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Potential PC Config

Post Date: 2008-01-06
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BagOfBones View Drop Down
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Posts: 12 		  Quote BagOfBones Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Potential PC Config
    Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 8:09am
I have been a long time lurker here in the DSO forums and am finally in the position to purchase a new system in the next week or two, but before I do I was wondering if I could get some feedback, since many of you show great insight and experience.

I guess I should first explain that the computer would be primarily used for gaming, mostly MMO's and FPS's, with some RTS's thrown in.  Second, I guess I should say, I really do not want to spend more than about $2800 to 2900, including tax and shipping.

So here goes:

Case -- Digital Storm Twister ULTRA or EXTREME

Power -- 1000W Silverstone Strider

Processor -- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz

Motherboard -- nVidia 680i Core 2 Quad (A1 Revision)

Memory -- 4GB DDR2 Corsair at 800MHz Dominator

Hard Drive -- 500GB Western Digital

Video -- 2 x nVidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB

Sound -- Onboard

Cooling -- Air Cooled Stage 2

Wiring -- Enhance Air Flow

Overclock processor = yes

OS = Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium



Here are a few questions...

1) Any substantial difference in air cooling ability between the ULTRA case and the EXTREME case?  Also, are extra fans available for each case, in order to boost air flow and how many for each?

2) Any suggestions on how to eke out more performance for the price point that I am looking at?

3) I will be purchasing a new display for this system as well, most likely a 22 inch or 24 inch LCD.  Any suggestions on good models or preference in terms of which size would be a better fit for this system?

4) Is the Dominator memory necessary in this system, since I will not be overclocking the RAM or would XMS2 suffice?  If changed would this adversely affect cooling in the system?

5) I tend not to use a lot of hard drive space, for example on my current system I have used less than 40% of my current 160GB drive.  Would it be more cost efficient for me to lower the drive space or even tweak the config to a lower capacity Raptor drive?

6) And yes the dreaded question...any reason not to go with the 64 bit version of Vista as opposed to the 32 bit?


Thanks in advance for all the feedback.
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 9:17am
*DISCLAIMER*
ok im going to see how much ive learned from sky/tyler :) I've been doing tons of my own research and picking their brains to build my system.  Make sure they approve any big changes i have before you do them
 
Go with the ultra case, you dont need a PSU of that size, try 620/750w
 
If your mainly shooting for gaming power, you may consider the 6850 over the 6600. the 6600 is geared heavily for multi tasking while the 6850 would provide quicker responses and better top end gaming performance.
 
Personally, I'd got for the ASUS mobo, nvidia should stick to video cards.(especailly if you take my advice on no SLI, but if you stay SLI then you will have to keep this choice)
 
If you were to stick to your choice of the 6600, 4gb @ 800 would be a bit overkill, with 4 cores the speed of the ram would have to be significantly underclocked to match the FSB, so even going to 667 you would have to underclock that choice. If you were to go to the 6850, 2gb DDR 1066 would be a good choice to OC.
 
If you barely use HD space, 500 gb would be a complete waste, stick with 320 or even less and use the money elsewhere.
SLI of 2 gt 512s sounds a lot cooler than it is, for the money, getting an ULTRA would give you higher benchmarks anways, and judging by the games you listed, unless you are a benchmark enthusiast, a single ULTRA should leave you more than satisfied.
Personally I'd agree with onboard sound, but you'll hear plenty say they found the $30 very much worth it.
Advanced wiring isnt needed, DSO does their job too good already for it to make a significant difference; and AIR 2 cooling should probably be fine.

As far as 64 bit windows, it says for enthusiasts for a reason, the compatibility is going to be an issue not to mention the extra hassle for not much difference, I mean think back, there are similar versions difference for XP and everyone stays with the lower more practical one.
 
Your system:
$2630
 
My suggestion:
$2584
 
While the price may not look that different on the surface, i believe you will see a very significant power increase with the changes made. Again, look for sky and tyler to see how they think i did.
 
1) The stock cooling in the ultra should more than satisfy the system with a few of my ammendments

2) see above link

3) Acer

4) See above

5) ^

6) ^


Edited by !ender_ - 06 Jan 2008 at 9:30am
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 2:00pm
1. The Extreme case comes with one exhaust and one intake fan. You can add an additional 3 120mm fans.

The Ultra case comes with one exhaust and one intake fan. You can add an additional 3 120mm and 4 140mm fans.

2. Get XMS2 ram and lower the PSU.

3. 24" would better suit this setup.

4. XMS2 would work. RAM is usually cool to the touch so it won't affect cooling.

5. To save money, yes get a smaller HDD. There's no reason to get a 500gb hdd if you only use ~64gb

6. With this set up, a 32 bit operating system will only see a total of 3gb of ram. A 64 bit os will be able to see 4gb of ram.
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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BagOfBones View Drop Down
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Posts: 12 		  Quote BagOfBones Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 3:52pm
@!ender --

Thank you for the advice.  I will definitely look at lowering the PSU a bit, considering the feedback.  And I appreciate the insight RE: SLI and whatnot.


@skyR --

So, of the two case choices which would you recommend more, the Extreme or the Ultra for the set up I am looking at? 

Also, you also mentioned lowering the PSU, would you recommend the 620 or the 750, keeping in mind that I do want to have some degree upgradeability in the future?
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 4:30pm
I prefer the Ultra case as it is almost completely opened and it looks very sexy =d

If you are just planning to upgrade GPUs, CPU, and add maybe add another HDD. The 620w is enough.
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Tyler Lowe View Drop Down
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Posts: 0 		  Quote Tyler Lowe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 06 Jan 2008 at 5:26pm
1. The most important fan locations for air cooling as far as general case temps go are the back and front of a case. Both the Ultra and the Extreme have mounts available in these two places for fans. Either will be fine. The Ultra has a slight edge over the Extreme in terms of cooling, but either of these cases is an outstanding choice. I would probably simply select the case that's more visually appealing, they're that close. Both cases come with a default of 2 fans : one intake, one rear exhaust. If you want more, be sure to specify that (and I would add at least a top exhaust).
 
2. You do not need more than the 620W PSU unless you plan on throwing two of those new X2 GPU's into the system for SLi down the road. You can just as easily get by with XMS RAM.
 
3. If you're determined on going SLi, you might as well spring for the 24" monitor. Less than that and you've overpaid for your GPU's IMO.
 
4. You can pick up a RAM cooler for ~$20. They do help direct air into the motherboard, so I wouldn't call them without use. The Corsair RAM cooler will work with any standard sized RAM. You don't need to go with Dominator memory to make use of it.
 
5. Go with a smaller HDD if you won't use a big one. Pretty much a no brainer there Tongue. You can go with a 150GB Raptor and get better performance overall, or a pair of inexpensive 7200RPM drives in RAID 0 to gain most of the performance boost of a high RPM HDD at a lower price. Two 160GB HDD's in RAID 0 would be $116 and will give you 320GB of storage. A single 150GB Raptor is $216.
 
6. If we're talking Vista, no reason at all. Some peripherals may not like the 64 bit OS, so you might have to replace a printer, but other than that, Vista 64 doesn't seem to be giving anyone any more problems than Vista 32 bit. You will require a 64 bit OS to make use of 4GB of RAM in any case. I would personally avoid XP 64 bit like the plague.
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