Attention Slim Shady Options

[M@ster of Dis@ster]

I've been thrust into needing to get a new computer too, as my current system is limping a little after the driver directory got corrupted. I could fix be re-installing XP, but I figure turn a crisis into and opportunity and finally get the computer I had been putting off.

So anyway, here's what I slapped together at www.pccanada.com and ordered tonite. Just posting it here for you to compare. Researched the parts all day long, specific attention given to the video card, power supply, case, and hard drive (all reviewed very well). Also attention given to motherboard and RAM to ensure compatibility. Motherboard notable because it should be able to handle the next generation processor, assuming no new socket change.

This would qualify as a high end unit. The video card is wicked expensive, but I broke down and went for the best (well, 2nd best, but just barely). As a SLI system, I should be able to add another one in the future when the price is more reasonable.

Of note, I didn't need EVERYTHING, as I have a huge HD already (the 74GB I ordered will be where my OS and general apps will reside), and nice keyboard/mouse. Otherwise, basically everything you ned to make a killer system is here. Total cost was pretty much exactly $2000, which includes shipping and insurance.

Don't know if this will be of any help, perhaps it's above what you might be looking at, or maybe it will give you some good ideas. Anyway, good luck.

[Major.Pain]

You're going to love that Antec 900 case MOD! And if ya don't...send it my way,lol.



-Pain

[GIJOE]

Any excuse to buy some new toys.... You are going to be wicked when you play on that beast....

[MyWifesMule]

Looks like a great gaming rig, I'm jealous.

I can't wait to get a dual core cpu.

[steel]

Looks great. Good going too on the beefy power supply.

FYI, I have that 74GB 10,000 RPM Raptor HD. It really doesn't seem faster than the 300GB Seagate sata drive that I also have in my computer and also the Raptor is a bit noisier (louder chatters when it accesses).

[M@ster of Dis@ster]

Looks great. Good going too on the beefy power supply.

FYI, I have that 74GB 10,000 RPM Raptor HD. It really doesn't seem faster than the 300GB Seagate sata drive that I also have in my computer and also the Raptor is a bit noisier (louder chatters when it accesses).

Well, here's my theory. Use the following page for reference.

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2922&p=5

In terms of noise, it is almost the exact same as the WD 500GB I already have and will be using. So, given that, I figure the noise issue is moot since I already have an equally noisy HD. I guess that sucks, but I'm used to it.

Ont the other hand...

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2922&p=7

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2922&p=8

It really seems to do well in these benchmarks (the red one). So I'm fairly confident I should see a decent speed advantage over most drives. Daily tasks I probably won't notice it, but loading a new map in COD I might be one of the first in. Of note, the WD 750GB 7200RPM drive was quite close to it's speed in another review (basically, the review said it was the fastest 7,200 RPM drive they tested), but I'll wait for now for the price to drop and eventually buy it to replace my 500GB drive.

Oh, btw, I'm not a shill for WD. I buy any drive that's priced right or performs right. Jut seems WD is the way to go recently, for me at least.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up nonetheless. I checked the sound chart again to make sure I was right that it's about the same as my current drive noise level. For you, you're right to notice a difference. The noise level between your Seagate and WD is a difference of 3-5 decibels (assuming you have that 320GM Seagate listed).

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Also, for any Americans reading, don't pay too much attention to the prices. This is Canada, products like this are a little more expensive here, but our median average incomes are higher in our dollars.

This post has been edited by M@ster of Dis@ster: 08/05/07 9:17am

[steel]

Wow MOD, you just answered a lingering question for me. I seem to always be the first one into a map, but I don't even get a great ping into the servers from here. So, it probably is that Raptor... I never thought about that. Thanks!

[M@ster of Dis@ster]

You're going to love that Antec 900 case MOD! And if ya don't...send it my way,lol.



-Pain

It sure looks cool. I just clicked on it not knowing anything about it, and well, mmmmm. All the fans should really help cooling. Currently I leave the side off my case because otherwise it runs so hot the fans are always screaming. This looks like and excellent solution to that issue. I figure I'll be able to leave the case fans at low, and it will still do the job. Also, my HD's are rated as running hot, so the fans for the HD's should help out there.

If people want more info.

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15900

http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/antecninehundred/

[Big P]

Go Quad on your CPU for alittle more money. http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=5743

Raptor are not worth it to me.

[Nemesis]

NICE!!! I wish I had 2 grand to spend on a new comp...

Anyone have a power supply better than a 300W (19amps on 12v) or a video card better than a radeon x700 pro they are willing to give/sell me for cheap???

[Major.Pain]

Ya, you'll be able to leave the side cover on and your temps will still be 7 deg C lower with the fans on low. Here's a hot (pun intended) tip:

The hard drive cages can be configured anyway you like. I put my Seagate raid cage up at the top so the heat gets sucked right out the 200mm top fan before any heat gets to the cpu. The optical drives are in the center and the empty cage with fan at the bottom to draw in cool air. What a great case! I'm starting a build with my 4th 900 and wouldn't consider any other. I retired my Tsunami Dream (Thermaltake) case to my office at work and that is a fine case as well.

Btw, you don't even need to put another 120 fan in the side.



-Pain

[M@ster of Dis@ster]

Go Quad on your CPU for alittle more money. http://www.pccanada.com/viewitem.asp?id=5743

Raptor are not worth it to me.

Look at these benchmarks for games (click "next" at bottom of page to go to next game).

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/16/cpu...age14.html#prey

The 2.67 Core 2 Due at 1333MHz (the 2750) beats the Quad 2.40 about as often as it loses. All tests are with 10% of each other (roughly). For games there seems to be little difference at this point. The Quad wins on some other stuff, but usually within 10%. So I don't think the preformance justifies the 30% cost premium.

Looks like I'm getting the 5th or 6th best processor available at a relatively cheap price. At the high end, it has an excellent cost-to-performace ratio for the tasks I want it for. Additionally, the motherboard I bought specifically because it is supposed to be compatible with the future 45nm processors and has the latest bus speed support, so it will be processor upgradeable.

Basically, I built a high-end machine with some nods to budget still in terms of getting a good price to performance ratio. The one top end device I got was the video card, but going by the benchmarks, the performance increase almost justifes the price. That card and it's "extreme" brother blow the compitition away by some fairly heft margins in gaming benchmarks.

Indeed, the Raptor might offer the lowest price to performance increase. However, I needed a new HD for my OS since I figure to corruption that caused this whole mess might indicate my currently, old 40GB is ready for retirement. So I'm paying the extra 100 bucks versus a cheapy 80GB hard drive. Call it my one real indulgence just so I can race Steel into new maps! I'll have to play MW for a week or so so we can "race"!!!

Anyone, everyone has their opinions with this stuff. And to be sure, I appreciate input. I'm going back and re-checking based on what people are saying, because they don't ship on Sunday so I do have time to make a change. But so far, I still like what I have.

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Oh, and Pain, that sounds awesome! Can't wait.

Currently, my system is still a go, execept I had to uninstall my Anti-virus to make me Internet work (that was a fluke finding that out!), and I have to uninstall and re-install my video card after every re-boot! So yeah, looking really forward to putting this together.

NICE!!! I wish I had 2 grand to spend on a new comp...

Anyone have a power supply better than a 300W (19amps on 12v) or a video card better than a radeon x700 pro they are willing to give/sell me for cheap???

Nemisis, I suppose I could part with my ATI X800 Pro soon. Go to the benchmark sites (Like Tom's Hardware) and compare to your X700 and see if there's a big enough difference to justify, and if so contact me private msg.

This post has been edited by M@ster of Dis@ster: 08/05/07 11:27am