Computer Input

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:01 am

I like everything on that list but the 22" acer, i dont think you will be happy with that screen. It uses a cheap TN panel that does have a fast pixel response for gaming, but comparing it to a much better S-IPS panel the colors will be washed out and contrast will be lacking. Not to mention you will have horrible backlight bleed on it. I just got rid of my Samsung 22" screen because of these issues...fooled me in the store too. I would stick with a quality 20" screen if it were me. I picked up a 20" HP Lp2065 and couldn't be happier. I believe the LG 20"ers use an S-IPS panel as well.

Just my $.02, the rest of you build looks fantastic and should provide for a great gaming experience.

<<edit: just now saw the fact that you already own this monitor>>

John · Post by **John** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:23 am

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:32 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:CPU...I'd consider 6700...start a few notches higher.

Water cooling 'n stuff...bah....way back years ago when CPUs slowly emerged at higher speeds, it was worth it. These days...they're so cheap and soon as you get one a faster one comes out...not worth it...plus they run so cool anyways, you can get high overclocks on regular air cooling...even with stock Intel HSFs.

As for the case...that's preference of the style. I'm personally not into the side view cases with lights 'n stuff, I prefer minimal, sleek, etc. But those are personal preferences. Antecs and LianLi are nice. Hard drive cages with rubber grommet mounts, etc. Not only are they (rubber grommet drive mounts) quieter, but contribute to longer life spans and less problems with your drives.

2 gigs of RAM..good, people will argue all day about RAM brands, I prefer Crucial, always overclocked well for me, Yard has gotten me into GSkill also. I'll never touch OCZ because of their scam years ago that was exposed when they were starting up, no matter how much they claim they've gone fully legit, changed management, and are sorry. I know they're legit now, and a big company..it's just something with me..."strike 1 and you're out!" kinda thing.

Raptor drive...good...can't get better unless you go SCSI

PowerSupply...I prefer Antec, Enermax, and my new fave...Seasonic

Graphics...brands don't matter much here..they're all quite the same, reference designs, the slight differences being the software bundle. To go SLI or not...eh...personally I don't, but it depends on the game you're spending the majority of your time playing, combined with your monitor. Is the monitor large enough to warrant high resolutions..and most importantly..does the game you play support playing at those high resolutions? If the answer is "no" to either of those...then SLI is a waste of money IMO.

Sound...many years ago, onboard sound was a joke. These days..the onboard sound can rival most add-on sound cards. Dunno what your sound needs are, or if you're doing mixing/editing, etc. But if just for game playing and using the PC as a stereo..might reconsider the onboards.

Ok, thanks for the suggestions man. I was actually looking at some antec cases last night. Noise is definitely a concern of mine.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:33 pm

loop2kil wrote:I like everything on that list but the 22" acer, i dont think you will be happy with that screen. It uses a cheap TN panel that does have a fast pixel response for gaming, but comparing it to a much better S-IPS panel the colors will be washed out and contrast will be lacking. Not to mention you will have horrible backlight bleed on it. I just got rid of my Samsung 22" screen because of these issues...fooled me in the store too. I would stick with a quality 20" screen if it were me. I picked up a 20" HP Lp2065 and couldn't be happier. I believe the LG 20"ers use an S-IPS panel as well.

Just my $.02, the rest of you build looks fantastic and should provide for a great gaming experience.

<<edit: just now saw the fact that you already own this monitor>>

Yeah, so far so good with the ACER *goes and knocks on wood*

I take it you like it John?

David · Post by **David** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:36 pm

I do not know if you would need SLI with a 20" or 22" screen.

Have you considered a quad core?

Izzo · Post by **Izzo** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:39 pm

Hell_Yes wrote:I do not know if you would need SLI with a 20" or 22" screen.

Have you considered a quad core?

It isn't all about need

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:39 pm

Hell_Yes wrote:I do not know if you would need SLI with a 20" or 22" screen.

Have you considered a quad core?

I've given it some thought, but haven't seen any that isn't real expensive.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:13 pm

For gaming I would still go with a dual core over a quad core cuz of the increased frequency. You gonna overclock stuff roody?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:35 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:For gaming I would still go with a dual core over a quad core cuz of the increased frequency. You gonna overclock stuff roody?

No, no plans to overclock. I will have to double check quad core stuff.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:39 pm

If your not overclocking then water cooling sounds like overkill.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:14 pm

Let me ask something. This will be the first time I have had a Raptor hard drive. How loud are they?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:14 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:If your not overclocking then water cooling sounds like overkill.

Ok

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:28 pm

Raptors arent that loud, I think my 250gig Caviar is louder actually.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:31 pm

YARDofSTUF wrote:Raptors arent that loud, I think my 250gig Caviar is louder actually.

Okee dokee. Alot of the reviews I read are saying they make a good amount of noise. Good to hear that's not necessarily the case.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:28 pm

What kind of watt power supply do you guys think I need to have with this computer?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:31 pm

Roody wrote:Let me ask something. This will be the first time I have had a Raptor hard drive. How loud are they?

not loud at all!! AND I LOVE MINE!!
Best damn HDD I've ever had! Very fast!

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:33 pm

Roody wrote:What kind of watt power supply do you guys think I need to have with this computer?

dude.. I'm tryin to sell one off not to push you on to it in this thread but its a great PS 650watts SLI certified.. check the FS thread I have up and let me know.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:55 pm

Sava700 wrote:dude.. I'm tryin to sell one off not to push you on to it in this thread but its a great PS 650watts SLI certified.. check the FS thread I have up and let me know.

The powersupply sava is selling is good, if you were to do SLI I would go for something more more.

From what I've read it seems the PC power and cooling way of using only one 12v rail is better than the 2, 3, 4 rails u see on other PSUs, PROVIDED the PSUs can handle everythign like the cpu going from idle to laod and back again without fluctuating the line, and PC P&C can do that.

With 1 GTX though, I think Sava's is good for your needs.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:49 am

Roody wrote:Let me ask something. This will be the first time I have had a Raptor hard drive. How loud are they?

Only that high pitched sound at startup..sorta like it's SCSI grandfathers.

However...when you have a good case that has rubber grommet drive mounts....you don't care if a drive is loud or not..cuz it's always quiet! And less chance for static to hit it. And less chance for bumps and knocks to potentially damage the drive.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:22 am

Ok, thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:13 am

Just bought the motherboard and RAM yesterday. I ended up going with a higher quality of RAM.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:28 pm

Quick question. Looking at the system I put in place on the first page do you guys think this power supply can handle the system? Or do I need a better one? If so any suggestions?

Power Supply:

FSP Group (Fortron Source) FX700-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Quad. SLi Power Supply - Retail

Price: $139.99 (NewEgg)

Or do you guys think this would be the better option?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817608006

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:51 pm

The ETASIS looks a little better. 4 6 pin video plugs instead of 2.

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 5:54 pm

Love the Fortrons, I know nothing of the second one you listed. That fortron appears to get some pretty damn good reviews though...Quad +12v - SWEET!!!!

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:01 pm

BTW, better check the measurements on the larger PSU's as the P180 can be a bitch to get some PSU's to fit. I have the P180 and in typical Antec fashion it is a well built, quality case and does a good job at reducing noise quite a bit. However, even as big as it is you WILL cuss at it during your first installation experience with it. Some things(mostly placement issues) just weren't completely thought through during the designing stages on the case.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:12 pm

loop2kil wrote:BTW, better check the measurements on the larger PSU's as the P180 can be a bitch to get some PSU's to fit. I have the P180 and in typical Antec fashion it is a well built, quality case and does a good job at reducing noise quite a bit. However, even as big as it is you WILL cuss at it during your first installation experience with it. Some things(mostly placement issues) just weren't completely thought through during the designing stages on the case.

That's my biggest concern with the ETASIS PSU. I don't know for certain whether it will fit into that case.

What power supply do you use in yours?

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:30 pm

I'm using an Ultra 600w Xfinity force flex
runs my e6300 @ 3.2 ghz, 2 gb ram, 7950GT, 150 gb raptor , 2 x 300 gb ide drives, dvd burner, 3 x 120 mm fans with no problems.
My rails are as follows: +5v = 5.15v, +3.3 = 3.28v and the +12v = 12.09v

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:49 pm

loop2kil wrote:I'm using an Ultra 600w Xfinity force flex
runs my e6300 @ 3.2 ghz, 2 gb ram, 7950GT, 150 gb raptor , 2 x 300 gb ide drives, dvd burner, 3 x 120 mm fans with no problems.
My rails are as follows: +5v = 5.15v, +3.3 = 3.28v and the +12v = 12.09v

hmmm I would think that the 700w I first listed would work then. If I can confirm the 750w will fit then I might go with it.

Thanks for the info man.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:58 pm

Have u decided on SLI or not yet? And which cards?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:18 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:Have u decided on SLI or not yet? And which cards?

8800GTX is definitely the way I am going. I likely will stick with a SLI PSU in the event I add a 2nd GTX in the future.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:07 am

I'm pretty sure the fortron will work, should definitely work for now.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:11 am

YARDofSTUF wrote:I'm pretty sure the fortron will work, should definitely work for now.

Okee dokee. I appreciate the info.

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:14 pm

What did you get so far Roody ?
Just curious ....

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:12 am

Rivas wrote:What did you get so far Roody ?
Just curious ....

Oops sorry I missed this man. I have the following so far. The rest of the stuff listed on the first page in here I plan on buying online starting the end of next week. The only thing I will still have to purchase that is likely a month away or so is Vista.

Computer Case:

Antec Performance One P180 Black cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail - BOUGHT on Feb. 27, 2007

Price: $129.99 (NewEgg)

MotherBoard:

EVGA nForce 680i SLI NVIDIA Socket 775 ATX Motherboard - BOUGHT on Feb. 21, 2007

Price: $249.99 (NewEgg)

Memory:

OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail - BOUGHT on Feb. 21, 2007

Price: $229.99 (NewEgg)

LCD Monitor:

Acer AL2223WD / 22" Wide / 5ms - BOUGHT on Dec. 26, 2006

Price: $299.99 (TigerDirect)

UPS:

Ultra / ULT31502 / 1000 VA / 600 Watt / AVR Backup System / UPS - BOUGHT on Dec. 26, 2006

Price: $49.99 (TigerDirect)

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:52 pm

wow nice

that UPS unit is awesome, how long can it hold your computer running, full load ?

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 2:01 pm

Rivas wrote:wow nice

that UPS unit is awesome, how long can it hold your computer running, full load ?

Thanks Rivas. In all honesty I am not sure how long it will keep things up and running. Sites usually give you an amount, but that stuff tends to fluctuate. I only have 1 computer and monitor hooked to it currently. I will switch the machine I am building to it once it is built.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:06 am

Just bought the processor a few minutes ago from NewEgg. I should have everything purchased except for the speakers and Vista Ultimate within a week.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:25 am

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817153043

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817341003 would be fine

the psu suggested by rivas is the best out there, but it's not necessary, imho.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:15 am

Oops, thanks Amro. I actually had meant to update the list properly. I am going to be buying the Thermaltake 850 one.

A_old · Post by **A_old** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:37 pm

awesome pick, that's what i went with too.