New Parts for Upgrade

[Penth]

OK, I'm getting the itch. Mostly because I've got a third monitor sitting in a box on the floor waiting to be used. My current system is as follows.

Primary Monitor: 19" KDS Trinitron
Secondary Monitors: 2 19" KDS XFS-9
Speakers: Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 555
Case: Antec Sonata
Motherboard: DFI LanParty NF4 Ultra
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ @ 2.5GHz
RAM: 1GB Dual Channel PC3200 Mushkin
Video Card: MSI GeForce 6600GT
Hard Drive: Western Digital 160GB 8M Cache
Optical Drive: NEC 3520 DVD +/- R/RW
Media Card Reader: Atech Pro-9

So I'm thinking of buying a WD 74Gig Raptor. I know it's not cheap per GB, but I've got a server with over 700GB for storage of media, so I don't need to keep any of that stuff on the Raptor or on the 160GB drive. I basically plan on using the 160GB as a scratch drive for random stuff and use the raptor for OS and Games.

I also plan on getting another 6600GT. I could get a cheaper video card for the other monitor, but I may go SLI down the road, and I don't think for a difference of like $70 over a cheaper PCI-e card that it is a bad idea. I know a single 6800GT is faster, but a single 6800GT can't power 3 monitors.

What do you think?

 

[tfinch2]

I'd skip the Raptor.

As far as the 3 monitors, two PCI-e cards will power 3 monitors, or even 4. Not a bad idea if you are going to go SLI down the road too.

 

[IntegraGSR]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
I'd skip the Raptor.
.

i agree.. it wil be a little faster, boot time will be faster, games will load faster, etc.. but overall definetly not worth the extra money in my opinion

as for the video card you probably wouldn't like my response since i would much rather buy a $60-70 video card. and if it needs to be upgraded sell the first one (or use it in another build) and get another $60-70 video card

i think buying something just for upgradiblity is silly unless its close to the price of the item not purchased for upgradibility. i guess if you have the money to burn then it doesn't really matter.. but i also dont see a point in wasting money. my 9550 runs games beautifully on high-highest settings and cost $65.. spending an extra $100+ just turn turn the graphics up a notch is not worth it... if you're going to be buying the best everything, you may as well just go with a prebuilt computer.. the best part about building your own computer is being able to research which parts perform well and are of good quality without having to spend lots of money.. my current system cost me about $500 and runs everything i have put it at flawlessly... most benchmarks test hardware at its absolute limit which is not often applicable to everday use.. benchmarks are supposed to show how well a piece of hardware performs not offer a competition to see who can spend the most money on their computer with negligable real-world gains..

ok, that was pretty offtopic, and certainly wasn't directed at anyone.. anyway i'm done

 

[Treyshadow]

I would scrap the raptor, and use the funds for an X800XL. Being used to playing at 1280x1024 with all the pretties turned up makes the video card slightly more important than the raptor.

 

[knothead34]

dfi recommends at least 480 watts and native 24 pin power cable. if that power supply doesnt meet those requirements in that sonata case i wouldnt attempt it. head to dfi-street.com they will tell you exact same thing not to mention what dfi's own website recommends.