For the not-so computer saavy

[JFC]

Ok I understand computers pretty well, but I dont feel comfortable ordering a bunch of random parts and putting together a new system. So, I was wondering if anyone could be helpful with the configuration I am thinking of buying from Cyberpower. Yes 3500 is a bit steep, but Im ok with it.


$3563.00
(before all applicable rebates)

CASE: Hot New! CoolerMaster Mystique 632 Tower 420W Case (Black Color)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core? 2 Duo X6800 Extreme Edition @ 2.93GHz 1066FSB 2x2MB L2 Cache EM64T
MOTHERBOARD: (Quad-Core Supports) MSI 975X Platinum I975X CrossFire Chipset LGA775 Supports Core 2 Duo CPU FSB1066 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, &7.1Audio
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)4GB (4x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Value Select or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NEW!!! NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB 16X PCI Express (XFX Extreme Edition Powered by NVIDIA)
VIDEO CARD 2: NEW!!! NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB 16X PCI Express (XFX Extreme Edition Powered by NVIDIA)
LCD Monitor: NONE
HARD DRIVE: Extreme Performance (RAID-0) with 2 Identical Hard Drives (500GB (250GBx2) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Data Hard Drive: NONE
Optical Drive: NEC 7170A 18X DVD+-RW Drive Dual Format Dual Layer (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: NONE
SOUND: Creative Labs SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 24-BIT PCI Sound Card

I would just link to the setup I chose, but I dont see a save page configuration on their website. Any thoughts on this? Also I was thinking of waiting until R600s are on the market in hopes for GTXs dropping in price. I already have a nice monitor and speakers so that's why you don't see them in price. Thanks for help!

 

[coolpurplefan]

This is the worst time ever for a new machine if you're getting high end GPUs.

I don't know what else to say because your machine is so expensive you could buy two machines with that. Or, wait until the AMD quad cores come out.

I contacted a computer store that told me that building a system would cost somewhere between $40 and $60 Canadian. I would just order parts and have it built. All you need to do is do some research on the BIOS and flash the BIOS.

 

[bamacre]

Problems.

Power supply is junk, even IF it could handle two 8800 GTX cards.
Motherboard supports Crossfire and you have two Nvidia cards. Crossfire is for ATI cards, SLI is for Nvidia cards.
Drop RAID 0. Either go with one hard drive, or go with RAID 1. "Extreme Performance" my ass.
If you are going with Vista, drop the sound card. Creative's drivers for Vista are literally horrid.

But really, I wouldn't touch Cyberpower. I would get a Dell XPS 710 over Cyberpower without a second thought.

Also, you better have a damn good monitor to take advantage of all that power. A single 8800 GTX is going to play any game at 1600x1200 (or 1680x1050 widescreen).

I sell gaming systems for a living, and for what you have up there, well, it is not worth that kind of money. I'm selling systems like this...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Intel 965P Motherboard
4GB DDR2 667mhz
640MB GeForce 8800 GTS
Onbaord 24bit Intel High Definition 7.1 Channel
400GB Seagate SATA II w/ 16MB & NCQ
16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
USB Keyboard
USB Optical 2-Button w/Scroll Mouse

... for less than 1700. I mean, you could buy two of those and still have some cash left comapred to what you are getting.

 

[Ultralight]

First thing that jumps out at me is your power supply. CoolerMaster makes some good nice cases but that PSU will give you nothing but trouble. The wise thing to do is buy the case separate and get yourself a good PSU.

The power supply is the backbone of any system. If it doesn't deliver you'll have all kinds of issues. And you are going to need more than 420w with the power that your system is going to demand.

Enermax, Seasonic, and Silverstone make good power supplies. Now I don't have a high-end rig like yours, so others may tell you differently but I would get at least a 600watt psu, probably higher.

 

[beany323]

Originally posted by: JFC
Ok I understand computers pretty well, but I dont feel comfortable ordering a bunch of random parts and putting together a new system. So, I was wondering if anyone could be helpful with the configuration I am thinking of buying from Cyberpower. Yes 3500 is a bit steep, but Im ok with it.


$3563.00
(before all applicable rebates)

CASE: Hot New! CoolerMaster Mystique 632 Tower 420W Case (Black Color)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core? 2 Duo X6800 Extreme Edition @ 2.93GHz 1066FSB 2x2MB L2 Cache EM64T
MOTHERBOARD: (Quad-Core Supports) MSI 975X Platinum I975X CrossFire Chipset LGA775 Supports Core 2 Duo CPU FSB1066 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, &7.1Audio
MEMORY: (Req.DDR2 MainBoard)4GB (4x1GB) PC6400 DDR2/800 Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Value Select or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: NEW!!! NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB 16X PCI Express (XFX Extreme Edition Powered by NVIDIA)
VIDEO CARD 2: NEW!!! NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB 16X PCI Express (XFX Extreme Edition Powered by NVIDIA)
LCD Monitor: NONE
HARD DRIVE: Extreme Performance (RAID-0) with 2 Identical Hard Drives (500GB (250GBx2) SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache 7200RPM HDD)
Data Hard Drive: NONE
Optical Drive: NEC 7170A 18X DVD+-RW Drive Dual Format Dual Layer (BLACK COLOR)
Optical Drive 2: NONE
SOUND: Creative Labs SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio 24-BIT PCI Sound Card

I would just link to the setup I chose, but I dont see a save page configuration on their website. Any thoughts on this? Also I was thinking of waiting until R600s are on the market in hopes for GTXs dropping in price. I already have a nice monitor and speakers so that's why you don't see them in price. Thanks for help!

hmm, i am looking at ibuypower, slightly lower pricing from what i can tell.

case: whatever you like

cpu.. wait for the price drop to see..

MB.. i suppose. ( i am considering the striker)( i think it can handle quad-procs) i was going to get the .. 580i.. going to get the 680one.. 680i(i may be off on the number) and with a card that big, i dont think i need 2 atm.. (24" dell and a 20" dell)

mem.. i belive 2gb is good.. vista can only handle 3gb's and isnt that only in 64x? (i am gonna get 1 gb from them, i can buy online better mem, at a cheaper price then they are charging.

VC: only need 1- 768 vc.. ( i believe a price drop may happen when ati comes out with cards, but unsure as to when that may be) and the monitor may hinder you if you run 2 vc's.
hd: i am getting the 74 raptor. (i have a 160 gb hd that i will transfer from present system)
sound card: didnt know that.. thanks for whomever noted that.

Oper system: still on the fence.. i like windows xp.. at least i know it still works.. (well most of the time)..


and yes, one is crossfire the other sli.

as to the one that someone sells for 1700.. not bad.. hmm /google <name>

/bow

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: beany323

as to the one that someone sells for 1700.. not bad.. hmm /google <name>

/bow

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZbamacre

 

[wgoldfarb]

I agree with the comments above:

- I cannot comment on the PSU's quality (not familiar with it), but I don't think a 420W PSU can reliably power a system with two GeForce 8800s.

- If you get two NVIDIA cards, you need a mobo with SLI support, not Crossfire.

- If you get 4GB RAM, you need a 64bit Operating System. The 'regular' 32 bit versions of Win XP and Windows Vista cannot use 4GB of RAM. If you are getting a 32 bit operating system, you should not get that much RAM.

- How good are the monitors and speakers you plan to use? bamacre already commented on the monitor. On the speakers, if you are getting an X-Fi card, make sure your speakers are up to the X-Fi's sound quality (If, for example, all you have are medium quality stereo speakers, you will not take full advantage of the X-Fi, might as well use the motherboard's built-in audio).

 

[JFC]

The PSU is a mistake I actually selected a 750W PS, was wondering why the total was off a few dollars. The MB, well they shouldn't even allow people to select that MB with nvidia SLI, oh wells. I am just trying to get the most powerful game system possible for that money. If cyberpower sucks, care to point me in a direction of another company that sells for so cheap and still has all that? As for the person that said Dell, ok tried that they want 5500 for this setup. No way no how.

 

[JFC]

Originally posted by: bamacre


Also, you better have a damn good monitor to take advantage of all that power. A single 8800 GTX is going to play any game at 1600x1200 (or 1680x1050 widescreen).

I sell gaming systems for a living, and for what you have up there, well, it is not worth that kind of money. I'm selling systems like this...

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Intel 965P Motherboard
4GB DDR2 667mhz
640MB GeForce 8800 GTS
Onbaord 24bit Intel High Definition 7.1 Channel
400GB Seagate SATA II w/ 16MB & NCQ
16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
USB Keyboard
USB Optical 2-Button w/Scroll Mouse

... for less than 1700. I mean, you could buy two of those and still have some cash left comapred to what you are getting.

I would rather have GTX than a GTS, and that will def up the price. Im trying to build a system I will be happy with when the next graphics card clogging masterpiece game comes along.

Edit: as for RAID1, I thought it was for data security and RAID0 for faster performance??

EditX2: I did have the right PSU, just the summary I copied doesnt display it, for those interested it is: THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 750 Watt POWER SUPPLY and I changed MB to EVGA NFORCE 680i SLI CHIPSET QUAD-CORE CPU SUPPORTS 1333FSB DDR2/800 SATA RAID W/ USB2.0, 1GbLAN, & 7.1 AUDIO

 

[bamacre]

"RAID0 for faster performance"

Faster is relative. Trust me, the speed difference is extremely small. Plus, you double the risk of losing your data due to hard drive failure.

 

[JFC]

Ok will look for a faster single drive then. Thanks for help.

 

[beany323]

dell outlet.

(i bought some dells for basic gaming.. normal, 1gb, 120 hdd, 256 vc.. for 600 or so )

as to other places, find the parts you like and shop at each one.. go all the way to check out and see final price. compare.

 

[JFC]

one last question, the new AMD and Intel chips are not due til mid-summer correct? Im not sure I can wait that long for a new computer. Also I am waiting for ATI's R600 to be released to see if it affects nvidia pricing, or hell that it beats the pants off GTxs(ok not real probable). Lets hope they dont make me wait too long.

 

[Icepick]

If you need a PC today then by all means, buy one today. I question the logic of spending $3500 on a single PC. The reason you gave "Im trying to build a system I will be happy with when the next graphics card clogging masterpiece game comes along. " is bunk. It makes better sense to spend $1700 on a high end rig today and then spend the remainder + whatever you can save between now and then on your next PC in a year when you need the extra juice to handle the latest and greatest at ultra high settings.

Better still, put the extra money saved towards dating all those hawt chics who won't be able to resist you when they see that uber sexxor rig you'll be sporting.

 

[JFC]

Well, I dont consider 3500 a lot, and the stab at my personal life isnt appreciated.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: JFC
Well, I dont consider 3500 a lot, and the stab at my personal life isnt appreciated.

Even if money isn't an object, it really doesn't make sense to throw it away. I like bamacre's setup much better. I'd start with what he has, then tweak upwards for better performance. I'd never use more than 1 gfx card, unless you're going to use a 30" display or something. You can always buy a better card later when they come out. They're very easy to replace, even if you've never done computer work before.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
Intel 965P Motherboard
4GB DDR2 667mhz
640MB GeForce 8800 GTS
Onbaord 24bit Intel High Definition 7.1 Channel
400GB Seagate SATA II w/ 16MB & NCQAdd Raptor for O/S and programs, use this for data
16X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer BurnerAdd another burner for convenience
Microsoft Windows Vista Home BasicVista home premium or Ultimate
USB KeyboardSaitek Eclipse keyboard
USB Optical 2-Button w/Scroll Mouse Whatever high end mouse you like

Add Ageia Physx processor
Add whatever case you like

 

[JFC]

Thanks for the help, why is everyone here so against GTXs? I understand switching to one single card, no I dont have a 30", but I do have a 24". However whats wrong with a single GTX?

Also the Ageia Physix Proc I know nothing about, although I have seen it offered. It sounded real gimmicky to me, do games have to be optimized for it?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: JFC
Thanks for the help, why is everyone here so against GTXs? I understand switching to one single card, no I dont have a 30", but I do have a 24". However whats wrong with a single GTX?

Nothing wrong with the GTX, it's just everybody here is all about "bang for the buck" and for most the added performance of the GTX is just not worth the huge price difference. And most here also overclock and know you can pretty easily clock a GTS to GTX speeds. With your 24" monitor and assuming no overclocking you should get the GTX if thats what you want



Also the Ageia Physix Proc I know nothing about, although I have seen it offered. It sounded real gimmicky to me, do games have to be optimized for it ?

Yes, games do have to be optimized for it

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: JFC
Thanks for the help, why is everyone here so against GTXs? I understand switching to one single card, no I dont have a 30", but I do have a 24". However whats wrong with a single GTX?

Also the Ageia Physix Proc I know nothing about, although I have seen it offered. It sounded real gimmicky to me, do games have to be optimized for it?

I'm not against the gtx, I just haven't been following gfx closely since last fall. My only recommendation there is 1 card, not 2. Otherwise buy what you want, or what your wallet supports.

The Physx needs games to be optimized for it. It's not a good bang for the buck purchase imho, but it sounds like you have a good amount of cash to spend, so if you get games that are supported, they should look awesome. I think that is a better buy than putting the money into a x6800 cpu. I wouldn't buy any Intel extreme anything. That charge a large premium for modest performance increase. It would be better to overclock a lesser cpu to 6800 speeds. That wouldn't stress the components at all, and you'd save a ton of cash.

 

[beany323]

i am getting the.. one with a 4mb cache..

 

[beany323]

Originally posted by: Icepick


Better still, put the extra money saved towards dating all those hawt chics who won't be able to resist you when they see that uber sexxor rig you'll be sporting.

dont think he was taking a stab.. and btw, we do know how chicks dig fast rigs..

@_@