Callandor

Okay, gunning for a brand new PC next week, here is the current layout, please advise.

- AMD Phenom 9950 Black Edition 64bit Quad Core (4x 2.6GHz, 1066FSB, 4MB Cache)
- Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DS5 (AMD 790FX 2 PCIE2 16x slots) motherboard
- Sapphire HD4870X2 2GB VRAM[/COLOR] (got a VisionTek 4870X2 instead for same price).
- Lite-On DVD Writer Drive (SATA, 20x DVD+R/RW, 20 DVD-R/RW, 48x24x48x, will get a BluRay/HD Drive later on)
- First Drive: Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA 2 8MB Cache HDD
- Second Drive: Seagate 500GB 7200RPM SATA 2 32MB Cache HDD
- 8GB OCZ Reaper RAM (OCZ2RPR10664GK 1066Mhz, 2x4GB kits) - $320 mobo goes up to 16GB
- OCZ ProXStream 1000W OCZ1000PXS
- Benq G2400W - $420
- Antec P182 Black Super Midi Case
- APC Back-UPS RS-1000 - $300
-3.5'' 8-in-1 Card Reader + 1 Front USB, Black
- Logitech G15 2nd Gen Gaming keyboard
- Logitech G5 Laser New Model (2000dpi, 7 button, USB/PS2, 3DPI settings etc)
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit (will most probably dual boot with XP x64 Professional)
- Creative Fatal1ty Professional Gaming Headset

Total Estimated Cost- $3134.00

(plus about a 100 bucks GST and HST, all prices in CAD)

Edit: >>Items in blue already bought.
>Items in red not gonna get/have gotten something else in their place already (refer to later post in this thread).

__________________

kris23

pricing?

__________________

Callandor

Soz dude, forgot to add em, done.

Balanced system/deal? All stuff is being sourced by OTV tech here in Stoon, heard they're prices were alright, always preffered dealing with one shop just in case something went wrong (wouldn't mind for convenience sake if it's a little over what I would pay if I bought everything online & from different places).

__________________

cozumel

Callandor, I'm not sure what your uses for the rig will be nut I thought I would pick up on a couple things.

Firstly, I bought the same monitor not too long ago (just a few months ago) and although it's nice I am disappointed overall. When watching quick sports or films with fast action, the monitor can't keep up with the movement. Also, the blacks aren't too hot - it fades a bit towards the edge of the screen. It would only receive 5.5 or 6 out of ten from me.

Secondly, why only 4 gigs ddr2? with the low price of ram right now maybe think about going for 8 gigs although again it would depend on what you're doing. But it would, I think have a noticeable positive impact on performance to double up on the RAM.

You're an AMD fanboy so I ain't going down the next cul-de-sac

That will be a great rig though, especially if you do get the 4x4870x2. I mean...wow...all that graphics processing power.

Oh yeah, before I forget, I was gonna get the P182 about a year ago for another rig and emailed Antec about the length of the cpu and mobo power cables required and they were pretty damned long. So check to make sure if you need some extra cable while you get the rest of the stuff so you can build it all in one go.

__________________

kris23

you have to get an AMD? it just isnt cost effective.....

__________________

Callandor

Okay, RAM added (pretty much doubled everything by two and added a couple extra bucks lol) and thanks for the heads up on that screen man, I thought since it was a Samsung it'd be good but I guess 5ms isn't fast enough for a screen that size (especially when watching movies) so the screen is in question, any good alternative suggestions that are not too expensive & might even be 2ms for a 24''?

As for the AMD part, what's that I see in your system specs, an Intel/Nvidia fanboy too are we

Well basically I'm thinking of getting two 4870X2s as well initially and then throwing in two more but that'd just be for the heck of it and serve no real purpose atm I think as well lol. Thanks for the heads up on the cabling though, was thikin' bout it too, will check.

__________________

Callandor

But but but I just friggin' love AMD

Any suggestions on a good 24'' screen to get there Kris? A particular ViewSonic screen perhaps?

__________________

kris23

BenQ monitors are some great values.... Z recommends the newer models

and.... you serious about the AMD thing because youll be alot happer in the Intel camp.... so will your wallet.

__________________

cozumel

Ooh, I'ma watching...and you're a headin' down that there cul-de-sac...

Edit: I haven't got a clue about which screen is good but I'll just go look see which one it as that z swears by...

__________________

kris23

youre right.... these guys prices ARE good...

http://www.otvtech.com/pricelist/otvpricelist.pdf

so other people can toss their suggestions

__________________

Callandor

Ah well, my wallet doesen't mind. As for me, I think I'm good over in this camp, the marshmellows are a little off, but once you put them to the fire, they soften up real good.

How bout the BenQ FP241W 24'' wide, seems to have gotten pretty good reviews from quite a few sites, looks like I might be looking at something that's in the $500 range though which isn't bad but worth noting all the same, found it at shopbot for $537.90 to $598. Looks good. Btw, would you happen to know if it's got hydros like the Samsung apparently does on it as well lol?

Edit: 6ms I think I'll need something else...

__________________

cozumel

Okay. The one that it is alleged Z swears by is the 24" benq G2400 widescreen 1920x1200. Judas has been using it too for the last 5 or 6 weeks and said something along the lines of 'it's a damn fine monitor' before the hummingbird ruined the show. Maybe drop z and judas a PM to confirm their thoughts. That monitor is meant to be lightning fast from what I've heard.

__________________

Callandor

Sweeeeeet...yup that's the one. Just realized I was lookin' at a monitor that was like from a couple years ago but for some reason it's price is still kinda high, maybe it's manufacture process was expensive and/or it's in demand/has sharp images, the G2400 is most definately the one that I want to go with, and at $329.95 - $420 on shopbot would most definately be cheaper than the other monitor and in a simalar price range to this one. Too sweet man, good on Z and Judas for finding this here monitor for us man, I don't know what we woulda done without them.

I'll add it in there and put it's price at like $440 for now as I don't know if they have it in stock/it'll be a special order etc. Thanks heaps guys.

__________________

kris23

you cant use more than 2 4870X2s in one system as each card only has 1 crossfire connector.... so you dont need to use a board with 4 PCI-E slots, not necessary.

the FP241W is a better monitor than the G2400 as far as i know... and 6ms isnt that high... all monitors lower than 2ms are either false to their ratings or are just plain crappy....

__________________

Callandor

I see...so in that case the quest for a better fitting mobo ensues???

I guess the M3A32-MVP Delux isn't that badly priced so guess I'll just get it in case I ever want to get something else that might utilize a PCI e 2 slot, a sound card for example, which again is not necessary at this point (onboard 7.1 sounds just fine to me if you ask me, will be using the headset more often anyhow), but just in case.

Do you know if the Razer Piranah is any good? It looks hella cool though, I'll give it that.

Edit: Nah, seen complaints about sound quality, think I'll stick to the Fatality, though if they have more bass than the Piranahs then I'll have to go with them as I don't like too much bass, less bass with me on headphones is always better.

__________________

kris23

id use the money to get the bigger better Phenom 9950

__________________

Callandor

Okay added it and took it from $234 to $280 as per shopbot's ceiling, should be no more than around $300 bucks when I get this in for a quote, I think it's shapin' up to be quite the AMD rig there.

Edit: Got any good mobo suggestions that have only 2 or 3 PCI e 2 slots instead of the Asus M3A32-MVP Delux, it's a really good mobo but if I could find another 790FX one with less slots, just as good quality and at a better price....

Edit: Wish there was a DH review of the fatality headset as well, but the Piranah is nice lookin' and sounds good (will trust the pair that the DH team is similar to the one I too will get lol) but the reason why I'm reluctant on them is the vibration thing the review talked about, had enough pairs of earphones/headphones that I had to keep adjusting and don't think I could put up with it well, but other than that was seriously considering them.

__________________

Callandor

Okay, I'm going with the Gigabyte GA-MA790FX-DS5 now, 2 16x PCI E 2 slots, much better value for 2 4870x2s, round about $40 more.

Was thinkin' about this mobo but until now forgot that you couldn't slot in 4 4870X2s lol.

__________________

OldBuzzard

Well, there are 2 DFI MB's that fit those specs, if they are available there.

Newegg.com - DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

and

Newegg.com - DFI LP UT 790FX-M2R AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

I've been looking at those, and I'm not sure just what differences there are between the two for there to be that big a difference in price between them. Other that the fancy cooling for the chipset.

Don't mind Kris so much on the AMD/Intel or ATI/nVidia thing. He sometimes has problems understanding that some of us have reasons OTHER than pure performance for our hardware choices.

He looks mostly at pure performance. If this was pre core2 days, he would be advocating AMD all the way He's "good people" and I've never seen him as a fanboi for any piece of hardware (well, maybe with the exception of Cooler Master cases)

One question on monitors. Are you definately going for a LCD or would a CRT do as well?

IF a CRT would work, and you don't mind that if it's so damned big and heavy that it takes two men & a boy to move it, and if you can find a good recondioned one, or even a NOS, which is rare these days...

The SONY FW900 24" wide screen has no equal for image quality. I have the SGI branded version of it, and there isn't a LCD on the planet that I'd trade it for.

__________________
When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Callandor

Hmm, they look good but I think I'll still stick with the Gigabyte coz it supports up to 16GB of RAM, amended it on the first post, and I'd prefer a flat panel lol, a CRT would just be too big and heavy though I have heard good things about not only that Sony you're talking about but there's this friend of a firend who's apparently still running two 21'' LG Studioworks(not sure which paticular models) side by side with his cross fired 4870s and refuses to part with them lol, don't want it takin' up too much desk space too.

As for guys being fanbois, all I can say on that is that there's an inner fanboi in all of us, whether it's for that favourite model of toilet seat or pimping replacement light bulb you like to buy for you cars flasher, there's a fanboi hidden deep within all of us.

__________________

kris23

hey OldBuzzard! only reason it looks like im a fanboi is that CM makes the best valued cases currently......

ther arent too many that beat them in the quality and cost-effectiveness...then theres also performance......

and he lives in Canada so newegg links arent all that good.

the gigabyte model should do him well, i mean people have been saying Gigabyte stuff is slowly moving up.... and with Ultra-Durable 2 i can see why,,,,,

__________________

Callandor

Okay, added APC Back-UPS RS-1000 after hearing that heart warming tale that Judas told in the protect your equipment thread. (at a guesstimate for now thanks to computer central of $300, will call it in later, called in and emailed Tom at OTV with the list of amended products, waiting for the orders guy who comes in on monday).

My sister has a BackUps Pro 650VA, 400Watt one for this current PC, don't know why I didn't think of it must have forgot. Gotta defend against brown outs, line noise etc.

Edit: correction, that would be my little sister has, it's her pc now , still think of it as mine though lol, gonna get her a 4850 at the same time as this buy and I hope my little brother chips in then she can have a new quad core processor and ram as well (the beauty of the AX78 right there ).

__________________

OldBuzzard

I know, was just 'winding you up' a bit there. Note the <wink> smiley

Actually I'm a Cooler Master famboi too, as you found out from my PM.

Shucks, I may even have to give up my bias against Full Towers when that HAF 932 is released !!!!!

I will also freely admit to being a Corsair fanboi when it comes to PSUs.

__________________
When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

kris23

i told Z about the HAF 932 and said that he will look into reviewing it....

__________________

Callandor

Okay, got tired of waiting so went in and bought the following on Saturday (yesterday, coz it was what they had)

- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 64bit (4x 2.66Ghz) - $363.00
- Asus P5Q Delux motherboard - $230
- Razer Goliathus Alpha Speed Mouse Pad (444mm X 355mm X 4.3mm) - $5
- OCZ Reaper 4GB Kit (2x 2GB, 5-5-5-18) - $152.00
- Logitech G15 2nd Gen KB - $70.00
- Logitech G5 New Model mouse - $40.00
- OCZ Modxstream 900W PSU - $204.00
- Acer X173WB 17'' Monitor (they did not have anymore of the Samsung 24'' monitors at the time & needed one to test, will make a good side monitor ) - $165.00
- Antec SOHO PlusView II Server Case (did want to see inside ) - $99.00
- Seagate 160GB HDD - $53.00
- Seagate 500GB HDD - $87.00
- 1x Mutant Mods Meteor Light Tube Kit (12-LED, 12'', Blue) - $5.00
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit - $127.00
- Creative Fatality Headset - $46.00
- Lite-On SATA DVD-RW Drive - $31.00
- 3.5'' 8-in-1 card reader - $10.00
- Diamond ATi Radeon 2400Pro 256MB (Had to see if I could get a picture, 4870X2 still not in stock and hit daily limit!!! ) - $29.00

What do you think, not bad for an impulsive buy but one of the heatsink fastners is jammed so I'm going to have to buy another cooler on Monday, thinking of buying the Asus Triton 79 AMAzing limited-edition CPU cooler that they have a couple of in stock ( Asus Triton 79 AMAzing limited-edition CPU cooler - Newlaunches.com ) do you think this is a good buy for a new cooler or should I get a different one, I'll check see if they have it in stock when I go into buy it tomorrow. Will also get the extra 4GB pack OCZ reaper ram to make it 8GB for now, and if they have the 24'' I'll pick that up too. Also need a wi-fi card and a few other things here and there.

All the above stuff cost me $1,938.70 including tax.

__________________

kris23

ooo so you went the intel way huh?

__________________

Callandor

Yup. Figured it was finally time to doff the hat.

That Q9450 should serve me well...a little ocing and it should be as good or a little better than a Q9550, a little more and it should do even better. Will have to get appropriate cooling for that endeavor though, but for now just running it stock or a little o/ced since I am going to get another cooler should be fine.

__________________

cozumel

What made you go Intel?

Was that truly an impulse thing? Just walking (or driving) down the road and walked into the store saying I'll have that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that, that & that. And throw in that too please. That's the most fun way to buy things sometimes...

__________________

Callandor

Yup, it was lol. Had everyone in the store looking for a rogue Q9450 that apparently wasn't in it's place no more, they eventually confirmed that it must have been stolen or grown legs and walked out the store and into the bar down the road for a good time. Good thing they didn't find it though,the Q9450 is better bang for buck & in my bored Paris Hilton state I might have just bought it then chided myself later.

Edit: the Q9550 was the fastest one they had in the shop at the time.

__________________

cozumel

Were you still thinking of going crossfire?

__________________