Need Assistance Designing a Computer

SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
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<div class="IPBDescription">[Insert Meaningful Description Here]</div>Hey guys! Sid here - long time no see. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

I think it's time for an upgrade...

Anyways, for the passed month I've been messing around with a 'dream-machine' configuration... except that this isn't a dream. After I get this config as best as humanly possible, I shall be ordering it. So I need your advice; basically I want to know if the components picked out are any good... or if I can do better for the same amount of moolah. So without further ado, here she be:

(All Prices are in Canadian dollars)


Operating System - $218.08 - Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition 32BIT DVD OEM

Case - $329.99 - Silverstone Temjin TJ10-B-W Black E-ATX Aluminum Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT 3X120MM No PS W/ Window

Power Supply - $341.26 - Enermax Galaxy 1000W Power Supply ATX V2.0 EPS12V RoHS 24PIN 135MM Fan Modular 4PCI-E

Optional Fans - $52.47 - Silverstone 120MM FM121 Case Fan White 800-2500RPM 17-39.5DBA MAX. 110CFM ( x3 )

Processor - $1,179.99 - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 Quad Core Processor Kentsfield LGA775 3.0GHZ 1333FSB 8MB Retail W/ HSF

Heat Sink - $44.99 - Scythe Ninja Plus REV.B Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 LGA775 S478 S754 S939 W/ 120MM Fan Adjuster

Motherboard - $245.68 - EVGA Nforce 680I SLI LGA775 Conroe ATX DDR2 2PCI-E16 2PCI SATA2 RAID Sound GBLAN 1394

Memory - $419.98 - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 2X1GB PC2-8500 DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit ( x2 )

Video Card - $1,248.11 - EVGA E-GEFORCE 8800GTX 575MHZ 768MB 1.8GHZ GDDR3 Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 ( x2 )

Sound Card - $105.78 - Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 PCI Retail Box Bilingual

Physics Card - $150.39 - BFG PhysX Card Ageia Physics Processor Card PCI 128MB 128-BIT GDDR3

IDE Hard Drives - $250.80 - Western Digital Raptor 150GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB NCQ 5YR MFR Warranty Hard Drive

DVD Writer - $37.27 - Samsung SH-S183A Black SATA DVD+RW 18X8X16 DVD-RW 18X6X16 DL 8X DVD Writer OEM W/ SW

Floppy - $28.38 - Mitsumi FA404M-BK 7-IN-1 Floppy Drive & Flash Reader CF/SM/SD/MMC/MS Black

Keyboard - $71.57 - Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard Black Silver Programmable Backlit Keys USB

Mouse - $57.79 - Logitech MX518 GAMING-GRADE Optical Mouse 1600-DPI USB SILVER-BLACK

Warranty - 1 Year Parts & 1 Years Labour Limited Warranty On System Components


TOTAL PRICE: $4,782.52 Canadian


And here's the link to the actual configuration: (You may have the 'Physics card bug' where it fills up every blank space with a PhysX card. Just ignore that, heh). <a href="http://pc.ncix.com/pcbuilder/index.php?action=config&id=2633998" target="_blank">http://pc.ncix.com/pcbuilder/index.php?act...&id=2633998</a>

And just to sum it up:

Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit
1000W PSU
Quad Core 3.0GHZ Intel with 8MB Cache
4GB DDR2-1066, 5-5-5-15
2 Geforce 8800 GTX 768mb
Creative Soundblaster X-FI
Ageia PhysX Card


Basically, I want this system to be future-proof. I want this thing to last me for the next seven years without any major upgrade. However, I did cut back on some 'future' stuff for reliability sake, such as switching back from a 64bit to a 32bit OS. (Yes... I -have- to make the switch to Vista... I need my DX10 <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /> ) And yes, I've thought long and hard about it, I do want to keep the physics card. I think it's worth it just for the extra eye candy in UT3. Any other questions I'd be happy to answer to the best of my ability.

But in the mean time, some help/advice would be greatly appreciated. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

Thanks for your time,
Sid <3
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Comments

  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    I don't know what you're smoking but the physics card is a stupid idea. If it's ever worth it, which it won't be, you can buy it then, but right now it's just silly. Dump the 2 GTXs for a GTS (640MB) and save the extra money for a new videocard whenever you want one. And then <i>another</i> new video card. The GTX is way too expensive, and 2 of them is dumb no matter which way you slice it. SLI is not by any definition worth it, unless your definition is "I want to spend a huge amount of money now only to have two useless videocards the next time nVidia jumps up a generation, which is in a few months." You could cut way down on the power supply if you felt like it as long as you go with a reputable brand (since you're ditching SLI because you're smart), and unless you're overclocking the stock heatsink should be fine. The QXPENSIVE6850 is future-proof, yes, but you know what's even more future proof? An E6750, plus all the money you saved, because that will buy you a better quad core once programs start to use it. As it stands, 2 if not 3 of those cores may very well spend their days twiddling their thumbs, because even though the first batch of "I swear I use 4 cores" software is coming out soon-ish, it's not here yet and it's better to upgrade when that stuff's the norm. If you're in love with quad just get a Q6700.

    There, I just saved you more money than I spent building my entire new computer. Congratulations.
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  • WarriorWarrior Join Date: 2003-02-16 Member: 13624Members
    edited September 2007
    Ill tell you this. That computer will NOT last seven years. Do not spend that much money at once. Its way better to spend less (I would say about $1200-1400) now, and over the years upgrade the video card and cpu. With that said this is what I suggest these changes.

    Drop the Phys card. The games that require it suck and the games that have the option to use it don't need it.

    Get a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor- Look around for a G0 stepping processor. Then overclock it to 3ghz+ and be glad you saved a crap load of money. Even if you don't overclock, its a way better value then spending 1000 on a cpu.

    If you game under 1920x1080 get a GTS if you game over get a GTX. Get one video card because SLI is overrated and a waste of money. Next year there will be single cards that will blow your SLI setup away and cost half as much.

    4 GB is a waste if you don't get the 64bit Vista OS. So either drop the 4gigs or get a 64bit OS.

    Other then that it looks fine.

    Edit:
    Drop the raptors. They dont make a big difference unless you want to save 10 seconds loading. Get two or more 250+ GB WD drives. If you must get a raptor get the 74Gb version and use it for a OS drive.

    2nd Edit

    UT3 will not use the Phys card to its full potential. Its going to be a 'mod' that might make it a little more pretty. Not worth 150 bucks at all.
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  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    The reason I went with that processor is because it has unlocked multipliers. I can overclock it to 3.9GHZ. ;P And when I do that, I'm going to need that heatsink.

    I'm going to play the trump card here: No matter what anyone does, there's *always* going to be better hardware around the corner. If I get a lower 'x' component now, and then upgrade later.. what's the point? If when I upgrade there's going to be something even better coming up? I'm going to attempt to get the best there is at the moment, and stick with it.

    I know it's expensive... but I think I am getting what I pay for. I even downgraded from the 8800 Ultras 'cause they -are- a waste of money. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    Yeah, I guess everything has already been said.

    And no computer is "future proof" the top of the line technology will become outdated in a year, if not a matter of months. I purchased top of the line at one point, the computer has lasted me 3 years, and the last year doesn't really count because it chugs on many games.

    Can I also ask why you are willing to spend $5000 on a computer? I mean, that's a lot of money, no matter how you cut it. Unless you won the lottery or something.

    Also drop the $400 case. Get a $70 lian li or something, they are artistic and don't cost as much as a second computer.

    Oh yeah, it's not an IDE Hard drive if it's SATA
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  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651768:date=Sep 24 2007, 06:53 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 24 2007, 06:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651768"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm going to play the trump card here: No matter what anyone does, <b>there's *always* going to be better hardware around the corner</b>. If I get a lower 'x' component now, and then upgrade later.. what's the point? If when I upgrade there's going to be something even better coming up? I'm going to attempt to get the best there is at the moment, and stick with it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Uh, exactly. Then why buy stuff from the top of the line? You know why they are so expensive? It's not because they are that good, it's because they are new technology. All you are buying is the ability to say "it's top of the line!"(and you only get to do this for a little while) along with a little extra speed. It's like buying a 2007 car, most of it's extra price is imaginary worth, you are basically paying $10,000 just to have the ones place on the year increased a few.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651768:date=Sep 24 2007, 05:53 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 24 2007, 05:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651768"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The reason I went with that processor is because it has unlocked multipliers. I can overclock it to 3.9GHZ. ;P And when I do that, I'm going to need that heatsink.

    I'm going to play the trump card here: No matter what anyone does, there's *always* going to be better hardware around the corner. If I get a lower 'x' component now, and then upgrade later.. what's the point? If when I upgrade there's going to be something even better coming up? I'm going to attempt to get the best there is at the moment, and stick with it.

    I know it's expensive... but I think I am getting what I pay for. I even downgraded from the 8800 Ultras 'cause they -are- a waste of money. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    "Trump card" does not mean "justification for the unjustifiable." We're not saying "wait for something better." We're saying "buy the vastly cheaper and only slightly less powerful option, then later on upgrade to a vastly more powerful option, all for the same amount of money you'd waste with this configuration right here." It's not about waiting, it's about saving. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is ever going to use 2 GTXs <i>until</i> games and hardware are at a point where you can buy something much better than your 2 GTXs for the amount you would have saved if you had bought a GTS.

    And I didn't notice this before but yes, 4 gigs of RAM is too much unless you like making millions of triangles in 3dsmax while you encode a video. I dunno about the Raptor's speed (I've never owned one) but I guess if 150 gigs is all you need it can't really hurt. At least you'll be spending a huge amount of money on something which it seems like you've got your heart set on doing, regardless of the intelligence of such a thing.
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  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    Alright, alright. I got some serious pondering to do.

    The case, however, stays. ;P

    <a href="http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=811&num=1" target="_blank">Case Review</a>

    Let's just say that I've saved up this amount of money specifically for a system like this.
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  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    edited September 2007
    I don't know much about computers, but I've definitely learned that it's better (and cheaper) to get an almost perfect computer every 3 years or so rather than an uber computer every 6 years or so. you drop a ton of money on a PC now, how are you going to feel when you could get a better PC for 1/3 the price in 2009? and of course there's always upgrades, which are easier to do yourself on some parts than others. video cards often make the biggest difference in gaming and they're probably the easiest thing to switch out too (just unplug the old, plug in the new, update drivers), so you can get a 'pretty good' vid card today, and a new one in a couple years, and be ahead of where you'd be if you got the uber one today and nothing in a couple years.

    that said, I too drool over the most state of the art video cards and such =p practicality just tends to win out in the end.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651780:date=Sep 24 2007, 06:09 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 24 2007, 06:09 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651780"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Alright, alright. I got some serious pondering to do.

    The case, however, stays. ;P

    <a href="http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=811&num=1" target="_blank">Case Review</a>

    Let's just say that I've saved up this amount of money specifically for a system like this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I don't care if you saved up money, won the lottery, or killed a man and took his stuff, I'm not going to let someone spend that kind of money on that kind of system while I have any input. It's dumb in so many ways.
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  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    Even with your filthy Canadian money, I wouldn't spend that much on a system :\


    Physics cards are useless btw.
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  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651827:date=Sep 24 2007, 06:57 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 24 2007, 06:57 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651827"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't care...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Do you ever?

    I'm thinking we should have a separate PC building/upgrading forum, there's too many of these topics. Drop the Physics Card and Floppy Drive, both are pointless. I wouldn't switch to Vista either.
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  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    tycho speaks the truth, especially about ageia, and sli, and about quad - its still minimum 3 months away before you will see any benefits.

    - you are just p1ss1ng money away going getting a system like that - why would you want a pc to last you 7 years anyway? your much better off going on 2.5 - 3 month cycles, you'll end up spending the same amount of money, and you'll have a heaps better pc at the end of the 7 years.
    also overcloaking a pc today even one that has such a beefy cpu, it won't stand a chance against a new machine in 7 years time - they will probably have an 80 core CPU or something by then.

    For the price of your two 8800GTX's you can get a pc which will run your games 90% as good as the pc you have listed. and buy a new one every 3 years <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    I wouldn't bother with Vista Ultimate. Vista Home Premium is a better purchase: the extras offered in the Ultimate version aren't worth the increased price.
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  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651850:date=Sep 25 2007, 01:07 PM:name=MedHead)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MedHead @ Sep 25 2007, 01:07 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651850"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I wouldn't bother with Vista Ultimate. Vista Home Premium is a better purchase: the extras offered in the Ultimate version aren't worth the increased price.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    hell even xp will do the trick until some block buster comes along that "Requires" DX10 not just makes enhancements which you don't notice while playing.
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  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    I thought I 'mise well go with Vista so I don't have to do it later. *Lazy* ;P Also, floppy drives are handy to have. (Especially this one that comes with memory card readers. :B Only for $30!) It's better to have it and not need it, then it is to need it and not have it. It's handy for when you do use it - aka booting up a copy of DOS and saving your whole HDD, which I have had to do a lot on systems...

    I'm in a position where I can afford such a system, and would like to treat myself; As dumb as it may be to "p1ss" my money away on such a killer system. Basically, what this whole thread about is asking if I can get any better performance with this current configuration for the same amount of money.

    <3
    Sid
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  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
    I'm kinda in agreement with the rest of the posters in here. It seems rather silly to just throw away all that extra money "because you can". It would be much more sensible to build a more sensible system now and keep the money you saved in the bank and use that for future upgrades.
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  • WarriorWarrior Join Date: 2003-02-16 Member: 13624Members
    edited September 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1651768:date=Sep 24 2007, 03:53 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 24 2007, 03:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651768"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The reason I went with that processor is because it has unlocked multipliers. I can overclock it to 3.9GHZ. ;P And when I do that, I'm going to need that heatsink.

    I'm going to play the trump card here: No matter what anyone does, there's *always* going to be better hardware around the corner. If I get a lower 'x' component now, and then upgrade later.. what's the point? If when I upgrade there's going to be something even better coming up? I'm going to attempt to get the best there is at the moment, and stick with it.

    I know it's expensive... but I think I am getting what I pay for. I even downgraded from the 8800 Ultras 'cause they -are- a waste of money. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You got a mobo that can overlock, get a Q6600 and overclock the FSB. You still need a heatsink and you will have saved alot of money. Overclocking is never a guarntee. You might never break 3.1GHZ. Wouldn't that suck.

    Yes there is new stuff around the corner but you should know, that $4500 rig is already a year old. The GTX came out last year and so did the Kentfield design. In a few months i can upgrade my year old rig (which cost me $1300) for about $800 and it will be faster then what you are buying.

    Edit

    SLI is still a waste. It will cause you more problems then it will increase your fps. It wont double FPS like some people may think.
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  • schkorpioschkorpio I can mspaint Join Date: 2003-05-23 Member: 16635Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651862:date=Sep 25 2007, 02:12 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 25 2007, 02:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651862"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I thought I 'mise well go with Vista so I don't have to do it later. *Lazy* ;P Also, floppy drives are handy to have. (Especially this one that comes with memory card readers. :B Only for $30!) It's better to have it and not need it, then it is to need it and not have it. It's handy for when you do use it - aka booting up a copy of DOS and saving your whole HDD, which I have had to do a lot on systems...

    I'm in a position where I can afford such a system, and would like to treat myself; As dumb as it may be to "p1ss" my money away on such a killer system. Basically, what this whole thread about is asking if I can get any better performance with this current configuration for the same amount of money.

    <3
    Sid<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Well thats fare enough if you have money to blow.
    But instead of spending on what will only get a slight performance gain, spend it on COMFORT <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
    I'm talking nice computer desk that has lots room, comfy mouse, keyboard, leather chair with head rest etc - surround sound speakers, 22inch lcd screen etc <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
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  • NEX9NEX9 Join Date: 2005-03-08 Member: 44299Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651900:date=Sep 25 2007, 01:46 AM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Sep 25 2007, 01:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651900"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->spend it on COMFORT <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
    I'm talking nice computer desk that has lots room, comfy mouse, keyboard, leather chair with head rest etc - surround sound speakers, 22inch lcd screen etc <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Schkorpio's right Sid, comfort is a good thing mate, also if your any thing like me you live in between 3 coal power plants, and the dust is stupid, i gotta clean out 1-3 months, every inch of my box. so the next thing ill be getting will be a completely sealed case, something you could almost submerge in water, and a entire liquid cool system, some good quality anti freeze and i should never have to clean it out again.

    a heavy clean out 1-3 months takes so much time out of gameing, its usualy followed with a defrag, but it beats over heating or a coal fire in your nvida.

    stop by thremaltak and have a gander, and get rid of every single fan in your box, they have blocks for just about every thing, and are rather compatable with other brands as well.
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1651862:date=Sep 24 2007, 11:12 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 24 2007, 11:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651862"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm in a position where I can afford such a system, and would like to treat myself; As dumb as it may be to "p1ss" my money away on such a killer system. Basically, what this whole thread about is asking if I can get any better performance with this current configuration for the same amount of money.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Can you get better performance <i>right now</i> for the same amount of money? No. Can you get WAAAAAAAAAAY better performance for WAAAAAAAAAAY less money for <i>years</i> to come by following our advice? Yes. I can only phrase it in so many different ways, and I get the feeling I'm trying to hammer a round peg into a square hole here, but if you just scale your purchase back a tiny bit and save like, a thousand freaking dollars, and I mean literally a thousand dollars (more!), you will ensure that you have vastly superior performance a year from now, and even <i>better</i> performance three years from now. If you go with your boneheaded "I wanna spend all my money in one go" plan, you'll have great performance now, be a generation behind in about 3 months, and from then on it's just downhill.

    Imagine if you had an Athlon 64 FX-60 with SLI 7900GTXs right now. How fast would that be? Pretty fast, I guess, but compared to even a single 8800GTS you'd still be feeling a little out of date, especially if the 8800GTS was paired with a Core2Duo E6700. That Athlon 64 + 79000GTX computer, though, is EXACTLY what the thing you want to buy is going to partially turn into in a few months, when nVidia releases its new 9X00 series, and then later in 2008 when new CPUs come out you'll be a full generation behind on everything. If you just go with an 8800GTS and a Q6600 or something, you could buy all new parts with the money you spent and still have enough left over to feed a fillage in Zimbabwe for a few weeks (they'd be grateful).

    I've said this three times now and people have agreed; the final choice is yours but if I was sitting next to you I'd be hitting you with a rolled up newspaper until you agreed to listen to reason. The starving villagers of Zimbabwe pray for the exercise of your ability to reason.
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  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    edited September 2007
    Haha, $4,782.52 for a system? You can buy 4 PCs with almost the same amount of oomph for that!

    I don't know if this has been posted yet, but you should really consider assembling it yourself. Nowadays if you select the right components, it's mostly plugNplay.

    Unless you're ultra-rich and willing to spend 3 grand for bragging rights, go with what the other posters have said.

    - Q2duo 6600 or E6750
    - cheapest 800 ram you can find
    - 8800 gts 320mb

    = is all you really need for a system made of win.
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  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    You know what, Sid? I'm just going to fly up to Canada, steal your money, buy and make you a real computer, take a thousand out for payment, and then you can still keep the extra two-three thousand left over. How's that sound?
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  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1651906:date=Sep 25 2007, 01:28 AM:name=NEX9)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NEX9 @ Sep 25 2007, 01:28 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651906"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Schkorpio's right Sid, comfort is a good thing mate, also if your any thing like me you live in between 3 coal power plants, and the dust is stupid, i gotta clean out 1-3 months, every inch of my box. so the next thing ill be getting will be a completely sealed case, something you could almost submerge in water, and a entire liquid cool system, some good quality anti freeze and i should never have to clean it out again.

    a heavy clean out 1-3 months takes so much time out of gameing, its usualy followed with a defrag, but it beats over heating or a coal fire in your nvida.

    stop by thremaltak and have a gander, and get rid of every single fan in your box, they have blocks for just about every thing, and are rather compatable with other brands as well.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I've thought about the liquid cooling; but it's expensive.. and even with non-conductive liquid, it still gives me a bad feeling. Plus; if I am going to be upgrading, I heard that you had to basically switch it out and then replace it if you even want to open up your case.

    But I do agree! I have a cat and a dog (Named Sam and Max, respectively). I find the internals of my case coated in fur all the time. :/ I think the case in my config has filters over the fans, but still.


    <!--quoteo(post=1652015:date=Sep 25 2007, 12:49 PM:name=Epidemic)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Epidemic @ Sep 25 2007, 12:49 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652015"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Haha, $4,782.52 for a system? You can buy 4 PCs with almost the same amount of oomph for that!

    I don't know if this has been posted yet, but you should really consider assembling it yourself. Nowadays if you select the right components, it's mostly plugNplay.

    Unless you're ultra-rich and willing to spend 3 grand for bragging rights, go with what the other posters have said.

    - Q2duo 6600 or E6750
    - cheapest 800 ram you can find
    - 8800 gts 320mb

    = is all you really need for a system made of win.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Alright, you and Tycho do have a point here. I know I am going way over board, but it's my dream system.

    However, having said that... I'm pondering about getting the non-extreme quad core processor; the Q6700, and maybe a single GTX or a single Ultra. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    Hey, it's a step in the right direction. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    Then I might have to tinker with the motherboard...
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1652088:date=Sep 25 2007, 05:11 PM:name=Sid)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sid @ Sep 25 2007, 05:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652088"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've thought about the liquid cooling; but it's expensive..<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    WHAT

    WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY

    OH NO YOU DIDN'T JUST SAY THAT
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  • SidSid Corwid of the Free Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12903Members, Constellation
    edited September 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1652093:date=Sep 25 2007, 04:21 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 25 2007, 04:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652093"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->WHAT

    WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY

    OH NO YOU DIDN'T JUST SAY THAT<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    ;>
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  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    if you want to pay a lot for an uber computer, you could just go Alienware - they're overpriced but still less than what you're describing, and you would be able to say "I have an alienware," which is kinda like saying "I have a Porsche"
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  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1652128:date=Sep 25 2007, 07:47 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Sep 25 2007, 07:47 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652128"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->...which is kinda like saying "I have a Porsche"<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Which is kinda like saying "I bought something that I never will be able to 'open up', or in other words, 'use to its full potential'."
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  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1652130:date=Sep 25 2007, 06:52 PM:name=MedHead)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MedHead @ Sep 25 2007, 06:52 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652130"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Which is kinda like saying "I bought something that I never will be able to 'open up', or in other words, 'use to its full potential'."<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Well, something like an Alienware you could easily use for Folding@Home or 3d rendering or something. You'll have trouble maxing out 2 3d cards (at least until nVidia makes one work as a physics processor) unless you run at gigantic resolutions but maxing out something like a processor is easy. If you want to use the HD to its full potential you could just edit some video. RAM (and processor and and HD) you could use up by doing some heavy duty image editing. The big problem with Alienware isn't that you can never use its full power, its that you're paying through the nose.
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  • sgt.wafflessgt.waffles Join Date: 2007-09-22 Member: 62406Banned
    edited September 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1651762:date=Sep 24 2007, 10:34 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 24 2007, 10:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651762"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't know what you're smoking but the physics card is a stupid idea. If it's ever worth it, which it won't be, you can buy it then, but right now it's just silly.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I agree with what Tycho said, get rid of the physics card and buy yourself some nice ram :3

    and dude... PS, floppy disks are so outdated.... not many people use em anymore because they can get viruses and sh**, and they may have upgraded the content of how much they can hold, but as i remember, they can't hold alot of data.... My computer doesnt even have a floppy drive....
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  • cshank4cshank4 Join Date: 2003-02-11 Member: 13425Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1652158:date=Sep 25 2007, 09:12 PM:name=sgt.waffles)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sgt.waffles @ Sep 25 2007, 09:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652158"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I agree with what Tycho said, get rid of the physics card and buy yourself some nice ram :3

    and dude... PS, floppy disks are so outdated.... not many people use em anymore because they can get viruses and sh**, and they may have upgraded the content of how much they can hold, but as i remember, they can't hold alot of data.... My computer doesnt even have a floppy drive....<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


    They hold 1.5 megs or something like that.
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