My new PC 2008 :: Configuration(s) :: Need advice(s)

Configuration 9:

Processor: Intel, E4400 (2.0GHz, 2MB cache, 800MHz FSB) - $125
Motherboard: GIGABYTE, GA-P35-DS3 (with HD audio) - $95
Memory: Corsair, 2x1GB (DDR2, 800MHz) - $80
Graphics Card: XFX, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $350
Hard Drive 1: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Hard Drive 2: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Optical Drive: LG, DVD+/-RW (20x, with LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $65
Power Supply: be quiet!, BQT E5-550W (550W) - $130

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $25

Total: $1510

P.S. Not sure, if 2GB of RAM would be enouph for Windows Vista Ultimate Edition... need someone's advice. This monitor has contrast ratio 5000:1 and brightness 300. Any comments, if the configuration is good? Thanks! Bye.
 
Configuration 10:

Processor: Intel, E6850 (3.0GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB) - $290
Motherboard: GIGABYTE, GA-P35-DQ6 (with HD audio) - $205
Memory: Corsair, 4x1GB (DDR2, 1066MHz) - $360
Graphics Card 1: XFX, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $350
Graphics Card 2: XFX, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $350
Hard Drive 1: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Hard Drive 2: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Optical Drive: LG, DVD+/-RW (20x, with LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $65
Power Supply: be quiet!, BQT E5-700W (700W) - $195

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $25

Total: $2480

P.S. This configuration is fantasy more, than reality... maybe. Here I have two graphics cards. Not sure, if 700W power supply would be enouph. Anyway, I like configuration 9 more. :) Maybe I'll change something within it and it would be my final approach with my new PC... then - I'll just go and buy it.

Edite: Still - need your comments very much on both configurations. Thanks.
 
Configuration 11:

Processor: Intel, E4400 (2.0GHz, 2MB cache, 800MHz FSB) - $125
Motherboard: GIGABYTE, GA-P35-DS3 (with HD audio) - $95
Memory: Corsair, 2x1GB (DDR2, 800MHz) - $80
Graphics Card: XFX, GeForce 8600 GTS (256MB) - $210
Hard Drive: Hitachi, 250GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $80
Optical Drive: LG, DVD+/-RW (20x, with LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951, 400W (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $65

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $25

Total: $1100

P.S. This might be the best configuration, if value... because I'm upgrading in 2 years and $1100 is not too much (I think). Waiting on your comments.
 
Configuration 12:

Processor: Intel, E6600 (2.4GHz, 4MB cache, 1066MHz FSB) - $245
Motherboard: GIGABYTE, GA-P35-DS3 (with HD audio) - $95
Memory: Corsair, 4x1GB (DDR2, 800MHz) - $160
Graphics Card: XFX, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $350
Hard Drive: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Optical Drive: LG, GSA-H55N, DVD+/-RW DL (20x, with LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $65
Power Supply: ASUS, A-55GA (550W) - $100

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $25

Total: $1570

P.S. This might be the most balanced... but if value, prevouse ones was better. Don't know, you comment it.
 
Configuration 13:

Processor: Intel, E6750 (2.66GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB) - $205
Motherboard: ASUS, P5K-E/WiFi-AP (WiFi, HD audio) - $160
Memory: Corsair, 4x1GB (DDR2, 1066MHz) - $360
Graphics Card: XFX, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $435
Hard Drive 1: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Hard Drive 2: Hitachi, 500GB (16MB cache, 7200RPM) - $110
Optical Drive: LG, DVD+/-RW, DL (20x, LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $70
Power Supply: ASUS, A-55GA (550W) - $100

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $30

Total: $2000

P.S. This might be the best gaming PC, if minding price. Big B, please tell me what you think about it... will it be a good gaming PC? Waiting on your comments, guys. Thanks.
 
It would definately be a top of the line PC. It will handle pretty much everything maxed minus Crysis. My only question is why two 500GB HDDs? Do you plan on running them in a raid 0? If you do, just remember that if for some reason one HDD goes out you will lose both and have to start over. Another thing is that PSU, I've never personally used or even heard much of an ASUS PSU. I know ASUS is a big name brand, but that doesn't mean that the expertise from the mobos will carry over to the PSUs. Just something for you to maybe think about.
 
About hard drives:

No, I just need disk 1 for OS and programs/games and disk 2 for storage.

About PSU:

It's just ASUS PSU is cheaper, than other and I think it's ok (but, thanks for mentioning).

Thank you for your comments, mate.

P.S. This configuration is smart, like I think, because I've earned some skill in configuring. Hope, that most of you would find it smart too. Thanks.
 
hey guys -
i hope u dnt mind (this is in another thread as well that i have) but i thought i could maybe put my configuration here so u guys could all check it out and tell me what you think if thats ok?

These are the components I am going to be getting if I buy a 'customized' pre-built rig:

Antec Nine Hundred black miditower,

OCZ GameXStream Powersupply ATX/EPS 600W

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4, P35, Socket-775,

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz

OCZ DDR2 PC6400 4096MB KIT, Reaper HPC,

Point of View GeForce 8800GTX 768MB, GDDR3, PCI-Express, DVI/Tv-Out, Retail

Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA2

Pioneer DVD±RW burner, DVR-212, 18x,

Creative SB X-FI Xtreme Gamer

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Eng


I would very much appreciate it if you guys could give me your honest opinions about each component in the rig - is it good, bad or ok, and what could be improved, and if it can be improved, to what??


p.s.: In regards to RAM, which latency is better CL5 or CL4??

also, who has a better hard drive, Samsung or Western Digital

and is 4GB RAM too excessive?

Thanks v. Much all - much appreciated
 
Reso, please don't doube post. We will answer your questions as well :)

Apollo, let me ask you a question man. First off, if you plan on using one of your 500GB HDDs for ONLY the OS, why do you need such a large HDD? You could prolly pick up a Raptor pretty cheap and get some nice performance out of your HDD instead of using a bigger slower one. Another thing I want to say is that the PSU is WAY too important for you to be willing to skimp out on it. If you're willing to waste your money (it really is a waste of money) on getting an 8800GTS instead of 8800GT, then why skimp on the PSU. You will get MAYBE 4 fps more with that GTS over the GT, but with an only OK PSU you may lose your whole rig. Might want to re-think that.
 
Configuration 14:

Processor: Intel, E6750 (2.66GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB) - $205
Motherboard: ASUS, P5K-E/WiFi-AP (WiFi, HD audio) - $160
Memory: GeIL, 4x1GB (DDR2, 1066MHz) - $210
Graphics Card: MSI, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $410
Hard Drive: Hitachi, 1TB (32MB cache, 7200RPM) - $315
Optical Drive: LG, DVD+/-RW, DL (20x, LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $70
Power Supply: ASUS, A-55GA (550W) - $100

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Creative, GigaWorks T40 (2.0) - $145
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $30

Total: $1980

P.S. Thanks, gazaway, for your valuable information and advice(s)... I will consider it. Now - a new one configuration with some changes. Waiting on your comments. Thanks.

Edite: The main hard disk are for OS, programs, games (and huge "Program Files" folder).
 
Configuration 15:

Processor: Intel, E6850 (3.0GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB) - $290
Motherboard: ASUS, P5K-E/WiFi-AP (WiFi, HD audio) - $160
Memory: GeIL, 4x1GB (DDR2, 1066MHz) - $210
Graphics Card: MSI, NX8800GTS (NVIDIA, GeForce 8800 GTS, 512MB) - $410
Hard Drive: Hitachi, 1TB (32MB cache, 7200RPM) - $315
Optical Drive: LG, GSA-H55N (20x, DVD+/-RW, DL, LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $70
Power Supply: ASUS, A-55GA (550W) - $100

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $30

Total: $2005

P.S. I'm feeling, like buying it. Very nice configuration. Need your final comments! Thanks.
 
Remember this HDD is prolly SATA, so you may want to put a floppy drive on there at least for the Windows install. Other than that the only bone I would have to pick would be the same I have been telling you this whole time, the new GTS still isn't worth the pricetag. $150 for 5-10% performance just isn't worth it. You could almost get two GTs and SLI them for that $410 pricetag..
 
Configuration 16:

Processor: Intel, E6550 (2.33GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB) - $185
Motherboard: ASUS, P5K-E (HD audio) - $140
Memory: GeIL, Black Dragon, 4x1GB (DDR2, 1066MHz) - $360
Graphics Card: PointOfView, GeForce 8800 GTS (512MB) - $370
Hard Drive: Hitachi, Deskstar 7K1000 (1TB, 32MB cache, 7200RPM) - $315
Optical Drive: LG, GSA-H55N (20x, DVD+/-RW, DL, LightScribe) - $30

Chassis: ASUS, TA-951 (1x120mm front, 1x120mm rear) - $80
Power Supply: ASUS, A-55GA (550W) - $100

Display: LG, L1954TQ (19-inch, 1280x1024, TN) - $275
Speakers: Edifier, R1900TIII (2.0) - $85
Keyboard: Microsoft, Digital Media Pro (USB) - $30
Mice: Microsoft, Laser Mouse 6000 (USB, laser) - $30

Total: $2000

P.S. This one is best, if minding price... maybe. Gazaway, what you mean by SATA can't install OS? Sounds ridiculous for me (plus - strange). I had some incorrect moments with prices, so now they're real I guess. $2000 total for new PC... the only thing bad, is that processor. Maybe a better/higher one would be better (but, if sticking with these $2000 - it's nice). Maybe new configurations soon... though - I still have some time, before buying something.

Thanks.
 
In order to install Windows OS on a SATA hard drive you have to install the special drivers before you install the OS. Usually this is done with a floppy drive, or if you're lucky you can use a USB thumbdrive, but usually it's on a floppy drive that comes with your mobo.
 
To clarify:

SATA hard drives DO NOT, and never have required any special driver. Where you may need a driver is for the SATA controller, and that's if you're using the controller in RAID mode. If you're not sure, then I'd certainly go ahead and spend the extra few bucks for a floppy drive.
 
Eh my mistake B. Been a while and I've used IDE for most my builds. Thanks for the clarification bro.
 
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