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upgrading computer - need reality check
ronnab
Member UncommonPosts: 29
Hi All,
I’m finally upgrading my computer! I’m leaving behind my tired old OC’d Celery 300 and am putting together a solid gaming rig.
Any advice/feedback would be great.
I’m reusing my ATX case and don’t need a floppy, fans (I have 6 in the case), mouse, or KB. I’ll also be able to scavenge screws, etc.
Will be WinXP Pro SP2. If it’s not obvious by my choice of processor & mobo, I also plan to OC.
I’m waiting on an extra CPU cooler until I see how much space is available.
Here are the specs:
ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
$184
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775
$279
Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
$57 after rebate
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB
$269 after rebate
OS Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$75
Data drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$110 (Yes, I do need that much storage for my, umm, hobbies)
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R Burner SATA
$32
Thermaltake Toughpower 650W Power Supply
$95 after rebate
SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms (GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor
$280 after rebate
Total: $1381
(Wish list shows $1539 but doesn’t take into account the rebates)
Public wishlist link:
Comments
silly people trying to OC a QUAD CORE 2.4ghz.... thats 9.6ghz of processing speed, if it is not enough for a game out there on the market right now, please post it.
Playing: EVE Online
Favorite MMOs: WoW, SWG Pre-cu, Lineage 2, UO, EQ, EVE online
Looking forward to: Archeage, Kingdom Under Fire 2
KUF2's Official Website - http://www.kufii.com/ENG/ -
How about this monitor instead?
22" HDMI Monitor
Other stuff looks good.
I have advice!
Wait for 3 months and buy the same thing for $500 less.
If you're getting a p35 motherboard you should go for faster memory. For very little more you could get ddr2 1066 ram
Secondly, if you're going to get 2 hard drives, get 2 of the same size and put them into a raid 0.
don't overclock. I have almost the same exact build, and it runs everything flawlessly at stock speeds
member of imminst.org
but then there will be better equipment and he can wait 3 months for that. But then there will be better equipment so he should then wait three months for that. But then there will be better equipment so...
member of imminst.org
Hi everyone,
Thanks to the people who took time to reply with constructive comments.
Why OC? I find it fun. I don't leave a comp OC'd all the time. I like to play around with the settings and learn by doing so. 99% of the time the Processor will be at the normal clock speed. I draw the comparison to crafting in MMOs. Some people craft because they have to/want to get a specific item. I craft because I find the process of crafting fun and interesting -the possibilities and endless combinations.
CleffyII, thanks for the monitor suggestion. It seems that the big difference is the HDMI connector, which I wouldn't be taking advantage of in the near future. I have no consoles or HDTV at home - yet... But my son, who is 7, will soon tire of his GB. Hmmm. The response time is a little higher too with a 6 bit panel. I'll be giving this some thought - thanks for the suggestion!
n25philly - thanks! I'll upgrade the RAM. I've never been a fan of RAID for home use. (If this was a work machine, I'd agree with you totally.) My days as a multimedia software developer are past though. I've always backed up anything important (home videos, etc.) onto DVD and used Ghost (redundant backups). I've got a few collections that need some attention and need the large second drive to sort them out.
I've been torn between the 8800 GTS 320 versus the 640. Does anyone have any suggestions about that?
Thanks!
the only advantage of the 640 vs. the 320 is if you want to run games at really high resolutions with all the settings turned on. Everything needs to be loaded into memory before it can be displayed. typically you need a minimum of 512 memory to be able to max out all the setting, although that depends on the game. the 320 would be plenty for most older games and some newer ones (like bioshock). Most newer games need the high amounts of memory or for settings to be turned down. Unless you wants to play games at really high resolutions, you shouldn't need more than 320.
member of imminst.org
but then there will be better equipment and he can wait 3 months for that. But then there will be better equipment so he should then wait three months for that. But then there will be better equipment so...
Who said anything about getting better equipment, if hes going to buy that hardware now he would have that hardware when new stuff comes out anyway, so why not just wait till its less expensive?
Thanks n25philly.
I realize I could wait a bit and have the price go down. But I have the money now and would rather not wait - some unexpected bill will rear its ugly head like a MOB. I swear the bills sometimes show up like never ending MOB spawns. ;-)
If you plan to play with high resolution for your 22' and all settings in game , a 8800 GTX is the way to go (cost more). Nothing beat this nowaday and if you duo that with your Q6600 and a p35 chipset, i can tell : I HATE YOU !
it s my dream actually.