Need advice and oppinions on new computer

[amirisme]

Hey, I've been using a crappy laptop for a year now (because i just started studying overseas) and been unable to play games! So, the year's almost over and i'm going to get me a new system during the holidays! My planned system consists of the following components:

Intel Quad Core Q6600 (2.4Ghz)
Corsair Twin 2X 1024-6400C4 2GB
Gigabyte X38 DQ6
XFX 8800GT 512MB DDR3 XXX
WD WD2500YS 250GB Raid Edition (x2, Raid 0)
WD WD7500KS 750GB
Cooler Master Real Power 550W
Samsung 20X SATA DVDRW
Logitech G9
Logitech G15 Keyboard
Samsung 226BW 22"
Gigabyte Poseidon 310 Casing
Gigabyte 3D Rocket Cooler II

Before, I was never really into OCing... but after seeing my friend's rig recently, I want to try experiment with it. So, tell me if my planned rig is up for it. Also, that extra 750GB of hard drive is because I keep a WHOLE lot of photos and Animes. Gaming wise, I know its abit far off from playing Crysis (point me out if I'm wrong), but I want to be able to play good games on decent quality (Bioshock, MOH Airborne, COD4, World in Conflict, those sorta games)

Any comments and advice are welcome! THANKS A BUNCH!!!

 

[dmroeder]

Personally I would get a raptor rather than the RAID setup. You wouldn't have as much storage, but if you can get buy with 150gigs then it would mean less hassle and less heat. That's just me though, if you are set on it, then by all means...

 

[ramo]

Change your PSU for a better one!

Take a look at the list:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

I recommend the corsair HX series

The rest looks fine.

 

[johnyeah]

There really is no point getting the x38 motherboard (there was a recent article on Tom's comparing the x38 chipset with the p35 in the mobo section). You could save about $100 getting a P35 motherboard instead, it would not affect your overclocking in anyway.

Other then that, you can save a bit of money by switching certain components. For example, getting a stock 8800GT and overclocking it yourself. I overclocked my own 8800GT to 650 mhz and stress tested it for 3 days nonstop (left my computer on running the program over the weekend) and it has not resulted in any problems. I have yet to try higher clockspeeds, but so far I'm pretty satisfied.

 

[amirisme]

Thanks for the replies! All comments noted. THe new Radeon cards just came out. Waiting for the prices to come out to see what i can do. Cools guys!

 

[amirisme]

K, so im going to change the PSU to a Silverstone ST506F 560W. The new ATI radeons came out and i was wondering if its worth it to put 2 of those new HD 3870s?

I was concerned that the new X38 chipset supports x16 lanes on both PCI-E slots but the P35 doesnt. Does it mean anything to performance? Especially when you run dual cards?

 

[aevm]

You have 3 choices:
- one nVidia card or one ATI card: get a GA-P35-DS3R or some other P35 mobo
- two nVidia cards (SLI): get a P5N32-E SLI Plus or some 680i mobo
- two ATI cards (Crossfire): get the GA-X38-DQ6

X38 doesn't support SLI.

I'd replace the two smaller disks with another WD7500AAKS. The WD7500AAKS is just as fast as a Raptor and much bigger.

 

[paq7512]

I would get this psu if I was you. The price is right and so is the 12v rating
single 41A.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006757

 

[amirisme]

Thanks again for the comments! I gotta say, im REALLY leaning towards the Crossfire setup.

Though, i get lotsa comments regarding my hard drive choice. How bout just a single WD 4000YS 400GB Raid Edition instead of 2 250GBs?

 

[aevm]

Crossfire is a very good idea IMO, if the HD 3870 is really as good (and cheap) as reviewers say, and if you can wait until it's available.

I don't think you'd see a speed difference between the 400GB disk and the 250GB disk, The big jump in performance is at the 750GB disk where they introduced perpendicular magnetic recording. With two disks you may in fact get better speed, for example if you compress something and the source/destination are on different disks.

Edit: just to make sure we're on the same page: you do understand that you can't have Crossfire and 8800GT at the same time, right?

 

[amirisme]

Thanks for the comment aevm. HAHAHA. Yeah, we ARE on the same page. SLi is for nvidia cards ONLY and Crossfire for ATI/AMDs