Spec.. What do you think?

[paraffin]

Hello Guys and Girls

Could you please have a look over my spec and see if you guys think its any good.

Background to my Computer Usage.

I usually use my PC for Games, the last 3 I have played have been F.E.A.R, BF2 and BF2142. The only other thing I use it for is surfing the web anbd my girlfriend sometimes plays Sims. I know I shouldn't let her but she is good to me....

Spec...

Before I start I already own a 7900GTX thats why there is no graphics card stated below.

Processor: E6300

Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

Motherboard: Abit AW9D i975X, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 667/800/400, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX

Memory: 1GB (2x512MB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)

PSU: 530W HiperPower Type-R Modular Black PSU

Case: Coolermaster Cavalier 3

Hard Drive: 36 Gb Western Digital WD360ADFD Raptor

 

[akhilles]

If you still play those 3 last games or their next in the series, you should get 2 gigs of ram. Hold off on the raptor if money is an issue.

 

[paraffin]

I do still play BF2 and BF2142 so I might look at more RAM.

I only added the raptor because it is a quick drive to run games and OS on I would store anything else on it.

Is a raptor better than a stripe drive using 7200rpm disks?

 

[powerbaselx]

I do still play BF2 and BF2142 so I might look at more RAM.

I only added the raptor because it is a quick drive to run games and OS on I would store anything else on it.

Is a raptor better than a stripe drive using 7200rpm disks?

If 36GB of space is enough for you, than yes. In this case in the near future you can buy a second raptor and stripe them also.
I'd say 74GB (16MB cache) is a better choice than 36GB for a single disk, a little better also in performance...

 

[f1nal_0men]

If you still play those 3 last games or their next in the series, you should get 2 gigs of ram. Hold off on the raptor if money is an issue.

Agreed. You could also save some money on the motherboard end. The Asus P5N-E SLI is the little brother to the 680i chipset. It has excellent performance, all the features that you would actually use, SLI capability, and overclocks like a champ.

And although Raptors are fast, I just don't see it being a good investment to buy a harddrive that small, no matter how fast. The difference between a raptor and a good 7200rpm 16MB SATAII drive isn't substantial anyways.

 

[paraffin]

I think I will probably go for the Asus motherboard it sounds like it does everything I need at a fraction of the cost.

I was not going to just run a 36GB Raptor in this machine, I also have 2 x 80GB SATA drives which I was going to use to store Music etc on..

Can anyone suggest a good hard drive instead of the raptor, preferably from www.scan.co.uk

 

[skyguy]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=345219

Very good, fast, reliable, good warranty.

 

[akhilles]

Agreed with everything above.

If money is no objection, well...

 

[paraffin]

Money being a slight issue in January and just buying a house I think my final purchase will be

E6300
Asus P5N-E SLI
1GB (2x512MB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
530W HiperPower Type-R Modular Black PSU
Coolermaster Cavalier 3
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

I already have

2 x 80GB SATA
7900GTX
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
19" TFT
2.1 Speakers
Soundblaster Audigy 2

Once I have all that built I can start to learn how to overclock without blowing it up.

PS. If you have any better suggestions for the case that wouild be appreciated. I like plain ones , no external frills preferably black

 

[skyguy]

Coolermaster Centurion 5 is a good option, like in Final Omen's sig.

 

[harty23690]

Tuniq Tower 120 for cooling.

Also if you are UK based have you tryed www.overclockers.co.uk

 

[AdamBomb42]

I vote on more RAM and drop the raptor and go with a seagate 7200.10.

 

[akhilles]

3 votes more ram. The tribe has spoken. *drumming*

I suggest a case with 2 120mm fans & a sideways harddisk cage.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=9&Brand=2177&N=2010090007+1054808287+1295819209+50002177&Submit=ENE&Manufactory=2177&SubCategory=7
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129152
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119094