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Hot gaming system build...?

P

PowerMonkey

n00b
Joined
Jul 13, 2005
Messages
14
Here is what I have so far for a gaming rig that should last at least 2 years and offer awesome performance and reliability.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated!!!!

Also, I really dont have a budget -- although i would like to stay under 3,500.00

CASE:
COOLER MASTER
Wave Master TAC-T01-EK Black All Aluminum Alloy ATX Mid Tower Case - Retail
Model #: TAC-T01-EK
$144.50

MOTHERBOARD:
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX
AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: LP UT nF4 SLI-DR
$175.00

CHIP:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
Model ADA4800CDBOX - Retail
$1,099.00

COOLING:
THERMALRIGHT XP-120 Heatsink - Retail
Model #: XP-120
$54.99

MEMORY: (2GB total in 4 sticks)
OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model - Retail
Model #: OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K
$167.95 x2 = $335.90

VIDEO: (2 cards run in SLI)
BFG Tech Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGR78256GTXOC
$559.00 x 2 = $1,118.00

HD: (2 drives - RAID 0)
Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD740GD
$186.00 x2= $372.00

MEDIA:
Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner Model DVR-109 BK - OEM
Model #: DVR-109 BK
$50.99

For a total of $3,350.38

What do you guys n' gals think?

PM
 
I recommend getting the XP-90 instead, I think I read somewhere that the 120 had a bit of trouble fitting on the SLI-DR
 
Yeah I would also say XP-90.

That is one sick rig. Wish I could have some of that money just so I could update a couple of parts on my computer.
 
XSNiper said:
I recommend getting the XP-90 instead, I think I read somewhere that the 120 had a bit of trouble fitting on the SLI-DR
Click to expand...

Or water cool it....
 
yeh really nice rig...but if you have a good system already i would w8 about 3 months for the new ati cards...seeing as you want it to last 2 years...but no doubt the gtx's will be amazing for 2 years....and no im not af an boy!!!!!!

also try water cooling...may be better

lovely rig though

Mayhs
 
Gee... uhh... get whatever you want for that budget. LOL Seriously, though, the XP-90 would prolly be better. I've read some nasty stories with the XP-120. It be just too dang big. I've also read the TT Beetle and Golden Orb II are quite good at cooling, but I have no personal experience with them.
 
Ok, besides the change in Heatsinks... since I don't plan on pushing this box, I see no reason to watercool... does anyone have any other suggestions?

You guys like that chip or do you think I should wait a couple months and see if the Intel part would be better?

Thanks for all the input!!!
 
I might be blind, but I didn't see a PSU listed.

PC P&C ~800W SLI psu if you reaaally have no budget :D
 
You don't need two Raptors running in RAID 0. It's not going to give you any peformance increases with games.

If all your stuff fits on 74GB, then just get one Raptor. If not, get the Raptor and another drive.
 
If your budget is unlimited, a Fujitsu MAU series drive would school those Raptors in what high storage performance is all about. You'll need to pick up a SCSI HBA though ;)
 
I use a SLI-DR and the XP-120 does fit. The only limitation is it goes over 1 of the dimm slots. You can still use all the dimm slots there just isn't much room. Although it is enough to insert and remove the ram with the heatsink on. Just did it last night to toss some heatspreaders on. Oh, and a Panaflo L1A or M1A (slightly faster/louder) are both great fans for that heatsink.

Another thing, are you looking for a quiet computer? If so pick up some 120mm Nexus case fans. They are great.

Personally, I like the Lian-Li PC-7B Plus better. The one at Performance-PCs comes with front and back 120mm fan mounts. I would also have them drill a 120mm side intake and 120mm top blowhole (it is in the case options) and fill them up with Nexus case fans.

The Seasonic 600W PSU is great. It is SLI certified and runs nice and quiet.

Don't get 4 sticks of memory. Get 2x1GB. OCZ has some which you can get for $274, or else the Crucial value for $109 each is a great value (check memory forum for details).

The 4800+ seems like a waste, especially if you plan on overclocking. Save $300-$400 and get a 4400+

I am not a fan of the raptors. I would much rather get a 300GB Maxtor Diamondmax 10 with 16MB cache. Close in performance and much more space for less. If you want, drop the raid and get one raptor and one 300GB.

Oh, and the media compatibility of that DVD-RW isn't very good. CDfreaks is a great reference for optical drives. I would suggest a NEC ND-3540A instead.
 
I'd recommend a different case. I use the Wavemaster and the intake is horrible, so unless you're gonna be water cooling or modding the case heavily to improve the fan cooling, you're better off using something else.
 
Ok.... here are the modifications I am thinking of after suggestions.

I like the look and cooling aspects of the Thermaltake Armor case:

http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/armor/va8000bws/va8000bws.htm

Anyone have any experience with these?

Also, I think going with the 4400+ makes more sense as pointed out and the other OCZ memory is nice... a little change in timings but not enough that I think it would be noticeable in real world results.

I am still unsure on what to do with the HD.... since in games I won't see any improvement running RAID 0 what is the FASTEST NCQ SATAII compatible drive you guys would suggest?

Also, while budget is not a concern I have had good luck with Enermax PSU and am looking at the http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_page.php?Tid=1&gon=261&Gid=18&Gid2=45 Noisetaker 600W.

Again, i really appreciate the help and comments and look forward to more replies to my questions.

Thanks,

PM
 
The fastest ATA drive you can buy remains WD740GD, the 73GB Raptor. RAID-0 will give you a boost in performance in some tasks. However, gains from it will be small in the majority of cases, non-existant in others, and never more than 50%. In my mind, it's not enough of a boost to justify double cost. Also, RAID-0 has significant drawbacks in addition to high cost. If the 73GB of the Raptor is not enough, Maxtor's 16MB buffer drives are king of the hill in 7200RPM. You can get the SATA 200GB DM10 w/ 3 year warranty for less than $100 on ZZF, an awesome value. There's the MaxLineIII series as well, which gives the same class leading performance, but an extra cost for better components and assembly to justify a five year warranty.
 
Looks good to me.

PowerMonkey said:
CASE:
COOLER MASTER
Wave Master TAC-T01-EK Black All Aluminum Alloy ATX Mid Tower Case - Retail
Model #: TAC-T01-EK
$144.50

Nice Case, not very big though. Has some air flow issues.

MOTHERBOARD:
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 SLI-DR Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX
AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: LP UT nF4 SLI-DR
$175.00

Good board, nice OCer

CHIP:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor
Model ADA4800CDBOX - Retail
$1,099.00

Can't go wrong here.

COOLING:
THERMALRIGHT XP-120 Heatsink - Retail
Model #: XP-120
$54.99

Best Air cooler you can get. IMHO.

MEMORY: (2GB total in 4 sticks)
OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model - Retail
Model #: OCZ4001024ELDCPER2-K
$167.95 x2 = $335.90

This is a bad move, your timings will be high over 4 sticks.
Get a pair of Corsair TWINX 2 x 1Gig or something.
Go with 1 gig sticks instead of 4 x 512mb

VIDEO: (2 cards run in SLI)
BFG Tech Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: BFGR78256GTXOC
$559.00 x 2 = $1,118.00

Enjoy Mindblowing speed for the next 2 years.

HD: (2 drives - RAID 0)
Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD740GD
$186.00 x2= $372.00

Fast and Fast... Awesome drives

MEDIA:
Pioneer Black IDE DVD Burner Model DVR-109 BK - OEM
Model #: DVR-109 BK
$50.99

I have the same on, its awsome, but I paid alot more for mine.

For a total of $3,350.38
Click to expand...
 
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