NOT just another "should i build now or wait for conroe thread"

N

nytrackstar

Gawd
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Aug 3, 2004
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I'm looking to build a brand new system sometime around may, I've started planning out different possible components that i'd be getting. (This system MUST be done before august)

One of the most critical parts to this system is the storage subsystem, i will need a strictly hardware based sata-II controller card for my RAID-5,RAID-0 arrays...

the plan as of now is to grap a pressler 950 after the price drops for around ~300 and OC the life out of it (everything will be watercooled)

I need a motherboard that will be able to support the following:
-pci-x or extra pci-e slot for raid card
-2 x16 slots (doesnt matter if its true x16 or not, x8 is fine too) for SLi or CF
-overclocking options (this eliminates most workstation boards)
-support for 4Gigs of ram or more

the only motherboard that comes to mind is the Asus P5WDG2-WS board, but with conroe support unknown i'm not sure if i'll regret this purchase down the line, im also unsure if there will be any conroe boards that will support the featureset that i need...

...this machine is going to be my do it all machine, gaming, mediacenter, storage for files...and ive eliminated goin with AMD just because ive had both amd and intel rigs and intel ones have always "just worked", aside from the fact that no motherboard for AMD supports the things i need.


in addition, i'll be placing an x-fi, and hauppauge dual tv tuner in this box, over 2.5 terabytes of storage and either CF x1900xtx's or sli'd 7900gtx's (if theres an nvidia intel mobo i dont know of out there)

opinions?
 
i wont be able to use that board, not sure if the spacing between the pci-e x16 and pci cards is enough and to my knowledge there arent any quality raid cards that work in a standard pci slot...i could be wrong tho...i definately appreciate the effort tho :)

any other opinions?
 
I wouldn't suggest any Intel SLI chipset for a computer requiring robust storage and where you intend to overclock. I think the P5WDG2-WS is your best bet
but the Gigabyte GA-G1975X does have a decent layout for what you need:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128002
the intel seems to have right layout as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121016
dunno if you'd be able to get the oc you want, but it'd be a pretty nice one.
PCI-E raid cards are very very expensive, i'm thinking the WS + PCI-X raid would be your best choice.
 
i wont be able to use that board, not sure if the spacing between the pci-e x16 and pci cards is enough and to my knowledge there arent any quality raid cards that work in a standard pci slot...i could be wrong tho...i definately appreciate the effort tho
Click to expand...

Raid Card - 7900GTX - 7900GTX - Hauppauge - X-Fi
PCI-X - PCI-X16 - PCI-X16 - PCI - PCI

How do you not have enough room?
 
Just be sure to get a rock solid PSU for that rig. I personally wouldnt get anything short of PC P&C for a setup like that.
 
this is just another "should I build or wait" threads. :mad:

I don't see anything special about it!

Wait A LITTLE LONGER to be sure your motherboard supports Conroe. The 975 boards being made now will support Conroe. Unfortunately most of the ones on sale right now, were made a few months ago, so you'll have to wait a little while for inventory to clear. Then you should get something like the Asus workstation board, it has PCI-X, overclocks well, in general should have everything you need.

And just buy a 920 or 930 to save some money, so in fall you could upgrade to a Conroe with just a drop in chip replacement.
 
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