Considering a new gaming system

[RabidRabbit OCS]

I am looking at buying a new computer. Its basic specs look like this:

Processor    AMD Phenom II x6 1090T 3.2 GHz (Six Core) AM3
CPU Fan    ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme 120mm 2 Ball CPU FAN
Motherboard    ASUS M4A79T Deluxe, Onboard Audion, LAN CrossFire Support
Case    Antec Ultimate Gaming Nine Hundred Black Steel Mid Tower
Case Fan    2x 120mm Blue LED Case Fan
Power Supply    Antec EarthWatts 750W PSU
Memory    8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Memory
Hard Disk    640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Western Digital
Video Card    GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) 1536MB PCI Express 2.0x16
Optical Drive    22X DVD Burner Black +R/+RW /-R
3.5" Drive    All-in-one card reader
Warranty    3 Years Extended Warranty

The cost is about $1896.00.

For those of you who know about such things, what do you think?  It is a BIG investment for me.

[Goose OCS]

Man i am behind!!!!! I thought my quad core was pretty new tech, but six core!!! nice, technology just advances to fast for me  .

[TheLastSparten OCS]

I like the AMD phenom 2 x6, but if I were you I'd go with a full tower for expandability if you believe such things , quicken your RAM speed to 1600 even if you have to move down to 4 gigs total (I promise you will more than likely never use all 4 gigs even while heavily gaming), and lastly I'd change that Nvidia card to an ATI 5870 as it is cheaper and has the same, if not better performance if im not mistaken (though i could be, but even if it isnt as good its extremely close). Reason I recommend ATI rather than Nvidia more than just the cash value and quality of performance is that you have an AMD processor, so because of this your machine should actually run smoother. (ATI and AMD are the same company).

The tower you picked is pretty sweet. I kinda have a hard time telling you to go full tower after seeing it

[TheLastSparten OCS]

I personally will more than likely be getting this one unless I find a better one when I invest in my PC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

Its a full ATX Tower, same company and pretty much same design, though pricetag is a bit higher

OH! and did i mention it has water cooling capabilities built in

[Heff OCS]

WOW, you guys really like your cases.  I personally am usually on a tight budget and I cut corners where I can.  The case, for the most part is just for show, I choose functionality as there are few areas you can cut corners.  You should see the computer I use for burning, the case is a pre-Win 98 Gateway that I gutted and rewired.  Not the prettyest of computers but at the time of my initial build it would smoke anything around.

I like shopping at XOXIDE for cases as you can usually find a decent buy and the have a large selection as well as a nice collection of modding supplies.

http://www.xoxide.com/pccases.html

I agree with Spartin on memory and go with the faster 1600 and unless you are going with a 64 bit operating system drop down to 4 Gigs.

I would go ahead and get a second DVD burner, just makes life easier when coping cd's and dvd's.


If I were to dream big I might consider stepping up to a 10000 RPM VelociRaptor hard drive.  You could go with a smaller 10000 rpm for running your applications and add a 7200 RPM for data storage.  Just a thought.

Are you planning on making use of the crossfire technology?

[RabidRabbit OCS]

I don't know.  The guy building it says that the mb does not support SLI, and the graphics card takes up a lot of space in the mid-tower Antec.

I can go back to eBay and change some of the configuration, memory, etc.  But all his choices of cases are mid-towers even thought I am partial to full-towers myself.

Thanks for the imput, guys, especially about the ram.  I am thinking about 64-bit in Windows 7.

We just got the first notice from the hospital about my wife's medical bills, and depending on how much Medicare comes up with I may have to postpone my computer dreams a little white longer. We will see.

[TheLastSparten OCS]

If you can try and get it with SLI or Crossfire (if you choose ATI) as they are not much more expensive and are usually better equipped plus it adds to expandability and longevity of the system as you can just add another of the same card to get more power.

On RAM I have never gone above 3 gigs myself on my 64 bit win 7 OS and I can tell you right now I run my system through its  paces most of the time so cutting corners and halving your RAM capacity wont impact your performance but if you can get 8, it's always something nice to brag about

Oh and heres the mobo i've been looking at myself...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128441

Usually I would agree with Heff's point of view on matters such as cases. It doesn't matter whats on the outside just what the inside is made of, but as my dream computer will more than likely be the first computer I will own that I have built myself I've been of the attitude go big or go home

If this guy is  custom building this computer for you over ebay you'd think he'd be able to get his hands on more parts and offer a larger selection. Just my thoughts

But good luck with the hospital bills and my best wishes for your wife's speedy recovery

[RabidRabbit OCS]

Hey, Spartan. Thanks for the input. The mother board you link to is just what I would like. Plenty of PCI ports and USB 3.

And I do prefer full-tower cases -- the big, ugly ones -- that look like they came out of a Klingon mother ship.

Anyway, I will have to put this computer project on hold for a month or so, until the wife's medical bills get squared away. With Medicare and all, we are going to be alright, but I feel I should keep and eye on my money for awhile.

Anyway, keep the suggestions coming. I feel I have more time to think things over now.

[RabidRabbit OCS]

Well, I broke down and ordered a new computer. I am gambling that I can afford it, but carpe diem, you know.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, guys. Here is what I got, which I think is a little more than what I had been shopping for before.

New System Configuration :
Intel i5/i7 CPU :    Intel Core i7 875K 2.93GHz (Quad Core) 8000K
Intel i5 / i7 CPU Fans :    Coolermaster GeminII S, 5 Copper Heat Pipes, Dual Cooler CPU fan
Intel i5 / i7 Motherboards :    ASUS P7P55 WS Supercomputer DDR3, SLI & Cross Fire, GB LAN, iEEE
DDR3 Dual Channel memory :    16GB (4x4GB) PC12800 DDR3 1600 Dual Channel
PCI-Express Video cards :    SLI Dual GeForce GTS 250 1000MB x2 PCI Express 16X ( 2 cards)
Hard Drives :    500.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache
Hard Drive Fans :    Hard Drive Cooling Fan Aluminum Internal
Hard Drives :    500.0GB Western Digital 7200RPM SATA2 UDMA 300 16m cache
Hard Drive Fans :    Hard Drive Cooling Fan Aluminum Internal
Media Card Readers :    3.5" floppy disk 1.44 Mb Black
DVD Recorders :    Lite On 22x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
DVD Recorders :    LG 22x SATA DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW
Sound Cards :    Realtek HD digital audio (onboard)
Network Cards :    Ethernet network adapter (onboard)
Controller Cards :    USB 3.0 Adapter Card 2 port PCI express
Cases :    Antec P183 Black Case, Full Tower, front USB & iEEE
Case Fans :    Dual Case Fans 120 mm Extra Quiet DC fan (two fans)
Power Supply :    Thermaltake TRX 1200W ultra quiet ATX Power Supply, SLI & X-fire ready
Operating Systems :    Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64bit DVD
System Condition:    All system components are brand new. System is assembled and tested. All drivers and manuals are included.

So, there it is. I hope I did the right thing.

[Cortath OCS]

Sounds like a really solid rig to me Rabbit. Enjoy! 

[TheLastSparten OCS]

ohhh no's no no no no noooooo. You must now be smitten for you poor choices, I am sooo soo very sorry. You should not have bought the computer. oh rabbit *TheLastSparten does a massive facepalm*
Just kidding mate! Wonderful build you have there though it would have been nice to still see that AMD Phenom II x6 proccessor in the line up, but thats just me and I've become somewhat of an AMD fanboy sooo


I think you should be able to get quite a few years out of that rig if nothing goes bonkers crazy with it

OH and your still going to be smitten for choosing Intel by the way

[Elad OCS]

I'd go for faster ram than amount of it. You can always add more later (although one would like to keep same batch of ram). 4g will do everything right now so 16m is overkill. I went 8 for the future.
My (8g) ram is hanging at 2200mhz cas9 (can do CAS8)
My 1090T will vary (auto mode) from low 900's mhz to 4800's mhz when needed, and I notice it runs a lot cooler.
The GTX Fermi's run TOO HOT and require more power than ati. However, Nvidia seems to usually have better drivers developed before shipping a new product. But so far, ati beats nvidia in tests

if you have time, check out Newegg's daily promos. I've seen some great prices there.

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/latest/index-landing.aspx
You have to subscribe to get the deals (email)

[RabidRabbit OCS]

For better or for worse, that is what I am stuck with. I hope it lasts me a couple of years at least.

Thanks for the input.

Now, what bothers me is installing all the software in Windows 7. This will be a new experience, since I liked dealing with Windows XP.

[TheLastSparten OCS]

oh dont worry much about that. It's actually very very easy. If you need any help just ask

And yeah that computer you bought should last you for a very long time.

[Heff OCS]

Mr. Rabbit it looks like you have yourself a beast.  You normally get the best of me anyways but now!!!!!!!!!!   What is a poor bovine to do, looks like BBQ at the Rabbit's household.

[RabidRabbit OCS]

The new system is supposed to arrive on Monday.

Now, my next question: After I install CoD4, can I just copy the user maps from my old computer to a DVD disk and then copy them from the DVD disk into the Activision\Modern Warfare (?) place on the new computer? This would save a lot of time if it works. Remember, however, that the old computer is Windows XP sp3, and the new computer is Windows7.

Thanks.

[Heff OCS]

Don't forget the BBQ sauce andmaybe some potato salad.

[TheLastSparten OCS]

To translate what heff said... That is a definite yes. Just get a 2 gig flash drive or something. I think it'd be easier that way and possibly cheaper.

[Elad OCS]

Well, if he's tied up in LAN...
Your right, would be lot easier to stick it.

Rabbit will be able to bunny Hop over the roof now

[Heff OCS]

Poor, Poor Heff.  I think I can smell hickory smoke.