Curse

Hannes · Jul 17, 2008, 09:38 PM // 21:38

EDIT: Oops.. Mods, plse move this thread to the "computer buying & building" sub-forum :$ if this was the wrong place 2 post... tnx ^^

Allo peeps.

It's that time of the year again where I want to upgrade my pc... Now I need some help / advice... Just wana hear your opinions as well

Current system:
RAIDMAX KATANA Black Case,
Aerocool ZERO DB 500w Modular PSU,
INTEL Core2 Quad Q6600-2.4Ghz CPU-Quad Core-8MB Cache,
XFX NFORCE 650I Ultra INTEL DDR2 MoBo (Socket LGA775),
XFX Geforce 8600 GTS 256MB DDR3 PCI-E Superclocked Edition (2,100MHz / 720MHz),
Team Elite 1GB DDR2 800mhz x4 (4-4-4-14 CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) with Aluminum Heatsinks,
1.5Tb HD space (x3 500Gb Seagate SATA drives),
Acer AL1951 19" 2ms LCD

Wishlist:
new PSU between 700 - 850w (prolly depends on the gfx card I wanna get),
between the Samsung 22" 2232GW & the Samsung 26" T260 LCD,
9800GX2 1Gb OR GTX260 896Mb OR HD4870 512Mb (Can't decide)
oh yeah and also a CPU cooler, the Asus Silent Square EVO looks allright. I think the Asus Silent Knight is better from what I read, but I think it's a FREAKIN UGLY cpu cooler... I'm also not a overclocker, so not sure if I really need that extra cooling / pipeline. (Not 2 mention that I gotta keep to the colour scheme here - Black & blue all the way!

whahaha)

So my question is: Do I upgrade now or stick it out another few months? I see Gfx prices are dropping by the hour lol. Guess I could wait until September or so...

ANOTHER QUESTION: Do I upgrade to a complete new system later on? (MoBo, CPU, RAM)
I believe that Nehalem is coming out maybe end of September... so are the 4870x2's...?

Decisions decisions

PS: I didn't add any links to the items mentioned here, if it's a problem let me know & I'll add them for you

Snograt · Jul 17, 2008, 09:48 PM // 21:48

In b4 Rahja...

...wait for Nehalem - you won't regret it.

Lord Sojar · Jul 18, 2008, 03:55 AM // 03:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

In b4 Rahja...

...wait for Nehalem - you won't regret it.

Curse you... wait, nevermind, that is why you are one of the Technicians. Snograts speaks the word of the technology gods. Later this year, Intel is releasing Nehalem. Worth the wait, 200% for sure.

Ah yes, and on the subject of the 4870x2 cards.... nVidia just dropped the price of the GTX 280 to 499. You can pickup most of them for 449 now. Get two of those, and that is the same as having 4 4870x2's, but with less heat production and the same price (2 of the 4870x2 cards)

Hannes · Jul 18, 2008, 04:48 AM // 04:48

Awesome, thanks

Brianna · Jul 18, 2008, 06:25 AM // 06:25

To me.. your computer seems pretty good right now, if I am reading you only have one gig of ram right? Bump it up to two gigs minimum and you should be set.

The 8600 is kind of weak now compared to other cards, like an 8800GT which is dropping in price. The 8600 is still decent though, I would keep it for a while.

Hannes · Jul 18, 2008, 04:55 PM // 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

To me.. your computer seems pretty good right now, if I am reading you only have one gig of ram right? Bump it up to two gigs minimum and you should be set.

The 8600 is kind of weak now compared to other cards, like an 8800GT which is dropping in price. The 8600 is still decent though, I would keep it for a while.

This pc is a bit more than a year old now... I try to upgrade every 12-18 months lol. I don't smoke anymore or do drugs or stuff like that, so I spoil myself with a new PC. Like a xmas or b-day gift 2 urself

I bought the 8600 back then with the idea of using it for a month or three, and then buy a 8800 (I was just waiting for the price to drop at that stage) But before you know it, a year has passed... hehe.

I have 4 Gigs of RAM currently installed...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannes

Team Elite 1GB DDR2 800mhz x4 (4-4-4-14 CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) with Aluminum Heatsinks

What about the other items I mentioned? Like the lcd's or the CPU coolers? Any suggestions there?
I'm not a complete n00b when it comes 2 pc's, but I do like getting different opinions from people before I go out & buy things

Tnx again

Snograt · Jul 18, 2008, 05:20 PM // 17:20

That's a tough choice between monitors. I have the 2232BW and it is an absolutely fantastic 22" TFT. If you really need an immense 26", then, again, the Sammy T260 sounds great:

Quote:

- Viewable Area: 26” Widescreen (1920x1200 Resolution)
- Interface: Analog / Digital / HDMI
- Response Time: 6ms
- 16.7M Colours
- Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
- Viewing Angle (H/V): 170°/ 160°
- Brightness: 300cd/m2
- 3 Years On-Site Warranty with Samsung

The 6ms response is higher than the 2ms on the 2232, but that's to be expected with a larger monitor, and response times just don't matter like they used to.

Basically, the choice is yours: If you want a huge, wonderful monitor, go for the T260. If you just want a big, awesome monitor, go with the 2232BW.

Cooling wise, I have a Tuniq Tower 120 - an absolutely HUGE HSF, with the 120mm fan hidden within the cooling fins. And it's a black megalith with blue glowy LEDs

Only downside is; can your case fit it in? My Thermaltake Armor+ just manages to fit it in, and that's an aircraft hangar of a case ^^

Hannes · Jul 18, 2008, 05:34 PM // 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

That's a tough choice between monitors. I have the 2232BW and it is an absolutely fantastic 22" TFT. If you really need an immense 26", then, again, the Sammy T260 sounds great:

The 6ms response is higher than the 2ms on the 2232, but that's to be expected with a larger monitor, and response times just don't matter like they used to.

Basically, the choice is yours: If you want a huge, wonderful monitor, go for the T260. If you just want a big, awesome monitor, go with the 2232BW.

Cooling wise, I have a Tuniq Tower 120 - an absolutely HUGE HSF, with the 120mm fan hidden within the cooling fins. And it's a black megalith with blue glowy LEDs

Only downside is; can your case fit it in? My Thermaltake Armor+ just manages to fit it in, and that's an aircraft hangar of a case ^^

Thanks a lot, appreciate it

Was just thinking... I don't really have to buy a new cpu cooler now if I'm gonna wait for the Nehalem... Like I said previously, I'm not an overclocker, but would like the extra cooling (and not 2 mention the extra blue light shining from outta my case LOL

) It will look ossum next to my Logitech G15 keyboard & CybaSnipa2 Gamepad.

So lemme see if I understand correctly...

To sum up:

* I should wait with the cpu / ram / mobo for now.
* I should wait another month or 3 for the gfx card prices to drop even more.
* I can go out & but the monitor solong (they haven't really dropped in price here over the past yr) and both choices are good, In the end it's what I want to choose.

Oh ya, What about the PSU? Or should I wait with that & get one when I go buy the new gfx cards in a few months

Snograt · Jul 18, 2008, 06:08 PM // 18:08

Yup, agree with all points. Get the PSU when you upgrade the graphics card - replacing a PSU is a pain in the butt, might as well save it for when you have to open her up to fit the GPU

Go get that monitor NOW - bear in mind that the 22" runs at 1680 x 1050 and the 26" at 1920 x 1200 - your 8600GTS is used to running at 1280 x 1024 so it might slow things down somewhat until you fully upgrade.

(I assume you're one of the lucky ones with the original blue LED G15 - I got lumbered with the Mk2 version, which is great, but it's bloody orange

)

p.s. - look at this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-023-TG - it's expensive, but it's a Tagan. Absolutely first rate. It's modular and, most importantly, it glows blue! They do identical PSUs from 500W up to 1300W. If you have the cash, get one

[edit]Force of habit - just in case you're in the US - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817814014 (go on, tell me you're in the Netherlands now)

zamial · Jul 18, 2008, 06:27 PM // 18:27

I would pick out the case I wanted to use forever (mid or full). A high watt kick butt psu. The monitor. IF you are still feeling itchy waiting, get a velocoraptor hard drive. Maybe some case mods. Wait on the rest for now.

My future suspected nahalm build (core hardware only):
12 gb ddr3 ram
velocoraptor (hahaha just need 1)
1200-1500 psu (or another sli approved psu that can run 3 x280s)
evga x280 gpu (prob more than 1)
a (insert model name here) evga FTW edition nahalm socket motherboard.
The best nahalm chip I can afford.
my creative x-fi fatality extreme gamer sound card
all water cooled.
vista 64 or windows 7. . . dual boot (triple boot with xp?) ?

The case and water cooling components I will post when it is done being built. I plan I posting the build phases w/ pics of the comp here on guru.

Something else I will be building in the future is a windows home server. If you are not running 1 of those, google up WHS and build 1. The "we got served forums" are helpful for this. They are pretty neat and can be built(cheaply) in a micro atx tower/build, so they are very small.

Thanks now I'm getting itchy......

Chaos Rofl Copter · Jul 18, 2008, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Liquid Cooling, nvidia, and SLI 780i for 2x 9800 gx2

then your set for the next 5-8 years of computer gaming. Lol

i have 3x 9800gx2

Snograt · Jul 18, 2008, 07:30 PM // 19:30

Isn't that like ...6-way SLI?

Hannes · Jul 19, 2008, 01:03 AM // 01:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

It's expensive, but it's a Tagan. Absolutely first rate. It's modular and, most importantly, it glows blue! They do identical PSUs from 500W up to 1300W. If you have the cash, get one

I didn't mention a budget, I have +100k in the bank...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

(go on, tell me you're in the Netherlands now)

lol No Snograt, I'm not from the Netherlands. (I'm from South Africa...)

Here's a pic of the case (which I don't like as much anymore - thinking of selling it with the rest of my gear when I upgrade)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

(I assume you're one of the lucky ones with the original blue LED G15)

Yep, you would assume correct...

And the Gamepad:

Snograt · Jul 19, 2008, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Lol - yet another user with limited space who's said "damnit, I paid for 5.1 sound system, and by hell I'm gonna use it."

I've done that

Nice blue glowys.

Brianna · Jul 19, 2008, 04:19 AM // 04:19

Ahh, I read wrong, sorry. I'd take that system any day.. you make me feel poor! I'd buy your old crap if I could!

Hell though, definitely upgrade your monitor - I don't think it much matters when you buy that because monitors last a long time, I'll use them till they burn out which can be many many years. I just bought a new one because 19' wasn't cutting it, I have too many bars up and I get mad when the task bar is cluttered so much - so wide screen it is!

I'd personally just wait for everything though - until you are ready to build a full new PC based on the new platform coming out later. I bet by then prices are yet going to drop even more, It's definitely safe to say that could be the only outcome, might be worth the wait.

And about the case, I'd probably buy a new one too.

I want a TT Armor personally (the one Snog has) It has grown on me a bit, I like it.

Admael · Jul 19, 2008, 05:54 AM // 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos Rofl Copter

Liquid Cooling, nvidia, and SLI 780i for 2x 9800 gx2

then your set for the next 5-8 years of computer gaming. Lol

i have 3x 9800gx2

You can't do 3x 9800GX2. There's not enough gold fingers on the card for the 3-way SLI bridge to connect to.

Unless you're NOT SLI'ing the 3rd card, which would be pointless for performance... unless you use it for multiple displays? Either way, with a card like 9800GX2, you'll be lucky to get 4 years from high end gaming.

Hannes · Jul 19, 2008, 07:16 AM // 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Lol - yet another user with limited space who's said "damnit, I paid for 5.1 sound system, and by hell I'm gonna use it."

I've done that

Nice blue glowys.

HAHAHA! Yep, the speakers used 2 b set up properly, but now I've moved my pc in2 my bedroom lol, so there's less space

I'm getting new speakers tho, I've ordered the Logitech G51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

And about the case, I'd probably buy a new one too. I want a TT Armor personally (the one Snog has) It has grown on me a bit, I like it.

Hehe yeap, I'm still looking for something that I like. Will post them here later when I've made up my mind lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

Hell though, definitely upgrade your monitor

I've got some things to go do in town just now, maybe I'll go shop around afterwards

Lord Sojar · Jul 19, 2008, 07:29 AM // 07:29

Hannes:

Highest Quad Core Nehalem Extreme Edition + 3x GTX 280 55nm cards + 8GB DDR32000 RAM + nVidia SLi or Intel board + Thermaltake Armor+ ESA case + Tagan 1300w PSU = OMFG asplode.

While your at it, if you know how, do a custom 1/2 liquid cooling system or phase change (if you are really up for a challenge)

Also, for Hard drives, get a 128GB SSD and 3 300GB Velicoraptor drives.

Get a Blu Ray burner (fastest one you can find), and a DVDRAM drive (both Sata)

You will be set for a long long time.

Oh, and as for the monitor.... budgets be damned!

Just get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001098

Hannes · Jul 19, 2008, 07:35 AM // 07:35

Thanks Rahja

Just a question concerning the hdd: Are WD drives better now? I used to have 3 at one stage (not velicoraptors tho lol), bought from 2 different reputable suppliers, and all 3 hdd's got corrupt for no apparent reason

My bad luck?

I changed to Seagate & haven't had any problems with them.

Lord Sojar · Jul 19, 2008, 07:41 AM // 07:41

Their high end drives are great. Seagate is tops as well as Hitachi. Samsung makes excellent drives as well.

But, forget HDDs! SSDs are where it is at. They are going through a nice price drop in the next few months. Go for it.

And get the monitor I have above. One of my guildies just built his own PC off my recommendations, and he got that monitor. He ADORES it.