New Build

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:43

Hi all - ordering the parts for a new build in the next few days, I'm sure everything is OK but I'm open to sensible suggestions for different parts.

Already have a Coolermaster Comsos 'S' case to fit everything into with 5 x Akasa AK-274CR-4RDS 120mm Red LED Fans and a Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus Black Multi Fan Controller. An external Western Digital 1TB My Book. Acer G24 LCD.

Will be installing my existing copy of Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit. Will probably upgrade to Windows 7 at some point.

Used 99% of the time for games (Call of Duty 4 + 5 / Crysis / FPS Games).

Had a lot of trouble choosing between...

BFG GeForce GTX 295 1792MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Single PCB) and BFG GeForce GTX 285 OCFU 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card.

OCZ Agility Series 120GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (OCZSSD2-1AGT120G) and Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10000RPM SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD1500HLFS) X2 in Raid 0. Or just a single Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 10000RPM SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD3000HLFS).

Thinking the OCZ Agility purely because it seems to have the best Read / Write performance (Read 230MB/Sec?). But then again the VelociRaptor 300GB is the best value for £ and GB.

Went with the Coolermaster Real Power 850w Modular Power Supply as the 1000w reviews all complain about noisey fans? (Was only thinking 1000W incase I add another 295 at a later date). A Modular PSU is a must tho.

Creative Fatal1ty Gaming Headset (51MZ0310AA001) and Creative Fatal1ty Gaming USB Headset (51EF0210AA001).

Anyways, here's what I'm thinking...

I'll upgrade from the onboard sound to a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium - Fatal1ty Professional Series 7.1 Sound Card and Speakers at a later date. Maybe add Blu-Ray later too.

Anyway, any tips / advice you can throw my way would be much appreciated!

Clawz114 · 20 Aug 2009 at 14:56

I think you would be better off getting a standard hard drive and a smaller SSD.

That SSD is £230.

Instead you could buy a Saumsung 64GB SSD for £140, and then get a 500GB Seagate for £40.

This would save you £70, and give you more storage space. You could also get a decent soundcard with the money you save, or be 3/4 of the way towards a Fatal1ty soundcard!

Unless you really need 120GB of SSD space?

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:03

I only thought 120GB SSD as I wasn't sure I'd be able to install my OS and all my games on a smaller SSD... Isn't it better to have your OS and games on the faster drive?

Clawz114 · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:07

ShockTherapy said:
I only thought 120GB SSD as I wasn't sure I'd be able to install my OS and all my games on a smaller SSD... Isn't it better to have your OS and games on the faster drive?

Yep, that is right.

You need 16GBish of space to install Vista. After installation i believe it drops to around 10GB.

It just depends on how many games you have

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:14

I see your point. I could go for the 60GB Agility instead of the 120GB and save around £80. The performance is the same.

You think SSD is the way to go, and not VelociRaptor?

Xelene · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:18

> BFG GeForce GTX 295 1792MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Single PCB) and BFG GeForce GTX 285 OCFU 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card.

2*BFG 275

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:24

2 x BFG 275's would set me back around £330, compared to £360 for a 295. Doesn't a single 295 out perform 2 x 275's?

Clawz114 · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:36

ShockTherapy said:
2 x BFG 275's would set me back around £330, compared to £360 for a 295. Doesn't a single 295 out perform 2 x 275's?

They are roughly the same i think.

I have a GTX 295 and it takes everything i throw at it.

I would get an SSD over a Velociraptor personally. Velociraptor is fairly loud from what i've heard.

*Edit*

Infact, thinking about it. The older GTX 295 (the one i have) is a Dual PCB version, which i think IS 2 gtx 275's sandwiched together, meaning it is nearly exactly the same.

Not sure on the new single PCB gtx 295 though. I presume it has better heat dissipation, and lower power consumption.

reflux · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:39

Spending big bucks on a 295 is probably inadvisable given there are new cards from ATi out next month.

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:40

Clawz114 said:
I have a GTX 295 and it takes everything i throw at it.

What resolution are you running? My native resolution on my Acer G24 in 1920 x 1200 (Great LCD - well impressed with it).

I was just looking at the Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (SSDSA2MH080G2C1)...

Faster Reads than the OCZ, slower Write though... I'd feel better with an 80GB SSD than if I had a 60GB SSD...

Clawz114 said:
I presume it has better heat dissipation, and lower power consumption.

That's what I can gather from reading the reviews.

reflux said:
...there are new cards from ATi out next month.

Hmm, I must admit I've never been a big fan of ATi, mind you - my last Ati was a Radeon 9800 pro 128MB AGP!

Xelene · 20 Aug 2009 at 15:43

ShockTherapy said:
2 x BFG 275's would set me back around £330, compared to £360 for a 295. Doesn't a single 295 out perform 2 x 275's?

No it doesn't.

Clawz114 · 20 Aug 2009 at 16:04

ShockTherapy said:
What resolution are you running? My native resolution on my Acer G24 in 1920 x 1200 (Great LCD - well impressed with it).

I run 1920 x 1080

ShockTherapy said:
Hmm, I must admit I've never been a big fan of ATi

+1

ShockTherapy · 20 Aug 2009 at 18:40

How about the PSU - do you think an 850W is overkill? If you can trust these PSU calculators they come out around 550W - 600W, in which case a 700W should be more than enough...

Or is a better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it?

reflux · 20 Aug 2009 at 19:34

ShockTherapy said:
Hmm, I must admit I've never been a big fan of ATi, mind you - my last Ati was a Radeon 9800 pro 128MB AGP!

New cards will likely be as fast as the 295 with much lower power consumption, not to mention a fair bit cheaper. It's a waiting game to see what they bring out, but worth it IMO.

Clawz114 · 21 Aug 2009 at 12:43

ShockTherapy said:
How about the PSU - do you think an 850W is overkill? If you can trust these PSU calculators they come out around 550W - 600W, in which case a 700W should be more than enough...

Or is a better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it?

I have a very similar setup and im using a Coolermaster (same model as you have picked, just i have the 700watt)

I have an i7 920 overclocked, noctua cooler, 3GB dominator ram, GTX 295, 6 x 120mm fans, and 1 x 140mm fan, 2 disc drives, 4 cathodes, 3 harddrives and mine is fine

ShockTherapy · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:25

Thanks for the reply - I shall stick with the one I picked then.

nomadic · 21 Aug 2009 at 15:43

Hi ShockTherapy
worth confirming your Vista licence allows you to switch your Vista Ultimate to another PC. Heard somewhere that each copy of Vista is tied to a specific motherboard, and changing motherboards will require contact with MS. Dont know if this applies just to OEM versions or to all versions.
nomadic