Computer upgrade

Its time for a new computer, and after considering the cost of motherboards that would support two xeon processors, its too damn much.

So instead I arrived at this, I plan on eventually switching out the larger hard drive for a Raptor X 150gb or two when they go down in price, and adding another 8800gt video card after a power supply upgrade in the future. Also, I've got two spare gb of ram to stuff in for now, so I'm going to be looking for 2 more.
I have not picked out a case yet, but it doesn't matter too much what it looks like as long as the parts work. Optical drive and monitor will come out of my current computer until I get around to upgrading those too.

So here it is
All the parts

ASUS P5N32-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard -


XFX PVT88PYDE4 GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card


Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply


Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600


Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK2/2G


Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

You have to make the wishlist public

It should be...

I have very similar specs. Just different makes.
I have that same mobo, cpu & video card, vid card & mobo are made by evga though.
You'll be happy. & yes, your newegg list doesn't show.
Post edited by Stones at 12/13/2007 6:43:34 PM

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dont get an nvidia chipset.

get an intel p35 based chipset with ddr2 ram, not the ddr3 version.

p35>nvidia 680i

unless you are hinting at sli, no reason to go nvidia. i dont trust antec power supplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
Post edited by [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd at 12/13/2007 9:06:21 PM

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The right is more virtuous than the left. They have twice as many virtues because they have double the standards.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
dont get an nvidia chipset.

get an intel p35 based chipset with ddr2 ram, not the ddr3 version.

p35>nvidia 680i

unless you are hinting at sli, no reason to go nvidia. i dont trust antec power supplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

I need the nvidia chipset to connect two cards together, so yes, sli.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
dont get an nvidia chipset.

get an intel p35 based chipset with ddr2 ram, not the ddr3 version.

p35>nvidia 680i

unless you are hinting at sli, no reason to go nvidia. i dont trust antec power supplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Hey Pudd, ddogg was talking about the x38 chipset... thoughts?

PATRIOTIC DISSENT IS A LUXURY OF THOSE PROTECTED BY BETTER MEN THAN THEY.

agreed on the antec psu....if you can spare some extra money in that dept look at something by PC Power & Cooling.

.

I wouldn't touch a 680i board. I would wait for the 780i if you are set on SLI.

If you are looking at running a total of 4GB of memory, please do it correctly by installing Vista 64bit. Otherwise it is an utter waste of your memory.

There is nothing wrong with Antec's Power Supplies. Even if they do break down their RMA system is pretty smooth.

Take a look at the Corsair or Silverstone power supplies if you want top notch stuff.

Originally posted by: Coba|t

Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply

SUCKS! I have seen too many problems with Antec PS's to ever think about getting one. Besides ... the are way overpriced!

Originally posted by: Coba|t

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

Gaming computer? Core 2 Duo E6750 is just as good if not better than Q6600 and E6850 ... and it is about $100 less.

Almost forgot ... INTEL FTW!!!
Post edited by [-NM-] Jungle Boy at 12/14/2007 10:19:12 AM

Originally posted by: [-NM-] -SS-

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
dont get an nvidia chipset.

get an intel p35 based chipset with ddr2 ram, not the ddr3 version.

p35>nvidia 680i

unless you are hinting at sli, no reason to go nvidia. i dont trust antec power supplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

Hey Pudd, ddogg was talking about the x38 chipset... thoughts?

check the prices. the reviews i read showed virtually zero performance increases between p35 and x38. AFAIK the p35 is fine with the penryn family of chips if you wish to upgrade later. they both run the same southbridge chipset. equal there.

so basically, you will just pay more for the x38.

there is only ONE reason to go x38. if you want to run two ATI cards in crossfire. if you have nvidia, you wont get sli anyways, and if you run just one card and dont plan on running two ati cards, you wont benefit either.


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The right is more virtuous than the left. They have twice as many virtues because they have double the standards.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Jungle Boy

Originally posted by: Coba|t

Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply

SUCKS! I have seen too many problems with Antec PS's to ever think about getting one. Besides ... the are way overpriced!

Originally posted by: Coba|t

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

Gaming computer? Core 2 Duo E6750 is just as good if not better than Q6600 and E6850 ... and it is about $100 less.

Almost forgot ... INTEL FTW!!!

That is a very good Power supply I have 3 in my systems at the house and put one in my sisters system. I haev had 2 DOA Antec Power supplies in perhaps 100 Antec case/PS purchases. I've also never had one die before warranty. The one I just replaced was still working but I was maxing it out and it couldn't hang. It was 5 years old had the hammer put to it.

P5K series of mother boards are very good and tweakable. I'd also recommend using Crucial Ballistix Memory. Not only is it inexcensive (there is almost always rebates on it) its very tweakable. I ahve found you need to manually set voltage t0 2.2V, Lock to DDR2-800 or higher and set the timeing to 4-4-4-12. It performs very, very well.

From the standpoint of performance I can guarantee you the following combination will work very well because I ahve built 3 of them in the last month.

E6750
ASUS P5K
Crucial Ballistix PC6400 DDR2 2G

I run Windows XP x64 Edition so that I can take advantage of the 4GB of ram in my system. the only issue I have is a lack of a printer driver for my old Minolta Printer....frankly I can live with it because I only game on this rig.
|HiFi|TotalCarnage
TeamWarfare Commissioner
RadioHiFi

check any builder's forums. antec went downhill. doesnt mean everybody's have problems, but they have serious QC issues.

for the same price, get the corsair 550 or 10 bucks more for the 520hx. or a seasonic model, seasonic actually builds corsairs and are known to right now be at the top of the PSU quality chart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The right is more virtuous than the left. They have twice as many virtues because they have double the standards.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
check any builder's forums. antec went downhill. doesnt mean everybody's have problems, but they have serious QC issues.

for the same price, get the corsair 550 or 10 bucks more for the 520hx. or a seasonic model, seasonic actually builds corsairs and are known to right now be at the top of the PSU quality chart.

I been using Antec for 10 years and seriously don't have any issues with their PS's. HOwever, I typically buy the higher end ones like the Neo or the Earthwatts.
|HiFi|TotalCarnage
TeamWarfare Commissioner
RadioHiFi

Originally posted by: TotalCarnage

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
check any builder's forums. antec went downhill. doesnt mean everybody's have problems, but they have serious QC issues.

for the same price, get the corsair 550 or 10 bucks more for the 520hx. or a seasonic model, seasonic actually builds corsairs and are known to right now be at the top of the PSU quality chart.

I been using Antec for 10 years and seriously don't have any issues with their PS's. HOwever, I typically buy the higher end ones like the Neo or the Earthwatts.

antec was very reliable for awhile. the last couple of years they have not been consistent, especially for powering high end builds. this is the info i have gathered from pc geek forums.

my first 5 builds were all on antec and still going strong.


Post edited by [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd at 12/14/2007 11:02:48 AM

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The right is more virtuous than the left. They have twice as many virtues because they have double the standards.

When Ron Paul is elected he will buy and build your computer for you.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Jungle Boy

Gaming computer? Core 2 Duo E6750 is just as good if not better than Q6600 and E6850 ... and it is about $100 less.

Almost forgot ... INTEL FTW!!!

You're smoking to much crack man.
Look at Toms Hardwares tests & you will clearly see the only cpus that top the Quad 6600 in both cpu benchmarks & graphics benchmarks are the extremes & in like 1 instance the E6850 tops it.
The 6750 doesn't top the q6600 in any benchmark that i have seen.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=873&model2=871&chart=418
Post edited by Stones at 12/14/2007 12:16:32 PM

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Originally posted by: LoStMaTt
I wouldn't touch a 680i board. I would wait for the 780i if you are set on SLI.

Whats wrong with the 680i?

Mostly I'm getting it because it fits all my needs right now, nvidia chipset to connect two 8800GT vid cards, two PCI express with X16 slots, allowing the 8800GT to actually USE the X16 bandwidth as opposed to running at 8X with a non-nvidia chipset. Its also one of the least expensive that fits these needs, but I am still up for listening to reasons as to why I should go with a different one, I just am not in the mood to wait for it right now, I need a new computer.
I'm willing to wait on upgrades such as the two raptor drives I'll put in once they drop in price, or going with one 8800gt for now with the option to upgrade and connect together a second 8800gt, but the motherboard is not something I plan to upgrade later.


As for the PS, I can go with anything that fits the bill, so ANTEC is not on my list of necessary parts to put in there, I've got no particular brand loyalty here.

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd

Originally posted by: TotalCarnage

Originally posted by: [-NM-] Pudd¿nheäd
check any builder's forums. antec went downhill. doesnt mean everybody's have problems, but they have serious QC issues.

for the same price, get the corsair 550 or 10 bucks more for the 520hx. or a seasonic model, seasonic actually builds corsairs and are known to right now be at the top of the PSU quality chart.

I been using Antec for 10 years and seriously don't have any issues with their PS's. HOwever, I typically buy the higher end ones like the Neo or the Earthwatts.

antec was very reliable for awhile. the last couple of years they have not been consistent, especially for powering high end builds. this is the info i have gathered from pc geek forums.

my first 5 builds were all on antec and still going strong.

I take most of that stuff with a grain of salt, its why I tend to use the gear I do. When I build systems for people I'm not making a killing. I can't afford for something to fail. I always laugh when I read the stuff posted on newegg about a product from someone with "high techncial knowledge"...

Anyway, we all have opinions about what is good. I personally think Gigabyte mobos are shit and swear by ASUS, I know epople who think exactly opposite
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TeamWarfare Commissioner
RadioHiFi

Originally posted by: Coba|t

Originally posted by: LoStMaTt
I wouldn't touch a 680i board. I would wait for the 780i if you are set on SLI.

Whats wrong with the 680i?

Mostly I'm getting it because it fits all my needs right now, nvidia chipset to connect two 8800GT vid cards, two PCI express with X16 slots, allowing the 8800GT to actually USE the X16 bandwidth as opposed to running at 8X with a non-nvidia chipset. Its also one of the least expensive that fits these needs, but I am still up for listening to reasons as to why I should go with a different one, I just am not in the mood to wait for it right now, I need a new computer.
I'm willing to wait on upgrades such as the two raptor drives I'll put in once they drop in price, or going with one 8800gt for now with the option to upgrade and connect together a second 8800gt, but the motherboard is not something I plan to upgrade later.


As for the PS, I can go with anything that fits the bill, so ANTEC is not on my list of necessary parts to put in there, I've got no particular brand loyalty here.

I was going to ask the same question. I have the 680i board & i have no issues with it. I currently don't have 2 cards but i wanted that option left open for the future if i wanted to add one later down the road.
People should stop saying something sucks without providing a link to show stats that state the board sucks.
As i just provided proof that Jungle Boy really didn't know what he was talking about when it came to cpus.

PS: Cobalt, i think you will find right now that you won't need two cards of the 8800gt.
That card will spank any game out there atm & it would be worth waiting for the price of the 8800gt to come down before you purchased another one.
Post edited by Stones at 12/14/2007 12:24:29 PM

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Originally posted by: TotalCarnage


That is a very good Power supply I have 3 in my systems at the house and put one in my sisters system. I haev had 2 DOA Antec Power supplies in perhaps 100 Antec case/PS purchases. I've also never had one die before warranty. The one I just replaced was still working but I was maxing it out and it couldn't hang. It was 5 years old had the hammer put to it.

P5K series of mother boards are very good and tweakable. I'd also recommend using Crucial Ballistix Memory. Not only is it inexcensive (there is almost always rebates on it) its very tweakable. I ahve found you need to manually set voltage t0 2.2V, Lock to DDR2-800 or higher and set the timeing to 4-4-4-12. It performs very, very well.

From the standpoint of performance I can guarantee you the following combination will work very well because I ahve built 3 of them in the last month.

E6750
ASUS P5K
Crucial Ballistix PC6400 DDR2 2G

I run Windows XP x64 Edition so that I can take advantage of the 4GB of ram in my system. the only issue I have is a lack of a printer driver for my old Minolta Printer....frankly I can live with it because I only game on this rig.

Thanks for the info, I do plan on upgrading to Vista eventually, but as you already pointed out the obvious flaw there is the lack of drivers for practical uses such as printing and scanning. I need those features because this will not only be a gaming computer, but a work computer as well, hence the concept of buying a 160gb hd that I can turn into a backup for two raptor drives working in tandem just in case something goes wrong on one or both and I loose half or all of my information.

As for that RAM you suggested, I already have my hands on a set of 2gb sticks, so would it be possible to utilize DDR2-800 on one pair and not the other? (I assume thats a no)
If not, it may be something that I plan to upgrade later, like the HD, to max out my system a few years down the line.

One major reason behind going with these parts, and the necessity of nvidia chipsets, etc. is because I want my computer to be upgradeable for a reasonable price in the future. I want to be able to buy a duplicate part when it becomes less expensive and double the capability of the computer at bottlenecks such as the hard drive, vid card, RAM, optical drive, etc.

My original intention with looking at the Xeon series processors and mobos was the ability to add a second processor as well, but the cost of them is just out of my range right now, I could build my entire computer as it stands now without a monitor for the cost of JUST a motherboard and xeon processor, depending on which one I were to buy.