Advice for the out-of-date

[MrTechnoFreak]

I haven't been on these forums in quite a long time (title was appropiate a few years ago, haha), and also haven't updated my system in a long time either (you may laugh). I read a few threads in here and a few things in other places, but am still up in the air about what to do...

My budget is $2000, I'm trying to build a good gaming system (as quiet as possible + with raid), and here's what I'm working with:

What I want to upgrade:

Mobo + CPU:
I currently have an MSI board with a P4 - 3.2/800fsb on it (yes I know, dino-comp, haha).

Based on the latest CPU comparisons, I was considering a Intel E6850 because of the "bang for your buck" value, but am having a super hard time deciding on a board. At first I was going to go with the ASUS - striker extreme, but having read SO many DOA's and complaints about customers service on this board, I'm thinking I should get something else. I've been out of the tech scene for a while, so do I need SLI support if I'm not going dual vid? Is dual vid worth it?

I don't overclock for stability/life of parts reasons (and I'm lazy in that respect), so that doesn't bug me if a board doesn't support it.

RAM
Corsair? - I'm going to go for 4gb of whatever's best for the board. Had these in mind when I was going for the Striker board, but now who knows...lowest CAS and best quality I can get I guess.

Video Card
8800 GTS - Again, bang for the buck, but I'm not 100% on this either.

Hard-drives
WD740ADFD x2 - I'm going to go Raid 1+0 on these and don't care about storage space (I'll have an extra drive in there for storage). They seem to outperform in most catagories on the charts, and I really would like some redundancy so that if one goes out, I can get it RMA'ed before any downtime happens.

Case
Antec Solo - I'm going for quiet here, and that case has a 120mm in back with the hard drives suspended on "bungee cord" mounts (no vibration transfer). I'm not so hot on the looks of it though, so anything suggested would be great.

Monitor
Samsung 226BW - I'm still using a Hitachi CM753 that I bought 10 years ago, and I think it's time

I appreciate any help/opinions you guys/gals write, thanks for taking the time.

 

[Dior]

It's unfortunate that you don't overclock or I would've suggested the Q6600 for $273 and pushing it form 2.4 to 3.0. But since you don't, E6850 is a fine choice. The mobo you should go with is Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, it's not expensive and rock solid with great features. Ram you picked is good. 226BW is a great monitor but its 2nd best imo, for only $50 more (or 30 without rebate) you can get LG L226WTY-BF, it has the same specs as 226BW but has noticeably wider viewing angles (160deg vs 170deg both v and h) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005097
And lastly, the default resolution of a 22" is 1680x1050, 320MB 8800 GTS will choke if you game at that resolution, 640MB version is almost a must in your case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

It's unfortunate that you don't overclock or I would've suggested the Q6600 for $273 and pushing it form 2.4 to 3.0. But since you don't, E6850 is a fine choice. The mobo you should go with is Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, it's not expensive and rock solid with great features. Ram you picked is good. 226BW is a great monitor but its 2nd best imo, for only $50 more (or 30 without rebate) you can get LG L226WTY-BF, it has the same specs as 226BW but has noticeably wider viewing angles (160deg vs 170deg both v and h) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005097
And lastly, the default resolution of a 22" is 1680x1050, 320MB 8800 GTS will choke if you game at that resolution, 640MB version is almost a must in your case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071[/quotemsg ]

Thanks for the reply Dior!

Overclocking is a bit of trouble in a few ways for me...my computer already warms up my room like crazy and I really haven't put forth the effort to learn...studying for my 70-299 right now if you know what that is.

That monitor you recommended looks sweet! I'll go with that most likely (have to take a deeper look when time allows), thanks again.

On the graphics card....ok you convinced me...if I'm bumping from $270 to $379, I may as well hit the $516 mark

Hmm...a good ~700watt PSU from one of the quality manufacturers will be fine, right? (I forgot to put it on the list)

 

[Dior]

Glad to help!
700W would be way too much for your system,
I'd recommend going with Corsair 520HX, it's definitely the best PSU
there is for a $100. http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-520w-sli-certified-modular-atx-power-supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html
Free shipping

Good luck.

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

Sweet man, thanks again!

I was hoping that the GigaByte board would support RAID 1+0, but looking through the manual it looks like I'll have to settle on RAID 1....ahh well no biggie.

Time to order soon

 

[Solariscs]

One questions do you have a 64-bit system? It's just that many people buy 4GB RAM, but then can't use it do to the restriction of 32-bit OS

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

Really? Is there somewhere that I can read up about this?

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

I've been researching, and it seems that XP will recognize a bit over 3gb of RAM depending on my video. I'd still rather have 3gb then 2, so it's no big deal. Maybe I'll just drop 2 512mb sticks in the 2nd slots instead.

Interesting reading if anyone is interested:

h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/downloads/RAM Allocation w-WinXP_HP MWP x64 03Nov05.doc

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=474290&SiteID=17

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

Ok, one last question, and I'll let this thread die...

I've decided to go with 3gb of RAM since that's the most Windows will support. I checked the motherboard RAM support list and it has these 2 types of Crucial RAM listed:

BL6464AL804 (2x512mb sticks)

BL12864AA804 (2x1024mb sticks)

On the motherboard list, it shows a column that has DS/SS and these sticks are 1 of each (IE one is SS, the other is DS). I don't know what that means though...will they work together if I put 2 of each stick on the same board? The specs on the RAM seem identical except for whether it's SLI ready, but I don't want to make a mistake.

Anyone know? Thanks again for the help

 

[Solariscs]

I believe that will work, but if I was you, I would go with the 4GB if you have the money and just get a 64-bit Operating System. With 64-bits you will also experience increased response times from programs that support 64-bits. I use it on my computer now and its great. Many vendors are starting to support these operating systems and the newest drivers all have support for both 32 bit and 64-bit.

It's your choice, however . Your computer will rock either way.

 

[emp]

Agreed on the 64-bit front! Finally I have an ally to my cause. I use Vista 64 Ultimate and GRAW2 and CoH perform the same under XP and under Vista with the latest 8800GTS beta drivers for vista. I say if you need a new OS (which you will if you're going for 4GB) then go for Any edition of Vista (home premium, ultimate or business) but make it 64-bit! JOIN THE REVOLUTION!

 

[Solariscs]

lol Yes, 64-bit has come a long way. In the past very few software titles supported it, but now it's being more and more supported, meaning most of the new programs will run in it and many of the older ones are getting updates that support 64-bit operating systems. It's not just the games either. All 64-bit programs load almost twice as fast as 32-bit ones. I love the increased performance!

You won't regret it Techno

 

[Evilonigiri]

You know if you're like me and love to go fan crazy, why not go with the Stacker 830? Claims you can put 9 120mm fans in...Though I only found 7 but whatever. I think its around 219 at newegg atm.

 

[GenericName]

The Extreme Striker vs the Asus P5n32-E Sli 680 Board: (read its worth saving some money)

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=616

MotherBoard:

A SUS Striker Extreme LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX The Ultimate Gaming Motherboard - $299.00

ASUS P5N32-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - $ 209.00


If you go with the P5n32-E Sli 680 Board instead of Striker and want 4 Gigs I know this RAM works because I'm running it in my machine right now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 27179&Tpk= OCZ2T8002GK

Model # OCZ2T8002GK (2 - 1024 sticks) = $119.99 x 2 = $239.98

I just got this same set up running and it works fantastic with the Beta BIOS for the ASUS P5N32-E SLI

 

[MrTechnoFreak]

Well, I do have Vista Ultimate (both 32 & 64 bit versions) sitting in it's box over here, and the price difference between 3gb and 4 only turned out to be about 10 bucks. I thought you needed a 64-bit processor to be able to run one though...I was wrong?

Oh, and thanks for the article on the Striker Genericname. I had already moved away from that board for a few other reasons, hehe.

 

[Solariscs]

64-bit to run over 3GB yes.