Shuttle SN25P (Max Memory) or RAID HDD's

[Dragoncri]

I'm about to purchase/build a SFF Shuttle PC and I need to balance my budget with performance and need a few opinions.

Here are the complete specs:
CHASIS: Shuttle SN25P Socket 939 (nForce4 Chipset)
CPU: AMD64 3000+ (Venice Core)
VIDEO: ASUS EN660 256MB PCIX16 with Silencer
MEDIA: NEC DVD+/-RW DL
OS: WinXP Pro x64

now... what I need to decide on are one of the following:
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair XMS DDR 400 Registered Dual Channel Kit
2 WD1200JB 120GB Drives (7200RMP) SATA drives RAID-0 (Drives from current system)

OR

1GB (2x512MB) Kingston DDR333 Registered Dual Channel (Current System)
2 WD740GD 74GB Drives (10,000RMP) SATA-150 drives RAID-0

Thoughts, opinions, alternatives?

 

[Megamixman]

So its either buy 2 74GB Raptors or 2GB of good memory? Stick with the memory. Raptors in Raid-0 won't give you as much of a performance boost as will lots of fast memory.

 

[imported_Kensai]

You can't use registered memory in that system.

 

[Dragoncri]

Originally posted by: Kensai
You can't use registered memory in that system.

You can't?
What would be a good choice for memory in this system then?

 

[phisrow]

For things like loading levels, and other big chunks of data from disk, the disks would be better. However, if you ever run up against the limits of your RAM and start paging during the apps you usually use your performance would utterly, utterly suck. There isn't a harddrive in the world that can touch RAM for speed. I'd frankly go with the RAM first.

 

[ShellGuy]

What do you plan on doing with the box???


Will G.

 

[Dragoncri]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
What do you plan on doing with the box???


Will G.

About 90% of the time, it'll be used as a database/application development platform for myself, with a few games. The games are primarily RTS/RPG with a few Starwars games in the mix, so nothing too demanding.

 

[ShellGuy]

For a DB server i would say the raptors would do you best. But im just one person.


Will G.

 

[phisrow]

Depends on the size of the DB, I suppose. If you are working on smallish sets, that extra gig of RAM could potentially keep everything off disk entirely, which would be nice indeed. If you routinely go well outside of your maximum possible memory value, you might want to get fast disks.

 

[Dragoncri]

I'll be the only one accessing the databases. (SQL Server 20005) My current system AMD Athlon XP 2600 with 1.5GB and my WD120's handle everything pretty decently for me, so this new system is pretty much to get rid of the noise, and to keep the kids from using it as a stepping stool onto my desk (got a nice little cubby this SFF would fit in), and provide a way to "upgrade" a piece at a time.

I'm purchasing the components today, so I may do a little compromise and get 2 smaller 36GB raptors (my OS/APPS would only use up half of that), and use 1 of the 120's for storage. For the moment, I'll get 1GB of the faster ram (3200 crucial vs 2700 kingston valueram) and put the extra $ in my budget towards an LCD flatscreen and flowers to appease the wife. This would leave me alot of growing room and can get higher-end components when the prices drop.

Thanks everybody for the posts. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[Megamixman]

Make sure that is 1 1GB stick, because the SN25P only has 2 memory slots. That will allows you to get another 1GB stick later on. Getting the 2 36 GB Raptors was a good decision, they will provide you with some DB IO room. I thought LCD's would be enough to appease women. My GF was amazed when I got her a 15" LCD for her. She thought it was downright sexy.

 

[ShellGuy]

Im not sure if that is sad or sexy that your gf liked a 15 in lcd.. Mine would want a 21.


Will G.

 

[Megamixman]

Lol, my GF knows about as much about computers as George Washington. She is the type of person that is out all the time and basically is forcing me into the habbit. I'm posting this in the few mins i have to get changed before we go out to a party! But yah, i guess you could just get her a 21 in Lcd and she wouldn't mind the price for the rest of the stuff. ;p

 

[Dragoncri]

What's that saying? "It's not the size, but how it's used?" But then again, I've heard that those who say that are lying. I'll just stick to the middle ground. Got her a 17". Not too big, but not too small and extreemly functional for her space.

 

[eastvillager]

Raptors generate quite a bit of heat. I've got 2 raptors, plus a 3rd drive in my sn25p, and the raptors on top get really hot.