lessonz
08-13-2008, 08:29 AM
I've looked at some of the threads, particularly perkam's, but I was looking for some in depth answers and I didn't want to hijack that thread.
Okay, so I have a pretty sweet rig right now. I've got an 8800Ultra, single Raptor for boot and apps (a larger drive for storage), 4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, PC Power & Cooling Silencer750, and the beauty: a Q6600 @ 3.2. My Asus P5K Premium made it easy.
The trouble is I now find myself in need of a second machine. I could build a cheaper machine and be content, but I thought I'd see if I could get a better machine and use my old one as the step down.
This is a whole new build, so I'm thinking $2500 including a monitor. Games will definitely be the most demanding use. Also, I do some programming, but nothing too demanding. I want to build by the end of the month or there abouts. I'm not interested in waiting for Nehalem (sp?).
Thoughts:
I've loved my Armor VA8003BWS with its 25cm side fan. I only use air cooled, so while I'd be open to a different suggestion, please talk about airflow.
I've been happy with the performance of my Big Typhoon cooler, but with a different case, a different solution might be better. I'd love that Chilltec, but that's pretty expensive.
I only need one DVD drive, preferably with lightscribe. My last drive was a LITE-ON OEM with no drivers. I found some custom drivers that did the trick, but manufacturer drivers would have been nice. (The issue with the generic drivers was it couldn't read a dual layer disc.)
My 8800Ultra, while blazing, has been the cause of my only crashes. I use a 64bit OS, and apparently NVidia's support for 64bit is not so great. I like the idea of an ATI again, but I have two concerns. 1) Heat, I've always used stock cooling for my graphics, but I hear these run hot. Please address this. 2) I haven't bought an ATI from anyone other than ATI, who are the top manufacturers? NOTE: The card doesn't have to be an ATI, but please address the cost/performance issue of say a 280. Also, will any of these be an actual improvement over my Ultra?
I'm assuming RAID is still not really that great of an idea if you don't plan on buying a dedicated controller, correct?
My Asus board has been great. I'm open to other brands, and I definitely don't know which chipset to go with. In the past, I've never been a fan of going the SLI/Crossfire route, but Crossfire is sounding pretty appealing right now. I hear great things about the P45 Biostars, but I have no experience with this maker.
Arctic Silver is still the paste of choice? Or is there something better at about the same price point?
Any recommendations on a better power supply at about the same price as the PC Power & Cooling? I've been happy with it, but I don't mind hearing about better.
I'm pretty set on DDR2 as you can't beat the price point. Right now I have 4 GB (4 x 1), but I'm wondering if 8 GB (4 x 2) might not be better. Again, you can't beat the price. My concern with the 4x2 is heat and timings. Any advice?
Last, but not least, the processor. I was very pleased with my Q6600 OC. I realize there are no guarantees, but what Quad can I hope to at least equal my 3.2 if not better it on air? Also, I believe the 45nm chips run cooler, right? I know there are a lot of people saying to go dual core right now, and I'd be willing to hear them out, but I personally believe before 3.2 is the limiting factor, programs will be better utilizing all four cores. I'd consider AMD, but I don't want to take a step back from my 3.2.
Thanks for any input.
Okay, so I have a pretty sweet rig right now. I've got an 8800Ultra, single Raptor for boot and apps (a larger drive for storage), 4GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, PC Power & Cooling Silencer750, and the beauty: a Q6600 @ 3.2. My Asus P5K Premium made it easy.
The trouble is I now find myself in need of a second machine. I could build a cheaper machine and be content, but I thought I'd see if I could get a better machine and use my old one as the step down.
This is a whole new build, so I'm thinking $2500 including a monitor. Games will definitely be the most demanding use. Also, I do some programming, but nothing too demanding. I want to build by the end of the month or there abouts. I'm not interested in waiting for Nehalem (sp?).
Thoughts:
I've loved my Armor VA8003BWS with its 25cm side fan. I only use air cooled, so while I'd be open to a different suggestion, please talk about airflow.
I've been happy with the performance of my Big Typhoon cooler, but with a different case, a different solution might be better. I'd love that Chilltec, but that's pretty expensive.
I only need one DVD drive, preferably with lightscribe. My last drive was a LITE-ON OEM with no drivers. I found some custom drivers that did the trick, but manufacturer drivers would have been nice. (The issue with the generic drivers was it couldn't read a dual layer disc.)
My 8800Ultra, while blazing, has been the cause of my only crashes. I use a 64bit OS, and apparently NVidia's support for 64bit is not so great. I like the idea of an ATI again, but I have two concerns. 1) Heat, I've always used stock cooling for my graphics, but I hear these run hot. Please address this. 2) I haven't bought an ATI from anyone other than ATI, who are the top manufacturers? NOTE: The card doesn't have to be an ATI, but please address the cost/performance issue of say a 280. Also, will any of these be an actual improvement over my Ultra?
I'm assuming RAID is still not really that great of an idea if you don't plan on buying a dedicated controller, correct?
My Asus board has been great. I'm open to other brands, and I definitely don't know which chipset to go with. In the past, I've never been a fan of going the SLI/Crossfire route, but Crossfire is sounding pretty appealing right now. I hear great things about the P45 Biostars, but I have no experience with this maker.
Arctic Silver is still the paste of choice? Or is there something better at about the same price point?
Any recommendations on a better power supply at about the same price as the PC Power & Cooling? I've been happy with it, but I don't mind hearing about better.
I'm pretty set on DDR2 as you can't beat the price point. Right now I have 4 GB (4 x 1), but I'm wondering if 8 GB (4 x 2) might not be better. Again, you can't beat the price. My concern with the 4x2 is heat and timings. Any advice?
Last, but not least, the processor. I was very pleased with my Q6600 OC. I realize there are no guarantees, but what Quad can I hope to at least equal my 3.2 if not better it on air? Also, I believe the 45nm chips run cooler, right? I know there are a lot of people saying to go dual core right now, and I'd be willing to hear them out, but I personally believe before 3.2 is the limiting factor, programs will be better utilizing all four cores. I'd consider AMD, but I don't want to take a step back from my 3.2.
Thanks for any input.