Validate my upcoming purchase please =)

[st34lth]

Hello, I am looking to purchase the following system mainly for PS and other graphics work as well as coding but I would like to be able to play the latest games well. I have checked out all of the guides and compiled the following list:

Video Card - PNY nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB GDDR3, 128-Bit, Dual DVI/HDTV, PCI-Express, Model "VCG6600GXPB" -RETAIL - $207
LINK
NOTE : SLI Support

Motherboard - ASUS "A8N-SLI Deluxe" nForce4 SLI Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU - $199
LINK

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 3200+, 512KB L2 Cache, Socket 939 64-bit Processor - Retail - $215
LINK

Memory - 2x atriot Signature Series Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC3200, Model PSD1G400KH - Retail - $152 x 2
LINK

Hard Drive (Boot Disk) - 2x Western Digital Raptor WD360GD 36.7GB Serial ATA 10,000RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer - $108 x 2
LINK

Case - Chieftec - Dragon Series - Carbon Black Full-Tower Case - Supports AT / BAT / ATX / MATX Mainboards - $79.99
LINK

Mouse - Logitech MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse Retail ***Free 2nd Day*** - $63.99
LINK

Can someone tell me if this is going to be a good setup for what I need. I also need comments on a power supply to support this with an optical drive and 4 additional 7200RPM drives.

 

[jose]

First that processor won't fit that mobo.. The processor is socket 754 and the mobo is a 939 pin mobo.

You'll need a socket 939 processor. ie 3000+, 3200+, 3500+ The 3200+ is a good choice because of price + ablilty to oc'd latter if you like.
Also the winchester cores are what everyone is getting because they use less wattage & generate less heat.

Second read this: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...5190&enterthread=y

It will show you that you can use value pc3200 ram instead of expensive ram. read the post.

Third I'd get 1 raptor & a 250g seagate instead of using raid 0

BTW, I think LeadteK makes the best 6600GT's. imo

Fourth, Welcome to AT

Regards,
Jose

 

[st34lth]

Thank you x 1000 for your help. I really appreciate your suggestions! I cant believe I was so dumb to not note the socket type. In any case, I have changed the cpu to be a 3200 and the ram to be slightly toned down while still a good value.

As far as the hard drives, I am putting them in RAID 1 (mirrored) configuration. I would like to keep the boot disk as a RAID'ed 10K'er for fault tolerancy purposes. My app/data disk is going to be a RAID 5 array w/ 4 250GB disks.

Video card wise, the reason why I am note getting the Leadtek is it doesnt have Dual-DVI out and that is something I need. Any reasons why you wouldnt go with PNY?


That leads me to my next question, what power supply can I use to feed this beast? I dont need any of these "modded" supplies - I just need something that will feed the power that I need. Bonus if I can support another 6600GT card on there when I do SLI.

Thanks again!

 

[st34lth]

Can anyone comment on the power supply that I would need for this setup including 4 extra 250GB 7200RPM drives?

Thanks

AdamR

 

[nick1985]

it would be better to get a socket 754 system and a 6800GT than your 939 SLI with a 6600GT IMO. even if you upgrade to another 6600GT in the future, it wont be faster than a single 6800GT. 6600GT's in SLI are NOT WORTH IT.

 

[st34lth]

I was under the impression that the 939 systems were the next platform and all 64-bit chips will build on this socket type. Is this correct?

 

[jose]

st34lth, you are correct about the upgrade portion. But so is nick1985 in ref. to the speed of the system.

As far as a ps I'd get a Antec 550EPS for $113 from newegg because it has 36A on the +12V rail. This imo is the best deal on a 500+ ps right now atleast.

Concerning the upgrade path that 939 has over 754, I think that about the time you'd want to upgrade cpu (say 1.5yrs) you'd be looking at a completely diff mobo anyways.
Also in about 1-2yrs from now their will probably be faster single pci-e video cards that would beat current SLI configs right now. So it's really up to you on what you want to do.

How long to you plan on keeping this system before upgrading ?? Are you planning on going to SLI soon ?? It's true that one 6800GT is faster than 2 - 6600GT's..


If you go the 754 route , which is not bad. (very mature & stable) I'd recomend getting a 6800GT w/ a DFI LanpartyUT w/ a 3400+ processor.. Check the cost.. probably save you
$200-$300 over the same config in 939... ie A8N, 6800GT pci-e, 3500+

Regards,
Jose

 

[Budmantom]

6800GT

 

[imported_waldo]

I don't think you need as much power as a 550EPS, anything around 400 to 450 should be fine....although the EPS powersupplies are wonderful. Check out OCZ for a solid quality PSU. I think the argument of a 6800 over a 6600 comes down to plans. If you buy a 754 now, that will be your machine for the next while, until you do a complete revamp. If you wait 2 months or so, the 939 nF4 boards are going to come down a lot in price, but perhaps not enough. Regardless, the 3200 is a great chip from AMD. Irrespective, get yourself more hard drive space than the 2 raptors....I am a 3d artist, and let me tell you, if you are serious into Photoshop, then that space is going to be eaten fast. A 250 on teh back of that will be nice, or even a 160.

Back to the socket debate. Jose is putting the graphics card as a higher priority over the processor. While that is fine and dandy, if you are big into photoshop, upgrading a CPU is going to be much more important than upgrading a graphics card. So in my opinion, the debate comes down to which you would prefer more....the ability to stick with Photoshop a little longer, or the ability to game a little longer. Either way, upgrade at some point is inevitable.

Me personally, I have dual xeons, and since I got socket 604, when everyone is switching to dual core processors, I will be able to throw some 3 Ghz Xeons in my current config, overclock em a bit, save a ton of cash, and still have great performance!

 

[st34lth]

@waldo : very good point. I AM in this more for the processing power than the gaming. If I decide later that I want more gaming capability, I am in a position where I could throw down on 2 6800s. For that reason alone, I am getting the SLI board JUST IN CASE.

As far as the Hard drive space goes, the 36GB drives are only for my boot disk. I have a set of 6 250GB drives that are going to join the system. =)

Will the 500W supply be able to hold that many hard drives?

 

[Icepick]

My 2 cents:
Save some money and ditch the SLI. It's not worth the price premium you'll pay up front. If you absolutely need a PCI Express motherboard then go with the Chaintech or Gigabyte models since they're the only ones reasonably priced IMO: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-049&depa=1 , http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-128-268&depa=1

If you go with an AGP solution then you'll have a much better motherboard selection and lower prices.

As for the socket 939-754 debate, go socket 939. Your processor, memory, video card selections are fine. I'd also ditch the 36GB raptor and choose a 120-160GB SATA 7200RPM drive instead for the same money. Again, not enough performance increase with the Raptor to justify the cost. I think you'll be surprised how quickly you fill 36GB with the graphics work you do. Games are taking up more and more hard drive space. If you get into MP3's then you'll need more space too. 36GB is nothing these days.

Good luck!

Edit: doh! we crossed our posts. Well, anyway if you're using the Raptor as a boot disk along with large drives for your data then I take back what I said about the Raptor.

 

[jose]

Sorry I didn't read completely your post on graphic work..

Given that and the fact that you want 6 - 250g drives , then go w/ the A8N mobo...

Did you get 250g WD raid ed. drives ?? if not consider these...

Back to the ps. don't get anything less than 36A on the +12V rail, especially w/ that many drives..

Also take a good look at the CoolerMaster STacker case. It has the best cooling & is very quiet & large..

After reading your inital post closer, you'd benefit more from the A8n, later you might be able to ge dual core if need be.

If you want more than the Antec 550EPS then look at the Zippy 700w at newegg, talk about power..

Also the CM Stacker case can accomodate 2 - power supplies, check it out..

But I'd still get a 6800GT, regardless...

Regards,
Jose

 

[dev0lution]

For the 10k Raptors HDD's, the 74GB model is a bit faster than the 36's as it's the 2nd gen model. Bumps up the price if you're going to do 2 drives in Raid 1 but just something to consider if speed was your main goal.

 

[st34lth]

On the topic of power supplies, will this be enough power:

LINK : LINK

 

[Edward Lee]

Here's my take on your system.

SLI systems are a novelty and a waste of money.
Building an SLI system with 6600 GT is just plain stu-pid.
Putting a Socket 754 in a Socket 939 won't work.
Spending $300.00 on memory is a complete waste of money.
The case is plain but it's your choice.
The (MX1000) mouse is expensive and I have heard it has lag problems.
Spending $210.00 on 70 Gigs of Hard Drive space just begs for big time a flame.

Overall: System rating 0 out of 10.

 

[st34lth]

OK, I havent been here long and dont want to totally bash somebody that has been here longer but "come-the -F-On". Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something....

1. - the mobo I got was mainly because of all the features but the fact that it can support a future technology was a big perk.

2 - Since you didnt re-ad the thread, you wouldnt know that I did that to test out what the card could do. If I wanted to put dual 6800's in there, I would but I dont need that much processing power yet. Its nice to have the capability for it though

3 - Another case of not re-ading. The chip I FIRST put on the thread was 754, the new one is 939 like it was supposed to be. If you read the third post, you would have known that.

4 - Why is $300 worth of memory throwing your money away? Can you answer me that? Thats 2GB of RAM which is VERY requisite for the graphics work that I do.

5 - Sorry you dont like my case but I dont care about something that looks cool. I would rather put money into my house or my car to look good - NOT my computer. Not yet at least. Its really LAST on a long list of priorities

6 - I have used the mouse and find it perfect for the precision with CAD/CAM work as well as PS work. Im sorry you dont like it

7 - Not reading the whole thread just begs for a big time flame... what about the other 6 x 250GB drives I bought?


Overall comment rating : -1 out of 10

AdamR

 

[Edward Lee]

You really need to just go buy a Dell.

 

[st34lth]

I edited my post to be more friendly but seriously.... did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? I really didnt see ANYTHING worthwhile that was not already discussed in your post. Any comments about some of my counter points?

AdamR

 

[Edward Lee]

1) SLI is not the quick fix for keeping up with future technology. There is no such thing.
2) You won't need to put in 2 6800 GT because 1 6800 GT (no SLI) will perform better than 2 6600 GT SLI
3) I realize that was a mistake. But the fact that you made it in the first place just begged for me to mention it again.
4) If you're going to do that much multitasking that you need 2 GIGs of memory you should'nt be looking at and AMD 64 processor in the first place. And from what you wrote it looks like you're thinking of spening $150.00 for each 512 stick. So if you're talking about 2 gigs then what you're going to spend $600.00 on RAM? Either way you'd be better off payin $140.00 for 1 GIG of Value RAM. If you're already buying Value RAM, good for you.
4) Pretty cases don't have to cost a lot of money.
5) That mouse has flaws. An MX500 or MX700 might be better.
6)If you have 6x250 drives. The fact you're willing to pay $216.00 for 2 36 GIG drives that won't allow you to run all of them begs for even a bigger flame.

I'm blunt about my opinions. I'm never personal.

 

[jose]

st34lth, I'd stick to Antec, Enermax, PC Power & Cooling or Zippy power supplies..

As for as the case look at the CM Stacker, lot's of space an great cooling, you'll have alot of hd's in there.... The stacker has a 4 in 3 device w/ a 120mm fan for cooling.

I don't know about the mouse, but I'd stick to a wired mouse. I did have a Logitec cordless, nice at first but jumped around alot..

Are you getting 2 gigs of ram ?

I would also recomend 1 - 74g raptor instead of 2 - 36g drives.

Regards,
Jose

 

[st34lth]

@jose

Thanks for your opinion. Where did you decide on the 36A to the +12 rail? I would just like to know how to make those computations myself. As for my RAM, I am getting 2GB for ~300.

I know the 74GB raptor has more space and better read times but I would have to buy two of them because I am doing RAID mirrorin and I have nearly no use for that big of a windows partition.

@edward lee
1 - you could make the case the other way also.

2 - If I want to replace anything, I will probably put dual 6800 ultras

3 - ok..

4 - its not multitasking at all.... ask any PS expert how important processing power and ram are. To caridy, my first post says "2x atriot Signature Series Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC3200, Model PSD1G400KH - Retail - $152 x 2" ... .so thats 152 for 1GB and Im getting 2 sets (4 modules total)

4 - this is true but trying to find one that can accomodate 8 INTERNAL drives .... not the easiest

5 - I have a 650 and a 700 and I love both of them.... for now I am enjoying the MX1000

6 - Im not sure what you mean here... there is no reason to have a huge amount of space just for a volume that ONLY has windows on it

 

[jose]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-918&depa=0

2Gigs of ram , nice... Did you consider using 1 gig dimms ? Since your using 4 banks of memory you may have to run at 2T anyway.. That way you could upgrade to 4gigs later.

With 2 - 4-in-3 devices you can fit 8 hd's.. and still have 5 - 5.25 bays left over...

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-119-042&depa=0

Are you sure you need raid1 for your boot drive ? I mean if you load all you progs & data on seperate drives your boot drive is not that critical..

Personally I use one 15k 36g for OS (Win2ksp4 & RH Linux ES3.0), the second 15k for progs & games (seperate partitions) & the 3rd 10k for scratch/temp and the 4th 73g for editing..

Regards,
Jose

 

[st34lth]

What about this memory -

LINK

 

[st34lth]

Alright, I purchased that Antec power supply on your reccomendations jose, so you better be right Any thoughts on the memory that I am looking at guys?

AdamR

 

[jose]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-220-030&depa=1

That memory looks good, check this one also. It has a user review that works in a A8V mobo

Regards,
Jose