How is this system?

[DJSpeedy]

This is the system I've decided upon after the new year. Total price comes in at $2,232.

I like the mobo because it supports up to 16gb of RAM, which is the most I've seen to date. So I like that for it's "future" expandibility on that, and I believe I can also put a quad-core in there when the time comes.

I'm also toying with the idea of adding 4 additional 320gb IDE drives (bringing total storage to a shade below 2.8TB) since the mobo supports it, which would bring the price to $2,660. But would that lead to performance issues?

All in all, I feel it's a solid system as this will mainly be a gaming system with some number crunching from time to time. I don't plan on doing any OC'ing with it for the forseeable future.

Comments are welcome!

[code:1:5f0cd39746]
ASUS Motherboard P5NSLI LGA775 CONROE NVI NF570 SLI DDR2 PCIEX16
Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz FSB1066MHz 4MB LGA775
Zalman CPU Fan CNPS9500 LED-CU With 70mm Fan LED Retail 775 939
1GB PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 (x4)
WD SE 400GB SATA RAID HD 8.9MS 16MB 7200RPM (x4)
Logitech Keyboard Value PS 2 104 Keys 967334 Gray
Microsoft Wheel Optical Mouse Intellieye Optical
PNY Verto GeForce 7900GTX PCI-E 512MB
Sony 52x32x52x/16x CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
RaidMax Sagitta Black/Silver Case 450W USB/Audio
Windows XP Professional 64-bit
[/code:1:5f0cd39746]

 

[doubletake33]

nice set up for 2 grand. hell you not playin is ya? 8) hope that 450w isn't the psu seein the layout of this system. 500 to 600 watt psu should keep it nice and tight! I'd say enermax liberty if ya don't have somethin solid already. 8)

 

[WR2]

it's "future" expandibility on that, and I believe I can also put a quad-core in there when the time comes.

I don't believe that motherboard (or any other 570/590 MB) will support C2Q CPUs.
ASUS P5N-E SLI nForce 650i is a Quad Core ready motherboard.
You'll have to check the specs on that 450W Raidmax PSU very carefully to make sure it has enough 12volt amps to support the 7900GTX. And since the 7900GTX price is very close to the 8800GTS you should seriously consider getting the DX ready 8800GTS.

 

[skyguy]

Honestly, for $2200 or so, you should be getting some better specs than that. Two things JUMP out that need revising:

1) 7900GTX. Don't bother. Waaaaay overpriced. Go with a 8800GTS instead. Far better investment of your money;

2) Power supply. Ditch the case PSU and get a real one. Figure about $120 for sure. Don't cheap out on a $2K rig, that would be a crying shame, especially if something blows on the PSU.....it's not good enough for your system. You'll regret it.

Look at the Enermax, OCZ, Seasonic, or Corsair, minimum 500w. 600w preferred.

 

[skyguy]

Honestly, for $2200 or so, you should be getting some better specs than that. A few things JUMP out that need revising:

1) 7900GTX. Don't bother. Waaaaay overpriced. Go with a 8800GTS instead. Far better investment of your money;

2) Power supply. Ditch the case PSU and get a real one. Figure about $120 for sure. Don't cheap out on a $2K rig, that would be a crying shame, especially if something blows on the PSU.....it's not good enough for your system. You'll regret it. Look at the Enermax, OCZ, Seasonic, or Corsair, minimum 500w. 600w preferred.

3) Get a different motherboard. Why SLI? It's a waste unless you plan on going 8800's in SLI. Get something proven and more cost-effective like an ASUS P5B-e or a Gigabyte 965P-DS3.

 

[DJSpeedy]

doubletake: No, I'm not playin'. This is a serious consideration for me.

Skyguy: I can only do so much with online configurators.

Since I have no plans to "upgrade" to Vista anytime soon, I don't need a DX10 card and the 7900 is close performance wise to the 8800 (this is based on the VGA charts here), plus I've read here where the 8800 will require a good CPU (and probably a hefty PSU) so I decided to go with the 7900.

I might try some different configures, I know I can go at least to 500, and maybe 550 IIRC.

 

[skyguy]

LOL, I hear ya.

Still, you may want to reconsider the 7900GTX. I'm certainly not questioning its abilities (I own one myself), but I question it's pricing, that's all. I got mine for a helluva deal (long story) so I won't complain. But I certainly wouldn't pay anywhere near full price for it. I think there are other cards out there that offer great performance at a cheaper price.

For not much more money, you could get an 8800GTS, that's all I'm saying.

However, if you can find a 7900GTX at a great deal, it certainly is a fast card. But it's a poor investment of that much money, there are better bang-for-your-buck cards.

Good luck, sounds like you're about set to go with everything!

 

[WR2]

the 8800 will require a good CPU (and probably a hefty PSU)

You ARE getting a good CPU!. The hefty PSU is something you need for both the 7900GTX (450W & 22amps 12volt) and 8800GTS (400W & 24amps).

"future" expandibility

You never "need" something - till you need it. DX10 "need it now" time isnt yet but DX9 is 3 years old, WinXP at 5+ years.
When you checked the THG video charts - did you only check the 1024x768 benchmarks, or did you also check the 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 benchmarks?
While Vista won't be my primary OS for some time yet to come I'm using it on my current system from time to time (multi-OS boot setup). I like having options.

It would be a good idea to run your system profile through the PSU Watt Calculator just to be on the safe side. I usually recommend one bump in size to allow for future expansion, aging, etc.

 

[DJSpeedy]

After some re-configuring, this is what I have now. $2,395 is the tag.

This mobo does support C2Q , though by the time I'm ready to upgrade this system, octo cores may be the standard.

I've noticed memory prices are flucuating quite a bit lately, hopefully they'll settle by the time I get this system.

This model of the 8800 is $15 less than the 7900, so I'd be a dummy to not take advantage of that. I'm debating about upgrading to the 8800GTX for $190 more. It's more card than I "need' now, but in two years, who knows?

And I did check most of the option on the THG charts.

The Watt Calculator said 479w for this system, so I think the PSU below should cover me.

[code:1:1c22b514c3]
eVGA nForce 680i SLI 775 Mainboard
Intel Pentium Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz FSB1066MHz 4MB LGA775
Zalman CPU Fan CNPS9500 LED-CU With 70mm Fan LED Retail 775 939
1GB PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 Memory (x4)
WDC 250GB Int 3.5-in SATA 3G HDD 7200rpm 8MB 1-in Height (x6)
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GEFORCE 8800GTS 640MB DDR3 500MHz
Sony 52x32x52x/16x CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
RaidMax RX-9 Red Gaming Case (no P.S.)
Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Thermaltake TR2 550W power supply ATX 12V
[/code:1:1c22b514c3]

 

[WR2]

If you're thinking about RAID and that eVGA nForce 680i motherboard you should read this post to stay informed: Possible 680i problems?

 

[skyguy]

Try to bump up to 2 gigs RAM ASAP

 

[Visi0nS]

i would definately go with a DX10 graphics card, it is pricey but just look at the pics.

 

[DJSpeedy]

Try to bump up to 2 gigs RAM ASAP

Ummm....Skyguy....you missed something there....I'm actually getting FOUR there....

1GB PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 Memory (x4)

WR2, I hadn't planned on doing the RAID thing, plus these drives don't do RAID anyway.

But I appreciate the 'headsup' on it anyway.

 

[WR2]

these drives don't do RAID anyway

Those drives will do RAID just fine.

 

[DJSpeedy]

these drives don't do RAID anyway

Those drives will do RAID just fine.

Really? The specs I read on the drives didn't say anything about RAID....oh well....not an issue, really.

 

[skyguy]

My bad about the RAM. Completely missed that Speedy. Sorry.

 

[vernonion]

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