Time for a new computer.

[Tiamat]

Currently, I have an Athlon 1800+ DLT3C @ 2200mhz, 1GB PC3200 Ram, ATI9800pro (@ XT speeds), WDRaptor 74, SB Audigy 2ZS, Antec P150, Thermalright 947U CPU sink, Zalman Passive GPU cooler with D12SL12 fan jury rigged to it, Nexus 92mm fans, Yateloon D12SL12 fans, All fans at 7V below with Zalman Fanmate2. This setup barely plays CS:S at 1920x1200 (40fps).

My mom needed a computer, so I gave her my old one that I had build myself several years ago (which did fine for everything I did (light Photoshop, Counterstrike:Source at 1080P)


Requirements for this build that MUST be satisfied:
1. <$1200 shipped
2. Lasts 5+ years (like my previous build)
3. OC-able
4. < 21dB @ 1m
5. I play CS:S, L4D, will play StarCraft II, Diablo 3 whenever they come out at 19x12 resolution or 1080P.


System build 1: (~1100$)
CPU: Intel Core 2Duo E8500
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P

System build 2: (~1200$)
CPU: AMD Phenom II 940 BE
MOBO: ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe


Common components:
RAM: OCZ Reaper 4GB PC2-8500 Kit
GPU: ATI 4870 1GB
PSU: Enermax Modu82+ 625W
CASE: Antec P182
GPU HS: AC Accelero S1 V2
CPU HS: TR HR-01X
HDD: WD6400AAKS or WD7500AACS
FANS: Yateloon D12SL12 x5
CTRL: Zalman Fanmate 2 x5
OPTICAL: Pioneer DVR-216DBK


Questions:
1. AMD or Intel? Up until 2 months ago since AMD A64, it was GO INTEL! Now, I'm confused with Phenom II introduced.

2. Which HDD is better performing for the quietness? Maybe I will go SSD in a year, but I need a very quiet drive to tide me over.

3. Do I get the TR-HR-01X or PLUS for AMD? (Read something about orientation problem with PLUS for AMD mobos?)

4. Everything else OK?



For monitor, I am thinking Dell 2408 due to good out of the box color calibration and the input delay most likely doesn't bother me. I used to have 2405 and Samsung 213T for reference and they were fine. Any other suggestions on monitor?

I don't like how TN panel has bad viewing angle. The cost of the monitor is not included in the 1200$. Keyboard, mouse, OS, Speakers are all taken care of already.


Anything else that I may have missed?

Thanks in advanced! I appreciate any comments.

 

[zerocool84]

A requirement for something to last 5 years means nothing. Who knows what the future will bring? Also the longevity of something is all dependent on the user. Some people couldn't last 1 year on that system.

If you need a quiet drive than the WD7500AACS is very quiet but you sacrifice noise for speed. Your call on this one.

What's your $$$ limit for monitor???

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
A requirement for something to last 5 years means nothing. Who knows what the future will bring? Also the longevity of something is all dependent on the user. Some people couldn't last 1 year on that system.

If you need a quiet drive than the WD7500AACS is very quiet but you sacrifice noise for speed. Your call on this one.

What's your $$$ limit for monitor???

I made an 1800+ AMD Athlon last for 5 years. I intend to make the next computer last just as long.

Considering the 2408 is 650$, that is my limit.

 

[Denithor]

System 1 - modified
Q8300 instead of E8500 - You're an overclocker so go to town. These can hit 3.4-3.6GHz or higher with a solid OC board (like the UD3P you've chosen).
WD6401AALS Caviar Black instead of Blue model - don't mess with the Green models, they spin down to 5400rpm when not actively searching/reading/writing but they will be just as loud when "in action" and hesitate slightly while they spin back up.

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 $47 shipped

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Denithor
System 1 - modified
Q8300 instead of E8500 - You're an overclocker so go to town. These can hit 3.4-3.6GHz or higher with a solid OC board (like the UD3P you've chosen).
WD6401AALS Caviar Black instead of Blue model - don't mess with the Green models, they spin down to 5400rpm when not actively searching/reading/writing but they will be just as loud when "in action" and hesitate slightly while they spin back up.

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 $47 shipped

I'm afraid the black model will be too noisy. Anything that seeks more than 21 dB @ 1m is not worth the performance increase for my requirements. SPCR rates the Black series as worse in vibration in addition to idle and seek noise by as much as 6dB. AFAIK, the Green models are always 5400 rpm. The 7200 rpm models haven't come out yet in the smaller capacities. I have no need for more than 100GB frankly, but it is not cost effective to purchase the smaller drives, so I limited it to the 640 and 750 GB drives. The green model is roughly 2dB quieter than the 640AAKS, but I'll have to check out their performance if i can find a comparison.

I'm not familiar with that brand of ram, I'll check it out.



Anybody know the answer to my thermalright HR-01 question? If the X version can be used on normal boards (instead of just server boards), it should be what I need since it would allow the HS to be rotated into the optimal orientation.

Any monitors with 1080P or 1900x1200 that are superior to the Dell 2408 in terms of out-of-the-box colors?

 

[yh125d]

I would go with the PHII rig, for the quad core. It's not really a necessity for now, but since you're wanting it to last that long, just about any quad will last longer than the fastest dual core, since in 4-5 years it's a safe bet that near everything will be utilizing the cores. This extra longevity in the long term I think is worth sacrificing a little short time speed

 

[AstroManLuca]

Agreed. Quad or bust. If you want to go Intel, swap out the E8500 for a quad like Denithor suggested.

Phenom II is also not a bad choice. They're on par with Core 2 Quads at least, if not quite on the level of the i7.

 

[TidusZ]

Out of curiosity, how did you come up with this 21db at 1 metre spec?

Build looks good, and btw if you want to lessen noise and bloat you could put much of your storage on the second pc placed somewhere it wont be noisy and just access it over the network. Things like tv episodes, movies, etc, that dont need the fast hdd speed. I do this and use ultravnc to access the other computer to start movies on a 2nd monitor, without any taxation of the main pc (or taxation on my ass getting out of my chair). Network transfer <<< sound than hdd spinning up.

Tiamat, feel free to rebuke at anything I've said.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: TidusZ
Out of curiosity, how did you come up with this 21db at 1 metre spec?

Build looks good, and btw if you want to lessen noise and bloat you could put much of your storage on the second pc placed somewhere it wont be noisy and just access it over the network. Things like tv episodes, movies, etc, that dont need the fast hdd speed. I do this and use ultravnc to access the other computer to start movies on a 2nd monitor, without any taxation of the main pc (or taxation on my ass getting out of my chair). Network transfer <<< sound than hdd spinning up.

Tiamat, feel free to rebuke at anything I've said.

My old AMD system was 21 dB at 1 m and I found it to be of adequate quietness for my requirements.

I already have my music and movies on external 500GB drives

All I need is a very quiet OS/programs drive with enough room (30GB) for temporary storage.

Frankly, if SSDs were ready, I would go for those.

Edit: Switched power supply to the Enermax Modu 82+ which is quieter than the Corsair by roughly 2dB.

Any comments on the Intel MLC SSD? Reliable? If so, I wouldn't mind spending for it.

 

[imported_wired247]

Here's a couple of good bang for the buck SSDs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231221

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: wired247
Here's a couple of good bang for the buck SSDs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231221

Any quick comments on their longevity, performance, (no stuttering?) vs. the much more expensive Intel part? I'm at the point where the 200$ difference means little to me as long as the part performs (in all respects including longevity) better than the lower priced parts. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[imported_wired247]

I'm using the 128GB on my laptop as I type this. The performance is great but I really only considered it for the laptop.

I'm not sure if SSD is really the way to go for desktops but it is very nice how quickly programs, browsers, pictures, and such all load. I think money may be better spent on something like a velociraptor if you're looking for single drive speed. After all I'm not worrying about battery life with my desktop.


Also, they are "supposed" to be quite durable. over a million hours MTBF, if you believe their ratings. I personally believe that a hard drive with moving parts is more likely to fail than one without, so I don't worry about shock/vibrations/mechanical failures

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: wired247
I'm using the 128GB on my laptop as I type this. The performance is great but I really only considered it for the laptop.

I'm not sure if SSD is really the way to go for desktops but it is very nice how quickly programs, browsers, pictures, and such all load. I think money may be better spent on something like a velociraptor if you're looking for single drive speed. After all I'm not worrying about battery life with my desktop.


Also, they are "supposed" to be quite durable. over a million hours MTBF, if you believe their ratings. I personally believe that a hard drive with moving parts is more likely to fail than one without, so I don't worry about shock/vibrations/mechanical failures

I agree they are great for laptops. You have to realize that Ill do almost anything for low noise. In the past I have suspended my harddrives using bungee cord to minimize vibration transfer to the case for example. I understand the price/performance argument, but I value noise performance very highly. A 0 dB part is worth a price premium to me. The difference between 80GB and 750GB is negligible to me, so that does not factor into the "performance" equation here (unlike for most people). Certainly, the intel part is a stretch, the 150$ SSDs are totally within my ease of wiping out the credit card.

I'll just have to mull over the the Intel SSD -- for example, the 32GB SLC is the same price as the 80GB MLC. Being a program drive, perhaps I can value the additional write speed of the SLC and the difference in capacity is negligible for my needs...

 

[Ausm]

I wish I could make my systems last 5+ years sure would make my bank account look better hehe.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Ausm
I wish I could make my systems last 5+ years sure would make my bank account look better hehe.

Well, depends on how you build the first build I guess. I played all my games at 1920x1200 with my setup. I wasn't interested in any of the games that my system would have been able to handle -- quite a nice coincidence! Also, overclocking helped tremendously in keeping the system speedy.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

You obviously make replacement and new purchase decisions in a logical manner that one would with any appliance which a computer is, but to many of us here computers are hobbies and regardless of our computing needs the upgrade bug hits us every 6mos or so

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
You obviously make replacement and new purchase decisions in a logical manner that one would with any appliance which a computer is, but to many of us here computers are hobbies and regardless of our computing needs the upgrade bug hits us every 6mos or so

I used to do that, then I bought my stereo.

Now Im not sure about TN panels. Im used to the normal panels, but TN panels are very inexpensive and I could be spending that money on other things... Any opinions?

 

[Tiamat]

Just bought the Dell 2408 since it was on sale.


What mobos are good alternatives to the ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe? I noticed Newegg isn't stocking it anymore... I just need a good mobo w/ passive cooling and DDR2 that supposed the AMD 940 BE, and is a good overclocker...

Thanks!

 

[heyheybooboo]

Phenom II 940 / Foxconn 790FX combo: $343

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Phenom II 940 / Foxconn 790FX combo: $343

Any comments on the board itself? While I generally take newegg ratings with a grain of salt, there are not many reviews, and it is not as highly regarded as the asus board...