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New System Config . .. again

Post Date: 2007-09-20
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Donut View Drop Down
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: New System Config . .. again
    Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 4:21am
(Edited for new config)

So I registered here a long time ago, and posted quite a bit for awhile, but got consumed by other things and never wound up buying a computer from you guys. Anyway, if all goes well, I probably will soon, and had to re-make my set up, so I'm not sure if its what I wanted or not. Here it is:

Case: Digital Storm Twister ULTRA (Black Anodized Aluminum Finish)
Power Supply: 850W Thermaltake (8800 GTX SLI Compatible) (Silent Toughpower Edition)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad (TwisterBoost Enhanced) QX6800 Extreme 3.33GHz (1333MHz FSB)
Motherboard: nVidia 680i Core 2 Quad (By: eVGA) (nForce 680i SLI) (A1 Revision)
Memory: 4GB DDR2 Corsair at 1066MHz Dominator (Dual Channel) (Extreme-Performance)
Floppy / Media: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 500GB (Western Digital / Seagate) (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Hard Drive 2: - No Thanks
Raid Option: - 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)
Network Card: D-Link Wireless-G 108Mbps (Supports 802.11g/b)
Modem: - No Thanks
Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (nVidia GeForce 8800ULTRA 768MB (By: eVGA / Asus) (PCI-Express)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Motherboard Multi-Channel High Definition Audio (7.1 Channel)
Physics Card: - No Thanks

Cooling: Air Cooled Stage 3 (Silent Artic Cooling (TwisterBoost Overclocked)  (perhaps stage 2?)

Case Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Round Cables: Enhanced Interior Air Flow (Optical Drive & Floppy Cables (Blue Edition)
User Manual: Personalized Platinum Digital Storm Binder (Includes Paperwork/Benchmarks/CDs/Manuals)
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)

What do you think?

Edited by Donut - 20 Sep 2007 at 7:12pm
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Bill the Cat View Drop Down
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Posts: 1150 		  Quote Bill the Cat Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 10:05am
Hey Donut,
 
Man, wouldn't want to meet this system in a dark ally....
 
Although it's a significant bump ($195), consider an ULTRA or an EXTREME case. Two 8800 Ultras are going to be a little tight and sweaty in the PRO. I started my config with a PRO and was persuaded by DSO to change. My system is a pussycat compared to this.
 
I don't know if 750W is enough for this bad boy. 850W would definately be better.
 
With a 32-bit OS, the ULTRAs are going to consume 1.5 Gig of the 4 Gig maximum memory space, leaving only 2.5 Gig at most for system RAM. So, you should probably drop back from 4 Gig to 2 Gig of DDR. Put that $ in the case or the PSU. Unless, of course, you're thinking of going to 64-bit Vista ....
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Posts: 230 		  Quote thecomplex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 10:19am
Wow - thats a monstrosity.

I second the switch to an ULTRA case - plus, it looks so badass.
Also, Bill is right - if you want your system to address all 4GB of RAM, switch to a 64-bit OS, like Vista Home Premium 64.

QX6800 - cooool...

Chris
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Posts: 78 		  Quote tummy Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 10:31am
The ULTRA uses 175W maximum, 350W maximum for your video cards.  That leaves you with 400W for the rest of the system... I think that is plenty..
 
Def switch to 64 bit os to get your memory, other wise you will only show less than 2.5GB.. so it would be a waste..  Vista Home Premium 64 Bit... If you have the money def go with the Ultra case.. Its kool, but if your like me, I dont care too much about how the case looks, as long as its functional...
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 1:32pm
Thanks for the great feedback you guys. But I'm now wondering about the things you mentioned, as it seems you posted differing opinions. I switched to the 64-bit Vista, and kept the memory the same. However, should I really switch to 850W for the power supply and also to the more expensive case? Would it really make that much of a difference? 
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Posts: 1150 		  Quote Bill the Cat Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 1:43pm

I'd say yes to the case and PSU, but now's the time to get let the professionals make the final recommendation.
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Posts: 172 		  Quote Sikboy1029 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 2:44pm
I thought 32 bit vista could address up to 4GB of RAM, correct me if I'm wrong
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Posts: 1150 		  Quote Bill the Cat Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 3:20pm
All 32-bit OSs have a 4 Gigabyte address space. 2^32 = 4 Gig. That address space is shared by all the devices in the computer including System RAM and Video RAM. Donut's pair of ULTRAs have 1.5 Gig of video RAM, leaving at most 2.5 Gig for system RAM.
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  Quote commast Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 5:21pm
With the amount you plan to spend on your system, you may want to think about using a sound blaster X-Fi for your system. The built-in audio uses a Realtek chip which is not a very good chip. As far as RAM, Vista can see 4GB but can only use 3.12 according to Microsoft. The more devices you have especially Video card with lot of RAM, the amount of RAM that Vista can use is less. Vista 64 bit can use the 4GB of RAM but you will have a hard time finding drivers for a 64bit OS and frankly,imo, home users shouldn't even need the 64bit. 2GB of RAM in Vista premium is plenty.
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 7:08pm
So I should only go 2 gig then? Hmm.


Edited by Donut - 20 Sep 2007 at 7:09pm
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 7:41pm
you should stick to a 32 bit os, soundblaster fatal1ty, 2GB of 1066 (or 1250 if you just want to blow money, remember kids, the goal here is faster ram, not more ram) and stick with the ultra case!
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 20 Sep 2007 at 10:48pm
Haha, no, I certainly don't want to blow any money away. Thanks for the advice everyone.
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:15am
Anyone else have anything else to add before I make a purchase? I really would like to be %100 sure :P
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Posts: 1826 		  Quote EdH63 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:24am
Originally posted by Donut

Anyone else have anything else to add before I make a purchase? I really would like to be %100 sure :P


Always be sure to wear clean underwear on a date.  You never know when it'll come in handy.

We'll you asked.Thumbs%20Up
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:35am
well...
 
Since you ask.
 
One of the things I am considering myself right now, is whether or not I want two hard drives instead of one. I'm considering putting in an 80GB hard drive for the OS and a larger HDD for games/storage. I was pretty set on a 250GB HDD, but 160GB is really more than I need, so the 80+160 would work, at least for me.
 
I don't know how much validity there is to it, but I remember reading somewhere that in a perfect world, your operating system has it's own hard drive. I think something was mentioned about increased performace.
 
 After thinking about it, I am looking forward at the anual re-installs of Windows, and thinking that's not such a bad idea, even if it doesn't have all that much or any impact on performance.
 
As for the rest of it, how you set up a system is pretty personal. That config looks killer for gaming.
 
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 2:27am
Mods? Anything else to add?
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 3:13am
Looks good, going with two hard drives (one for your OS, and then for your DATA and Games) will speed things up. That is actually a very good idea, especially if you like to do fresh re-installs frequently.
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 10:04am
well
I would go with a 150 raptor for your OS and main programs/games (main being programs you use on a daily/hourly basis) and a 250-500 GB for storage and other stuff.
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:24pm
Good idea.

Would liquid chilling increase performance or just make it cooler? Its kind of a price bump.


Edited by Donut - 21 Sep 2007 at 1:27pm
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Kelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:29pm
Liquid Cooling offers a marginal increase in overclockability.. but it's more for aesthetics in my opinion.  It's not any quieter than the fans we use due to the fact that it does have a pump that thrusts the coolant and an accellerated speed.  There is no way to quiet that down. 
As far as cooling... it does what it's supposed to do.  But again, unless you're going to take this to LAN party's, enter it into competitions, stick with the air cooling.
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Donut View Drop Down
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:45pm
Oh ok, yeah, no I'm not interested in LAN parties.

As for the processor, I decided to switch to the Qx6850. Is there any way it could be overclocked or would I have to try and do it myself?
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Kelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 1:53pm
of course we can oc it.  I just wouldn't recommend it.  That is already the fastest qx chip.  no real need to OC it, ya know?  But we can definitely do it if you get the stage 3 cooling
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Posts: 77 		  Quote Donut Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Sep 2007 at 2:18pm
Oh, ok. No oc then. Smile
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