New Build

[Balmhood]

Hi all,
I am planning to build a new system and according to what I read, I want to build the following rig:

• mobo: EPOX EP-9NPA+ULTRA (not the SLI)
  Proc: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
  RAM: OCZ EL Platinum Revision 2 1GB (2 x 512MB)
  PSU: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply ( I currently have a TruePower 480W)
  Graphics: XFX PV-T70G-UDF7 Geforce 7800 GT Overclocked

--- 2 questions:
1- Do you see any compatibility issues with this built?

2- For the HDD ( I am getting 2 HDD for a RAID setup), i really am thinking about 3 options:

• SATA 1 HDD with 16 MB buffer (Maxtor 250gb) @ approx:$110 each ?
• SATA 2 HDD with 8MB buffer (Seagate Baraccuda 160Gb) @ approx $90 each?
• SATA 2 HDD with 16MB buffer (Western Digital Caviar 250GB) @ approx $120 each? (althought not preferred solution due to cost

so which is best in your opinion with the above system ?
Thanks in advance.
Balm.

 

[mdchesne]

maxtor = bad, stay away from them

I'd go with the western digital one. you get 180gb more for only $60 total, that's like 0.30 per gig!

o, and make sure your mobo supports SATA2

 

[imported_rod]

I wouldn't go with the Maxtor. Preferably, find a Seagate with 16MB cache, but otherwise, the Western Digital option is the best of the three you've suggested.

RoD

 

[Mem]

maxtor = bad, stay away from them.

Wrong! Using Maxtor at moment which is working fine,also got a 4 year old Maxtor working great and IBM that is 8 years old,

You have no real facts to base your conclusions, in the end any HD can fail,all you can do is go for one with 5 year warranty which means certain models from Maxtor , and Seagate.


Balmhood: The WD and Maxtor seem best value for money when you take GB size into account,so I would go for any one of them too,if you are worried about reliability then only real insurance is 5 year warranty which means the Maxtor or Seagate like I have stated already.

 

[imported_rod]

Well, I've heard bad stuff about maxtors.
Most people say: Seagate>WesternDigital>Others(Maxtor/Samsung)

Personally, I've only ever used Seagate and WD, and I've had one of each fail on me.

RoD

 

[Balmhood]

Bump...
does the config seem ok to everyone ? Any advice on it ?

 

[cadamo]

Go with 2 WD Raptor SATA Drives. They spin at 10k RPMs. Don't think the others do. You can get the Raptors (8MB Cache) in 2 different flavors, 36GB and 72GB. Come with 5 yr warranty as well.

 

[hcdunk]

I'm running my system on a 74GB Raptor, then I have 2x250GB WD drives in Raid 1 for my pictures. If you can afford it I highly recommend running the system on a Raptor, it really does make a big difference.