What do you guys think of this build I just bought?

[Sekkai]

I just want to be thorough

Can I trade a 295 up to a GT300? I am assuming GT300 is the next "best thing" like the 295 is now?

 

[happy medium]

I don't see why not? As long as the card is out after 90 days of the gtx's 295's registration date. Yes the gt300 is about = to gtx295.

 

[Sekkai]

Are they releasing anything stronger than the GT300 in a month, or is that the next release to compete against ATI 5870? I can't seem to find the right answer on Google. I also assume I can't do a similar stepup program from, say, a 4870 to a 5870, lol.

Might be better to just buy all the parts now, learn to put it together, and then buy the new video card in a month when reviews come?

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Are they releasing anything stronger than the GT300 in a month, or is that the next release to compete against ATI 5870? I can't seem to find the right answer on Google. I also assume I can't do a similar stepup program from, say, a 4870 to a 5870, lol.

<<Might be better to just buy all the parts now, learn to put it together, and then buy the new video card in a month when reviews come?

No there is no step up for AMD.

Sounds like a plan! Put together now choose card later.

Edit: you still need a card now to use to setup your new system.
Or do you have a "get by card" till then?

 

[Sekkai]

If I were to get a get-by card, I'd probably look into an NVidia card just so I could step-up (the cards are planned to release in sub-90 days yes?), but that banks on the notion of the GT300 outperforming the 5870 (otherwise I waste money). What would you recommend?

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
If I were to get a get-by card, I'd probably look into an NVidia card just so I could step-up (the cards are planned to release in sub-90 days yes?), but that banks on the notion of the GT300 outperforming the 5870 (otherwise I waste money). What would you recommend?

The problem here is, what if Nvidia doesn't release in 90 days?

Mabe just grab a gtx 275/285 now and sell it to some dummy on ebay if they don't release in 90 days?

or just buy a cheap ass 4850 (90$) play at medium settings till you decide?

 

[Sekkai]

I thought ATI and NVidia were planning to release at comparable times?

Does newegg let me double up on combos? I want to buy 2 combos of the Gold OCZ RAM + 1 TB HD for a total of 12 RAM 2 TB space, but I am unsure if it'll let me actually send that through. It lets me do it on the shopping cart,etc.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
I thought ATI and NVidia were planning to release at comparable times?

Does newegg let me double up on combos? I want to buy 2 combos of the Gold OCZ RAM + 1 TB HD for a total of 12 RAM 2 TB space, but I am unsure if it'll let me actually send that through. It lets me do it on the shopping cart,etc.

I here the ATI 5000 is gonna release sept. 24. I'd bet Nvidia won't be far behind. For nvidia I'm hearing when windows 7 is released around the end of Oct.

Try pushing checkout and if it works your good.

 

[Sekkai]

I am tempted to get a 295 but it feels like I am making a sacrifice for a lot of price:

1. Awesome performance if both gpu's are utilized
2. Sub-285 performance if only one gpu is utilized

I guess my question is, how often do both actually get used? Am I better off with a 285?

The 4870x2 is said to be faster than a 285, but if the dual gpu in THAT isn't utilized, is it like running on something sub-GTX 275 in comparison?

 

[Blain]

Flip a quarter...
Heads = U buy the 295
Tails = U buy the 4870 X2

 

[Sekkai]

Well I mean is my question sensible/am I correct in my "risk assessment" here?

 

[Sekkai]

I've decided on this:


Current list (updated):

Qty / Items / Price
1
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
$25.99


1
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
$169.99


1
ASUS VK246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$219.99


1
EDIMAX EW-7728In 32bit PCI Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI Card - Retail
$34.99


1
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$139.99



2 COMBO DEALS:
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
+
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
$425.96
($212.98 each)


1 COMBO DEAL
EVGA 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported ... - Retail
+
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
$734.98


1
Nvidia Gift - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Retail
$0.00


1 COMBO DEAL
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
+
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
$339.98


1
Prolimatech Megahelm (CPU heatsink)
$59.99


Total (after shipping/promo/etc): $2,157.69


The Megahelm is from another site, and I am planning to try this Step-Up Program to turn in the GTX 295 for the GT300 or whatever it's called when it comes out.

I think this list looks pretty good... OK to pull the trigger or am I *still* making dire mistakes, here? lmao.

It's certainly better than the crap I had in the first post, that's for sure! And cheaper!

This is the Megahelm: http://www.svc.com/megahalems....vJTBuJwCFR2dnAodOh5Log
I am worried though -- do I need to get fans in addition to this thing?

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: ScorcherDarkly
Your machine looks great but the price is terrible. Your biggest no-no's were switching from the 1000W Corsair to the 900W Apevia and getting the i7 950 over the i7 920. The last post in your first thread had a great build, its a shame you didn't use it.

In time you will regret the 900 wqatt Apevia....did you know the qword Apevia translated into Swahili literally means "JUNK"!!

 

[Sekkai]

I'm not getting that anymore -- the system I am now looking at is in the previous post, here. However, I still have a question about the CPU cooling.

And if anyone has any more comments on it, please feel free -- I need all the advice I can, lol.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Thing is, I kinda *want* to put it together now -- seems more satisfying that way to put together a megabeast I can customize down to every last part.

I need to find:

1. Video card... GTX 295 or two ATI 4890's?
2. New monitor that goes well with the video card choice
3. Megahelms for the CPU cooling?
4. Enough room in my case to handle everything... would my Antec 900 be able to hold up to two video cards with enough room? What about with the PSU?
5. Better optical drive choice/comes with burning software?

I think I'm going to stick with my RAM, mobo, wireless, and processor choices (unless anyone has any good reason to cry out against them?)

why the highend video cards?? Unless your a gamer the cost does not make any sense!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Is 7200 RPM too slow? I couldn't find any 1 TB 10,000 RPM drives.

what do you need a 10,000 rpm hd for? Are you gaming?? I mean a seriosu gamer??
7,200 is just fine!!

 

[Sekkai]

Yes, I game a lot

 

[Sekkai]

Could I use

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811999139
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185058
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233015

With my Prolimatech Megahelm? On the site it says recommended fan = 120x120x25mm, <26 dB, and 800-1200 RPM. Is it dangerous to get one that has too high an RPM?

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: Sekkai
Could I use

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811999139
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185058
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233015

With my Prolimatech Megahelm? On the site it says recommended fan = 120x120x25mm, <26 dB, and 800-1200 RPM. Is it dangerous to get one that has too high an RPM?

Yes, you need a fan for the Megahalems. I like the one in my sig, it is very quiet. If I recall correctly from my research before the "D" was dead SILENT but didn't push enough air. The "E" and "F" were nearly the same and the "G" pushes more air but is also noisier.

Again, if memory serves, the scythe slipstream is more meant as a case fan. They also have a kaze which is meant for radiators (H20 cooling). I could be wrong on that, but I think I'm right. The shape of the blades, number of blades, RPM, etc make a fan better for some uses but not others.

Other brands to look at include Yate Loons (not avail at newegg) and Noctua (P12? H12? something like that).

It's not "dangerous" per se if the fan you have has too high of an RPM. Because the fins of the heatsink are spaced so closely together you get better performance from slower moving air than higher speed. This applies to all of the coolers that are like the Megahalems (closely spaced fins). While faster is generally better, there is a definite point of diminishing returns. Just to add further confusion, one model/brand of fan at 1200rpm would push a different amount of air than another model/brand. So just use the 800-1200rpm as a general guide.

I just noticed you are getting the same case as i have. Very roomy, has good cooling and is reasonably quiet with all the fans on low. In the food for thought category, you might consider orienting the Megahalems vertically pushing air up and out through the top fan instead of out through the rear in a more "conventional" way. I think (no evidence to back this up, mind you) that the large fan on top help "pull" air through the megahalems so it's almost like a push/pull config. And the top fan is much quieter than the 120mm rear fans so if I do turn up the speed on the top fan it's not as noticeable.

 

[happy medium]

A fan like this will work fine. Scythe s flex.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185005

edit :I also have a Antec 1200 great case.

 

[Sekkai]

happy medium, that fan comes with this item

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16812816038

What on earth is this?

 

[Sekkai]

Seems to be unnecessary.

Alright, final list:

Current list (updated):

Qty / Items / Price
1
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
$25.99


1
Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
$169.99


1
ASUS VK246H Black 24" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$219.99


1
EDIMAX EW-7728In 32bit PCI Wireless 802.11n Draft 2.0 PCI Card - Retail
$34.99


1
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
$139.99



2 COMBO DEALS:
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Retail
+
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drives - OEM
$425.96
($212.98 each)


1 COMBO DEAL
EVGA 017-P3-1295-AR CO-OP Edition GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported ... - Retail
+
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail
$734.98


1
Nvidia Gift - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Retail
$0.00


1 COMBO DEAL
GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
+
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
$339.98


1
Prolimatech Megahelm (CPU heatsink)
$59.99


1
Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E 120mm Case Fan - Retail
$16.99



Total (after shipping/promo/etc): $2,183.00


I hope I am not missing any vital cables/clips/whatever. Do I also need to get the "Megahalem fan clips"?

 

[Sekkai]

I pulled the trigger and bought the above list!

 

[Sekkai]

I am hoping I can trade up the card later

 

[happy medium]

Nice setup! and good luck