To upgrade, or not?

[Katamarino]

Hi All,

I am currently running:

Asus P5B Deluxe WiFi
E6600 @ 3.0
4 x 1GB Corsair Dominator 800MHz DDR2
Radeon X1950 Pro 512
150GB WD Raptor
5 x 320GB (Raid 5 - don't ask!)
750W XClio

A friend wants a rig built, and the spec she is after would be nicely filled by these parts, so I am thinking of upgrading to:

Asus Rampage Formula
Processor?? (Quad, overlockable)
8GB 1066 DDR2 - DDR3 doesnt seem worth it?
2 x Radeon 4870 (or 1 x 4870x2, 1 x 4870)
2 x 320GB Raid 0 (system drive, as I already have them to hand)
2 x 1Tb Raid 1
1100W Tagan PSU

I want two graphics cards not for crossfire, although that might come later to extend their lives, but to use 3 or 4 monitors for multiple EVE Online accounts. Monitors are likely to be 2 x 19" standard aspect ratio, at 1280 x 1024, and a 24" or bigger widescreen in the middle at at least 1080 HD. Maybe my old 17" mounted above...

Other tasks for the rig will be Diablo 3, Flightsim X, Supreme Commander, and HD Video Editing.

Any comments on the setup? Also, suggestions for CPU? Would I be best waiting until the next Intel architecture comes out, and if so should I buy the new chips or take advantage of price cuts on the old?

Thanks in advance...

Kat

 

[kitsilencer]

One comment on the dual monitor matter:

The 4870 already has multiple display support. The x2 will be overkill, as will CrossfireX. Especially considering the resolutions you're running.

Consequently, you definitely won't need 1100W of power. 800W is more than enough.

Now... where's that penny for my thoughts?

 

[aevm]

Wow, that's going to be a nice computer.

HD 4870 cards are a good choice for D3 because D3 will support Havok physics.

I'm not sure yet that 4870X2+HD 4870 will be able to work together in Crossfire. We'll see. For example HD 4870+HD 4850 work, but HD 4870+HD 3870 don't. I'm 99% sure you'll need Vista for it, if it works, because XP drivers are stuck supporting only 2 GPUs, and HD 4870X2+HD 4870 means 3 GPUs.
1100W is about right for those 3 GPUs + OCd quad, especially if you intend to have a truckload of hard disks again, like last time.

Rampage Formula is a good choice but there are less expensive X48 boards out there, like the P5E Deluxe. Anyway, X48 is essential IMO for Crossfire with those cards.

You definitely want an OCd quad for FSX. Maybe a Q9550, considering your budget. Get a Xigmatek HDT-S1283 or a Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme.

If you wait for Nehalem and then buy a Q9550 or Q9450 you might save some cash, compared to buying it today, but you'll get less money for the old PC. On the whole, it may in fact result in negative savings. And you'll have to keep playing on the x1950Pro, yuck