Building gaming rig. gimmie a rate pls.

[skiss]

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS CROSSHAIR Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Processer-
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADAFX62CSBOX
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

This is probably going to be mainly used on MMO's. But also any other game that catches my eye. I do know that intel has a superior CPU but im not a fan of intel in any way. Anyways thanx in advance!

 

[enforcerfx]

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS CROSSHAIR Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Processer-
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADAFX62CSBOX
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

This is probably going to be mainly used on MMO's. But also any other game that catches my eye. I do know that intel has a superior CPU but im not a fan of intel in any way. Anyways thanx in advance!

Prozac's Right. Core2 is the better path right now. A E6600 will do just fine, and completly beat out any FX-62 anyday. Case is good. For Motherboard: If you go C2D, your going to need a different motherboard, probably the Asus P5B, i like to recommend that(the non wi-fi one) Ram: Not too familar with ram and motherboard compatiblity(thats my flaw unfortuantely :[ ) That runs about 300 bucks close too, but defintely worth every penny. Powersupply: Very nice choice. Harddrive: Would recommend a Seagate Perpendicular technology harddrive, 320GB for bout 100. The raptor isnt really needed anyway, the perpendicular does bout the same speed. Im not sure about Lightscribe of how important it is or not. Graphics card: Unless your playing at resoultions higher than 1600x1200, then dont bother buying that card. A 7900GT would do just as fine right now. Plus DX10 cards will be released before the end of this year, so the saved cash can go towards that and Windows Vista which releases end of January. Otherwise it looks good overall. Good luck with your system.

 

[nikolokolus]

I think the system looks "fine" . . . certainly not would I would call the best bang for the buck, but if you are dead set on spending a boat load of money on an AMD system that will push a lot of frames on high resolution monitor you should be well satsfied with just about anything an MMO can throw at it.

A couple of things jump out though; unless you really plan to overclock the hell out of your computer, that Corsair RAM wouldn't be my first choice, you'd be better off getting Corsair ddr2 800 with Cas 3 latency, AMD platforms benefit greatly from lower timings. Secondly, you're not going to see all that much performance gain in games with the raptor versus a standard 7200 rpm SATA II drive.

My ratings would go like this:
Quality of components: 9.9 (all top quality brands and high end to boot)
performance: 9 (won't perform as well as an extreme edition conroe, but will still kick the crap out of almost anything on the market currently)
price/performance: 3 (some of the components are overkill, or overpriced)
overall: 8 (an all around really good computer even if some of the choices could be better)

 

[bilbo3660]

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS CROSSHAIR Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Processer-
AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor Model ADAFX62CSBOX
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

This is probably going to be mainly used on MMO's. But also any other game that catches my eye. I do know that intel has a superior CPU but im not a fan of intel in any way. Anyways thanx in advance!

Great looking system but you must REALLY hate Intel to pass on chips that will blow away the FX for about 1/3 the price. I was planning to build an AMD system myself but the price/performance ratio of the Core2 Duo's (I'm planning on the E6600) is too much to pass up. Good luck though.

 

[xXDracoXx]

a Full Tower like the Armor case is really huge and home-server material.
I think you should look into mid towers. I believe a smaller version of the armor was made.

Ah, here it is: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Chassis/midtower/armorjr/vc3000_index.asp

 

[Lempira72]

ok let's see...HHHmmmm 1- The case it's a matter of personal taste so I won't give you my score. 2- Ok, Mobo. score 5/5. 3- GPU Card. 5/5 (as a today, but if I were you I'll wait for the DX10 GPU cards.) 4- Ok PSU 4/5 for 20 bucks more this is my pic http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189009 reason:use only the cables you need. 5- Ok Memmory 3/5 .this is my pic http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820134064 reason: lower timings (good for OCLk'N) and Asus AM2 mobos recommends Kingston Hyper X.memmory all the way. 6- Ok HD 5/5. 7- Ok CPU 5/5 (burn in H_LL Intel fanboys :twisted: ) 8- DVD 5/5. Hope this Helps .

 

[angry_ducky]

1) Forget the FX
2) Forget DDR2-1066 unless you really have cash to burn

I'd go with Core 2 Duo, and some good low-latency DDR2 667. Like others have said, low end C2D's perform about equal to the FX62. You may not like Intel, but FX CPUs are ripoffs. Just get an E6600.

 

[kbrasee]

With a processor like that:

Rating = 0.

 

[fatcat]

If AMD is your thing, I'd would for the 5000. Granted, not as performant as the FX but with all the components you picked I don't see anything it couldn't run smoothly and it would make a better deal bang/bucks.

 

[skiss]

Heres some of the changes im puttiing in because im really starting to see what you all mean by price/performance lol.

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Processer-
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

Changed the system to intel. My main pick for never going the intel route is im always hearing that intel hogs alot of upgrading options. Is this really true? Didnt change the memory just because I wasnt sure what ud all say if it was in an intel comp. Id like to keep the 7950 just so i wont have to upgrade to dx10 when they first come out (id like to wait a few months maybe year. Same with vista.) Anyways let me know what you guys and gals think of this. Any advice is good advice.

 

[bilbo3660]

Heres some of the changes im puttiing in because im really starting to see what you all mean by price/performance lol.

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Processer-
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

Changed the system to intel. My main pick for never going the intel route is im always hearing that intel hogs alot of upgrading options. Is this really true? Didnt change the memory just because I wasnt sure what ud all say if it was in an intel comp. Id like to keep the 7950 just so i wont have to upgrade to dx10 when they first come out (id like to wait a few months maybe year. Same with vista.) Anyways let me know what you guys and gals think of this. Any advice is good advice.

Glad to see that you're open minded about brands (not a fanboy) and willing to go where the value is. As far as the Intel chipset, I believe the 975X is better than the 965. So take a look at the Asus P5WDH Deluxe. I don't know what your timeline is but I believe Nvidia and ATI are coming out with their chipsets at the end of the month for the Core2 Duo. You might want to see how they stack up against the 965/975. Not sure what you mean about Intel hogging upgrade options. Dell and HP limit upgrade options because they would rather you buy complete systems from them.

 

[angry_ducky]

If AMD is your thing, I'd would for the 5000. Granted, not as performant as the FX but with all the components you picked I don't see anything it couldn't run smoothly and it would make a better deal bang/bucks.

Why on earth would you go with a 5000+ when an E6600 outperforms it (and an FX62) for the less.

 

[skiss]

I was hoping to buy the final build for the comp sometime around the 15th. But if their coming out with new CPU's at the end of this month. I might actually wait to see it. And are you sure their gonna come out this month? Or is it just an unofficial rumor?

 

[fatcat]

If AMD is your thing, I'd would for the 5000. Granted, not as performant as the FX but with all the components you picked I don't see anything it couldn't run smoothly and it would make a better deal bang/bucks.

Why on earth would you go with a 5000+ when an E6600 outperforms it (and an FX62) for the less.

I was commenting that way having the impression that he was set on getting an AMD CPU. If it's not case, I certainly agree that C2D 6600 is the better choice.

 

[f1nal_0men]

Heres some of the changes im puttiing in because im really starting to see what you all mean by price/performance lol.

Case-
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum/Steel ATX Full Tower Computer
Mobo-
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
Graphics card-
eVGA 01G-P2-N592-AX Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU Video Card
Power supply-
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
Mem-
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-8500C5
Hard drive-
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Processer-
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
DVD drive
SAMSUNG 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write and LightScribe Black ATA/ATAPI Model SHS162LBEBN

Changed the system to intel. My main pick for never going the intel route is im always hearing that intel hogs alot of upgrading options. Is this really true? Didnt change the memory just because I wasnt sure what ud all say if it was in an intel comp. Id like to keep the 7950 just so i wont have to upgrade to dx10 when they first come out (id like to wait a few months maybe year. Same with vista.) Anyways let me know what you guys and gals think of this. Any advice is good advice.

The case is big, it's aluminum. Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a mid-tower. It will definitely have a "wow" effect when people see your computer.

Good choice on the motherboard, although Gigabyte's DQ6 probably has more overclocking potential. And unless you need the wi-fi, I would drop it and save the money. (Doesn't look like Newegg has the non-wi-fi edition of that board)

fastest "single" videocard money can buy, for now. Good choice but you better be running games higher than 1600x1200 to see the full potential of this card. If your monitor is limited to 1600x1200 and/or lower, I believe the x1950xtx is a better choice. It's not out yet, but it will be in just over a week. This is the fastest single gpu videocard (soon-to-be)available. And it should be fine handling any games for at least a good year at high quality. Also, it's cheaper... about 200$ cheaper than the 7950gx2

Power supply? Perfect

Memory? Overkill. Intel systems aren't as dependant on timings as much as AMD systems are, and a 1:1 bus speeds will give you the best performance, so DDR2 533 would be perfect, but, you should still get some faster ram so you hav overclocking headroom, and you can use your ram when the conroe's successor comes out you can keep the fsb 1:1 (conroe's successor will use 1333 fsb). THIS corsair ram is your best bet, in my opinion.

The rest of your hardware looks good, you have a nice build that will fly threw anything in todays gaming world. If you went with my recommendations on the videocard and ram you will save 350$+ and performance difference will be marginal. Just my 0.02$

 

[306maxi]

The case is big, it's aluminum. Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a mid-tower. It will definitely have a "wow" effect when people see your computer.

The whole "Aluminium cools better" thing is a myth.

 

[bilbo3660]

I was hoping to buy the final build for the comp sometime around the 15th. But if their coming out with new CPU's at the end of this month. I might actually wait to see it. And are you sure their gonna come out this month? Or is it just an unofficial rumor?

Not cpu's, chipsets. They are the brains that control the motherboard. The Nvidia 590 chipset for Intel just appeared on a DFI motherboard. I read the review yesterday but can't remember where (can anyone say google). Anyway, it does show better performance in many areas than the Intel chipset but the DFI bios was still pretty raw. The other mobo manufacturers can't be far behind in coming out with their own using the Nvidia 590 for the Core2 Duo's.

 

[fredgiblet]

I'd say ditch the 7950 and just get a 7900GTX, it will perform just fine until you upgrade to DX 10 next year and you'll save enough money for a down payment on a DX 10 card.

 

[angry_ducky]

I'd say ditch the 7950 and just get a 7900GTX, it will perform just fine until you upgrade to DX 10 next year and you'll save enough money for a down payment on a DX 10 card.

I'd say get a 7600GT because it makes no sense to drop $400 on a card which you'll replace next year.

 

[blazesofhell]

I'd say ditch the 7950 and just get a 7900GTX, it will perform just fine until you upgrade to DX 10 next year and you'll save enough money for a down payment on a DX 10 card.

I'd say get a 7600GT because it makes no sense to drop $400 on a card which you'll replace next year.

Or just a straight-up 7900GT...Tom's VGA guide puts the 7900GT as the card with the most value (price/performance wise).

The 7900GT is a damn good card now, costs around $250, and will easily tie you over until Vista and DX10...say, the middle of next year?

 

[f1nal_0men]

The case is big, it's aluminum. Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a mid-tower. It will definitely have a "wow" effect when people see your computer.

The whole "Aluminium cools better" thing is a myth.

No, actually. While aluminum might only decrease temps by a fraction, aluminum does disipate heat better than steel. Besides, I never said aluminum cooled better. I never said "Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a steel case"

 

[skiss]

Lol either way that big lump of aluminum stays. I'm really fond of the way it looks and because its huge. Its gonna allow me to do alot of cool stuff to it in the future. I'm thinking of going up a couple of ranks on the c2d proccessers. Which do you think is best for your buck on those? Also any idea on which one of the 9837 7900gt is the better?

 

[angry_ducky]

Or just a straight-up 7900GT...Tom's VGA guide puts the 7900GT as the card with the most value (price/performance wise).

That's because Tom's has the price of teh X1800XT wrong. Here in the US, you can get an X1800XT for $210, which makes the price/performance leader. 7900GT is good, too, but teh X1800XT is faster and cheaper.

 

[306maxi]

The case is big, it's aluminum. Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a mid-tower. It will definitely have a "wow" effect when people see your computer.

The whole "Aluminium cools better" thing is a myth.

No, actually. While aluminum might only decrease temps by a fraction, aluminum does disipate heat better than steel. Besides, I never said aluminum cooled better. I never said "Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a steel case"

True

 

[f1nal_0men]

The case is big, it's aluminum. Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a mid-tower. It will definitely have a "wow" effect when people see your computer.

The whole "Aluminium cools better" thing is a myth.

No, actually. While aluminum might only decrease temps by a fraction, aluminum does disipate heat better than steel. Besides, I never said aluminum cooled better. I never said "Most likely is superior in terms of cooling then a steel case"

True



(I apologize for the worthless post)