Building a new system but I need an expert's opinion please.

[MjWoNeR]

■AMD ATHLON 64 X2 6400+ SOCKET AM2
■ZALMAN CNPS8700 LED CPU-FAN SKT-775/AM2/939/940
■BFG GEFORCE 8600GT 512MB OC2 2XDVI-I HDTV PCI-E
■ASUS M2N-E NF500 SLI S-AM2 ATX
■CORSAIR 2GB DDR2 PC6400 XMS2 XTREME (2X1GB) CAS4
■LIAN LI MIDITOWER PC-7BSCAND V3 SVART NO POWER
■CHIEFTEC PSU 560W ATX12V/EPS12V V2.0 SLI PCI-E
■ZALMAN CNPS8700 LED CPU-FLÄKT SKT-775/AM2/939/940
■2 x WESTERN DIGITAL RAPTOR 36GB 10000RPM SATA/150 for RAID 0
■SAMSUNG DVD±R/RW/RAM DL 20X SATA BULK BLACK

I already have a WD250GB hard drive to add in the system and
a few other needed peripherals like WiFi, mouse, keyboards, speakerd and a crappy monitor


I am not into PC gaming a lot but I do try some cool games from time to time.
I do transcode video files a lot though and planning to connect the PC with HDMI to the HDTV to see some HD movies.
And I look forward in keeping this system for 2-3 years, maybe more if I am lucky?


So this is what I am thinking but I would like an opinion from an expert, so please let me know what you think!

 

[itotallybelieveyou]

non gaming purposes it'll be fine

 

[MjWoNeR]

Firstly, thanks for the input, but couldn't I make it a bit more gaming if I just added like a better or a second graphics card later on?

By the way, this is a list of graphics cards I can afford, which one is the best?

http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gpurj7.jpg

 

[MjWoNeR]

Thanks, for the thumbs up MrsBytch

Something more, do you think its worth it to give an extra 40euros to get one of these instead?
If yes which one?

■INNO3D GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E
■ASUS GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E
■XFX GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E

 

[Zorg]

He said he needs and experts opinion, not a rude one.

Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[drysocks]

MrsBytch is correct. It will be great for gaming. Is the 8800GT better? Well, yes. But for video and movies I doubt that you will see any difference between the two. Want better gaming at high resolution. Get only one Raptor, no raid 0, and get a much better video card with the money you save. --> That's just my opinion. <-- And you can certainly upgrade later if you want in any case.
One more thing. It saddens me that you want a "crappy" monitor. The monitor is what you look at all the time. Take care of your eyes. You'll enjoy the video and movies and everything much more.

 

[chookman]

Thanks, for the thumbs up MrsBytch

Something more, do you think its worth it to give an extra 40euros to get one of these instead?
If yes which one?

■INNO3D GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E
■ASUS GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E
■XFX GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB 2XDVI SLI HDTV PCI-E

In short YES, id go with XfX as they are one of the better GPU makers

 

[drysocks]

Funny Zorg: I just stuck with the content ...

 

[drysocks]

I agree with chookman too.

 

[JuiceJones]

Since you're going with AMD, definitely get the X2 5000+ Black Edition, bump the multiplier up to get 6400+ speeds and spend the cash saved on an 8800GT, all around a much better value for your money.

 

[MjWoNeR]

Thanks for the input guys.

One last question so I can finaly decide:

■What is better for general performance? 2 Raptors36gb in Raid 0 and the 5000+ clocked at 3ghz? Or 1 Raptor36gb and the 6400+? And how big the difference will be?

 

[JuiceJones]

The clock speed difference would be... 6.6%, hardly noticeable. I'm no expert on RAID performance, but would assume it would have a greater effect on overall performance.

 

[atomicWAR]

actually tomshardware just did an article on raid performance. if your gaming. its makes pretty much zero differance...

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/17/parallel_processing/page6.html#3d_game_benchmarks

and for audio and video agin its pretty minimal.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/17/parallel_processing/page9.html

If i were you i would get one raptor 36gb get the 8800gt (either xfx or asus) no matter what and if by dropping the extra hdd u can get a 6400+ do it. other wise the 5000+ will last u while if u over clock it. maybe until u put some more cash aside for a quad when there out?

 

[MjWoNeR]

Thanks for the advise. I really appreciate it!

The thing is that if I drop the extra raptor then I can easily get the 8800gt and the 6400+ since raptors are "quite" expensive. I really hope they'll lower the prices soon.


I start liking the idea of getting only one raptor, the 8800gt and the 6400+

 

[atomicWAR]

that would be a solid all around machine. congrats bro

 

[geofelt]

If I understand the transcoding video application, it consists of reading one file sequentially, and after transforming it, write it to an output file. If that is the case, you will be best served by using two separate physical drives, without raid. Your input goes on one, your output goes on the other. You would probably be happy with two regular sata drives for this usage, though the raptors would be better.