Yet another critique my build thread

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fortee

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May 21, 2008
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Huge update (bolded selection indicates the current choice):


CPU: Intel Quad Core Q6600

MOBO: DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS
-- ABIT IP35 Pro P35

GFX Card: MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92)
-- EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB

VGA Cooling: Thermalright HR-03 GT w/ Scythe Kama 92mm Fan

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

HD#1: Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM
-- Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM

HD#2: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM

Heatsink: Scythe SCINF-1000 120mm CPU Cooler
-- Noctua NH-U12P w/ a second Noctua NF-P12-1300 120mm Fan for Push-Pull

OS: Windows XP Pro x64

CASE: [Open to suggestions]


The case is still left to be determined, but I'm leaning towards the Rocketfish right now seeing how big it is.

Thanks to the hard drive discussion below I changed my mind from 74GB Raptor to the Velociraptor and heatsink was a big change as well after seeing the differences.

I'm wondering if there's any more adjustments to be made as I await for ATI/Nvidia's new releases.
 
Case: Drop it. The PC61 is an old design due to the fact that it uses nothing but 80mm fans. Those won't cool as well or as quietly as 120mm fans. Here are some other case recommendations:
URL=http://www.svc.com/rc-590-kkn1-gp.html]Cooler Master RC-590-KKN1-GP ATX Case[/URL] - $60
Cooler Master RC-690-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $70
Cooler Master Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP ATX Case - $75
Antec Solo - $78
Lian Li PC-7B Plus II Silver ATX Case - $80
Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case - $90
AeroCool Masstige ATX Case - $100
Gigabyte Aurora GZ-FSCA1-ATB ATX Case - $115
Rocketfish Aluminum Full-Tower Case - $120
Antec P182 ATX Case - $130
Thermaltake Armor VA8000BWS Full Tower ATX Case - $140
Thermaltake Armor VA8003BWS Full Tower ATX Case - $150
Lian Li PC-A16A ATX Case - $150

HDD: Won't be too big of a performance degradation. However I would like to point out that there are regular 7200RPM drives out that outperforms that Raptor. Granted two Raptors in RAID 0 would be pretty fast but you're looking at only 150GB of storage as well 3 points of failure with a RAID setup. These two drives perform just as well as the Raptor but have significantly more space:
Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $110
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $115

If you want to try your luck, there's a new revision of this drive that performs just as well as the Raptor. However there's a good chance that you may end up with the older and slower revision:
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $69

PSU: The 520HX would suffice but I recommend getting the 620HX for a little headroom.

HSF: Since quiet is a key factor, take a look at the Noctua:
Noctua NH-U12P HSF - $60

Other than that, looks good to me.
 
I'll look at the case selection.

Danny Bui said:
HDD: Won't be too big of a performance degradation. However I would like to point out that there are regular 7200RPM drives out that outperforms that Raptor. Granted two Raptors in RAID 0 would be pretty fast but you're looking at only 150GB of storage as well 3 points of failure with a RAID setup. These two drives perform just as well as the Raptor but have significantly more space:
Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $110
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $115
Click to expand...

Storage isn't as much of an issue since I intend to purchase a 640GB simply for the purpose of space. I figure the purchase of a second Raptor and RAID0 it would be the logical choice since, well I'm already half way there aren't I? lol. And I'm stingy so wasting a good Raptor is ehh...


If you want to try your luck, there's a new revision of this drive that performs just as well as the Raptor. However there's a good chance that you may end up with the older and slower revision:
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $69
Click to expand...
I chose the WD 640GB on Newegg because of the abundance of good reviews.. granted it's not the best indication or measure of a product but never the less I needed something with 500GB or more.

HSF: Since quiet is a key factor, take a look at the Noctua:
Noctua NH-U12P HSF - $60
Click to expand...
On the page that I linked, it seems the SCINF-1000 edges Noctua out just slightly but ofcourse everything looks better on paper than it does in real life ;)
I will certainly take a look at some reviews of it, and if anyone has any personal experiences feel free to contribute.

Oh and, insane reply speed, wish I could upgrade my typing speed IRL.
 
Sell the Raptor. It's slower than the 640GB you're going to get. Raptors are past their prime, and if your goal is quiet putting two of those things in a case together is not a good way to get there.

The Infinity really isn't that great. It's good, but not great. The Noctua is the better cooler. Another option would be the Xigmatech Rifle 120mm, which is a very similar design with very similar performance but usually ~$40. The Noctua and Xigmatech keep up with the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme in most cases. The Infinity... does not.

Definitely spend the exta ~$30 to get an EVGA card so you can use Step Up should the new cards in around a month prove that much better than current offerings. Even if you step up, sell the new card, and buy someone's used 8800 GTS 512MB for comparatively nothing, it'd be a far better plan.

I agree with Danny on all points, otherwise.
 
Buy the xigmatek 3 pipe tower cooler. I forget the model number. Its one of the best you can buy and its only $35. Can't hurt to shave $15 off the cooler to spend somewhere else and still get amazing performance. Mine is currently cooling my e8400 @ 4.1Ghz.
 
Updated.

Looking for some feedback on the new selection and hopefully not ripping me a new one. ;)

As always, if possible I'd like to trim some 'fat' (prices) on it; ironic I know after investing in a Velociraptor lol.
 
Looks good to me so far. To cut down on costs, drop down to this VGA HSF:
Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 Passive VGA Cooler - $25

Slap a quiet Yate Loon on that HSF and it'll cool down your graphics pretty well. Almost as well as that HR-03GT combo.

Also drop down to the Xigmatek HSF that everyone has been recommending:
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle HSF - $37

Those are the only parts I can think of that could use some trimming. Well that Raptor drive could be trimmed as well...:)
 
If you get the xigmatek, as you should, also get this:

$5 - Thermalright LGA775 Bolt-Thru-Kit

If you really want to save a lot of money, drop the Vraptor. Wait for a sale or something.
 
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