- Joined
- Feb 6, 2005
Okay, let me start off by telling you a little bit about myself. I find that this helps get results im looking for in a new thread. Im 17, and am a senior at Hershey High School. I've been into computers for about 5 years now. Normally every night I will be on either ocforums, hardforums, or xtremesystems reading, reading, reading. I beleive this is the best way to get the best results. My first built system (Rig A) was put together about 6 months ago. Every part was bought new from newegg.
Specs on Rig A:
Case: ASPIRE X-Navigator
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLi Deluxe
PSU: ASPIRE 500W
Processor: AMD 64 3500+ NewCastle
CPU Cooler: Stock
Video Card: XFX 6800GT
GPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling NV 5 Silencer Rev.1
Memory: Corsair XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400
HDD: 10,000RPM 74GB Western Digital Raptor
Drive Bay 1: Lite-On DVD ROM
Drive Bay 2: Lite-On DVD Burner
Drive Bay 3: Nexus Fan Controller
Drive Bay 4: Nothing
3.5" 1: Nothing
3.5" 2: Nothing
Soundcard: Onboard
Mouse: MSFT IntelliExplore 1.1A
Mousepad: X-RAYPAD Thunder 9
Keyboard: MSFT Standard PS/2
Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5
Now that I have shared with you my old rig. Let me tell you the story. I was still pretty amateur in computers when I had purchased those computer parts, I was not near as well informed about computers as I am today. I strictly wanted a gaming computer, because me and 2-3 of my friends are computer gamers and we like to have a good time. We are always in competition and im constantly explaining to them about computers in one way or another. I spent about 1600 dollars 6 months ago on that computer. I recently have just sold it for 1400 dollars. I have been saving for some time now, and have accumulated $3000.00 USD (Please remember this is spending money) However, I have no intentions to spend all of the money, but Im just informing you its there. I have decided that Im going to be putting together a second PC. I do not have plans to sell this one off after 6 months, or upgrade it in 6 months. I am turning 18 very soon, and hopefully going to Penn State UPark for Business/Finance this comming summer.
My goals for a new computer:
A. Built professional looking
B. Good wire management
C. Near top of the line, if not top of the line.
D. Future-Proof
E. Definitly gaming capabilities
F. Relative quietness (My last computer was darn near very noisy)
I have a good general idea of whats going on in the world of computers, and computer parts. However there are still things that I have not yet experienced or have yet to encounter enough to learn about them. Watercooling is one example. I've done the air thing, I've done the stock thing. I am now looking towards Overclocking and getting the most out of my system, while maintaining a professional appearance, stablity, and safe hardware. The last thing I want is to do is spend a lot of money, and ruin it by a small mistake. There are tons of other things which I have yet to experience or am unknowledgable about, but that is besides the point. Looking into buying new hardware, I am evaluating all my options before committing. Like I said earlier, once this is done, its done. There is no turning back. I basicly want to plan my purchase as best as possible, and get my moneys worth. The following list (Rig B) is a list of components I myself have my eyes set on so far.
Case: Lian Li PC-V2000 Black
Motherboard: DFI LanParty NF4 SLI-DR
Powersupply: OCZ 520W PowerStream
Watercooling Kit: Swifttech Apex Heavy Duty H20
GPU WC Block: DD Maze 4
Processor: AMD 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
Video Card: eVGA 7800GTX
Memory: 2GB (2 x 1GB) Crucial Ballistix DDR500 PC4000
HDD: (x2) Maxtor Maxline III 250GB 16MB Cache SATA
Drive Bay 1: NEC DVD ROM
Drive Bay 2: NEC DVD Burner
Drive Bay 3: Nexus Fan Controller
Drive Bay 4-6: Nothing
Drive Bay 7: 3.5" Floppy
Soundcard: Creative Soundblaster X-Fi
Speakers: Still Looking
Mouse: Logitech MX518
Mousepad: RAZER eXact Mat
Keyboard: MSFT Standard PS/2
Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5
Now that you see what I have my eyes set on so far, you know everything is still in pencil. It is why I am here posting this in the first place. I have a few questions to ask that I follow through with a comment, that I would like to consolidate into this list - Hopefully all of them can get awnsered in one way or another:
Will I have trouble fitting a OCZ 520W PS into the V2000?
- I hear that some people have to use a Dremel to make room for the 520W PS
Will I do better buying everything seperate instead of a WC kit?
-WC'ing is not my strongest area, this will be my first time using it
DFI LanParty SLI-DR, is it a good choice, or should I go with a DFI Ultra-D?
-I have no plans in the near near future to run SLI. I read many benchmarks and preformance gains are minimal even from 2 7800GTX's vs. 1 7800GTX. I guess this has to do with bottlenecking, and the code of the games. Not worth the extra 500 dollars right now in my eyes, mabey later.
Dual Core?
-Everyone has thier mixed opinions on lets say the 4400+ X2 or my other option a single core CPU the AMD 64 4000+ San Diego. Both OC considerably well from reading reviews. I am looking in the near future at games like Quake 4. Q4 is to be released retail in October. Odds are its going to get kicked back some, but however the engine its running on is already becomming Multi-Threaded. Like I said earlier I don't plan on making a upgrade in the near future. This is my college rig+
Is it worth going 74GB Raptor vs. Something in the general area of a Maxtor Maxline III?
-In Rig A. I had a raptor, It was pretty nice to have, but I couldn't really tell a noticable difference when using my other friends computers. They had standard Seagate 7200RPM 8MB cache HDD's. Is there a reason for this mabey? I feel so far that the preformance gains are minimal. Having 2 HDD's allows me to possibly Raid 0, or just have one for OS and other files that are not accessed often. A second for Media/Games. Something along those lines.
Speakers, never used them?
-In Rig B, you could still see I am looking into speakers, I always have used headphones. My gaming is late at night and I do not wish to disturb the parents, or anyone else sleeping near me. There are plenty of times though I wish I had a good pair of speakers, to jam to while im doing misc stuff, or gaming during the day. Any suggestions in this aspect?
How is the MX518?
-Logitech G5 Laser mouse seems to be a dissapointment to most, and the Copperhead seems to be too expensive for how it feels, and what it offers. I picked the MX518 because I plan to invest in something that I know that works well, and gets the job done. Anything really is a upgrade as I was comming from a standard oldschool IntelliExplore mouse.
Is the eXact mat the best mousepad for the MX518?
-Don't get me wrong RAZER makes good products, however thier products I have a feeling.. they are made for RAZER products. Not Logitech. Mabey someone with better experiences can recommend a better mousepad.
Last question, Watercooling and moving it around?
-My parents being divorced for over a year now, forces me to go between 2 houses. I choose to go to each house every other sunday. Allowing me 2 weeks at each house. My computer comes with me, and I want to make sure that my WC will not leak on me or ruin anything in the process of being in the car for 20 minutes+ every two weeks.
Now that I have gotten those questions off my chest, and consolidated them for everyone. They should be pretty easy to pick out and awnser. You can see exactly where I stand, and what options I am a looking at. I come to you for any information what so ever to help lead me to a better decision and plan in purchasing new computer parts. Keep in mind my goals, my last PC, and what I picked out. Also don't forget about those questions.
PS: Id' like to make this more then an experience just for me, but to include your guys thoughts and opinons, so dont feel threatened to post anything. I look at every angle.
Thanks everyone at OCForums,
PrometheuSBoxeR
Specs on Rig A:
Case: ASPIRE X-Navigator
Motherboard: ASUS A8N-SLi Deluxe
PSU: ASPIRE 500W
Processor: AMD 64 3500+ NewCastle
CPU Cooler: Stock
Video Card: XFX 6800GT
GPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling NV 5 Silencer Rev.1
Memory: Corsair XMS 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR 400
HDD: 10,000RPM 74GB Western Digital Raptor
Drive Bay 1: Lite-On DVD ROM
Drive Bay 2: Lite-On DVD Burner
Drive Bay 3: Nexus Fan Controller
Drive Bay 4: Nothing
3.5" 1: Nothing
3.5" 2: Nothing
Soundcard: Onboard
Mouse: MSFT IntelliExplore 1.1A
Mousepad: X-RAYPAD Thunder 9
Keyboard: MSFT Standard PS/2
Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5
Now that I have shared with you my old rig. Let me tell you the story. I was still pretty amateur in computers when I had purchased those computer parts, I was not near as well informed about computers as I am today. I strictly wanted a gaming computer, because me and 2-3 of my friends are computer gamers and we like to have a good time. We are always in competition and im constantly explaining to them about computers in one way or another. I spent about 1600 dollars 6 months ago on that computer. I recently have just sold it for 1400 dollars. I have been saving for some time now, and have accumulated $3000.00 USD (Please remember this is spending money) However, I have no intentions to spend all of the money, but Im just informing you its there. I have decided that Im going to be putting together a second PC. I do not have plans to sell this one off after 6 months, or upgrade it in 6 months. I am turning 18 very soon, and hopefully going to Penn State UPark for Business/Finance this comming summer.
My goals for a new computer:
A. Built professional looking
B. Good wire management
C. Near top of the line, if not top of the line.
D. Future-Proof
E. Definitly gaming capabilities
F. Relative quietness (My last computer was darn near very noisy)
I have a good general idea of whats going on in the world of computers, and computer parts. However there are still things that I have not yet experienced or have yet to encounter enough to learn about them. Watercooling is one example. I've done the air thing, I've done the stock thing. I am now looking towards Overclocking and getting the most out of my system, while maintaining a professional appearance, stablity, and safe hardware. The last thing I want is to do is spend a lot of money, and ruin it by a small mistake. There are tons of other things which I have yet to experience or am unknowledgable about, but that is besides the point. Looking into buying new hardware, I am evaluating all my options before committing. Like I said earlier, once this is done, its done. There is no turning back. I basicly want to plan my purchase as best as possible, and get my moneys worth. The following list (Rig B) is a list of components I myself have my eyes set on so far.
Case: Lian Li PC-V2000 Black
Motherboard: DFI LanParty NF4 SLI-DR
Powersupply: OCZ 520W PowerStream
Watercooling Kit: Swifttech Apex Heavy Duty H20
GPU WC Block: DD Maze 4
Processor: AMD 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
Video Card: eVGA 7800GTX
Memory: 2GB (2 x 1GB) Crucial Ballistix DDR500 PC4000
HDD: (x2) Maxtor Maxline III 250GB 16MB Cache SATA
Drive Bay 1: NEC DVD ROM
Drive Bay 2: NEC DVD Burner
Drive Bay 3: Nexus Fan Controller
Drive Bay 4-6: Nothing
Drive Bay 7: 3.5" Floppy
Soundcard: Creative Soundblaster X-Fi
Speakers: Still Looking
Mouse: Logitech MX518
Mousepad: RAZER eXact Mat
Keyboard: MSFT Standard PS/2
Thermal Paste: Arctic Silver 5
Now that you see what I have my eyes set on so far, you know everything is still in pencil. It is why I am here posting this in the first place. I have a few questions to ask that I follow through with a comment, that I would like to consolidate into this list - Hopefully all of them can get awnsered in one way or another:
Will I have trouble fitting a OCZ 520W PS into the V2000?
- I hear that some people have to use a Dremel to make room for the 520W PS
Will I do better buying everything seperate instead of a WC kit?
-WC'ing is not my strongest area, this will be my first time using it
DFI LanParty SLI-DR, is it a good choice, or should I go with a DFI Ultra-D?
-I have no plans in the near near future to run SLI. I read many benchmarks and preformance gains are minimal even from 2 7800GTX's vs. 1 7800GTX. I guess this has to do with bottlenecking, and the code of the games. Not worth the extra 500 dollars right now in my eyes, mabey later.
Dual Core?
-Everyone has thier mixed opinions on lets say the 4400+ X2 or my other option a single core CPU the AMD 64 4000+ San Diego. Both OC considerably well from reading reviews. I am looking in the near future at games like Quake 4. Q4 is to be released retail in October. Odds are its going to get kicked back some, but however the engine its running on is already becomming Multi-Threaded. Like I said earlier I don't plan on making a upgrade in the near future. This is my college rig+
Is it worth going 74GB Raptor vs. Something in the general area of a Maxtor Maxline III?
-In Rig A. I had a raptor, It was pretty nice to have, but I couldn't really tell a noticable difference when using my other friends computers. They had standard Seagate 7200RPM 8MB cache HDD's. Is there a reason for this mabey? I feel so far that the preformance gains are minimal. Having 2 HDD's allows me to possibly Raid 0, or just have one for OS and other files that are not accessed often. A second for Media/Games. Something along those lines.
Speakers, never used them?
-In Rig B, you could still see I am looking into speakers, I always have used headphones. My gaming is late at night and I do not wish to disturb the parents, or anyone else sleeping near me. There are plenty of times though I wish I had a good pair of speakers, to jam to while im doing misc stuff, or gaming during the day. Any suggestions in this aspect?
How is the MX518?
-Logitech G5 Laser mouse seems to be a dissapointment to most, and the Copperhead seems to be too expensive for how it feels, and what it offers. I picked the MX518 because I plan to invest in something that I know that works well, and gets the job done. Anything really is a upgrade as I was comming from a standard oldschool IntelliExplore mouse.
Is the eXact mat the best mousepad for the MX518?
-Don't get me wrong RAZER makes good products, however thier products I have a feeling.. they are made for RAZER products. Not Logitech. Mabey someone with better experiences can recommend a better mousepad.
Last question, Watercooling and moving it around?
-My parents being divorced for over a year now, forces me to go between 2 houses. I choose to go to each house every other sunday. Allowing me 2 weeks at each house. My computer comes with me, and I want to make sure that my WC will not leak on me or ruin anything in the process of being in the car for 20 minutes+ every two weeks.
Now that I have gotten those questions off my chest, and consolidated them for everyone. They should be pretty easy to pick out and awnser. You can see exactly where I stand, and what options I am a looking at. I come to you for any information what so ever to help lead me to a better decision and plan in purchasing new computer parts. Keep in mind my goals, my last PC, and what I picked out. Also don't forget about those questions.
PS: Id' like to make this more then an experience just for me, but to include your guys thoughts and opinons, so dont feel threatened to post anything. I look at every angle.
Thanks everyone at OCForums,
PrometheuSBoxeR
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