New gaming computerr

[SilverPages]

Well I'll get right to the point:
I need a new gaming computer and I thought that If i'm already getting a new one then better make it worth my while.

Here's what I built from my limited experience with new hardware-
CPU: E6700
Sunbeam Tuniq 120mm Tower
Motherboard: eVGA 680i
Memory: 4x1GB G.Skill DDR2-800 CL4 HZ D9GMH
Video Cards:2x eVGA 8800GTX ASC3 KO
Hard Drives: 2x WD 150GB Raptor X Raid 0
Sound Card: e-Mu 1212M PCI
DVD Burners: 4x Lite-On 16x DVD Burner with x12 DVD-RAM SATA Black
PSU: Silverstone ZF 12V 2.2 & EPS 750W
Case: Cooler Master Stacker 830 Evolution

Monitor: Samsung 244t 24" 6ms
Keyboard: Logitech G15
Mouse: Logitech MX518
Pad: Steelpad S&S
Headset: Sennheiser PC-155 USB
Speakers: Z5500

Sub-Total: $5,134.80

I'll try to explain some of my choices:
E6700 - I chose it over an E6600 because it's a better overclocker and over the X6800 because it's an overkill. Yhe QX6700 is pretty much the same (except its double price) because its 2 extra cores won't matter much in games in the near future.

eVGA 680i - The only other choice is the Striker Extreme and paying an extra 200$ for a board that offers the same prowess is a waste of money.

4x1GB HZ - 2GB aren't enough to catch up with a GTX SLI so I took 4GB. I chose this module because it's a D9GMH which would give me some peace of mind when overclocking and it's one of the cheapest of its kind.

2x eVGA 88GTX ASC3 KO - As I've seen in some places, a single GTX already has trouble with some games such as Oblivion and Gothic 3 on even a normal resolution such as 1280x1024 and 1680x1050 and due to the fact I'm planning on a large 24" Monitor (1920x1200) I don't want any trouble. I chose this particular eVGA card because it comes with an ASC3 cooler that is somewhat better then the normal one.

2x 150GB Raptors - 300GB should be enough for this computer as I do not intend to use the computer as a multimedia center and the Raptors offer anequaled performance when it comes to games. If anything, I could just buy a 320GB drive or two.

e-Mu 1212M - Not a music/sound editor so I took a card that is supposed to be enough for games and norma music without feeling to "generic".

4x Lite-On DVD - They're SATA. They're also pretty cheap so I said I'd buy 4 just so I won't have to switch between game CDs every time I want to switch a game. The downside of this is that if I'd want to add extra SATA HDD to my computer I'll have to buy a PCI -> SATA converter as all the 6 SATA ports of the Motherboard will be taken.

Silverstone 750W - Should be more then enough to hold the system and I don't know any other PSU at the same price range that offers 88GTX SLI support and the stability of this SS. I could buy a 1KW+ PSU but I think that I would be just paying double for a PSU that by the time I would upgrade my SLI to something else would probably not be enough for the strong video cards of that time. (I could take the PCP&C 750W but it's not modular so it's no-go)

Stacker 830 Evolution - What can I say... simply the best case out there. (in my opinion; not counting UFOs and their kind)

Samsung 244t - It's big, fast and good looking; what else can I ask from a monitor? From what I understand it's the undisputed ruler of the 24" gaming LCDs market.

Logitech G15 - I've tried different gaming keyboards and this one I like the most.

Logitech MX518 - The gamers old best friend...

Steelpad S&S - MX518's best friend...

Sennheiser PC-155 - Considered to be one of the best if not the best gaming headset. I've different Headsets in my time and the PC-150 was one of the most comfortable; the PC-155 should have a similiar design and some nice new features.

Z-5500 - If I wanna play a game with some friends, relax without a headset on my head or just impress some chicks. :D Heard these are excellent without making a big hole in your wallet.


As I've stated about 17 times before this computer is for gaming.
Of course I would like to perform a "little" overclocking on it but I think that for the time being I'll stay within the boundries of air cooling. I expect to reach 3.8-4.0GHz with the E67 and hopefull could reach around 700C@2100M on the GTXs.

So... I need your opinions on the rig and any ideas about what you think I should change.

Thanks in advance. :)

[Ramaistro]

Your list looks very nice and complete.:clap: only thing I could emagine is to get 2x2Gb instead of 4x1gb this for maybe a future upgrade to even more memory.

[SilverPages]

I thought about getting a 2x2GB module but I can't seem to find any that are actually good for overclocking...
The best I can find is a DDR2-800 at CL5... I don't want CL5 -_-

And besides, I'm pretty sure it will take a few years until 4GB will become an insufficient amount and by that time I will probably get a new computer or upgrade this one in some manner.
Actually now that we're talking about it I think you'll might be right... But it's still a problem to get a 2x2GB memory that is good for OCing. :(

[k00lance]

Re-consider about 4gb ram unless you're running x64 Windows Vista.
You will only get around 3gb of memory with XP.
Also I would get x-fi fatal1ty(some awesome deals available if you look around) and a regular EVGA 8800GTX instead of the ASC edition.

[SilverPages]

The reason you get "only" 3GB with XP is because the OS takes 1GB for its own applications and leaves a pure 3GB for games.

From what I understand this e-Mu card is much stronger then the X-Fi Fatal1ty, actually it's stronger then all the X-Fi cards. Creative bought e-Mu after admiting that they can't compete with them in this type of market and wanted the monoply before e-Mu gets too big for them to handle.

[k00lance]

The reason you get "only" 3GB with XP is because the OS takes 1GB for its own applications and leaves a pure 3GB for games.

From what I understand this e-Mu card is much stronger then the X-Fi Fatal1ty, actually it's stronger then all the X-Fi cards. Creative bought e-Mu after admiting that they can't compete with them in this type of market and wanted the monoply before e-Mu gets too big for them to handle.

So you do know you will only end up getting 3gb with 4gb of ram with XP..
Explain to me how e-Mu is stronger than fatal1ty than it is for music production and has more inputs?
I am curious as to why you asked for opinions if you know so well about what you're building. :D

[lionel57000]

is you install xp, buy a ramdrive like i-ram !!

[Omastar]

4 optical drives seems really pointless.

[SilverPages]

So you do know you will only end up getting 3gb with 4gb of ram with XP..
Explain to me how e-Mu is stronger than fatal1ty than it is for music production and has more inputs?
I am curious as to why you asked for opinions if you know so well about what you're building. :D

If it would show 4GB then I would still get a little over 3GB beacuse the OS and other programs take up about 600-800MBs.

I am asking for opinions but what I said about the sound card is based purely on what I've seen over the net in forums and benchmarks

is you install xp, buy a ramdrive like i-ram !!

So my windows would boot in 5 seconds instead of 10? I don't think that's such an important feat...

And besides, doesn't I-Ram work only with DDR motherboards?

4 optical drives seems really pointless.
They're like 2% out of the entire budget but they will give me a comfotable life while switching between original games. :)

[Knight]

Use clonecd or something that will load the iso off of your hdd(s). Use the power of the raptors to load the game in less time, and drop to it down to 2 or 1 DVD drive.

[SilverPages]

Use clonecd or something that will load the iso off of your hdd(s). Use the power of the raptors to load the game in less time, and drop to it down to 2 or 1 DVD drive.

I would but that causes quite a few problems with original games and online play... :(

[shogo_ca]

6700 arent better overclockers than 6600 .. they have higher multi, but your board can reach the fsb that the 6600 would need to overheat with air cooling.

680i can reach over 420fsb and its around the maximum you will get (9x425) = 3825mhz. Most of the 6700 and 6600 cant do it stable with air cooling and reasonable voltage anyway so...

[Serra]

That looks like a pretty solid build, I've certainly seen people here try quoting that much cost and getting a lot less for what they spent. TBH I can't think of anything to really add, as you seem to have already addressed the idea that 4 DVD drives are overkill and have explicitly stated you prefer the Stacker 830 (I'm an original-stacker person). I say thumbs up, full speed ahead, and let us know how it turns out.

Quick side-note though:

And besides, doesn't I-Ram work only with DDR motherboards?


The I-RAM works with any motherboard, the I-RAM *itself* is what takes DDR. To your machine it appears to be just another hard drive. Generally I'd call it a waste of cash, but as you seem to have the money to burn... :shrug:


Oh, and incidentally, although those sticks should OC fine, most people OC them in a 2-stick total fashion... it's a well documented generality that it's very hard to get the same level of overclock out of 4 sticks as one gets out of 2. Just food for thought.

[serialk11r]

4x Lite-On DVD - They're SATA. They're also pretty cheap so I said I'd buy 4 just so I won't have to switch between game CDs every time I want to switch a game. The downside of this is that if I'd want to add extra SATA HDD to my computer I'll have to buy a PCI -> SATA converter as all the 6 SATA ports of the Motherboard will be taken.

No-CD key crack?

[JPeitzman]

Look like an awesome build. I would say lose two of the DVD drives, but you seem to have a plan for them, and it kind of makes sense. I do agree though you could do the same thing with clonecd. Don't consider the iRAM, it is a waste of money. You could consider though getting a SATA controller or RAID controler, it will cost a little bit, but you will probable get better drive performance.

If you are using XP then it will only "see" 3. something GB, it is not like it will use the unseen ram(I don't think). You might want to check how Vista works with 4GB+, I think it should work, but I don't know. I use XP Pro x64 so I don't have that problem, just the normal headaches of running a 64-bit OS.

If you are using this system mostly for gaming then get a X-Fi sound card, like the Fatality. The X-Fi fully supports the latest version of EAX, used by pretty much all games. In games it will be superior to the E-Mu in almost every way. If you are getting the E-Mu for sound quality then also don't. If that is the case then get the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1. The digital on it is great, so is the digital on the X-Fi, but the Auzen is a little better. The Auzen is night and day though when comparing to the E-Mu, and the analog on the Auzen is way better than the X-Fi. The Auzen though doesn't have very good EAX support though, so it is not the best choice for games, though they will still sound good. The huge advantage for the Auzen though is that it has upgradeable opamps on the output side. If you listen to a lot of music or watch a lot of movies, then it is the best card. If you are a true hardcore audiophile then I recommend the Auzentech card and then replace the opamps with National Semiconductor LM4562's instead (just type LM4562 into google). That card with those opamps puts the card in the same class as many $400+ pro cards. The sound stage is greatly improved and the sound coming out sounds amazing. As you can tell I am a sound freak. If you really only game though then disregard that and get an X-Fi.

[ramenchef]

Yea, I'd reccommend only 2GB of ram, only 2 optical disks, and an X-Fi soundcard if you're mostly gaming.

[Serra]

If you are using XP then it will only "see" 3. something GB, it is not like it will use the unseen ram(I don't think). You might want to check how Vista works with 4GB+, I think it should work, but I don't know. I use XP Pro x64 so I don't have that problem, just the normal headaches of running a 64-bit OS.


I thought that too until a few days ago when I did some looking stuff up for a friend... reportedly at least, you only *see* about ~3.5GB, but you're only *shown* what is available for you to use, the other .5GB is actually specifically allocated for Windows' own OS and hardware-related purposes.

[k00lance]

I looked up as well. ;)
4GB memory limit and 32bit Windows (http://www.brianmadden.com/content/content.asp?ID=69)

[SilverPages]

6700 arent better overclockers than 6600 .. they have higher multi, but your board can reach the fsb that the 6600 would need to overheat with air cooling.

680i can reach over 420fsb and its around the maximum you will get (9x425) = 3825mhz. Most of the 6700 and 6600 cant do it stable with air cooling and reasonable voltage anyway so...

You're right, but I will probably be getting a nice watercooling system somewhere in the future so getting to 4.2GHz+ stable would be nice.

That looks like a pretty solid build, I've certainly seen people here try quoting that much cost and getting a lot less for what they spent. TBH I can't think of anything to really add, as you seem to have already addressed the idea that 4 DVD drives are overkill and have explicitly stated you prefer the Stacker 830 (I'm an original-stacker person). I say thumbs up, full speed ahead, and let us know how it turns out.

The I-RAM works with any motherboard, the I-RAM *itself* is what takes DDR. To your machine it appears to be just another hard drive. Generally I'd call it a waste of cash, but as you seem to have the money to burn... :shrug:

Oh, and incidentally, although those sticks should OC fine, most people OC them in a 2-stick total fashion... it's a well documented generality that it's very hard to get the same level of overclock out of 4 sticks as one gets out of 2. Just food for thought.


4 DVD drives might look like overkill but spending an extra 70$ for more comfortable use of a computer that costs 5,000$+ doesn't seem like an overkill to me...
Talking about the Stacker 830 Evo, like I said I didn't really have THAT much experience with hardware over the last year or so and I'm just stating my conculsions from different forum threads and reviews I've seen over the internet.
I would like to hear what you have to say about this. :)

I agree that the I-Ram is a waste, I see no point paying $$$ money for saving me 5 seconds during computer start up. The computer will probably be turned on a maximum of 1-2 times per day.

I have heard about problems with overclocking 4x1GB memory but the way I see it, this computer won't need to reach a very high bus to overclock and the memory already standing at (400)800MHz CL4 should be enough to help me avoid overclocking the memory.
Actually, now that you're talking about it I'm not really sure about this memory no more... Perhaps I should get this one? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231077

Nothing else would make me happier then to find a good 2x2GB set that is even moderately overclockable but I don't see any coming out anytime soon.

No-CD key crack?
No-CD crack = no online play

[SilverPages]

Look like an awesome build. I would say lose two of the DVD drives, but you seem to have a plan for them, and it kind of makes sense. I do agree though you could do the same thing with clonecd. Don't consider the iRAM, it is a waste of money. You could consider though getting a SATA controller or RAID controler, it will cost a little bit, but you will probable get better drive performance.

If you are using XP then it will only "see" 3. something GB, it is not like it will use the unseen ram(I don't think). You might want to check how Vista works with 4GB+, I think it should work, but I don't know. I use XP Pro x64 so I don't have that problem, just the normal headaches of running a 64-bit OS.

If you are using this system mostly for gaming then get a X-Fi sound card, like the Fatality. The X-Fi fully supports the latest version of EAX, used by pretty much all games. In games it will be superior to the E-Mu in almost every way. If you are getting the E-Mu for sound quality then also don't. If that is the case then get the Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1. The digital on it is great, so is the digital on the X-Fi, but the Auzen is a little better. The Auzen is night and day though when comparing to the E-Mu, and the analog on the Auzen is way better than the X-Fi. The Auzen though doesn't have very good EAX support though, so it is not the best choice for games, though they will still sound good. The huge advantage for the Auzen though is that it has upgradeable opamps on the output side. If you listen to a lot of music or watch a lot of movies, then it is the best card. If you are a true hardcore audiophile then I recommend the Auzentech card and then replace the opamps with National Semiconductor LM4562's instead (just type LM4562 into google). That card with those opamps puts the card in the same class as many $400+ pro cards. The sound stage is greatly improved and the sound coming out sounds amazing. As you can tell I am a sound freak. If you really only game though then disregard that and get an X-Fi.

All this talk about the 4GB problem... I think I'll just get a Windows Pro 64 as well.

What you're saying about the sound cards does make sense but it's exactly the opposite to what I have seen over the internet. The computer won't be used for much music so the Auzentech is kind of unneeded. The X-Fi on the other hand does look better then the e-Mu on paper but the truth is that when it comes to pure sound quality and reliability the e-Mu simply takes the cake even when compared against the most expensive X-Fi cards.

Look at this: http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=soundblaster&message.id=31426&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
I'm not so sure I want to get an X-Fi after this and a few more threads I've seen over the internet...

I thought that too until a few days ago when I did some looking stuff up for a friend... reportedly at least, you only *see* about ~3.5GB, but you're only *shown* what is available for you to use, the other .5GB is actually specifically allocated for Windows' own OS and hardware-related purposes.

That's what I was thinking. :confused:

I looked up as well. ;)
4GB memory limit and 32bit Windows (http://www.brianmadden.com/content/content.asp?ID=69)

I've read it 2 times and I've noticed that it has nothing but technical info, no conclusions or any explanations of the real effects of all this Bee-s.

[biohead]

since you've got money to waste, buddy, just buy both soundcards and hear for yourself

[Serra]

Talking about the Stacker 830 Evo, like I said I didn't really have THAT much experience with hardware over the last year or so and I'm just stating my conculsions from different forum threads and reviews I've seen over the internet.
I would like to hear what you have to say about this. :)

Although the 830 is a great air-cooling case (with that many fans how could it not be?)... it's a little less well suited for water cooling than the STC-T01 (and the STC-T01 specifically has a space for a second PSU... but that's not often a selling feature). And of course, the looks are quite different between the two. The decision is really up to you there. The STC-T01 does have spare room at the bottom of the case though, great for a rad/pump or reservoir.


Actually, now that you're talking about it I'm not really sure about this memory no more... Perhaps I should get this one? - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231077

I'm really not in a position to make a recommendation on any specific memory types... I've been out of that loop for too long.


All this talk about the 4GB problem... I think I'll just get a Windows Pro 64 as well.

32-bit XP *does* use all 4GB... it just doesn't *display* it as available for use. Before deciding be sure to google it up - or even follow that link an above poster gave - and make sure that 64-bit XP doesn't have driver issues anymore (I havn't really kept up with that too well, but I recall a number of people having driver issues and less than optimal performance once they made the switch - thought it may be fine now).

[SilverPages]

since you've got money to waste, buddy, just buy both soundcards and hear for yourself

Most people might say I have some money (not too much though) to waste but if you would read this entire thread you would see I'm trying to avoid senseless money spending.

Although the 830 is a great air-cooling case (with that many fans how could it not be?)... it's a little less well suited for water cooling than the STC-T01 (and the STC-T01 specifically has a space for a second PSU... but that's not often a selling feature). And of course, the looks are quite different between the two. The decision is really up to you there. The STC-T01 does have spare room at the bottom of the case though, great for a rad/pump or reservoir.

Well I've seen a 830 (not evolution) with a water cooling and it seemed just fine to me...

Actually I would like to hear from you what advantages does the Stacker 830 Evolution has over the oldy STC. :stick:

32-bit XP *does* use all 4GB... it just doesn't *display* it as available for use. Before deciding be sure to google it up - or even follow that link an above poster gave - and make sure that 64-bit XP doesn't have driver issues anymore (I havn't really kept up with that too well, but I recall a number of people having driver issues and less than optimal performance once they made the switch - thought it may be fine now).


Yeah... I'm looking it it right now.

[Serra]

Well I've seen a 830 (not evolution) with a water cooling and it seemed just fine to me...

Actually I would like to hear from you what advantages does the Stacker 830 Evolution has over the oldy STC. :stick:


Well certainly the 830 has three primary advantages (discounting looks as those are subjective):
1. 120mm fan on top instead of 80mm
2. 4x120mm fans on one side instead of a single 80mm fan
3. Weighs considerably less

Collectively, these account for better air cooling. Obviously the more fans you have and the larger they are, the more air you can move.

I will remain adamant about my point as concerns water cooling though: the STC-T01 (original) just plain has more room inside. No matter how you slice it there's more room, and more room means easier water cooling and playing with internals. If someones determined, they can even cool a m-ATX case... but the fact is, it's easier and you get more options with a larger case. At this point a person can also make the argument that with a larger case with smaller holes than one would like, it's really not that difficult to enlarge the holes for 120mm fans, whereas it's a ridiculous effort to try to add space to a smaller case with sufficiently sized holes.

IMHO each stacker model has two primary deficiencies:
1. The TT armor has that giant 250mm fan, and the Stacker needs to at least have an option for one.
2. The grill at the bottom of both units is large enough for 2x 120mm fans... it needs to be large enough for 3 to fit larger radiators (and/or a third fan), preferably with some more convenient mounting method designed for fans.

Just my 2 cents though. Realistically, this decision will probably come down to your preference on looks and whether or not you care to take out a hole cutter or dremmel at any point in your computers life.

[JPeitzman]

True the E-Mu might sound better than the X-Fi, but the E-Mu gets floored by a X-Meridian with LM4562 opamps. You kind of have to decide though that if you are gaming do you want EAX or sound quality. The X-Fi will reproduce more in-game sounds but the E-Mu will overall sound a little better than the X-Fi. Also how will you be connecting? If you are going analog (ie, plugging speakers or an amp into the little jacks on the back of the sound card) then the it is kind of a tossup. But if you are connecting digitally to an amp or DAC/DSP then the E-Mu or Auzen is the way to go.

The E-Mu like you said though does have very good sound quality. I don't want to sound like I am saying otherwise. I would say it is the same or a little better even than the Auzen. The difference is the Auzen has the upgradeable opamps, and once you drop in those LM4562 then it is in a different class. If however you plan on doing nothing to the cards then the E-Mu is the way to go on quality, and the X-Fi for a pure gaming environment where you want good sound quality but full EAX support. Also consider too that if you connect digitally that all the cards will be mostly on the same level, it is just that the E-Mu and Auzen will sound a little better, and they will be easier to connect.


I love my XP Pro x64, but it isn't without its faults. Most of the driver issues have been resolved, but there are still some. I don't know for sure about all sound cards, and I have always had issues with printers. Mostly all games don't mind it to much, excluding a few old ones. I have had some problems with add-ons and some SDK's, but nothing big. I am thinking though that if I go with Vista in the near future that I will get 32-bit, that is unless Vista helps push development in the area of 64-bit OS's. Some of the little perks are nice though. Far Cry looks awesome with the 64-bit content pack and patch. Some programs that are 64-bit do run faster, nothing major, but still faster. I haven't really noticed anything different about 64-bit Half-Life 2 or 64-bit UT2k4. I don't recommend UT2k4 x64 though, I don't think that it is really kept up and there are some glitches and problems. Plus it doesn't really add anything to the game or really make it run any smoother so whats the point.

Other than that I can't really see anything. I would step up to the 850watt SS PSU, but the 750 should be enough, that is kind of a "how much money do I have burning a hole in my pocket" choice. I am not going to get on you about the 4GB of RAM more than I did because you seem to have your reasons, and besides, we are headed there anyways, you will just be one of the first. The Auzen vs. E-Mu vs. S-Fi is totally your choice, I am just giving some input; you seem to know what you are looking for so whatever you decide I am sure you will love. Besides if you get the Auzen and don't like I am sure I would hear about it, lol.

Good luck and happy building! :toast:

edit: I just went back though you first post and saw your speakers, digital vs. analog rant of mine was answered.