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Upgrade time for my aging system

L

LordCalin

Gawd
Joined
Oct 5, 2009
Messages
901
I'm starting to feel envy as all my friends buy i5 gen2 systems, and my current setup is limited space wise due to it using an old nvraid and only 4 sata ports... so it's time for an upgrade, and rebuild! any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.


Build 1 (Main System, gaming on 22" + media on big screen)
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MB: Asus P8P67 (not sure pro or regular yet)
CPU: 2500k + Antec h2o Kuhler
Case: Antec 300
PS: OCZ 600W Stealth Xtreme 2
Ram: 8GB Patriot Sector 7 1333 Memory
VC: Moving my old Sapphire 5850 over ... gaming @ 1680x1050 I saw no need for a new video card yet
Opt: LG BH10LS30 blu-ray burner
HD: 5 x WD Blue 500GB (still debating 2 in raid 1, 3 in raid 5, or 1 non-raid, 4 raid 5, or no raid at all... but I have the 5 disks in my current system so might aswell use em)

Build 2 (Storage System)
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Since day 1 my P5N-D has never worked right, I can't even update the bios from the one it shipped with, without major problems occuring like only 1 ram slot working... so taking this chance to redo that system at the same time

MB: Gigabit P43-ES3G (only 775 board I could find anymore that had 6 sata ports)
CPU: Intel E6750 (already own) + Antec h2o Kuhler
Case: Antec 300
PS: Antec Tru-power 500w (already own)
Ram: 8GB Crucial Rendition ddr2-667 (already own)
VC: ATI 5450
Opt: LG 20x PATA DVDRW
HD: 6xWD20EARS (2 in raid 1, 4 in raid 5)
 
It would help if you answered the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!" so that we can help you better. Please list the total budget for all those upgrades or the total for each build seperately.

Also, if that Antec Truepower 550W isn't a Truepower New or Truepower Trio PSU, then I highly recommend replacing that PSU: The Truepower I and II series as well as the Smartpower series were well known for their above average death rates due to a poor choice in caps and cooling design. In more specific terms, Antec/CWT specified/used caps (Fuhjyyu caps) that did not respond well to heat. Unfortunately, Antec made the decision to have the PSU fan only ramp at really high temps in an effort to keep the PSU quiet. However, just medium to high temps were enough to screw up the caps so really high temps were murderous. Over time, this degraded the quality and performance of those PSU series.

So I recommend replacing the PSU, especially if you hear a squeal, whine, or any odd noise coming from the PSU. Those are usually the first signs of those particular PSU lines dying. So if you do hear a squeal, whine, or any odd noise, that's enough grounds to replace the PSU.
 
The PS is a Truepower Trio.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing?

Everything... I currently use the system for gaming, photoshop, I run 4 linux virtual servers in the background. Looking to re-use old parts into a new media raid system to eliminate the virtual servers, and build myself a new gaming system.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

looking at under 1600.. I can buy directly from distribution, so shipping, and costs are going to be lower then what's found, more looking for ideas.

3) Where do you live?

Toronto Canada

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget?

Motherboard x 2 (one 775 w/6 sata ports, one for new system, CPU, RAM, case x 2, power supply, low end video card (for linux console), 6x2tb hard drives, blu-ray drive, 1500VA battery backup, 8 port gigabit switch

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?

Antec Tru-power Trio 650w, Sapphire 5850, Intel E6750, 4x2GB DDR2-667, 5x500GB WD Blue, Antec Kuhler h2o 620 x 2

6) Will you be overclocking?

The gaming system, yes

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?

22" LCD + 42" LCD

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Buying parts as I find them over the next 2 months.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video?

RAID, USB 3.0.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

64-bit Windows 7 Pro.
 
Have you considered using a SATA PCI card to get to your 6 SATA ports? That will open up more options for you motherboard wise.
 
Ok a few comments about the gaming system:
- Don't bother with that OCZ PSU as it is of low quality. I recommend the Antec Trupower New 650W or the Corsair 650TX, whichever is cheaper.

- RAM wise, get RAM rated at 1.5V as that's less chance of harm to the CPU.

- For the case, the Antec 300 is not a good choice for the money. Go for the Coolermater HAF 912 case.

- Motherboard wise, I'd take a look at some of MSI's P67 offereings.

- Do not run a RAID 5 at all on the gaming system since it may have detrimental effects on performance. Go for a RAID 10 array or a RAID 0 array for the OS and RAID 1 array for minor storage.

About the server:
- How much storage are you planning to have in that server?

- What OS are you using for the server?
 
yeah I think I will get the Antec TP-650 again ... the original TP Trio has been working exceptionally well in my current system. I know OCZ power supplies arn't the best, but the advantage of it was if something does go wrong, I call the Ontario warehouse, and they let me exchange it over the counter same day.

Ram I didn't even notice the 1.65v ... thanks for pointing that out, will definately be changing it for some low voltage.

Case wise... The 300 might not be good choice for the money at retail level, but distribution level it's only $35, so I'll probably stick with that over the coolermaster one, tho I did like how it looked, and the removable drive tray.

The server, i'm planning on 6 2TB drives, the WD20EARS... (just bought 4 of them today since someone had them on sale for 69) i'll be running slackware linux on it.
 
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