Curse

Fril Estelin · May 01, 2008, 11:47 PM // 23:47

Hi there,

Which one of these 2 combinations of HW components do you think would give the best performance (for a complete use, i.e. gaming, office/word, compiling programs), the rest being equal (I indicate it below)? Or do you see an interesting mix in the middle of the 2 configs? All comments welcome!

config 1:

config 2:

common:

hard disk - Western Digital Caviar SATA 250GB 16mb
sound card - Creative Audigy SE OEM
speakers - logitech X-140
optical - LiteOn 20X DVD+/-RW/12X RAM Lightscribe SATA
keyboard - logitech wave

izzywish · May 02, 2008, 12:29 AM // 00:29

This is purely down to my own experiences and as such is imho, but I'm not keen on Asrock and have had to replace several burnt out boards from them, whereas with Gigabyte I've had no problems. For that reason alone I would take the second system build.
However there may be plenty of people out there who would say the opposite so don't quote me on that

Blackhearted · May 02, 2008, 12:31 AM // 00:31

They both don't look that much different, hardware wise, aside from the cpu. What i will say though is that i don't recommend ASRock boards. They die pretty fast and easily from my experience with them.

-rightuos- · May 02, 2008, 12:33 AM // 00:33

I wouldnt know about reliability of ASRock but it leaves more room for upgrades later down the road. perhaps find a Gigabyte with 2 pci express slots as ASRock is already looking bad from the other 2 comments.

sthpaw · May 02, 2008, 12:50 AM // 00:50

true from what i hear ASRock is a cheaper version of Asus,
but yeah 2nd config is better IMO id rather Samsung over Viewsonic as well,
both video cards are the same only that the ZOTAC model is the stock overclocked version which is good if you dont want to overclock yourself, you are only paying for XFX for the brand name chipset is the same

Fril Estelin · May 02, 2008, 04:19 AM // 04:19

Thanks a lot guys, I'm going to follow your advices as you all agree on the mobo (I'll look into a better mobo for config 2). Furthermore, I'll be able to get my config from the store in the 2nd case, which means GW with all the graphics options for me this week-end

.

Anybody is of course welcome to give a counter-argument why config 1 would be better, but if I don't see anything in a few hours I'll just go and grab it!

Thanks again guys!

Brianna · May 02, 2008, 04:25 AM // 04:25

Rig #2 for sure Imo, I'd go with that if I was you.

However I'd buy a 22 inch wide screen instead of the 19 inch wide screen, but that is entirely up to you, you're going to play a lot more for a 22 inch anyway.

Nanood · May 02, 2008, 06:56 AM // 06:56

* XFX GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 PCIE Dual DVI XXX Ed

* Corsair Memory 4GB (2X2GB KIT) DDR2 800MHZ 240DIMM UNBUFFERED

* Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 2.4Ghz/2MB Cache CPU

* Gigabyte iP35 Express, Socket 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2, SATA II, SATA Raid Motherboard

* OCZ 4GB KIT 2x2048MB GOLD DDR2 800MHZ PC2-6400 Memory

* Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 PRO Case with 500W PSU

* Samsung SM920MW 19"" 5ms, 700:1, Widescreen TFT Monitor

Thats my input

Brianna · May 02, 2008, 08:05 AM // 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanood

* XFX GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 PCIE Dual DVI XXX Ed

* Corsair Memory 4GB (2X2GB KIT) DDR2 800MHZ 240DIMM UNBUFFERED

* Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 2.4Ghz/2MB Cache CPU

* Gigabyte iP35 Express, Socket 775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2, SATA II, SATA Raid Motherboard

* OCZ 4GB KIT 2x2048MB GOLD DDR2 800MHZ PC2-6400 Memory

* Arctic Cooling Silentium T1 PRO Case with 500W PSU

* Samsung SM920MW 19"" 5ms, 700:1, Widescreen TFT Monitor

Thats my input

You put both RAM options in.

I think Corsair has a good reputation for RAM? I'd give them a shot. That's just me though.

jackers1234 · May 02, 2008, 12:17 PM // 12:17

i would go for the second config, as i do not recommend AsRock Mobo's, having had to burn out on me already.

Quaker · May 02, 2008, 02:56 PM // 14:56

I would go for #2 also. The cpu is a tick faster and the P35 chipset is better than the 965 (mobo). Also, the Artic Cooling case seems better. Other than that, the two video cards are essentially the same, RAM is RAM. Widescreen is the way to go with monitors - but 22" would be better.

Fril Estelin · May 06, 2008, 08:03 AM // 08:03

I'm replying live from my new rig. It's config 2 with a Coolermaster Centurion case+Antec silent PSU, a 2nd-hand X-Fi XtremeGamer and it's absolutely brilliant!

GW is a totally new experience now, thanks for the advice guys!!

Brianna · May 06, 2008, 08:11 AM // 08:11

Cheers, glad you like your new system.

Good choice on the case too, cheap, pretty and effective.

Aera · May 06, 2008, 03:25 PM // 15:25

If you add 10 bucks you can get the new E8400 3.0 GHz 45nm Dual Core processor, which is a LOT better.

Fril Estelin · May 06, 2008, 03:49 PM // 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aera

If you add 10 bucks you can get the new E8400 3.0 GHz 45nm Dual Core processor, which is a LOT better.

Everyday that passes, I could have spend 10 quid on a newer component (actually on the store where I went the e8400 is £40 more expensive than the e4600). Being in IT I know how mad it is, but thanks anyway for the advice! The whole thing cost me around 800£ and it's extremely good.