I've really wanted to buy a new system that had been in my thoughts for a long time. Everyone says wait unless you need it/really really want it but heres my case:
What I'm planning to put in the system to avoid bottlenecks of the nice X2s is the following:
Budget: 2200-2400 CDN
Thermaltake Armor
Enermax Liberty 620W
AMD Athlon X2 4400+
OCZ 2gb titanium (only for the 3.0V warrenty )
Raptor-X 150gb or two 74gb raptors (raid 0) Which is best?
XFX 7800GT
Sound Card possibly::: Audigy 2 ZS (take the little pressure that onboard sound cards have but better than none)
Everyone wants to know first off what the user plans to do with the computer in order to judge components. For me, I'm a gamer, getting into web design, and pure multi-tasker. Programs I wish I could have open at all times w/out killing performance is Photoshop, CS:S, WMP/winamp, Firefox, MSN and office or misc programs. If anyone would like to comment/offer suggestions for my main components so far, let me know
As far as budget goes, I have quite a deal to spend since this desktop will also be used for university (WORD PROCESSOR!!! w00t! hahah) I always like to get a fairly expensive motherboard because down the road I rarely run into problems. For graphics in terms of money spent, I think the 7800gt is a good choice for me since I never need the latest and greatest but woud like to be up decently high in performance vs price. RAM is definitely 2GB. Went to a friends house and truely saw the difference between 1GB and 2GB, loading time, anything it does help.
For the motherboard, as you noticed none was up there, I'm stuck. I was looking at the Lanparty DR-SLI and just noticed that there is a Lanparty UT DR-SLI. I have no ider what the difference is :S
Down the road I would like to leave the option open to buy another 7800gt when the price comes to around $200. I'll buy another card and put them in SLI. Please don't suggest me getting ATI over SLI. I've never been a fan, I've had and come into contact with a lot of their cards and was just never happy, not to mention other friends experiences as well. I've encountered enough problems over and over again. Maybe just bad luck but, SLI it is. I'm stubborn... lol
So, with that said, i've decided SLI compatibility is a definite. Also, overclocking a huge possibility since I know places where I can get my hands on a mid range watercooling system to add to my Tt Armor Case. The cpu can be easily overclocked 400mhz w/ water cooling and the RAM can push up to 3Volts
Motherboard company posibilities, there is always Asus in my mind. In terms of motherboards, they have always been really solid and good with lots of life on em for me, yet I've only slightly overclocked an old board out of bordem :S I really don't know people experiences in terms of overclocking with their boards and how stable they remain when OC'd and would love to hear from people and their experiences offering advice.
My friend suggested I look at DFI and in particular the Lanparty DR-SLI and I recently noticed that there is a Lanparty UT DR-SLI. What difference is there?
Unfortunetly, I've had my bad expierence with MSI boards and expierenced horrible customer care so they are way out of the question.
With all this said, can anyone suggest a good motherboard for my needs? Maybe there is another really good solid motherboard maker that I don't even know about. Hit me with something I'd love to hear from anyone stating their opinion and if you can give me a reason for the choice.
What I'm planning to put in the system to avoid bottlenecks of the nice X2s is the following:
Budget: 2200-2400 CDN
Thermaltake Armor
Enermax Liberty 620W
AMD Athlon X2 4400+
OCZ 2gb titanium (only for the 3.0V warrenty )
Raptor-X 150gb or two 74gb raptors (raid 0) Which is best?
XFX 7800GT
Sound Card possibly::: Audigy 2 ZS (take the little pressure that onboard sound cards have but better than none)
Everyone wants to know first off what the user plans to do with the computer in order to judge components. For me, I'm a gamer, getting into web design, and pure multi-tasker. Programs I wish I could have open at all times w/out killing performance is Photoshop, CS:S, WMP/winamp, Firefox, MSN and office or misc programs. If anyone would like to comment/offer suggestions for my main components so far, let me know
As far as budget goes, I have quite a deal to spend since this desktop will also be used for university (WORD PROCESSOR!!! w00t! hahah) I always like to get a fairly expensive motherboard because down the road I rarely run into problems. For graphics in terms of money spent, I think the 7800gt is a good choice for me since I never need the latest and greatest but woud like to be up decently high in performance vs price. RAM is definitely 2GB. Went to a friends house and truely saw the difference between 1GB and 2GB, loading time, anything it does help.
For the motherboard, as you noticed none was up there, I'm stuck. I was looking at the Lanparty DR-SLI and just noticed that there is a Lanparty UT DR-SLI. I have no ider what the difference is :S
Down the road I would like to leave the option open to buy another 7800gt when the price comes to around $200. I'll buy another card and put them in SLI. Please don't suggest me getting ATI over SLI. I've never been a fan, I've had and come into contact with a lot of their cards and was just never happy, not to mention other friends experiences as well. I've encountered enough problems over and over again. Maybe just bad luck but, SLI it is. I'm stubborn... lol
So, with that said, i've decided SLI compatibility is a definite. Also, overclocking a huge possibility since I know places where I can get my hands on a mid range watercooling system to add to my Tt Armor Case. The cpu can be easily overclocked 400mhz w/ water cooling and the RAM can push up to 3Volts
Motherboard company posibilities, there is always Asus in my mind. In terms of motherboards, they have always been really solid and good with lots of life on em for me, yet I've only slightly overclocked an old board out of bordem :S I really don't know people experiences in terms of overclocking with their boards and how stable they remain when OC'd and would love to hear from people and their experiences offering advice.
My friend suggested I look at DFI and in particular the Lanparty DR-SLI and I recently noticed that there is a Lanparty UT DR-SLI. What difference is there?
Unfortunetly, I've had my bad expierence with MSI boards and expierenced horrible customer care so they are way out of the question.
With all this said, can anyone suggest a good motherboard for my needs? Maybe there is another really good solid motherboard maker that I don't even know about. Hit me with something I'd love to hear from anyone stating their opinion and if you can give me a reason for the choice.