Critique my Core 2 Duo build, please

[Oddish]

Time for a new setup again, and I'd like to ask for your opinions on this build.

Board: Asus P5N32-SLI Premium
PSU: Corsair Power Supply 620W HX
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
RAM: Kingston HyperX (2x1024) DDR2 800 MHz PC2-6400 CL4
Graphics: Asus GeForce 7950GX2
HDD (OS): WD Raptor 74GB
HDD (storage): 3 x WD Caviar 500GB RE-2 SATA II (in RAID5)
Case: Antec P180
CPU cooler: Scythe Infinity

I thought about running two less expensive graphics cards in SLI, but I thought I'd start with the GX2 first, and then later I have the option to add another one if I need to. What do you think? Does that make sense?

I'm also on the fence about the Raptor. The idea is to have a fast drive for the operating system and games etc. And then 3 500 GB drives in RAID5 for storage. I don't really like the fact that the Raptor isn't SATA2 though. What's faster, a normal 7200 SATA2 drive or the Raptor SATA1? Is the difference negligible?

About the PSU, do you think it will manage the system if I would add a second 7950GX2?

Any general comments about the build? Any parts that could be exchanged for better alternatives?

Thanks in advance!

 

[151528]

if u are planning on adding another GX2 later, then id go with at least an 800W PSU, as those cards suck alot of power
But if i were you, id actually buy a different card altogether, unless u want the noise that comes with them, the reference hsf on XFX 7900GTX's are very quiet.

 

[Rubycon]

Get the P5W DH instead. 975 chipset is much better than N-Farce.

 

[akshayt]

forget about another GX2. Go Dx 10.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

with all that equipment and 4 HD's do you really want it all in a P180??

cabling it will be next to impossible.

 

[Oddish]

Great input! This is exactly what I need.

Originally posted by: 151528
if u are planning on adding another GX2 later, then id go with at least an 800W PSU, as those cards suck alot of power

Alright, I'll look for a beefier PSU, if I decide to stick with the dual GX2 plan.

Originally posted by: 151528
But if i were you, id actually buy a different card altogether, unless u want the noise that comes with them, the reference hsf on XFX 7900GTX's are very quiet.

Quiet maybe, but slow compared to the GX2.

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Get the P5W DH instead. 975 chipset is much better than N-Farce.

Well, I've decided to go the SLI route, so the P5W DH wouldn't really fit into my plan.

Originally posted by: akshayt
forget about another GX2. Go Dx 10.

Are you saying I should be content with one GX2 for the time being, and then later, when DX10 implementation is widespread, buy a new DX10 card? That's not a bad idea.

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
with all that equipment and 4 HD's do you really want it all in a P180?? cabling it will be next to impossible.

Hmmm... any recomendations on a nice full tower?

 

[AstroGuardian]

 

[AstroGuardian]

About the tower. I recomend Thermaltake Xsaser or S-Viking. They are the best towers i have seen in 15 years of system building.
I agree with the rest of the given opinions.

 

[Oddish]

So about the Raptor, will it outperform a normal 7200 SATA2 when it comes to gaming etc. even though it's only got half the bandwidth? I don't really know much about hard drives as you can see.

 

[westihockey09]

The raptor will dominate a 7200 drive. It will open programs faster, yes it is very nice for gaming. Just one thing, I wouldn't buy a vid card from Asus, better from someone like eVGa or you could get 1 ATI Radeon x1950xtx and dominate the nvidia and keep your power supply. Just a suggestion. Great build otherwise.

Watch out for the quad core!!!

 

[chrisrod01]

Originally posted by: akshayt
forget about another GX2. Go Dx 10.

wait for dx10

 

[Operandi]

Solid build.

Personally I would change the case to a Lian Li V1100 as I don't care for plastic/steel cases. I would also opt for a Thermalright U-120, SI-120 or Zalman CNPS 9500AT.

Originally posted by: 151528
if u are planning on adding another GX2 later, then id go with at least an 800W PSU, as those cards suck alot of power

Completly false, 620watts is more then enough for dual 7950GX2s.

 

[Oddish]

I actually have a hard time finding any tests that show the Radeon X1950 XTX outperforming Nvidia's 7950 GX2. It's usually the other way around, so I think I'll stick with the GX2. About DX10, I really would like to build this computer within the coming weeks, so waiting for DX10 cards isn't an option. I'll just replace the GX2 with a DX10 card later.

Thanks for the input!
.

 

[TITAN126]

Originally posted by: akshayt
forget about another GX2. Go Dx 10.

QFT...Less than a month now for the G80 and around 2-3 months for the R600.

 

[westihockey09]

Go to tomshardware.com and click on video and display then VGA charts, and look for yourself, the x1950xtx beats the 7950.

Heck with it here it is:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics....elx=33&model1=516&model2=585&chart=196


Like i said before, it smokes it even in sli form!! 1 1950 > 2 7950!! ; )

Good luck with your build!

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: westihockey09
Go to tomshardware.com and click on video and display then VGA charts, and look for yourself, the x1950xtx beats the 7950.

Heck with it here it is:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics....elx=33&model1=516&model2=585&chart=196

Like i said before, it smokes it even in sli form!! 1 1950 > 2 7950!! ; )

Don't believe anything you read at Toms.

Firing Squad's review

 

[AstroGuardian]

I agree. On many ocasions i caught Tom's Hardware making cardinal mistakes. It's just like they are a bunch of kids favouring certain brands.

 

[jodoog]

If you have the money a P5W and 2x 1950xtx's would perform really well.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2821&p=10 (check out on other games as well)

Joe