• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

need a bit advice about my upcoming gaming rig (mid-high range)...

D

Darksorrow

Junior Member
hi guys! this is actually my first post.
i'm gonna buy a new PC this weekend, starting from a scratch. (old one is very out of date)

FYI, i'm from malaysia, and i'm not gonna use internet to buy things...
budget around $1700.

the main purpose is GAMING!!! others are just watching videos, listening to musics and using Words and Powerpoints

i think im gonna overclock it...

well, these are the specs that i'm eyeing for, but i also need advice and suggestions:

cpu : C2D E8400 (not gonna buy the quads now, hmm maybe after nehalem
is out, hope it's gonna be very cheap)
mobo: ASUS RAMPAGE formula (support 1600FSB)
RAM : kingston hyperX 800MHz 4.4.4.12 (2GB or 4GB? hmm...)
GC : Sapphire HD3870 (cheapest amongst the other HD3870, and i'm also
eyeing on the upcoming RV770, hope it can CrossfireX together)
HDD : 500GB SATA samsung spinpoint
OS : Vista Ultimate 64
PSU : cooler master 620W/650W* (not sure...) modular
monitor : 19" ---> samsung 943BX or LG 1953TR (are these 1600x1200 or 1280x1024?)
CPU cooler: hmm..... i want a cheap but very good if i overclock the cpu
casing: anything but cheap, not so large, can see what's inside...


hmmm, this is quite annoying when it comes to choose...

i got some questions for you guys (some of it might be a stupid question):

1) what's the difference between the modular and non-modular PSU?
2) will the psu above enough for crossfire?
3) latest LCDs have contrast ratio up to 7000:1, 8000:1 and even 10000:1
whats so good about it? will it EASE or HURT my eye?
and also 2ms and 5ms...
4) 800MHz and 1066MHz, and also 4.4.4.12 and 5.5.5.12. will it effect much on performance?


so, anyone can tell me? thanks

 
Originally posted by: Darksorrow
hi guys! this is actually my first post.
i'm gonna buy a new PC this weekend, starting from a scratch. (old one is very out of date)

well, these are the specs that i'm eyeing for, but i also need advice and suggestions:

cpu : C2D E8400 (not gonna buy the quads now, hmm maybe after nehalem
is out, hope it's gonna be very cheap)
mobo: ASUS RAMPAGE formula
RAM : kingston hyperX 800MHz 4.4.4.12 (2GB or 4GB? hmm...)
GC : Sapphire HD3870 (cheapest amongst the other HD3870, and i'm also
eyeing on the upcoming RV770, hope it can CrossfireX together)
HDD : 500GB SATA samsung spinpoint
OS : Vista Ultimate 64
PSU : cooler master 620W/650W* (not sure...) modular
monitor : 19" ---> samsung 943BX or LG 1953TR (are these 1600x1200 or 1280x1024?)
CPU cooler: hmm..... i want a cheap but very good if i overclock the cpu
casing: anything but cheap, not so large, can see what's inside...


hmmm, this is quite annoying when it comes to choose...

i got some questions for you guys (some of it might be a stupid question):

1) what's the difference between the modular and non-modular PSU?
2) will the psu above enough for crossfire?
3) latest LCDs have contrast ratio up to 7000:1, 8000:1 and even 10000:1
whats so good about it? will it EASE or HURT my eye?
and also 2ms and 5ms...
4) 800MHz and 1066MHz, and also 4.4.4.12 and 5.5.5.12. will it effect much on performance?


so, anyone can tell me? thanks
Click to expand...

Hi Darksorrow,

There are no stupid questions.

1. Modular PSU's allow you to connect only the cables you need. Non-modular means that the cables are hard wired into the PSU. You don't get to pick and choose the cables.
2. That PSU is a tier 4/5. I would not recommend it. I would recommend Seasonic or Corsair for a modular PSU and PC Power and Cooling for non-modular. However, there are other good brands as well. Here are some links you may find helpful: http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=108088 and http://www.tomshardware.com/fo...243648-28-power-supply
3. Contrast ratio is more marketing than anything. Just like response time is measured differently by different vendors. With LCD's you don't have to really worry about your eyes being hurt, but on CRT's refresh rate determined the amount of strain on your eyes. 100 refresh rate was like looking at paper. below 72 and there would definitely be a noticeable strain on the eyes. However on LCD's refresh rate is usually 60 and it's measured differently. It's much easier on the eyes and you don't really have to worry about it.
4. 1066 and above is only if you're going to do some serious overclocking. There are some good article on memory. Here's one: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=873
 
owh thanks for the links. but i need someone to summarize it, pls? 🙂

i'll change the PSU. thanks.

but i also wanna know how much performance increase from 800mhz to 1066mhz. is there any noticable performance hit if choose 800mhz instead of 1066mhz? or a 800mhz, but 5.5.5.12 instead of 4.4.4.12?😕 ( i want to save money too )

oh yes, the LCDs i stated above, what's the native resolution? is it 1600x1200 or 1280x1024?:roll:

oohh yesss one more thing i almost forgot. about the OPTICAL DISC, any recommendation? which brand? i want a dvd-ram, but dunno which brand should i pick.

about the uhh... HDD, which brand is more "durable"? i mean it wont corrupt if there's a bit shock or being reformatted repeatedly. anyone can tell me? samsung? maxtor? Seagate? WD? arrghh

(woah so many questions...)😱
 
Contrast Ratio is the amount of difference between lights and darks. The higher the ratio, the more shades between light and dark. For CPU monitors, it doesn't matter as much; I think because of the size to resolution ratio. It's only a general guide though and one of many aspects that may affect the quality; it doesn't necessary mean if you have a high contrast ratio that you will have a really good display, or if you have a really low contrast ratio that your display is going to suck.

Okay, you won't gain any performance unless you run the memory past a 400MHz FSB for the DDR2-800 memory vs the DDR2-1066. The timings will have a miniscule difference, mainly in benchmarks. If you're not going to do some heavy overclocking, stick with the DDR2-800. I think the E8400 is on a 9x multiplier at 333MHz. Running it at 400MHz (stock DDR2-800) would give you a 3.6GHz. So if you don't plan on overclocking past 3.6GHz, stick with DDR2-800. Snag 4GB.

Samsung Spinpoint or Western Digital 640GB are really popular choices today.

Any optical drive will do really.
 
so its like that.

damn, i wish i could overclock the E8400 to +4.0Ghz like on the websites.

oh well, my budget limits it...🙁

as for the CPU cooler, which is best? (consider the price and performance)
umm whats the difference between the thermalright ultra 120 and thermalright ultra 120 "extreme"?
 
the TRUE has 2 more heatpipes than the TRU, if I remember correctly.

With a good air cooler you probably could OC your E8400 at or near 4GHz. You'd just use a different RAM timing than 1:1 with FSB.

faster RAM only makes a difference in about 1% of real-world scenarios. DDR2 800 is the best value, period.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top