Opinions on new computer I'm building.

[jrothschild13]

I was wondering if the experts here could help me out and give thier opnions on my computer I'm building. Here are the specs:

Motherboard- MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI
CPU- Athlon 64 3500 Venice
Video- BFG GEFORCE 6800GT PCI express 258
Raptor 74 gig Hard Drive

I have a Antec true 420(or 430 cant remember which), will this be enough power for the new computer. I also have 1 gig of PC 3200 ram from my old computer. Will this ram work? I cant remember who made it, I think it was crucial. If this ram wont work, can you give me any advice on what ram to get.

Thanks for the help.

 

[MobiusPizza]

The setup looks good. The power supply is more than enough if you aren't going to SLI. The RAM would work fine.

 

[kitkat22]

Are you an absolute go for the Raptor? Look for a larger HDD with 16MB of cache and you would get performance similar to the raptor. I can't remember names or model #'s, but it would be something to look into.

 

[CreativeTom]

Well I think that looks ok, I do have a couple questions though. Why are you going with an SLI motherboard?? and why are you going with that particular HDD?? Just curious. I think you could also actually go with the Venice 3200+ and not really lose too much at all.

 

[theMan]

well, if you give me the complete specs on your ram, i can tell you more about compatibility, but almost all pc3200 will work. if you can afford it, downgrade your cpu to a 3000+ or 3200+ and get a 6800ultra if you are a gamer. the cpu can be easily overclocked to fx-55 speeds so you dont need to waste on getting the 3500+. is the power supply atx 2.0? probably not. you might want to get a seasonic s12-430 or an ocz modstream 450w.

 

[jrothschild13]

Eventually I will get another card and go SLI, forgot to mention that.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: jrothschild13
Eventually I will get another card and go SLI, forgot to mention that.

Well you could do that, or you could get a 6600gt now for fairly cheap, then when you want to upgrade don't go SLI, save the money now on a non SLI board, and then go for a next-gen card in the future. I think you will find the next gen cards are going to be faster then any SLI setup right now, go with a G70 or R520 in the future.

 

[theMan]

in that case, you should stay with the 6800gt, but stick with a 3200+ or 3000+

 

[jrothschild13]

Originally posted by: CreativeTom

Originally posted by: jrothschild13
Eventually I will get another card and go SLI, forgot to mention that.

Well you could do that, or you could get a 6600gt now for fairly cheap, then when you want to upgrade don't go SLI, save the money now on a non SLI board, and then go for a next-gen card in the future. I think you will find the next gen cards are going to be faster then any SLI setup right now, go with a G70 or R520 in the future.

Really?

I was under the impression that the beauty of SLI was when the next gen cards come out all the top end cards drop down in price dramatically, then buy a matching card and go SLI. In essence, instead of spending 500 to 600 dollars, you spend 200 to get almost the same performance of the high end card. And when the cycle ends, you can SLI the next gen cards.

 

[MobiusPizza]

I wouldn't recommend SLI. They are pain useless unless you have enough money to upgrade every year
Here's why:

you have 6800GT
a year later, Next-gen GeForce 7xxx is out you buy another 6800GT? or go with 7xxx?
For more features, less power and noise you'd get 7xxx. But if you havn't got much money you'd go with 6800GT
But although you have nearly same performance of 7xxx, you don't get as much features. (Say HD playback acceleration, WGF 1.0, DirectX 10 etc)
By the time your SLI is not powerful enough, you'd get the even next gen card or the 7xxx if it's the newest

This solution have same performance with non-SLI while getting the newest gen graphic card, you get all bonus features.
Less hassle as well for non-SLI; don't have to upgrade every year or so.

 

[MobiusPizza]

The problem of that is... you lose all the new implementation in technology. Also SLI means at maximum ~80% performance increase, not 100%. This varies greatly from game to game. SLI is unreliable, not all games work and some game may show instability issues.

While my recommended path of upgrade is as follows:
Non SLI:

Get a mid-high-range card say X800XL. Should be good for at least a year ($300)
Then get a mid-high range next gen card around the same $300

That's $600 same as the SLI setup. But it's less hassle, better features.
While you waiting your 6800GT to fall to $200, the $300 next-gen card in non-SLI scenario would have been as good as the SLI setup.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
The problem of that is... you lose all the new implementation in technology. Also SLI means at maximum ~80% performance increase, not 100%. This varies greatly from game to game. SLI is unreliable, not all games work and some game may show instability issues.

While my recommended path of upgrade is as follows:
Non SLI:

Get a mid-high-range card say X800XL. Should be good for at least a year ($300)
Then get a mid-high range next gen card around the same $300

That's $600 same as the SLI setup. But it's less hassle, better features.
While you waiting your 6800GT to fall to $200, the $300 next-gen card in non-SLI scenario would have been as good as the SLI setup.

Yeah this guy knows what's up, I would agree 100%

 

[jrothschild13]

Oh great, you guys talked me out of SLI. LOL

When are the next gen NVIDIA cards comming out? If I'm going to go with a single card, I might as well get the absolute best I can get.

 

[MobiusPizza]

erm they would be too expensive to get right now though, and not a wise upgrade path.
Some rumours saying that they would be available in a week?

For the wise choice get a mid-high range card now and stick with it for at least a year. X800XL should be plenty
Then get the next gen mid-high range card next year if you so wishes.

 

[CreativeTom]

Originally posted by: AnnihilatorX
erm they would be too expensive to get right now though, and not a wise upgrade path.
Some rumours saying that they would be available in a week?

For the wise choice get a mid-high range card now and stick with it for at least a year. X800XL should be plenty
Then get the next gen mid-high range card next year if you so wishes.

I agree...then go with an ATI next gen card!!