My New Computer From Newegg


I recently did what you are doing, but on a slightly cheaper scale. My specs where simply it had to run Counter Strike Source well and more importantly, it had to be very quiet.

I went with the opteron 165 over the 3800+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103588
I am very happy with how quiet the stock fan on this is

Sound being an issue, I only got 1 video card, plus half-life 2 runs well with just 1.
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?...N82E16814130015
If you read the reviews, a few people talk about how they improved the fan and it is pretty quiet, they were not wrong. The fan only kicks into higher gear when I am playing, and I have my headphones on at that time, so it does not matter.

I too choose the higher end memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820227225

As of right now, I would say this computer with stock fans is quieter than my older P4-2.8, which had a fanless Zalman heat pipe on the video card and a $50 Zalman quiet cpu fan (I think the power supply fan was needing to be replaced, then it would have been better).

This new system is by far the most stable windows system I ever remember.
 
yea if you wanna go with 1 nvidia card instead of sli (gx2 counting as sli as well here) go for this evga 7900gt ko. it's the best bang for the buck atm.

and that's why i said 7800gt is to expensive and outdated (mentioned earlier)
 
Vollgasasi posted on Jul 12 2006 at 04:57 PM said:
yea if you wanna go with 1 nvidia card instead of sli (gx2 counting as sli as well here) go for this evga 7900gt ko. it's the best bang for the buck atm.

and that's why i said 7800gt is to expensive and outdated (mentioned earlier)
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Since you seem to have some kind of in-depth knowledge of graphics cards: What would you say was the best value-for-money card available right now? I'm thinking high-end, that is
I doubt my girlfriend will let me upgrade any time soon, though ;)
 
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the one mentioned above or a x1800xt.

pros 7900gt ko evga:
-quieter (most likely)
-cooler

pros x1800xt:
-better aa and af
-aa+hdr (sorry if you are getting tired of this argument but this is what really seperates those cards from each other)

performance should be equal and overclockability should be really good on the ati card (as the geforce is factory oc'ed)


and yes i'm quite into gfx cards :p
 
Vollgasasi posted on Jul 12 2006 at 12:16 PM said:
pros 7900gt ko evga:
-quieter (most likely)
-cooler
Click to expand...
Maybe I'm the only one, but that's probably the main reason I would go with nVidia right away. ATI's cards, while a bit more technologically advanced, run considerably hotter. With the passive cooling on those motherboards I linked to, the problem may be mitigated, but regardless more heat = more cooling. More cooling = more power. More power = more money.

If I'm spending nearly $3,000 on a new computer setup, I'd like to be at least somewhat conscious of the long-term price impact the system will have.
 
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a) he has a water cooling system for the cards :p
and b ) at idle (which will be his main usage i think - he will not game 24/7) ati's cards consume only slighly more than nvidias (sometimes even less)

so there go your arguments :) xD

EDIT: and more cooling doesn't always result in more power draw ;)
 
Vollgasasi posted on Jul 12 2006 at 05:24 PM said:
so there go your arguments :) xD
Click to expand...
xD xD xD xD xD xD No they don't! Hilarious! xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD

I wasn't talking about heat, I was talking about power consumption. Two very different things. And, after all, this is a gaming machine.

This is definitely a point to think about.
 
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Replace the DVD drive with a Lightscribe compatable burner. The coolest thing Ive ever seen is lightscribe in action on my mom's PC.
 
iignotus posted on Jul 12 2006 at 09:36 PM said:
Vollgasasi posted on Jul 12 2006 at 05:24 PM said:
so there go your arguments :) xD
Click to expand...
xD xD xD xD xD xD No they don't! Hilarious! xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD

I wasn't talking about heat, I was talking about power consumption. Two very different things. And, after all, this is a gaming machine.

This is definitely a point to think about.
Click to expand...



you quoted my argument 'cooler' in bold letters

and you said 'more heat = more cooling. More cooling = more power. More power = more money'

=) you don't even know what you've written anymore :p

and i commented on the power consumption!
 
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David Beoulve posted on Jul 12 2006 at 09:28 AM said:
Regarding heatsinks, I found a Socket 939 one from ASUS, since the mobo, case & maybe a few other things all come from ASUS, I went with MORE asus gear ;)

Wite_Noiz posted on Jul 12 2006 at 09:21 AM said:
That /definitely/ has a heatsink, if you're sure it's the "Retail" version (ADA3800BVBOX, as you say).

I've found the stock heatsink/fan to be fine for a typical set-up.
I never really had the desire to overclock my comp. so can't speak about how far it can be pushed (wouldn't have thought far).
Click to expand...
Oh. Duh. Hmm.
Click to expand...

More importantly, if you're not overclocking, don't bother replacing that. Using anything other than the fan/heatsink that comes with the PIB (processor-in-a-box) will void your warranty.

If you are overclocking, your warranty is pretty much shot anyway if it cooks. ;)
 
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Okay -- with maximum respect and total sarcasm, F*k you, Iggy! I'm now on track with a 7950 SLI in one videocard deal. I was all happy until you said stuff and I started looking at how much I'd save versus two ATI X1900 XTX's. Way to go ;)

Sarcasm now mixed in with reality.

This page contains Min/Average FPS for Oblivion pitting the Nvidia 7950, 7900, 7900 SLI (2), ATI X1900 XTX & X1900 XTX Crossfire (2) all against each other. This is why I called Iggy a F*knugget, because this page makes me cry, combined with the truth behind Vollgasasi's words.

tesout_hdr.gif

(source)

You see that? Do you see that? Aw man! What amazing minimum FPS the X1900 XTX's get. But why don't I just get them?

Well it's not all Iggy's fault. You see, my RL friend Billy gets the F*knugget Award as well. He lead me to memory that works with the 2GHz FSB when used in tandem with a specific Nvidia-only Motherboard. Geez, you guys like to team up. ;)

Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB Kit DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme Performance Memory is the RAM in question and the Asus M2N32-SLI DELUXE nForce 590 SLI Sempron/Athlon 64(FX)(X2) SktAM2 DDR2 ATX Motherboard is the motherboard.

One more shot at Iggy and Billy - My wife laughed at me when she saw that ASUS case, and then Billy showed me the Antec Performance One P180 case, with its compartmentalized cooling. Curses! How can I go for flair when something that is just far more efficient in function lies before me?

Lastly, you will also see appropriate changes in the Hard Drive (SATA).

Description / Qty / Unit PriceSubtotal $1993.15
* Note! Subtotal provided does not include any tax or shipping fees that may apply.

Vollgasasi, unless you can save me with some ATI motherboard that overclocks this Corsair memory... I just can't fathom a reason to go with my beloved X1900 XTX's when the trade off is:
  • DDR2 RAM running at 1GHz with 2GHz FSB.
  • $2-300.
  • Gets more minimum FPS out of Oblivion, assuming the RAM speed & BUS speeds don't change what the minimum usually is for the 7950 in the first place.
Edit: Having trouble sourcing Billy's statement, but unlike me he still builds computers for a living, so I tend to trust him.
Edit 2: That's because the RAM doesn't double it's speed, that's silly. The FSB is 2GHz with this RAM.
 
i don't get really what you want from me now .. lol ;)

but what i have to say to you: you can save money by buying a non sli mainboard cause 1 7950gx2 card, while being a two chip internally sli card doesn't require a sli mainboard. or do you just want that specific sli mobo because of the overclockable ram?

if so, i think there are other mainboards and memory combinations out there that can do the same. i suggest you look into some ocz ram or g.e.i.l. it doesn't have to be corsair.


i'm not deeply into mainboards and ram at the moment as i'm using my super duper notebook.

your choice in the 7950gx2 (which I suggested :p) is excellent as would be the choice for a x1900xt/x-fire.

the gx2 is cheaper and oc'ed performs on par with the xt xfire setup while ati delivers the better quality (again) but don't unerestimate water cooled xt's oc'ed..... if i were you and would like to have water cooling i'd take the ati's, if you wanna have air cooling and save some money go gx2 and forget about 7900gtx sli.
 
Try to help a guy and this is what I get!!! :p Hey, get whatever videocard you want.

Well I'm kinda glad you switched to AM2, as it bodes well for the future, but I don't know about the comparative gaming performance.

That sound card seems a little... overdone. Maybe you want a card like that? Considering this terrible bit of marketing:
SuperRip Your CDs Into 24-bit Xtreme Fidelity Music
With the X-Fi 24-bit Crystalizer and the X-Fi CMSS-3D features, you can now "SuperRip" your CDs into Xtreme Fidelity quality so that you can permanently enhance your music to sound better than the original CD.
Click to expand...
... which makes absolutely no sense to anyone with any knowledge about the subject. But if you want to spend like... $40 more than you need to on a sound card, that's fine :) I would go with the logitech speakers from newegg instead, though. I saw those creative ones only had an 80dB snr, and they're ugly :lol:

Speaking of which, why'd you switch from Newegg to ZZF? They're both good stores, but is there a reason? Did ZZF have it for cheaper?
 
Vollgasasi posted on Jul 13 2006 at 07:52 AM said:
but what i have to say to you: you can save money by buying a non sli mainboard cause 1 7950gx2 card, while being a two chip internally sli card doesn't require a sli mainboard. or do you just want that specific sli mobo because of the overclockable ram?

if so, i think there are other mainboards and memory combinations out there that can do the same. i suggest you look into some ocz ram or g.e.i.l. it doesn't have to be corsair.
Click to expand...
Yes, I'm getting that motherboard due to its RAM speed feature. And it has to be Corsair, because that's the only RAM tested to automatically overclock when you turn on the motherboard and it checks the RAM and says "Hey! Let's fly!" Otherwise you have to do it manually and Billy said "I'm sorry, but I'm just not risking that it won't work." I concurred.

Vollgasasi posted on Jul 13 2006 at 07:52 AM said:
i'm not deeply into mainboards and ram at the moment as i'm using my super duper notebook.

your choice in the 7950gx2 (which I suggested :p) is excellent as would be the choice for a x1900xt/x-fire.
Click to expand...
He he he thank you!

Vollgasasi posted on Jul 13 2006 at 07:52 AM said:
the gx2 is cheaper and oc'ed performs on par with the xt xfire setup while ati delivers the better quality (again) but don't unerestimate water cooled xt's oc'ed..... if i were you and would like to have water cooling i'd take the ati's, if you wanna have air cooling and save some money go gx2 and forget about 7900gtx sli.
Click to expand...
I have yet to find a water cooling kit built especially for Crossfired ATI cards or SLIed Nvidia cards. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong places?

iignotus posted on Jul 13 2006 at 12:54 PM said:
Try to help a guy and this is what I get!!! :p Hey, get whatever videocard you want.
Well I'm kinda glad you switched to AM2, as it bodes well for the future, but I don't know about the comparative gaming performance.
Click to expand...
Few people do. AM2 just came out. Billy had some explanations as to how the AM2 chips manage RAM - especially DDR2 RAM, which AMD used to avoid due to its higher latency with their chips - as well as how the AM2 chips handle the front-side BUS and other things my artistic brain let run over my skin like rain. :p I wish I had a mind like my Lovely Latina's! She's a little like Monk from TV. Loves to clean, notices everything. She's just a lot more accepting. But I digress.

iignotus posted on Jul 13 2006 at 12:54 PM said:
That sound card seems a little... overdone. Maybe you want a card like that? Considering this terrible bit of marketing: <<snip>> makes absolutely no sense to anyone with any knowledge about the subject. But if you want to spend like... $40 more than you need to on a sound card, that's fine :) I would go with the logitech speakers from newegg instead, though. I saw those creative ones only had an 80dB snr, and they're ugly :lol:
Click to expand...
Yes, I want the Logitech ones! I'm probably ordering from NewEgg.

iignotus posted on Jul 13 2006 at 12:54 PM said:
Speaking of which, why'd you switch from Newegg to ZZF? They're both good stores, but is there a reason? Did ZZF have it for cheaper?
Click to expand...
Billy told me to try ZipZoomFly.com to see if the price was better. Doesn't look like it, but worth the shot.

I gotta find proof of what Billy said about the mobo and RAM combo. I work for an Elections Office, and we are gearing up for... an election! So I've been at the warehouse training retirees how to operate the Touch Screen ballot machines... FOR DAYS. I'm so tired. It'll get a lot worse before it gets any better *chuckles*. Fortunately elections happen in cycles and I enjoy it. I just love to complain about sleep deprivation.


Edit: Nice review. I wish they had included Oblivion in it.

Edit 2: A review of the ATI Crossfire versus Nvidia SLI which basically says that Nvidia has been updating their drivers faster and SLI is more mature. Interesting. Also goes over Dell's 30" widescreen LCD monster.
 
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hey...ehm something about the ram issue you mentioned... you said it would oc the ram from 1000mhz to 2000mhz automatically right?

ok first question: running at 1000mhz would already be oc'ing those modules as they are rated at 800mhz right? and second question: running at 2000mhz? double the frequency? is your friend really serious about that?

i'd suggest you get some ddr2-1000 modules from ocz if you really want the best ram performance.

EDIT: and don't forget about sli. get the gx2. sli performance without sli. well.. almost without :)
 
It looks like this topic has been almost done to death, but I have a few points that haven't been touched upon yet.

1) The PSU is extremely important. I've never heard of the one you had picked... which doesn't necessarily mean it is bad... you have to find out who actually MAKES the unit to know for sure (much like LCD displays, the unit is usually made by one of a few large manufacturers, and then sold under some other name). Antec, Sparkle/Fortron, OCZ, Enermax, and PC power & Cooling are all highly recommended by overclockers and people who use heavy duty systems in general.

2) Memory: read up on the actual real world performance increase that "performance" RAM will get you versus using "value" RAM. It actually tends to be VERY small, especially considering how high the price premium is. Basic undeniable fact -- if you are not overclocking, performance RAM has zero impact. If you do plan on overclocking, it still has very little real world benefits. If you run synthetic benchmarks then you will see a difference, but that won't translate to more than a few FPS at the very most. I used to use nothing but expensive RAM (Kingston HyperX, Corsair XMS pro, etc) but after researching it more, I've switched to "value" RAM. It would be better to run 4GB of cheaper stuff vs 2GB of expensive stuff, that much I can guarentee. That being said, you should stick with a good brand (g. skill, crucial, corsair, kingston, etc etc).

3) As far as video cards go, you can't really go wrong with any variety of SLI'd 7900's, or the X1900 series for that matter. Ati and Nvidia always go back and forth, and you can never really tell what is going to happen next. For example, the Ati X800 series seemed to be a bit better than their Nvidia 6 series counterparts, but they haven't really aged very well with newer games. I say pick whatever you can find the best deal on. If you are like many other high end users, you will be switching them out within a short amount of time anyways...

Above all enjoy ordering, building, and playing games on your new rig!

PS I recommend this website for any hardware or software help you might need, not just limited to overclocking.
 
project86 posted on Jul 13 2006 at 10:32 PM said:
Antec, Sparkle/Fortron, OCZ, Enermax, and PC power & Cooling are all highly recommended by overclockers and people who use heavy duty systems in general.
Click to expand...
*strokes Antec modular PSU* Mmmm...

That's a good point, actually. See if you can find a modular PSU (they all call it something different). This means you only plug the cables you actually need in to the PSU and don't have spare molex's all over the place.
 
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project86 posted on Jul 13 2006 at 05:32 PM said:
It looks like this topic has been almost done to death, but I have a few points that haven't been touched upon yet.

1) The PSU is extremely important. I've never heard of the one you had picked... which doesn't necessarily mean it is bad... you have to find out who actually MAKES the unit to know for sure (much like LCD displays, the unit is usually made by one of a few large manufacturers, and then sold under some other name). Antec, Sparkle/Fortron, OCZ, Enermax, and PC power & Cooling are all highly recommended by overclockers and people who use heavy duty systems in general.
Click to expand...
The ToughPower PSU is what Billy said he puts into his clients' PC's, and his as well. I didn't know it from Adam, either, but if I had to select my own, I'd be looking for PSU reviews, and Billy gave me one up front. I still plan on researching it anyway - I want to see how "pure" and stable it's feed is.

project86 posted on Jul 13 2006 at 05:32 PM said:
2) Memory: read up on the actual real world performance increase that "performance" RAM will get you versus using "value" RAM. It actually tends to be VERY small, especially considering how high the price premium is. Basic undeniable fact -- if you are not overclocking, performance RAM has zero impact. If you do plan on overclocking, it still has very little real world benefits. If you run synthetic benchmarks then you will see a difference, but that won't translate to more than a few FPS at the very most. I used to use nothing but expensive RAM (Kingston HyperX, Corsair XMS pro, etc) but after researching it more, I've switched to "value" RAM. It would be better to run 4GB of cheaper stuff vs 2GB of expensive stuff, that much I can guarentee. That being said, you should stick with a good brand (g. skill, crucial, corsair, kingston, etc etc).
Click to expand...
(nods) My thanks on these points. Billy said that the RAM speed increase is important here because the FSB will operate at 2GHz, and the RAM at 1GHz (slightly overclocked, not doubled, my bad) and, combined with the AM2 chipset, all of this will manage well. He talked about a lengthy article he read about it.

So basically, you are right. The real-world benefits are small. I should, however, be doing better than a socket 939 chipset with DDR400 RAM.

project86 posted on Jul 13 2006 at 05:32 PM said:
3) As far as video cards go, you can't really go wrong with any variety of SLI'd 7900's, or the X1900 series for that matter. Ati and Nvidia always go back and forth, and you can never really tell what is going to happen next. For example, the Ati X800 series seemed to be a bit better than their Nvidia 6 series counterparts, but they haven't really aged very well with newer games. I say pick whatever you can find the best deal on. If you are like many other high end users, you will be switching them out within a short amount of time anyways...
Click to expand...
Yep yep. The XFX 7950 looks to be the best of all of the 7950's available on the market. So hopefully that will get my game on with Oblivion and my 21" perfect-flat CRT.

project86 posted on Jul 13 2006 at 05:32 PM said:
Above all enjoy ordering, building, and playing games on your new rig!

PS I recommend this website for any hardware or software help you might need, not just limited to overclocking.
Click to expand...
That is a cool link! My thanks!
 
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