Getting a new computer. Need advice.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

These are the case listings. Are any of them familiar?

[MrGiggles]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I had a post typed out but FFR's redirects ate it, trying again.

So I notice you traded 12 GB of stock RAM for 6 GB high quality Corsair stuff. I don't know exactly how RAM works, so I wouldn't be able to tell you if that's faster or not.

Gigabyte is a quality name in mobos, you probably can't go wrong with them and the UD4P. It's important to note, however, that that mobo is aimed at advanced users and you won't get much bang for your buck unless you go into the bios on first boot and fiddle around until you get it to boot quickly. I mean, the default boot option is "boot from floppy." SLI will be a bitch with normal sized cards, the PCI-e 16x slots are too close together for multiple 295's.

I don't know that much about cases, really. There are so many of the damn things and there are so many variables and options that it would be hard to find anyone familiar enough with cases to glance at that list and pick out the best case for you. What I would do is pick out a few cases you like. Try to stay away from excessive LED's (especially in gauges and fans) and see through sides with LED's. It should have more than one fan (unless it's like a 1000mm fan) for obvious reasons. Then, look them up on newegg and check out what other people are saying about them. Some will even post the build they made with it, so you can compare others with similar builds. Finally, when you've started to narrow down your choices, start asking around and doing some quick math to figure out if everything will fit.

It takes a bit of effort, but it'll be worth it if you don't have to order some random case and find out that it isn't sufficient for your needs.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I don't plan on SLI'ing cards, really. I figure I can just get a single, better card later down the line. Would you recommend the EVGA mobo instead?

The mobo and the case are giving me headaches. I feel like everything else is fairly solid for the time being.

[MrGiggles]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I don't plan on SLI'ing cards, really. I figure I can just get a single, better card later down the line. Would you recommend the EVGA mobo instead?

The mobo and the case are giving me headaches. I feel like everything else is fairly solid for the time being.

Right, I remember that you didn't plan on SLI.

I forgot to mention the Thermaltake V1. It's really gay. It's the weirdest, most alien CPU heatsink since ever. I remember the first time I saw it I wasn't sure what I was looking at. It uses a very effective technology, but the design hinders its cooling power. It's also fairly large. It's not terribly high, but it's kinda long, so take that into consideration when you pick a case. If you have other options and you still want a smaller case you may want to explore them.

The Asus P6T is a popular mobo, you could probably look into one of those, but you'll be fine with the UD4P. All you have to do is dick around in the bios until you like how things are. I searched the thread, but I can't figure out which EVGA mobo you're referring to.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

It's called: (3-Way SLI Support) EVGA X58 3X SLI Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA, Dual GbLAN, USB2.0, Dual IEEE1394&7.1Audio

versus the

(3-Way SLI Support) GigaByte GA-EX58-UD4P Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Ultra Durable™3 Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,Dual GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio

And yeah I don't think I'm gonna go for the V1... the reviews make me a bit hesitant. Problem is the cheap one below in the list is flimsy according to reviews, and they're all supposedly better than the onboard. I wonder if the copper pipe one is sufficient.

[MrGiggles]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

It's called: (3-Way SLI Support) EVGA X58 3X SLI Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA, Dual GbLAN, USB2.0, Dual IEEE1394&7.1Audio

versus the

(3-Way SLI Support) GigaByte GA-EX58-UD4P Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Ultra Durable™3 Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,Dual GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio

And yeah I don't think I'm gonna go for the V1... the reviews make me a bit hesitant. Problem is the cheap one below in the list is flimsy according to reviews, and they're all supposedly better than the onboard. I wonder if the copper pipe one is sufficient.

Don't get me wrong, the V1 is a great performer, it's just large and might not fit in all cases. Additionally, I don't think a V1 works with i7's unless you buy an adapter. Arctic Freezer 7 is maybe the most popular heatsink out right now, but it's also incompatible with i7's without an adapter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007

Works with i7's, but it's huge and expensive. A fantastic cooler, though.

I gotta say again though, I have no idea how CyberPower works. I don't know if they disallow builds on the customization page that won't work for one reason or another (incompatibility between parts, not enough power/cooling/space, etc), if they notify you that it won't work for any reason, or if they just shrug their shoulders and send you a build that won't work.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

So I finally ordered the computer after countless hours of toiling, balancing, forum-browsing, and review-whoring:



I decided to choose the i7 920 processor with the 20% factory overclock, which is cheaper and faster than a stock i7 950 without voiding warranty. I could have gone with the i7 950 and overclocked it to like 3.7 but it would be more expensive and I would void the warranty.

I went down to 6 GB RAM (Corsair Dominator Brand). Figured 6 GB of faster RAM would be better right now than the 12 GB setup I was looking at before of non-Dominator RAM.

I wasted a lot of time debating optical drives but wound up choosing the same setup Tass had. It was either that setup or the LG GGW optical drive which could also write Blu-Ray, but the additional cost of that device was huge. Getting the two optical drives was cheaper and I can still play Blu-Ray and read/write CD's and DVD's.

I opted for a sound card instead of the on-board for quality reasons.

Slapped in a Zonet wireless card (mainly Red Comet's recommendation, as I had no idea what to choose. The Linksys wireless card was like $30 more and I figured it wasn't worth it).

Slammed in a 1000W high-quality PSU to keep everything running long and strong, and I opted for liquid cooling for the CPU.

Thanks guys for all your help! I would have been totally lost otherwise, lmao.

[AC1speakerbox]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I was wondering how the **** there were so many replys in this fool, but then I saw that Rubix made it. xD

Rubix asks for a new computer and you will learn some new words.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

22 or 24 inch monitor?

[Brycexx]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I have a 22 inch monitor and its plenty big enough but it all boils down to personal preference

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Final specs:

Mega Special IV
# CAS: New!! NZXT Beta Gaming Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Window
# CASUPGRADE: NONE
# CS_FAN: Maximum 120MM Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+9]
# CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-950 3.06 GHz 8M L3 Cache LGA1366 [+1259]
# CD: (Special Price) LG 22X DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Dual Layer Drive (BLACK COLOR)
# CD2: NONE
# CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution - Protect Your Dream System During Transit [+19]
# CARE2: Professional Wiring for All WIRING Inside The System Chassis - Minimize Cable Exposure, Maximize Airflow in Your System [+19]
# FLOPPY: NONE
# FREEBIE_OS: FREE! (Halo 2) Game
# FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
# FAN: CoolerMaster V8 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Extreme Silent Operation at only 22dBA + Overclock Proof) [+58]
# FREEBIE_RM: None
# HDD: Single Hard Drive (1TB (1TBx1) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+26])
# HDD2: 1TB (1TBx1) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM Hard Drive [+83]
# IEEE_CARD: NONE
# KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
# MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
# MODEM: NONE
# MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
# MONITOR: ($10 off Mail-in Rebate) 24" LCD - Asus VH242H Wide Screen TFT Active Matrix LCD Display (Black) [+259]
# MONITOR2: NONE
# MOTHERBOARD: (3-Way SLI Support) GigaByte GA-EX58-UD4P Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Ultra Durable™3 Mainboard Triple-Channel DDR3/1600 SATA RAID w/ eSATA,Dual GbLAN,USB2.0,IEEE1394a,&7.1Audio [+58]
# MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Module [+40] (Corsair Dominator [+36])
# NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
# OS: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium w/ Service Pack 1 [+104] (64-bit Edition)
# OS_UPGRADE: (Free Upgrade Coupon) Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium ($29-$29 Mail-In-Rebate = Free) [+29] (64-bit Edition)
# PRINTER: None
# PRINTER_CABLE: None
# POWERSUPPLY: 900 Watts Power Supplies [+79] (Apevia Warlock Series)
# RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
# SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
# SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
# SPEAKERS: None
# TEMP: NONE
# TVRC: None
# USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
# USBHD: NONE
# VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX295 1.7GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+463] (EVGA Powered by NVIDIA [+5])
# VIDEO2: None
# VIDEO3: None
# VC_GAMES: FREE GAME - Street Fighters IV
# VIDEOCAMERA: NONE
# WNC: Zonet ZEW1642 IEEE 802.11b/g/n Draft 2.0 PCI Wireless Adapter Network Card [+29]
# _PRICE: (+2575)
# _view_: list
$2,575.00 x 1 $2,575.00
Coupon: INSTANT (5% Discount) -$128.75
SUBTOTAL $2,446.25

[PsYcHoZeRoSk8eR]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

Very nice. Do you know how long until you will have it?

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

A few weeks. I'm still debating whether or not I should get a 22 or 24 inch monitor, given that I am using a 295 Geforce video card.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I said **** it -- went for the 24 inch.

[MrRubix]

Re: Getting a new computer. Need advice.

I just pulled the trigger and bought all the following:


Qty / Items / Price


1
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
$25.99


1
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
$169.99


1
ASUS VK246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$219.99


1
EDIMAX EW-7728In 32bit PCI Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI Card - Retail
$34.99


1
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$139.99



2 COMBO DEALS:
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
+
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
$425.96
($212.98 each)


1 COMBO DEAL
EVGA 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI

Supported ... - Retail
+
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
$734.98


1
Nvidia Gift - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Retail
$0.00


1 COMBO DEAL
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
+
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
$339.98


1
Prolimatech Megahalem (CPU heatsink)
$59.99


1
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan - Retail
$16.99



Total (after shipping/promo/etc): $2,183.00




When the new DX11 cards come out in a few months, I believe I can utilize EVGA's "Trade-Up" program to trade my GTX 295 for their newest model, which is supposedly like the 295, only it's able to achieve the same performance using one GPU (the 295 is a dual-GPU card), killing off any scaling issues the 295 may have had (hah).