Opinions on new system

[Scott]

Hi, I'm taking the plunge and going to try and build my next system.
Main reason is because I want a 4 drive RAID0+1 array (I do a lot of
database work and want fast IO), and none of the name brand computers
can be configured with that.

In any case, I'm planning on:

Motherboard EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 Ghz) - Retail
Memory Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Graphics Card eVGA GeForce 7950GT (512-P2-N637-AR)


Case Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS
Power Supply Thermaltake toughpower W0104RU

Hard Drives Western Digital WD2500JS (4)

I'd like to get one of the new 8800 graphics cards, but I'm trying to
keep the cost < $2000, and I'll still need to get a decent LCD
monitor. However, I did opt to go with a pretty expensive motherboard,
in the hopes that I'll be able to keep it through the next round of
upgrades in a few years.

Anything above raise red flags?

Thanks in advance!
Scott

 

[Dave]

Hi, I'm taking the plunge and going to try and build my next system.
Main reason is because I want a 4 drive RAID0+1 array (I do a lot of
database work and want fast IO), and none of the name brand computers
can be configured with that.

In any case, I'm planning on:

Motherboard EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 Ghz) - Retail
Memory Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Graphics Card eVGA GeForce 7950GT (512-P2-N637-AR)


Case Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS
Power Supply Thermaltake toughpower W0104RU

Hard Drives Western Digital WD2500JS (4)

I'd like to get one of the new 8800 graphics cards, but I'm trying to
keep the cost < $2000, and I'll still need to get a decent LCD
monitor. However, I did opt to go with a pretty expensive motherboard,
in the hopes that I'll be able to keep it through the next round of
upgrades in a few years.

Anything above raise red flags?

Not really a red flag, but evga is an interesting choice for a mainboard.
Evga makes great video cards, but they are fairly new to mainboard
manufacturing, and off to a rather rocky start, from what I have read. I'd
be tempted to build with them just because I CAN. But aiming for a system
to last more than a few years? Shit, at least pick a brand that has a
history of a few years.

Also not a red flag, but if you are building to last a few years or longer,
you should be thinking seasonic (and nothing else) for the power supply.
IMHO

For the motherboard, I'd probably look for something cheaper, but a better
name brand like AOpen or DFI. Or the following might not seem like an
obvious choice, but biostar makes boards that hold up well over many years
of service:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138044

I'd trust a biostar board over an evga or asus in particular. Biostar is
not quite up to AOpen standards, but they are close. Don't let their prices
(on some of their boards) fool you, biostar boards are very good
uality. -Dave

 

[Paul]

Hi, I'm taking the plunge and going to try and build my next system.
Main reason is because I want a 4 drive RAID0+1 array (I do a lot of
database work and want fast IO), and none of the name brand computers
can be configured with that.

In any case, I'm planning on:

Motherboard EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (2.4 Ghz) - Retail
Memory Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Graphics Card eVGA GeForce 7950GT (512-P2-N637-AR)


Case Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS
Power Supply Thermaltake toughpower W0104RU

Hard Drives Western Digital WD2500JS (4)

I'd like to get one of the new 8800 graphics cards, but I'm trying to
keep the cost < $2000, and I'll still need to get a decent LCD
monitor. However, I did opt to go with a pretty expensive motherboard,
in the hopes that I'll be able to keep it through the next round of
upgrades in a few years.

Anything above raise red flags?

Thanks in advance!
Scott

There is feedback here for the motherboard. And one reviewer mentioned
that EVGA has some kind of forum.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16813188009

I'm a little bit concerned about mating that power supply to your
motherboard. There is an EPS12V spec here. The eight pin connector
has 12V1 and 12V2 on it. Your prospective motherboard has an eight
pin connector all right, but all four 12V pins are joined together.
I believe that will short 12V1 and 12V2 together.

http://ssiforum.org/specifications.aspx#powerSupplies

With quad rail supplies, another issue, is the 12V on the main 24 pin
connector, is a different rail than the 12V that powers disk drives
via the 1x4 Molex connectors. Your motherboard has the option to
connect a 1x4 Molex "for video cards". If you connect the Molex
as instructed, the 12V on the 24 pin connector ends up joined to
that Molex. So, if we follow the EVGA manual, we end up shorting
12V1 to 12V2, and 12V3 to 12V4.

If this was my build, and I was on a desert island, and I had the
Thermaltake, I'd connect the main 24 pin connector, I would plug
the 4 pin (ATX12V 2x2 power plug) into the 8 pin processor power
connector. Your processor is a low powered beast, and the 4 pin is
plenty for it. (The 2x2 will power up to a 130W processor, and the
Core2 processors are 65W.) I would not connect the 1x4 Molex, because
that is only required if you are running SLI. (Two video cards in
SLI, draw a max of 12V @ 4A each through the PCI Express slot
connectors. The 8A is available through the two 6A pins on the
main 24 pin connector. The Molex connector's only advantage, is
if they place it closer to the video card slots, than where the
24 pin connector is located.) So I would not be connecting the Molex.

So, with just the 24 pin plugged in, and a 2x2 connector plugged
into the 2x4 socket on the motherboard, I would be happy on my
desert island. There would be no risk of burning anything, and
two or three rails of the four rail supply get used.

If you really want to buy a power supply like that, buy this:

SILENCER 750 QUAD
http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S75QB

It uses a single output stage for all four rails. You can plug
*all* the connectors stated in the EVGA manual, and nothing
gets burned.

And if you don't like the price, buy yourself a dual rail supply,
more in line with the power consumption of the machine.

The 7950GT is 61W max, as measured here (scroll down).

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/geforce7950gt_3.html

The detail chart, shows in 3D max mode, the power is split more
or less equally between the PCI Express slot 12V and the Aux
connector on the end of the card. Say 2.5A from each source.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/geforce7950gt/7950gt_power_full.gif

Your 65W processor, 60W video card, four 15W disks, are not
taking too big a bite out of the 650W supply.

Again, if I was on a desert island, and I had the following
$57 supply, I might just be able to build your computer. This
unit is a single rail supply (from the dark ages), but may do
the job.

+3.3V@32A, +5V@32A, +12V@26A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103455

The processor draw would be roughly 65W/12V * (1/0.90) = 6A at 90% Vcore eff.
6A + 61W/12V + (4 * 0.6A disk) + 1.5A for CDROM + 0.5A for fans = 15.48A from 12V.

I think that Enermax supply would do the job, unless you have
a massive expansion planned. If you want to own a monster,
ready for future projects of some sort, the Silencer 750W
is a good investment, and probably quieter than the average
PCP&C design.

This one is a dual rail, which also sports two PCI Express
2x3 power connectors. Total power 485W. 12V1 @ 22A. 12V2 @ 22A.
That means the 6A processor gets its own 22A supply (overkill),
leaving the other 22A output for the rest at about 10A (plenty).

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W Power Supply 115/230 V $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194009

The ATX12V spec for dual rail supplies is here - pg.37 and 38 for pinout.
http://www.formfactors.org/developer\specs\ATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf

HTH,
Paul

 

[Paul]

Not really a red flag, but evga is an interesting choice for a mainboard.
Evga makes great video cards, but they are fairly new to mainboard
manufacturing, and off to a rather rocky start, from what I have read. I'd
be tempted to build with them just because I CAN. But aiming for a system
to last more than a few years? Shit, at least pick a brand that has a
history of a few years.

Also not a red flag, but if you are building to last a few years or longer,
you should be thinking seasonic (and nothing else) for the power supply.
IMHO

For the motherboard, I'd probably look for something cheaper, but a better
name brand like AOpen or DFI. Or the following might not seem like an
obvious choice, but biostar makes boards that hold up well over many years
of service:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138044

I'd trust a biostar board over an evga or asus in particular. Biostar is
not quite up to AOpen standards, but they are close. Don't let their prices
(on some of their boards) fool you, biostar boards are very good
uality. -Dave

OMG. You want a good laugh, Dave ? I looked at the pictures of the
two motherboards (the EVGA and the Biostar), and they are exactly
the same. You know why ? Because they are an Nvidia ref board.
Which is why the EVGA manual is screwy looking (at least partially
written by Nvidia). Who can you trust, eh ?

BIOSTAR TF680i SLI Deluxe LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138044

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

There are differences between the two products. The accessories
are slightly different. But the motherboards are the same. Who
knows what factory they were made in.

The EVGA manual is here. From Page 2 onwards, you can see those
familiar Nvidia fonts.

http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/680i manual.pdf

I guess EVGA just caught up with Biostar...

Paul

 

[Dave]

OMG. You want a good laugh, Dave ? I looked at the pictures of the
two motherboards (the EVGA and the Biostar), and they are exactly
the same. You know why ? Because they are an Nvidia ref board.
Which is why the EVGA manual is screwy looking (at least partially
written by Nvidia). Who can you trust, eh ?

BIOSTAR TF680i SLI Deluxe LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138044

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009

There are differences between the two products. The accessories
are slightly different. But the motherboards are the same. Who
knows what factory they were made in.

The EVGA manual is here. From Page 2 onwards, you can see those
familiar Nvidia fonts.

http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/680i manual.pdf

I guess EVGA just caught up with Biostar...

Paul

Shit, I think you are right. I spent a minute or two comparing the
pictures. One is marked evga, the other one doesn't appear to be marked in
the photo I was looking at. Other than that, they appear to be identical.
I wonder if evga farmed out this particular board to biostar? -Dave

 

[Paul]

I guess EVGA just caught up with Biostar...

Paul

Even ECS is making one

http://images.dailytech.com/nimage/3006_large_PN2-01.jpg
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4932

Paul

 

[not at home]

...
If you really want to buy a power supply like that, buy this:

SILENCER 750 QUAD
http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S75QB

It uses a single output stage for all four rails. You can plug
*all* the connectors stated in the EVGA manual, and nothing
gets burned.

And if you don't like the price, buy yourself a dual rail supply,
more in line with the power consumption of the machine.
...

FYI You can buy those supplies at newegg.com now. I was comparing
the pc power & cooling supplies the other day. The 610watt,
750watt, and 1k watt models all have 24A 3.3v and 30A 5v rails. The
differences are 49A, 60A, and 72A 12v rails for the three power
supplies. These are single rail 12v designs which I like. I think
that 750watt model is the way to go if you need a lot of juice. I
can't justify the price premium on the 1k watt model (YMMV). I'm
going to wait a year for video cards that use less juice which
supposedly the next gen will be. I'm using antec supplies right
now, but my next build will probably use that 610watt model.