wait for vista, or buy now?

[lsvtec]

And if you are running Windows don't get the Quad core yet because their (Microsoft's) scheduler sucks. Every hardware review I have seen for the quad core mentions that most CPU intensive tasks are slower on the quad core than the dual core under windows. The Windows scheduler moves threads betweeb cores often enough that cache locality becomes a big problem.

Also, unless you are going to be a major overclocker or you have a spouse or friend that works for intel, the EE isn't worth the money, go with the next step down.

 

[reikoshea]

Good system, and really no speakable markup (meaning i couldnt make that system any cheaper).

i say have at it. As for the 30" LCD, it seems a little excessive, but if you need a single large display, that is a good one.

Ive switched to dual 19" acer flat screens and i love them. plenty of room to work on code and retest. I think i would prefer them to a single large display.

The processor he's getting isnt the EE, but i agree he should probably go the next step down (for money's sake). that 6700 is a $500 chip where the 6600 is a $300 chip.....hmmmm

 

[posol]

a 30" display shows 4MP.
dual 19"'s show 2MP.

its twice the area to work with, and twice the resolution. plus, its way easier to wall mount the single 30 in front of my desk

 

[posol]

i did some reading on the board... and it requires omse weired ram that i can't find in ddr2 800...

Notice: Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets.

i can't find anything in 1.8 volt that is ddr-2 800. its all 1.9 or higher

 

[endlesszeal]

I believe those are the timing and voltage required to boot into BIOS. After that, you can run whatever you want. Check the manufacture's site or forum to double check.

You can either:

1) Cross finger and try to get into BIOS to relax timing and adjust voltage
2) Get generic RAM with less speed and voltage to boot and switch with performance RAM.

 

[endlesszeal]

Oh yeah and some RAMs do it automatically changing from JEDEC to the advertised speeds i.e. Corsairs. BTW, if you check newegg some of the g. skill and a-data kits come stand with 1.8v and 5-5-5 timing. Corsair + Conroe = FTW.

I also checked Dell's site and 3 yr with advanced exchange is standard?? But I understand you don't want to give them any money.

 

[posol]

i found some kingston that will work... kingston is decent enough

 

[posol]

this is what i have so far....

i need a case, psu, and a monitor, and i'm good to go i think...




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[posol]

that didn't paste well at all...

basially, 1.5TB of storeage, and a main small drive, all sata 3.0gbs

2gb ram

hdcp compliant car 512mb (xtx series)

 

[endlesszeal]

Holy shit, I hope you're kidding about paying $320 for value RAM. Im plenty sure the Corsair XMS will work, but even if you don't go that route, there is a lot better alternatives than to kingston value ram.

The video card is fine, but why not get a lesser card with a seperate tv card? That card will need lots of juice and it will produce lots of heat and it will be plenty loud. I would say its overkill if you're not even going to game. But hey its your money. =)

 

[posol]

yeah, the other ram that was available isn't even name brand.... at least i've heard of kingston before...

the video card is overkill, but its the only one thats hdcp compliant... and my TV, shoudl i ever decide to hook up to it, has hdcp hdmi interfaces on it.

i dunno... i haven't bought anything yet.... just prcing some things out.

 

[endlesszeal]

wow are you really doing any research b? lol...

most of the 7series nvidia and X1k series ati's all are HDCP compliant. and a few of the 800mhz kits were 1.8v JEDEC spec'd. really though, if you werent going to overclock at all, which i assume you're not, the 667mhz kits will be fine too. not that big of a hit, especially with conroe and save some cash for other stuff like a nice sound card or a good set of speakers.

 

[posol]

i know right, this is a first for me i'm the epitmy of impulse buyers everywhere. lol

i don't need to over clock. honesltly, my laptop is plenty fast for me at 2ghz w/ 1gb of ram. its just too small for me, even with the 17" widescreen. i need more area

 

[reikoshea]

never mind, didnt notice you were building youre own now...check back later for another update.

I will say that you do not want a board that is not based off the 975X chipset. Right now (in my opinion of course) the DFI Infinity 975X, Intel 975X and Asus P5WD2-E are the bust buys.

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Btw, there are 4 of those seagate drives.

 

[posol]

i dont need the dvd drives... i have dual-layer burner from my old tower i can throw in. i don't need more than 1 drive anyway... i hardly ever use them as it is.

i'll have to take a deeper look at that board

 

[posol]

also i don't need the soundcard either... the optical digital out is all i need

what I don't like on these boards is the lack of normal pci slots.

kill the 1x and 4x, and leave the 16x and 4 regular pci slots already, would ya! come on!

 

[posol]

and wtf is SLI support?

 

[lsvtec]

Something you don't need unless you are a gamer.

SLIZone Home

 

[endlesszeal]

I have a DFI board and its great, but finicky. Its really picky about RAM and power supply. Had hella of time getting it to boot with my value ram and 450 watt power supply. Seems like the concensus is DFI = AMD and ASUS = Intel for boards right now.

I would say stick to either of the ASUS P5W or P5D.. The 975x are older and more mature = stability. However, the P5D gives a lot more room and tweakbility for overclocking.

Also, why get that shitty ass Antec case with a wastefully power supply? Ive used it and its a great case, but for that money I rather have the Sonata II which is a better case all around with a lot better cooling options and a bigger 450w back up PSU. BTW, i got that solution series for $30 after rebate at CompUSA so its a great case for $30, but not for $75. Ive seen some great deals for CM stackers, Lian Lis and even the Antec P180 for $100 or less.

Lite-On = The Suck. Sure, its a good cheap brand, but if you're spending that much money on a system, AT LEAST get the NECs for a few more bucks. Lite-Ons are just friggin loud, much louder than the NECs and have a poor write quality than the NECs. One advantage that it has is that it's a GREAT reader. Have both and a Plextor and its Plextor FTW. But B doesnt need one so yeah. =)

 

[reikoshea]

yeah, ive used that dfi board VERY recently. It hates ocz ram and it requires a 24+8 power connector (which the psu i listed has). Corsair XMS cleared the problem right up.

SLI is the dual video card support for nVidia, just like crossfire (but sli works better).

The only other boards to use with a dual core are the Asus P5WD2-E and the Intel 975X. Abit has the AW9 (i think thats its code) but it has a finiky BIOS and Foxconn has a feature free 975X board. Its good if you dont want a lot of cool features.

Just so ya know, b, that ASUS board has built in wifi and it has 3 pci slots.