Our new Indie Games subforum is now open for business in G&T. Go and check it out, you might land a code for a free game. If you're developing an indie game and want to post about it, follow these directions. If you don't, he'll break your legs! Hahaha! Seriously though.
Our rules have been updated and given their own forum. Go and look at them! They are nice, and there may be new ones that you didn't know about! Hooray for rules! Hooray for The System! Hooray for Conforming!
Building a new computer!
TheLawinator
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, my dad randomly decided that now was the time for both of us to get new computers! He got a quote for stuff and I'd like your opinion! It's mostly for gaming (at least mine is) and his is used for rendering programs and engineering software (but he games as well). In the next month I'll be using the same programs as him. Tell me what you think!
This is transcribed directly so excuse if anything is worded stupid
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
OCZTech 2x2GB PC2-6400 Vista Kit
Coolmast Cosmos RC-100 E-ATX S/B
ASUS P5N32-E SLI S775 680I MB (Although we may move up to the next board with the triple SLI)
2 WD 150GB RaptorX Sata 10k rpm
1 WD 500GB Sata2 7.2k rpm
Win XP pro
Samsoem Sam 20x DVD(+ and -) RW
SilverST DA750 750w mod ATX PSU
No video cards written because we haven't decided where we're getting them from. We want to get Nvidia Geforce 8800's. Tell me what I can upgrade off of this and if there are better options!
This is transcribed directly so excuse if anything is worded stupid
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
OCZTech 2x2GB PC2-6400 Vista Kit
Coolmast Cosmos RC-100 E-ATX S/B
ASUS P5N32-E SLI S775 680I MB (Although we may move up to the next board with the triple SLI)
2 WD 150GB RaptorX Sata 10k rpm
1 WD 500GB Sata2 7.2k rpm
Win XP pro
Samsoem Sam 20x DVD(+ and -) RW
SilverST DA750 750w mod ATX PSU
No video cards written because we haven't decided where we're getting them from. We want to get Nvidia Geforce 8800's. Tell me what I can upgrade off of this and if there are better options!
TheLawinator on
My SteamID Gamertag and PSN: TheLawinator
Posts
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
The 8800gt is a good choice, but I wouldn't bother with triple SLI...it's almost always better to just upgrade a single vid card on a regular basis rather than dump a bunch of money into 2 or even 3 of the same card and NOT see double or triple the performance. Unless of course, money isn't an issue at all, in which case...have fun!
Just realised something, I forgot to put down that it's actually 4 sticks of ram at 2 gb each. We don't completely know whether or not Vista would give us trouble with his engineering programs, something I'm looking up right now.
With XP anything over 4 (and truthfully it's really 3.something) GB of RAM is useless, so if you're actually seriously considering 8 GB you're going to need a 64 bit OS
That's the case.
The PSU is the (what I assume is short for) Silver Stone at the bottom.
The Raptors are unnecessary, the quad core might be too
the motherboard is the nforce 680i based one I think, which means its already outdated in that it's not compatible with newer quad cores, which is really shitty. There is an upgrade program in place from... EVGA I believe, but that's just one exception and you're building a new computer so you're better off getting a better board now.
Something P5K or P5E series from Asus. That's Intel P35 and X38 chipsets, accordingly.
and Operation Flashpoint: Red River code to trade/sell
and Halo: Reach code
and Portal 2 code
Any suggestions for cases/cooling systems, hard drives (stuff that we can raid together (preferably raid5)), cd/dvd drives (meh), and power supplies?
I like the Asus P5E variants, Maximus Formula, and P5K Deluxe/Premium
I have an E6600 proc right now but just got a Q6600 only cuz I got it for $250 new. I am not expecting to see any performance benefits.
I have a pair of Raptors in RAID 0, but the difference is negligible for the price difference. Seagate 10 and 11 series are great, as are some Hitachis and WDs.
Much more ram than 2 GB is kinda unnecessary for the gaming rig, and 2GB sticks are never really recommended for gaming rigs either, because they have slower timings and dont overclock as well. that will change with time, but not now.
and Operation Flashpoint: Red River code to trade/sell
and Halo: Reach code
and Portal 2 code
See for your self about ram timings and speed.
What makes you think the 680i is incompatible with the quad core? I ask only because I'm using that very setup, indeed that motherboard and processor right now.
Anyways, I have pretty much the same setup (just assembled a week or 2 ago).
ASUS P5N32-E SLI
XFX 8800GT 512mb (awesome, awesome card)
Intel Q6600 Core 2 Qu
Corsair XMS2 2x 2GB 240pin. Vista 32 bit only recognizes 3.3something because of the way Microsoft sucks. I'm told 64 bit will fix that.
CoolerMaster 1000W psu.
Just make sure you've got a solid PSU, at least 900W if you plan to have multiple hard drives, and ever consider doing an SLI setup.
I'd swap your WD hard drives for Seagate, but I suppose it's just preference. I trust Seagate more as they've never died on me.
Same with the memory, I prefer Corsair, as I've never had an issue. But if you're used OCZ before, rock it out!
Normally I would do months upon months of research but my dad got a pretty big paycheck and the end of his business' fiscal year is the end of this year, so he would rather not have to pay extra income tax on 50 grand. So basically I have today and tomorrow to design and order a computer. Poo.
So far, I've tried Gears of War, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, Supreme Commander, and Star Wars Empire at War (and expansions).
I've been able to easily max out every setting on all of these at 1280x1024 res (max my now sub-par monitor can utilize) without any sort of trouble. In fact, I can leave AIM, windows sidebar, winamp and firefox running while alt+tabbing through them no problem.
It's quite insane, actually.
Also, if nobodies said it already, newegg.com FTW. they had a pretty awesome sale on the memory got, 2x 2GB sticks for $140. That doesn't include a $40 rebate! Hooray! If you want I'll find the exact part number and all that.
XFX Video Card
Asus P5N32-E SLI Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Cooler Master 1000w PSU with $60 MIR
Corsair 4gb (2x 2gb) DDR2 with $40 MIR
I think all those work...yup all the links work! Hooray!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176
99 cents more (still has the rebate), has a heat sink on it, and had more reviews. Other than that I'll show them to my dad and see what he thinks.
and Operation Flashpoint: Red River code to trade/sell
and Halo: Reach code
and Portal 2 code
Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6
XFX 8800GT is the card to get right now. If you got some spare money you might want to get the 8800GTS 512mb.
Coolermaster Cosmos. Good pick.
OCZ StealthXStream 600w. Should suffice for your power needs.
Western Digital 750GB 3.0gbps. Go crazy, if you need 1,5 terabyte of space, grab another one of these
Samsung DVD-burner SH-S203B. I think it is the one you linked also, best DVD burner out there at the moment.
To recommend memory, I think we should know first if you are going to be overclocking your memory. Otherwise it's a bit of a waste to get all the coolers on it and fast timings etc.
Also, what monitor are you using? With this beast it's a bit of a shame if you're going to be using a 17".
Holy shit that's 1200 bucks. It would be nice to have my mobo compatible with that for the eventual upgrade...
I'll ask my dad about those items, gneGne.
but there will be ones south of $300 too, Q9300, Q9450
and Operation Flashpoint: Red River code to trade/sell
and Halo: Reach code
and Portal 2 code
and Operation Flashpoint: Red River code to trade/sell
and Halo: Reach code
and Portal 2 code
The video cards we wanted were discontinued, so we went to the GTS 512 mb since they were faster and cheaper, and we got an employee discount because they were pissed that they just discontinued it. So what's that... 400 bucks off the price tag total? A bit better now.