1:02pm
	if you want to go with stage 2 air cooling we have seen 3.8Ghz with that, and a bit of room possibly. both 920 and 940 support up to only 1333MHz, so you going with 1600MHz is a waste of your money. the HAF stock comes with all the fans, when you choose to upgrade the case fans, all they do is take the big fans and replace them with smaller ones, the big fan for the HDDs will be replaced with one small one, and the big fan on the side will be replaced with 2 smaller ones. I rather save my money and go with the fans the case comes with. the GPUs come with fans themselves and its their own fan that will do most of the cooling. no need to OC the 1333MHz again the CPU supports only up to 1333MHz. the system I have configed for you is a killer, it will handle what ever you throw at it.
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

ocwoot Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 1:22pm
	oh i see thanx for your help

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2008 at 1:25pm
	NP, my pleasure
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

Looking to cut the cost of my new rig

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