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Need Some Help from my DS Brethren

Post Date: 2010-04-30
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astro_lander View Drop Down
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Joined: 30 Apr 2010
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Posts: 5 		  Quote astro_lander Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Need Some Help from my DS Brethren
    Posted: 30 Apr 2010 at 10:21pm
I am close to ordering a new DS PC but would like to get everyone's opinion first. My budget is under $2000, however I'd prefer my needs to dictate the system rather than the price. My gaming resolution will be 1920x1200.

I play strategy/simulation games exclusively for my PC gaming (think Tropico, Dawn of Discovery, upcoming Civ 5, etc.). Because these games aren't as intensive as other fast paced shooters, I'm thinking a Radeon 5850 should do well enough. I've selected a higher PSU in case there comes a point in the future where I want to drop in a second 5850. What does everyone think? Thanks in advance.


Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Ironclad
Exterior Finish: - Not Available
Trim Accents: - Not Available
Processor: Intel Core i7 860 2.80GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA P55 SLI (Intel P55 Chipset)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - Not Available
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - Not Available
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 22x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: Standard Factory Heat-sink and Fan
H20 Tube Color:- Not Available
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Enhancements: - Not Available
Chassis Mods: - Not Available
Noise Reduction: - Not Available
Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)
Boost Video Card: - Not Available
Boost Memory: - Not Available
Boost OS: - Not Available
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - Not Available
Office: - Not Available
Benchmarking: - Not Available
Install/Test Game: - Not Available
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 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
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Cretae View Drop Down
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:12pm
Okay,I'll give it a try. First off you need to go i7 920. The 860 is a dead end platform. 920 you get better chip, better mobo, better ram, upgradability.
 
Try this...
Ticket Number: 403000
Total Price with Instant Savings: $1,990.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=403000

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Ironclad
Exterior Finish: - Not Available
Trim Accents: - Not Available
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 Performance Series  (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - Not Available
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: - Not Available
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 22x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: 1x ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Noctua Dual 120mm Fans High Performance Cooler (Compatible With ONLY i7 Processors)
H20 Tube Color:- Not Available
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Blue)
Enhancements: - Not Available
Chassis Mods: - Not Available
Noise Reduction: - Not Available
Boost Processor: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)
Boost Video Card: - Not Available
Boost Memory: - Not Available
Boost OS: - Not Available
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Virus Protection: - Not Available
Office: - Not Available
Benchmarking: - Not Available
Install/Test Game: FREE: Please include a free copy of a hot-selling game
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Medium)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
Just made the budget! 920 same chip as 930, may even be better overclocker.
Stay with Corsair for best reliability.
I agree with your reasoning on the video card, plus it brings us in on budget.
The Noctua is essential for the overclock. Great cooling. Gotta have it.
I plugged in blue lighting. It used to be the default. Default on the Ironclad is white
(?) wonder how that looks. I have blue and it looks great. None is fine, if you want, but it's free.
Win 7 Pro allows you to run XP mode so you can run apps and games that will not be upgraded for Win 7. DS's price on this ($16) is a no-brainer. Thanks DS!
Dude, no T-shirt? You missed it, right? I mean it's free and it's DS. What's your size? 
 
Hope this helps.
 
Coolermaster Storm Sniper
Intel Core i7 930 3.8GHz OC
EVGA X58 LE
6GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram
750W Corsair
1TB HDD
1x ATI RadeonHD 5870 1GB
Noctua Dual 120mm
I can make my mind think... anything....
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astro_lander View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		  Quote astro_lander Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:29pm
Much appreciated broheim!

Yes, I forgot about the T-shirt; I'll add that in. A few questions for you:

1) Will overclocking the CPU result in an appreciable performance boost? I guess I'm trying to balance power with reliability.

2) If I were to drop in a second 5850 down the road, does it need to be from the same company? Or can it be any 5850? I see several makers on newegg and I don't fully understand the differences.

3) If I do do the overclocking, will that cooling upgrade be sufficient? I worry about things getting a little too warm.

Thanks again for the help.
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justin.kerr View Drop Down
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Posts: 5084 		  Quote justin.kerr Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:37pm
CPU overclock will increase overall performance a lot.
yes you can add a 2nd 5850 down the road, does not matter what company you get, and that power supply will handle 2 5850's, just wish they would offer the HX 750, more power, better warranty, more efficient...
CPU cooler is good for this build
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Cretae View Drop Down
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Posts: 7331 		  Quote Cretae Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:46pm
My pleasure.
 
1) Yes. These chips are very overclockable, very stable. These guys are experts. The warranty covers you for 3 yrs.
 
2) No. In fact, I have read that you may even mix and match 5800 series cards in Crossfire. IE you can drop in a 5870.  Don't know how that would perform. You might want to research that to be sure.  I think the power supply could handle it.
 
3)That Noctua is all you need. I got a 3.8 OC, and that cooler. No worries. Evil%20Smile
Coolermaster Storm Sniper
Intel Core i7 930 3.8GHz OC
EVGA X58 LE
6GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram
750W Corsair
1TB HDD
1x ATI RadeonHD 5870 1GB
Noctua Dual 120mm
I can make my mind think... anything....
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astro_lander View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		  Quote astro_lander Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:49pm
Thank you Justin for the reply.

Another quick question;

I don't use any programs that I'd imagine would be terribly memory intensive (e.g. no CAD, photoshop etc.). Given the current build, do you think I could reasonably go down to 3GB RAM with little notice in performance? I'm trying to minimize cost and I would like to refrain from excess if I'm not going to be taking advantage of it.

I could always add in another 1GB stick in a couple months if that 4GB 'sweet spot' is necessary.
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justin.kerr View Drop Down
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Posts: 5084 		  Quote justin.kerr Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 3:55pm
I would not down grade to 3Gb.
2 reasons. one every slot of RAM you fill will add latancy.
the other reason is, more slots used add more stress to the IMC on the CPU, so you might have to re-do the overclock, and also will add more stress and heat.
4Gb is far from the sweet spot. lol Ouch
 
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astro_lander View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		  Quote astro_lander Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 May 2010 at 4:20pm
Thank you Justin and Cretae, you two have been very helpful.
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