New gaming/multitask computer

jake_johnson · Posted: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 19:16:36 Post Subject:

I have to agree with the single 7800gt for now. It will be fine for any games etc you want to do for now. That way you can later toss in a second 7800gt card for the longer shelf life.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:27:29 Post Subject:

I thought about the hard drive setup. Found a Hitachi 80GB 7200 8MB SATA-300 for about $60. Was thinking to put two in raid-0, then having the Maxtor 300GB 7200 16MB SATA-150 for $90 for storage. So the drive that runs all applications is SATA II PLUS extra fast for the raid-0. (I am aware it has no fault tolerance, hence 300GB backup drive)

Thats $210 vs $180 for two SATA-150 300GB drives. (460gb total vs 600gb total) But I dont know about Hitachi, anyone ever had one? Ive only bought WD and Mator.

Spire · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:39:28 Post Subject:

I like the way your thinking!

My personal choice is Seagate and only Seagate, warranty, never had one fail etc...

although I dont see an SATA 2 segate 80 gig drive...

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:42:46 Post Subject:

I haev only used one Hitachi drive recently, and it was the 500GB SATA-II one reviewed here:

http://www.bigbruin.com/reviews05/hitachi7k500/index.php?file=1

Still using it, and getting ready to use it in new articles / reviews (may see a 500GB Seagate SATA-II soon)...

It performs very well, and although it doesn't have the Seagate 5-yr warranty, 3 years is solid.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 01:05:07 Post Subject:

Yeah, the hard drive idea came to me while driving home. 600gb is nice, but currently I dont fill up my two 60gb drives...so performance would be a better fit for $30.

Jason, I read your review for the 300GB Maxtor SATA-150, looks good to me for backup and storage. And unless I find another 60-80GB SATA II drive where I buy my stuff Ill go with Hitachi. As long as it is good and quiet, it's fine with me.

Now I'm deciding on MB, read review on here for the DFI and it looks great. But the Fata1ty reviews have been good also, but looks like it had some memory compatibility issues.

Spire · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 12:58:07 Post Subject:

I consider XS to be one of the premeir sites for overclocking. These guys use liquid N2, multi unit phase change, and hold tons of world records. If you are looking to overclock to the limits, check out that site HERE.

Check out the AMD subforum, and the xtreme overclock subforum. Altough there are multiple boards represented, the NF4 DFI board stands out like 4 to 1.

There is another board just coming to market that would be my choice if I were purchasing right now. This would be the new DFI ATI chipset Crossfire board. This thing will run 4 dual sided dimms at 1T timings!!!! (IF that means anything to you) Crossfire

The BIOS and other options are out of this world, Bios updates should be quick, and with some firmware, can run SLI (rumor). With this dsecision, you would have to move to a X800 or X850 ATI card to use the dual card Crossfire function.

**Modulok** · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 14:06:44 Post Subject:

I'll look into that site later.

As of the moment, my choice is DFI LANPARTY SLI-DR. Unless there are any advantages that the Crossfire has over this one, it looks like my MB.

I did have some problems with ATI drivers when XP came out, always crashed b/c they took so long with drivers for video card. So Im not sure which video card to go with. Probably want a card that will be good for a few years, then possible add another when needed.

Spire · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 15:31:46 Post Subject:

If your buying an SLi board, then you will want an SLI capable (NV) card.

your choices are, 6600, 6800, and the 7800.

This card isnt a 7800GTX but the cheaper 7800GT and has 470 MHz RAMDAC and 1100MHz GDDR3 speeds and only 369 plus a 50 dollar EVGA rebate on top of that, add in a lifetime warranty...

Tons of cards to choose from.

When things get tough, add in another and BAM!!!

**Modulok** · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 16:00:42 Post Subject:

video card can wait, im looking for good ram now, dfi-street.com says corsair isnt recommended.

Ill post when I find good match.

Asylum · Posted: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 16:13:13 Post Subject:

With the DFI SLI-DR board I've used Corsair, G. skill LE, and G. Skill FR. they all did pretty well. you can see them all head to head in this review. I also took a shot at some OCZ BH5 Ram here.