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Setup Review

Post Date: 2008-06-24
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Nickdapimp View Drop Down
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Posts: 324 		  Quote Nickdapimp Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Setup Review
    Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 7:10am
Well before I start I wanna just say its my first time ordering a gaming computer. And first time with DigitalStorm. I'm a "hardcore gamer". Games I play are mainly MMORPG and FPS but thats very limited to these two because of my past computers which have been low cost macs. Age of Conan, Crysis, Counter Strike: Source, and World of Warcraft are some of the example of games I wanna play. I got a DSL 10 mbps internet connection at home. Also I want to be able to upgrade my system in the future by my own so I want SLI enabled stuff because I might do SLI later on. Well here are the stats

Cost: $3487


Specifications:
Chassis: Cool Master Cosmos S Edition (I want a case that can look cool, very cool with see through side panels so I guess this is the one?)
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 750W Corsair HX (Dual SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition) (Dunno about this one, is 750W to much or what should I get?)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz (1333MHz FSB) (12MB Cache) (Is Quad Core better than Dual Core for gaming? Which one should I get)
Motherboard: NVIDIA 780i Core 2 Quad (Chipset: nForce 780i SLI)
System Memory: 4GB DDR2 OCZ at 1066MHz (SLI-Ready Edition)
Card Reader: - Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black)
Hard Drive 1: 750GB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed) (Now here is the thing, I got 3 other computers, one for media so I won't download movie torrents on here, this computer will be strictly for gaming so do I need this much space? Age of Conan alone takes 36GB atm and I will download LOTS of games maybe 10-20?)
Hard Drive 2: - No Thanks
Raid Option: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-ROM/CD-ROM (DVD Reader 20x / CD Reader 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800GX2 1GB
TV Tuner: - Pinnacle PCTV HD Card (No idea what this does but seems cool)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio (I'm going to buy a BIG stereo system so can this handle it?)
Extreme Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite CPU Only (Artic Blue Liquid) (I want silent AND cool looking cooling)
Internal Lighting: - Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes) (Once again, want to look COOL gaming rig)
Modifications: - NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (No idea what this does so please help but seems needed for performance or looks)
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Memory: Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: - Yes, Disable and tweak all the non-crucial services on the operating system (I've had BAD experience with Vista so dunno what this does but if it helps I want it...)
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (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
External Storage: - No Thanks
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty



Now the price is a bit high but as much lower as can go is better, spending limit is a DUNNO atm. I'm a mid-hardcore gamer. I just want this system to look cool while performing good, I can ALWAYS buy parts later on to add so no need to RUSH things. I got XP Home edition 32 bit at home but I heard Vista 64 bit is better and has DX10...

please help
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!ender_ View Drop Down
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Posts: 4219 		  Quote !ender_ Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 8:50am
first id suggest you read over this
 
the SLI later idea sort of died a long time ago. new cards are coming out and dropping in price so fast that getting a second, identical card in several months would be a flat waste of money, you would be MUCH better off stepping up to the next gen GPU.
 
All forms of vista have DX10+, vista 64 simply allows you to have more than 2gigs of ram.
 
As far as the HDD space, i would have said you dont need that much last month, but it seems like games are going to get exponentially bigger in the future, so id stick with at least 500gb
 
im not sure whos pocket is taking the hit on this but im going to assume that it isnt yours since you selected a couple things that you dont know what they are, i suggest you either call DSO and ask or google something before you spend 100 bucks on it
 
if you dont know anything about overclocking, obviously the options are nice, but you would get more of a benefit saving the money there and getting one of the newer gtx graphics cards.
 
id suggest something along these lines
 
 
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 12:13pm
You don't need 750GB for a gaming PC unless you are a fraps whore. I'd stick to 320GB personally.

You don't need a card reader or a tv tuner for a gaming rig.

I wouldn't recommend the 9800GX2 either as I think there are a lot better cards available to pick from such as the 9800GTX, GTX 260, GTX 280, and HD4850.
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: 24 Jun 2008 at 12:36pm

I like !ender's suggested configuration, but would opt for a 1KW power supply if you intend to upgrade to SLI later, probably the Corsair 1000HX, as it is modular, and a superb PSU. SLI GTX280 will draw upwards of 600W in a high end gaming rig. Running your PSU lower in it's operation range will extend the life of the PSU, and will tend to result in cleaner power, which is good for everything in the system. A 750W PSU will do the job, and will do it well for one card.
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Maestro View Drop Down
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Posts: 56 		  Quote Maestro Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 2:41pm
I suggest dropping the TV tuner ( You don't need it ), changing from Quad2.66ghz to Dual3.16ghz ( Games won't utilize two of the cores in a Quad ), upping from 750w to 1000w Corsair, changing from a 9800GX2 to a GTX280 or GTX260, dropping the 750gb to 500gb ( Unless you really need it or want the "speed." ), and getting a better sound card.
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Kliebor2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 659 		  Quote Kliebor2 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 3:08pm
Besides, drive space is cheap and easy to add. Even a relative newbie to tweaking stuff inside a PC case can install a second hard drive to add storage at a later date.

As to the rest, yes ditch the tv tuner, the services activated in vista when you have a tv tuner can cause issues, even network latency if your internet connection is not good as you can not change the schedule or stop the downloads once they start, all you can do is wait while vista updates the tv listings for your area :)
Digital Storm 950Si - Q9450 Quad Core @ 3 Ghz
Dual PNY OC2 GTX 560Ti
8 Gigabytes DDR2/800
2 Western Digital 500 GB SATAII 7200 RPM HD
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 3:49pm
Keep in mind, i got my second GX2 used from someobdy that had it all of two months for 165 bucks.  So there is some benifit to getting one card and SLIing later, cause when the next best and greatest comes out, somebody will be looking to ditch their old card to ride the wave.
 
Personally im set to slide one card behind to scope up all the noobs that dump their cards after a few months for the next best thing. If they come out with a GTX 280 Ultra, ill be buying two GTX 280 normals off somebody used for say 250-300 bucks each depending on the conditions.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Wallyguitar View Drop Down
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Posts: 100 		  Quote Wallyguitar Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 6:20pm
I agree with Maestro about upping the PSU to 1000w for future SLI upgrades and everyone else about dropping the TV Tuner. 
 
And since I'm anti-Vista (tons of drivers issues), I'd go with XP Pro
 
*dodges incoming comments about XP vs Vista*

Click pic to see config
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Nickdapimp View Drop Down
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Posts: 324 		  Quote Nickdapimp Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 7:29pm
lol I hate Vista but I'm forced into it cause of DX10
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Wallyguitar View Drop Down
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Posts: 100 		  Quote Wallyguitar Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 7:36pm
While slight increase of FPS with DX10...  I'll stick with XP Pro and save my Advil for hangovers.

Click pic to see config
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SunfighterLC View Drop Down
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Posts: 1527 		  Quote SunfighterLC Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 7:42pm

DX10 does offer a bit exta eye candy..i mean come on..i get light rays in WiC! its totally worth dealing with vista....really..it is.
E8500@ 4.03Ghz
XFX 790i Ultra
1000W Corsair HX
2 280 GTX EVGA FTW
4GB OCZ Reaper 1800Mhz
250-80-300GB VR HD
Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Speakers
Asus Xonar 7.1
Hanns-G HG 281D 28" HDMI Monitor
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Wallyguitar View Drop Down
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Posts: 100 		  Quote Wallyguitar Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 24 Jun 2008 at 7:46pm
I was considering getting Vista 64 Ultimate and running dual boot... to "ease" into Vista.  But I'm just not sold on it yet.

Click pic to see config
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