Advice Required : New Gaming/Development Rig

[[R-DEV]Jaymz]

So (provided my loan request goes though), I'll be getting my new comp within a week or two.

Maximum Budget - 1860 GBP / 2100 EURO

Here's what I've come up with so far



Here's a rundown on my reasoning

• i7 overclocked bundle - for obvious reasons...
  
• GTX275 - Don't want to get a 295 since the 300's might be coming out before next year. This will do me until I decide to upgrade.
  
• Auzentech prelude - The best gaming soundcard out there according to the headfi.org chaps (whom I trust)
  
• Coolermaster RC-1000 Cosmos - Yeah, it's expensive but it has the most important features I'm after (it's very quiet and cools well)
  
• Corsair TX 850W - So the option is there for Sli in the future
  
• OCZ Vertex Series 60GB SSD - as an OS drive
  
• Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB - As a storage drive
  
• Dell S2409W 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor - I want a good 24incher and don't want to pay for it in kidneys.

(note: I'm getting it all from OCUK because their shipping is dirt cheap and their bundle options rock)

[[R-DEV]MAINERROR]

Looks pretty good except for the SSD. I'm not a big fan of the SSDs, IMO they still are not totally well-engineered.

Personally I'd go with a Western Digital Velociraptor. It's a 10.000 RPM drive and you really feel the difference. I'm using it as an OS drive too.

Other than that the configuration looks solid.

[VoXiNaTiOn]

Rumours are the the GT300 series are set to fail, hard. These are however just rumours going around and they could turn out to be good, however the HD58xx series looks great. Either way that doesn't affect now, just in the next few months.




Most i7 920 D0's will hit 4Ghz anyway, so unless you want a 100% guarantee that it will hit 4Ghz or can't OC yourself, there's no need for the bundle. (Please note that OCing isn't guaranteed though, although the general view of i920's is that 3.8-4.2 seems to be what they will hit.)





Edit: Changed the mobo to a R2E, a bit more expensive but my mind was nagging me to go Asus lol.


Also changed the SSD to a Corsair Extreme Series, was a bit cheaper.

The only reason to go with a BFG card is to get their excellent 10 year warranty and customer service, however if the 275 is only for tiding you over, the simple Palit one is cheaper and will do the same thing, OC it yourself if you want to, the 275's like being clocked.



Also did some minor switching around and changed the case to the same one without a window (was out of stock, trying to keep you from waiting) and went extra for a Modular power supply. Also switched the keyboard for a G15 as for gaming, they are great, and for general typing they are bliss. You didn't include a mouse in your first spec, I'll assume you have one. If not, the Logitech G5 is a great mouse for gaming. It's wired, but that personal preference if you like freedom, or not having to change batteries (Although I believe the G7 has a docking station to charge it while not in use.)


Also changed the monitor to a Samsung T240 (Not in stock I'm afraid) as if you are using for development (I'll assume sound,) you will most likely make more use of the extra 120 pixels vertically, plus the colours in the monitor are very nice, and with tweaking even better.


Only other change was swapping the storage HDD for a Spinpoint F1, very fast from my experience as far as a 7,200RPM drive goes, although for storage this isn't really a large issue and you could probably get away with going to an Ecogreen F2 1.5TB to get more storage, however as this is a 5,400RPM drive it would be considerably slower. A Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB drive will offer more performance as it has a 7,200RPM speed.



Anything else I've missed or you want explaining just say mate.



Edit: Are you a member on their forums btw? If you have been for over 3 months with 250 posts you get free delivery, or if you have been for a year with 100 posts.

[Psykogundam]

looking good. make sure you get the correct wires to hook your chassi fans to your motherboard. also look into getting a heat sink, the stock heat sink on that thing may not be so good. in fact it just says over clocked bundle. if its overclocked on a crappy stock heat sink its not overclocked at all

see what heat sinks on it.

[[R-DEV]Jaymz]

Originally Posted by [R-COM]VoXiNaTiOn

Most i7 920 D0's will hit 4Ghz anyway, so unless you want a 100% guarantee that it will hit 4Ghz or can't OC yourself, there's no need for the bundle. (Please note that OCing isn't guaranteed though, although the general view of i920's is that 3.8-4.2 seems to be what they will hit.)

I'd kind of want the bundle. I do want a guarantee and would be uncomrfortable doing it myself.

Originally Posted by [R-COM]VoXiNaTiOn

Also changed the SSD to a Corsair Extreme Series, was a bit cheaper.

I'll definitely consider that.

Originally Posted by [R-COM]VoXiNaTiOn

The only reason to go with a BFG card is to get their excellent 10 year warranty and customer service, however if the 275 is only for tiding you over, the simple Palit one is cheaper and will do the same thing, OC it yourself if you want to, the 275's like being clocked.

Good idea.

Originally Posted by [R-COM]VoXiNaTiOn

If not, the Logitech G5 is a great mouse for gaming. It's wired, but that personal preference if you like freedom, or not having to change batteries (Although I believe the G7 has a docking station to charge it while not in use.)

Using a G5 atm

Originally Posted by [R-COM]VoXiNaTiOn

Also changed the monitor to a Samsung T240 (Not in stock I'm afraid) as if you are using for development (I'll assume sound,) you will most likely make more use of the extra 120 pixels vertically, plus the colours in the monitor are very nice, and with tweaking even better.

Will definitely consider that.




One thing I left out is that Irish VAT is 21.5% and only shows if you log in with an Irish account. So your route doesn't save money unfortunately (it's actually more expensive).

[VoXiNaTiOn]

(Mega rage, wrote out long reply and accidentally closed the tab )


Fair enough, in that case I'd just switch the SSD to the Corsair one, and you could probably get away with a GTX260 until you move to the 5 series/3 series.


Psko - The bundle comes with a Megahalems and Apache PWN fan, one of the top air coolers.

[[R-CON]nedlands1]

I'd have a look at the Antec P183 case. I have the previous model (the P182) and it's very quiet, has excellent airflow, isn't obnoxious looking, has good dust filters and is very sturdy. It is also £40 cheaper that the Coolmaster (but still requires a separate PSU).

Here's a review: Antec P183: The P182 Gets More Air | silentpcreview.com

[[R-DEV]Rudd]

GTX275 - Don't want to get a 295 since the 300's might be coming out before next year. This will do me until I decide to upgrade.

good choice, I have one, it works great and is so quiet!

[strickt]

remember if you do go with the 295's you can use evga's (or others) step up program and get a great deal on the 300's....

[[R-COM]Robbi]

As for the i7 bundle Vox, id say speaking to Jaymz about it, he would be better off with it, as its A: guaranteed, and B: saves me talking him through it step by step

Also the HD is a Caviar black, not an ecogreen, so is 7,200 RPM also