New Gaming build, recommendations?

[kojackson]

I'll start saying money's not really an object, but I'm not just going to throw money away either. My last gaming rig is on its last leg, I built it for around $2800 almost 4 years ago and it can still run new games like COD:WOW but I have to lower the settings a bit. Annoying for me as I mainly play FPS ... So here we go

CPU:
Intel i7 core 920

Mobo:
Asus P6T X58

RAM:
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600

Video Cards:
Dual EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GTX 275 896MB 448-bit (SLI)

PSU:
Silverstone element ST75EF 750W
chose because it has 4 x 6pin PCIe connections for the dual video cards

Not sure if I want to RAID a couple smaller SSD drives, or maybe RAID 2 74GB raptors, or just use one somewhat bigger SSD like a 120GB for the OS, and then maybe mirror 2 1TB drives for music/movies etc.

OCZ Vertex 120GB sata II SSD drive = $355 through newegg.


I'll be using the Coolermaster HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP black ATX full tower case to house the monster =)

Recommendations on perhaps a better/different PSU, and the hard drive configuration would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I'm debating on what OS to go with. I think having an OS that is 64 bit would be great, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot for being able to get drivers and support for 64 bit. I'm probably going to end up going with some version of vista, so recommendations on the best version in everyones opinion for gaming would be great. I have free access to windows vista business edition.

Okay lets see what you got

**EDIT**
I'm in the USA, and more than likely most parts will be bought off newegg. I only plan on using my SATA dvd burner out of my current machine to go into this new machine.

 

[Blain]

For a gaming rig, you want a fast CPU. The extra cores (and slower), of the Core i7 won't really help you.
A nice fast E8500 will give you a good gaming punch, allow you to use a much lower cost MB and lower cost DDR2.

Just use a single 300GB WD VelociRaptor for your OS & apps, maybe a 1TB WD "Black" for bulk storage.

Save some $$ and weight, get the Antec 900.

BTW, You should also list the monitor you're going to be using for gaming, as the resolution may effect recommendations on your build.


> Buy "smart" not flashy <

 

[kojackson]

soooooooo your suggesting something like a Core 2 Quad Q9650 ???

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain
For a gaming rig, you want a fast CPU. The extra cores (and slower), of the Core i7 won't really help you.
A nice fast E8500 will give you a good gaming punch, allow you to use a much lower cost MB and lower cost DDR2.

Just use a single 300GB WD VelociRaptor for your OS & apps, maybe a 1TB WD "Black" for bulk storage.

Save some $$ and weight, get the Antec 900.

BTW, You should also list the monitor you're going to be using for gaming, as the resolution may effect recommendations on your build.


> Buy "smart" not flashy <

I already own the case, and I didn't pay for it, so thats what I'm using

How comparable do you think having a 120GB SSD drive would be as opposed to a 300GB raptor? If I can see faster load times off an SSD than I don't care that it has less space.

I have a viewsonic 19in LCD right now which if memory serves me has 4ms response time? I'd have to check the monitor for the specific model # but it is about 3 years old now.

I've been contemplating upgrading monitor as well to use the power of the dual GTX cards I'll be putting in the new system.


what about this for a monitor?
ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD ... only $170 off newegg

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: kojackson
How comparable do you think having a 120GB SSD drive would be as opposed to a 300GB raptor? If I can see faster load times off an SSD than I don't care that it has less space.

I think the level load speed of the OCZ vs the VelociRaptor would be about 2-5 seconds faster.
You must live a very busy life if that extra 2-5 seconds matters. :laugh:

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson
How comparable do you think having a 120GB SSD drive would be as opposed to a 300GB raptor? If I can see faster load times off an SSD than I don't care that it has less space.

I think the level load speed of the OCZ vs the VelociRaptor would be about 2-5 seconds faster.
You must live a very busy life if that extra 2-5 seconds matters. :laugh:

You have no idea

I work 3 jobs which comes to an average of about 75 hrs a week. My free time is precious lol

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: kojackson

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson
How comparable do you think having a 120GB SSD drive would be as opposed to a 300GB raptor? If I can see faster load times off an SSD than I don't care that it has less space.

I think the level load speed of the OCZ vs the VelociRaptor would be about 2-5 seconds faster.
You must live a very busy life if that extra 2-5 seconds matters. :laugh:

You have no idea

I work 3 jobs which comes to an average of about 75 hrs a week. My free time is precious lol

In that case, you'd better go with the Intel X25-M or X25-E. They both smoke the OCZ Vertex in level load speed.

 

[kojackson]

OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: Up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: Up to 180MB/s Sustained Write: Up to 100MB/s

for $355

or Intel X25-E Extreme SSDSA2SH032G1 2.5" 32GB SATA II SLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: up to 170 MB/s

For $383

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: kojackson
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: Up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: Up to 180MB/s Sustained Write: Up to 100MB/s

for $355

or Intel X25-E Extreme SSDSA2SH032G1 2.5" 32GB SATA II SLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: up to 170 MB/s

For $383

You've listed sales information... And?

 

[jterrell]

Since almost no one is building gaming rigs that cost over 2k nowadays you'll probably not get much response.

The consensus is going to be that it is a waste.

SSD drives and 2 x275s for a 19" monitor are going to get you nothing but a lot of interested salesmen.

I will say since you went bleeding edge last time but made it 4 years that is a solid return on investment.

Sounds like you want to play with new technology as much as a building a gaming rig and that's cool too but system tweakers make awful gamers, lol. I know because my constant system tweaking continually caused issues for my gaming systems, lol.

Best bet imho if you truly are a gamer with limited gaming time is pick one of the suggested 1500 builds and add in a 600 dollar dell or hp monitor(that could take advantage of the 2 x 275 you want). Should make for the best gaming experience with a lot less headaches.

 

[Blain]

The big picture is that kojackson works three jobs and needs the best money can buy, in order to maximize his/her gaming time.

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: Up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: Up to 180MB/s Sustained Write: Up to 100MB/s

for $355

or Intel X25-E Extreme SSDSA2SH032G1 2.5" 32GB SATA II SLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: up to 170 MB/s

For $383

You've listed sales information... And?

of course if I have to go out and get some more system tests of these drives I will, perhaps I shouldn't take this data for face value off newegg?? Your saying the intel drive is going to be THAT much better than the vertex?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: kojackson

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: Up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: Up to 180MB/s Sustained Write: Up to 100MB/s

for $355

or Intel X25-E Extreme SSDSA2SH032G1 2.5" 32GB SATA II SLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: up to 170 MB/s

For $383

You've listed sales information... And?

of course if I have to go out and get some more system tests of these drives I will, perhaps I shouldn't take this data for face value off newegg?? Your saying the intel drive is going to be THAT much better than the vertex?

You should see about 2 seconds faster level load times.
Remember the VelociRaptor vs Vertex times of 2-5 seconds that were too much for you?

Originally posted by: kojackson
I work 3 jobs which comes to an average of about 75 hrs a week. My free time is precious

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain
The big picture is that kojackson works three jobs and needs the best money can buy, in order to maximize his/her gaming time.

basically...

I mean I'd rather spend 2 grand for a pc which is going to last me hopefully 2+ years.

I went big on my last rig and its lasted me 4 years.

I probably won't tweak the system insanely, I might do a few minor adjustments but I'll get it to a point and leave it be.

I'll go do some reading up on the LCD's, but your saying I have to buy upwards of a $600 dell or HP monitor to get the full effect of dual GTX275's?? Is that because of max resolution?

 

[Blain]

The max resolution of the Asus 22" is only 1680x1050, which shouldn't push a GTX275 at all.

Originally posted by: Blain
> Buy "smart" not flashy <

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: kojackson
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: Up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: Up to 180MB/s Sustained Write: Up to 100MB/s

for $355

or Intel X25-E Extreme SSDSA2SH032G1 2.5" 32GB SATA II SLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) - Retail

* Sequential Access - Read: up to 250 MB/s
* Sequential Access - Write: up to 170 MB/s

For $383

You've listed sales information... And?

of course if I have to go out and get some more system tests of these drives I will, perhaps I shouldn't take this data for face value off newegg?? Your saying the intel drive is going to be THAT much better than the vertex?

You should see about 2 seconds faster level load times.
Remember the VelociRaptor vs Vertex times of 2-5 seconds that were too much for you?

Originally posted by: kojackson
I work 3 jobs which comes to an average of about 75 hrs a week. My free time is precious

yes yes lol

buuuuuuuuut, if it was $30 more for 90GB less, and 2-5 sec faster load times, I'll probably take a little extra space, 30GB isn't much

From what I've been reading too, some people are just suggesting single fast drives for OS instead of RAID 0 because performance gain isn't huge in order to really justify having to raid say two SSD's or two raptors.

sure speed will be at least somewhat faster running RAID 0, but is it worth it over say a single 150 GB raptor? or that 120GB vertex?

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain
The max resolution of the Asus 22" is only 1680x1050, which shouldn't push a GTX275 at all.

Originally posted by: Blain
> Buy "smart" not flashy <

I like how you keep quoting that as if I'm a dumbass. Why do you think I'm here asking opinions from others? I'm trying to buy smart not flashy.

Don't make me bust out the ascii middle finger on you jk

 

[Blain]

I'm just trying to help you.
If you want a high quality monitor that will last for many years to come, check the Samsung 245T-BLACK...
* 1920 x 1200
* 178° x 178° viewing angles
* 97% color gamut
* S-PVA panel

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain
I'm just trying to help you.
If you want a high quality monitor that will last for many years to come, check the Samsung 245T-BLACK...
* 1920 x 1200
* 178° x 178° viewing angles
* 97% color gamut
* S-PVA panel

I'm curious what drove you to this monitor?
a quick search shows me its apparently nicer for color because its VA panel technology. But it states its slightly slower response times.

TN technology which is what majority of lcd's are apparently are the panels with quicker response just not as wide viewing angles and color reproduction.

Would you say that the monitor you chose you'd pick over say this?
Hanns G HG-281DPB Black 27.5" 3ms

the link you sent me is definitely a nice monitor but I would have a hard time swallowing the $660

 

[Blain]

I've always believed I should use the highest quality monitor that I could afford.
After all, the monitor is about the only component that I look at when I use my PC.

 

[kojackson]

Originally posted by: Blain
I've always believed I should use the highest quality monitor that I could afford.
After all, the monitor is about the only component that I look at when I use my PC.

makes sense

Whats your take on HDD setup? Think having a SSD drive for OS is worth it?

This machine I'm building is going to be an occasional internet browser but mainly a gaming machine, so load times are important.

I am torn between 2 setups

raid'd SSD's/Raptors

single SSD/Raptor

I'm thinking of starting off with a single drive, and if I feel like it getting another and raiding them.

I see people post up horror stories about having to reload their raid setups a lot because of failed drives etc... That would piss me off.

 

[Blain]

Unless you already own a Raptor, I wouldn't use one.
The newer VelociRaptors are the way to go, IMO. They offer a really good bang for the "performance HD" buck.
I remember paying $200 for a 10GB 5400rpm IBM drive.
So the VelociRaptors seem like a huge bargain. :laugh:

If you can live with a bit less performance in favor of capacity, the 640GB or 1TB WD "Black" is the way to go.

BTW, RAID 0 is overblown unless your usage benefits from it.