Next Build Redux

[Wal-Mart Security]

Its been a while since I posted my "Next Build" thread so I though I'd update my progress on the build. (Also, still really no money towards it but im working on it ) Total price for build with a couple more little things here and there: $2,144.88
And before anyone asks me, yes, I have 64bit Vista Ultimate so don't worry

Board: ASUS RAMPAGE FORMULA


CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz


RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) (2 sets of those) 8GBs


PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX 1000W


HDD #1: VelociRaptor 300GB (Main)


HDD #2: WD Caviar WD6400AAKS 640GB (storage drive)


and now the Pi?ce de r?sistance:
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 4870 X2

 

[Clarko]

wow I want that. how much all together?

 

[Wal-Mart Security]

wow I want that. how much all together?

$2,144.88

 

[KyanWan]

All good, except for vista ultimate.

That thing's packing enough power that you might be able to 3D game on Linux.

God. Those harddrives look like old 5 1/4 HH drives. When they die, you can use em as anchors.



Make sure your case got a nice window to show off that HOT motherboard.

Damn, that thing looks sweet.

 

[HardHat]

Nice pick over parts. Cant think of any suggestions. Have fun piecing it together.

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Suggestions:

1) Swap out the 150GB Raptor and the storage drive for a pair (or 3) of the 640GB Western Digital AAKS drives and put them in RAID0. Same price, better performance, an tons more space.

2) The extra price added onto the Dominators isn't worth the flashy looks. Get a couple sets of the G.Skill DDR2-1000 for $80 each, and have peace of mind. I've heard many reports of a stick failing (that sounds bad...) and them shipping out a new pair for free. Most require you to send back the entire set, or at least the dead one, but they just ship 'em out. They run VERY cool, and come with an awesome case decal.

3) You're not going to need a 1000W PSU for a 4870x2. 600W with the right connectors will do you fine.

~Gooda~

 

[Wal-Mart Security]

I have G.Skill now and have had it in the past and have loved it. Might get myself 2 sets of THESE then.

 

[AWPerator]

Case?

 

[Wal-Mart Security]

Already got the case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

I have G.Skill now and have had it in the past and have loved it. Might get myself 2 sets of THESE then.

Meh, save $25 and get the DDR2-1000 kit. They'll overclock to those speeds with ease.

Plus they have a cooler color...srsly...LIGHT blue?

God I wish they had the HZs in 2GB modules, that would rock.

~Gooda~

 

[Wal-Mart Security]

Meh, save $25 and get the DDR2-1000 kit. They'll overclock to those speeds with ease.

Plus they have a cooler color...srsly...LIGHT blue?

God I wish they had the HZs in 2GB modules, that would rock.

~Gooda~

-_-

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Yarr?

~Gooda~

 

[Wal-Mart Security]

Yarr?

~Gooda~

 

[MenOpaws]

Suggestions:

1) Swap out the 150GB Raptor and the storage drive for a pair (or 3) of the 640GB Western Digital AAKS drives and put them in RAID0. Same price, better performance, an tons more space.

~Gooda~

Why would you want to configure the drives in a RAID 0? One drive fails, and your whole partition is gone. If you go RAID, get at least RAID 1, 5 or 10.

MenOpaws

 

[Evil-Jester]

walle your build is almost like mine thats when i get cash though lol

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Why would you want to configure the drives in a RAID 0? One drive fails, and your whole partition is gone. If you go RAID, get at least RAID 1, 5 or 10.

MenOpaws

Speed.

I've only heard of a few cases where RAID0 has failed, it's not as common as some people make it out to be. In any case, you should make regular backups of anything important.

~Gooda~

 

[Jubei]

Speed.

I've only heard of a few cases where RAID0 has failed, it's not as common as some people make it out to be. In any case, you should make regular backups of anything important.

~Gooda~

Agreed - granted, technically you have a 2x failure rate with raid 0, but you have the same pain in the butt if you only had one drive and it failed. In both scenarios you loose your data. I have 1TB going with 2 500GB's in RAID. Vista 64 boots from video card bios to being able to see my home page in firefox in less than a minute. That, my friends, is nice.

And besides: backup, backup, backup.

 

[Havegooda {A|R}]

Agreed - granted, technically you have a 2x failure rate with raid 0, but you have the same pain in the butt if you only had one drive and it failed. In both scenarios you loose your data. I have 1TB going with 2 500GB's in RAID. Vista 64 boots from video card bios to being able to see my home page in firefox in less than a minute. That, my friends, is nice.

And besides: backup, backup, backup.

Yea, but look at the failure rate in general...what is it like...0.027% chance? Not that big...

I made up the exact number, but you get the idea.

~Gooda~

 

[Volcom]

as always i would recommend getting the Q6600 for Quad and E8400 Dual for both Overclocking!!!

Love the card!!

but just incase you want a maybe 3 way SLI get a 780i

 

[Morbid #2 - Banned]

My suggestion, buy a computer that's runs thing well and don't overdo it. Save some money and buy better parts when they become available instead putting all the money you have into parts which have been out for more than 4 months.

Buy a little bit here, a little bit there, you only need around 50fps max. Anything over that is pointless and servers no purpose other than to give you bragging rights....

Unless you plan on playing highend games like crysis, World in Conflict, Stalker Clear Sky exclusively for the next 6 months there really is no justification in spending 2.2 grand on a computer that will only last around a year and not only that but can run your most played games (assuming that they are source games and COD4....) at 150-x00 fps (and like I said anything above 50-60 won't really make a whole lot of noticeable difference)

Only go quad if you do alot of rendering, modeling, compiling, or processor intensive work. (Even then it doesn't help a whole lot unless the software is multithreaded) Most games that are out right now and coming out don't/won't even utilize more than 1 if not 2 of the cores completely or effeciently. By the time it becomes standard you'll need to upgrade anyways. Stick with a dual-core if you are going to get any kind of processor for gaming.

You will not need two raptors, much less in RAID 0.... Again, unless you're thinking about it/expecting it you wouldn't notice a difference. The only exception to this is booting into your OS, which you WILL notice a large difference in. But really... is 30 seconds of waiting worth another 300 dollars in hardware that will become slow and old within a year?

So, again, only spend that much money on a computer if you're actually going to use it to it's full potentional for it's expected lifespan. Otherwise, buy mid-high end parts, and when the newer parts come out buy them and upgrade.

If all you're doing is playing mostly games like COD4, CSS, TF2, then most of the hardware in your build is a complete waste of money and gives nothing more than bragging rights, and unjustified empty pocketbook.

But it's your money, do what you want with it.

Edit: Just remember that you didn't plan on doing RAID, but what I said still goes for anyone reading it. If you are set on getting something 10,000RPM just get two 160GB 7200RPMs and RAID 0 them. Cheaper.