upgrade advice - $2000

L

Lars Schouw

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within one month

BUDGET RANGE: US$1500-2500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: stock and futures trading,
torrent, surfing Internet, watch HD movies, Monte Carlo Simulations, C+
+ and C# programming, no gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
1) Power Supply 620Watt, Enermax ELT 620 AWT, Silent
2) 3 LDC monitors, 1xEizo 19” FlexScan S2000 and 2xSamsung 21” 213T
3) Case CoolerMaster Stacker full tower
4) 3 x Smart Drive 2002 Silent hard disk boxes http://www.gup.co.jp
reviewed by toms hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,
2287.html
5) 100 mbps up/down fiber internet connection
6) keyboard, mouse, headphones, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, DVD R/RW, DCD
reader

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: kakaku.com since I live in Japan, but
will use newegg.com here

PARTS PREFERENCES: ASUS MOBO

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200 on all three monitors

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
A) I like a quiet system.
B) For over clocking would prefer some easy auto over clocking feature
since I have no experience in OC
C) Torrent traffic can be a little hard on the disks so need one that
lasts long.
D) I know that my 32 bit OS can’t use 6G memory yet, but might upgrade
to 64 bit one day!
E) Do I need a better sounds card than the build on one?

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core
Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail - $244.05
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115202

MOBO: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard –
Retail - $289.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131365

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3
12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9 - Retail -
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145222

GPU: HIS Hightech H465PS512P Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI
Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – Retail -
$141.98 ($70.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161274

HDD: 2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Internal Hard Drive - OEM - $279.98 ($139.99each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136351

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler -
Retail - $59.89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103055

Total before shipping $1,125.88

This means I still have some money left over what should I spend it on
or just stop here?
What about the new i7-950 that has that has the new D0 processor
stepping? (nice and easy OC)
 
J

JR Weiss

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
A) I like a quiet system.
B) For over clocking would prefer some easy auto over clocking feature
since I have no experience in OC
C) Torrent traffic can be a little hard on the disks so need one that
lasts long.
D) I know that my 32 bit OS can’t use 6G memory yet, but might upgrade
to 64 bit one day!
E) Do I need a better sounds card than the build on one?

GPU: HIS Hightech H465PS512P Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI
Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – Retail -
$141.98 ($70.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161274

I would go for the HIS 4670 instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

I would not put high-powered or multiple GPUs into a system without their own
coolers exhausting the hot air outside the case. The IceQ cooler is very quiet.
Also, the performance of the 4670 may be significantly better for your use (and
you can get a 1 GB VRAM model for a bit more, if you like.

I have the 4670QT512, and am totally satisfied with it.


CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler -
Retail - $59.89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103055

Check out the Noctua NH-U12P and NH-C12P:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ption=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

Excellent reviews; quiet and effective. Excellent tech support (www.noctua.au),
even pre-sale. Similar price. Choice depends mainly on fit inside your case.
I got the C12P with my Q9650.


I still have some money left over what should I spend it on
or just stop here?
 
D

Dave

You might have just forgot to mention this, but a blu-ray drive would be
helpful, I would think.

Also, I cringe when I see someone recycling a power supply (even a decent
quality one) into a new build. I'd suggest you pick up a BFG ES-800 if you
can find it, and keep the Enermax on hand as a spare, if you don't already
have a spare.
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ2NywsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

Enermax is better than most. But not starting with a brand new power supply
is a bit of a gamble. -Dave
 
T

TVeblen

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within one month

BUDGET RANGE: US$1500-2500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: stock and futures trading,
torrent, surfing Internet, watch HD movies, Monte Carlo Simulations, C+
+ and C# programming, no gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
1) Power Supply 620Watt, Enermax ELT 620 AWT, Silent
2) 3 LDC monitors, 1xEizo 19” FlexScan S2000 and 2xSamsung 21” 213T
3) Case CoolerMaster Stacker full tower
4) 3 x Smart Drive 2002 Silent hard disk boxes http://www.gup.co.jp
reviewed by toms hardware http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,
2287.html
5) 100 mbps up/down fiber internet connection
6) keyboard, mouse, headphones, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, DVD R/RW, DCD
reader

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: kakaku.com since I live in Japan, but
will use newegg.com here

PARTS PREFERENCES: ASUS MOBO

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200 on all three monitors

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
A) I like a quiet system.
B) For over clocking would prefer some easy auto over clocking feature
since I have no experience in OC
C) Torrent traffic can be a little hard on the disks so need one that
lasts long.
D) I know that my 32 bit OS can’t use 6G memory yet, but might upgrade
to 64 bit one day!
E) Do I need a better sounds card than the build on one?

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core
Processor Model BX80601920 - Retail - $244.05
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115202

MOBO: ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard –
Retail - $289.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131365

RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3
12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9 - Retail -
$109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145222

GPU: HIS Hightech H465PS512P Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI
Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card – Retail -
$141.98 ($70.99 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161274

HDD: 2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD15EADS 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Internal Hard Drive - OEM - $279.98 ($139.99each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136351

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler -
Retail - $59.89
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103055

Total before shipping $1,125.88

This means I still have some money left over what should I spend it on
or just stop here?
What about the new i7-950 that has that has the new D0 processor
stepping? (nice and easy OC)

For quieter computing a silent case is crucial. These will have large fans @
lower RPM and rubber grommets for drive installation. I use a Lian-Li
Lancool K-10 which I like a lot, but I was also looking at the Cooler master
Sileo, among others.

The Asus P6T series motherboards are excellent for overclocking. No advanced
degree required.

The Realtek sound on the motherboard is fair to good, but the software is
clunky and primitive. If you plan to do any higher end audio work you will
need a professional sound card with more robust audio control.

I'm with Dave: Get a new power supply. The new high end video cards have a
minimum requirement of 500 Watts all by themselves.

Also keep in mind that the new high end video cards are huge. I read a lot
of posts from people having issues getting them to fit into older cases
without moving hard drives out of the way. If your case is less than 18"
deep you may be in for a wrestling match!
 
S

SteveH

TVeblen said:
For quieter computing a silent case is crucial. These will have large
fans @ lower RPM and rubber grommets for drive installation. I use a
Lian-Li Lancool K-10 which I like a lot, but I was also looking at
the Cooler master Sileo, among others.
Click to expand...

The o/p already has a more than adequate case, and if he swaps the fans
out for something like the Noctua ones, it can be made quieter still.
The Asus P6T series motherboards are excellent for overclocking. No
advanced degree required.
Click to expand...

Considering the stated use, I don't really uunderstand the o/p's need to
overclock.
The Realtek sound on the motherboard is fair to good, but the
software is clunky and primitive. If you plan to do any higher end
audio work you will need a professional sound card with more robust
audio control.
Click to expand...

Personally I would put a decent soundcard in anyway.
I'm with Dave: Get a new power supply. The new high end video cards
have a minimum requirement of 500 Watts all by themselves.
Click to expand...

Except he's not selected a high end video card. He's already got a
decent enough PSU of enough output, why get another?
Also keep in mind that the new high end video cards are huge. I read
a lot of posts from people having issues getting them to fit into
older cases without moving hard drives out of the way. If your case
is less than 18" deep you may be in for a wrestling match!
Click to expand...

Except he's not selected a high end video card.
 
T

TVeblen

SteveH said:
The o/p already has a more than adequate case, and if he swaps the fans
out for something like the Noctua ones, it can be made quieter still.

Considering the stated use, I don't really uunderstand the o/p's need to
overclock.


Personally I would put a decent soundcard in anyway.


Except he's not selected a high end video card. He's already got a decent
enough PSU of enough output, why get another?


Except he's not selected a high end video card.
Click to expand...

Sorry. The link to the video card is dead, so I could not see the card. Is
the 4600 series smaller than the 4800 series? I was basing my assumption on
the "crossfire ready" spec.
 
J

JR Weiss

TVeblen said:
Sorry. The link to the video card is dead, so I could not see the card. Is the
4600 series smaller than the 4800 series? I was basing my assumption on the
"crossfire ready" spec.
Click to expand...

My 4670 is not "small"; it is still dual-width with the cooler and exhaust port,
but it may not be quite as long and tall as some of the 4870s...

OP should definitely measure the case and MoBo as installed, to ensure a pair of
GPUs will clear MoBo components and HD cages...
 
S

SteveH

JR said:
My 4670 is not "small"; it is still dual-width with the cooler and
exhaust port, but it may not be quite as long and tall as some of the
4870s...
OP should definitely measure the case and MoBo as installed, to
ensure a pair of GPUs will clear MoBo components and HD cages...
Click to expand...

Sorry, but does no one here actually read posts?

The o/p has a Coolermaster Stacker, this a huge case that will take just
about anything. And the o/p is talking about buying this for a VGA card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161274 which is
hardly huge.
And no, unless the existing one is faulty, the o/p probably does /not/
need a new PSU.
 
S

SteveH

JR said:
Yes, I read the posts, but I do NOT research the internal dimensions
and arrangement of every component each OP cites.
Click to expand...

So why pass any comment at all?
 
S

SteveH

John said:
BTW...in USENET terms, this is known as the "flame slant"
Click to expand...

Well that's odd, I've been on usenet almost sinece the start, and I've
never heard that phrase before. Can't even find mention of it by
Googling.
 
J

John Doe

SteveH said:
John Doe wrote:

Well that's odd, I've been on usenet almost sinece the start, and
I've never heard that phrase before. Can't even find mention of it
by Googling.
Click to expand...

That "Googling" is pathetic terminology. How can anyone who claims to
have been on the Internet a long time and to know about terminology use
that garbage.
 
S

SteveH

John said:
That "Googling" is pathetic terminology. How can anyone who claims to
have been on the Internet a long time and to know about terminology
use that garbage.
Click to expand...

Does it really matter whether someone uses 'Googling' or Searching'? It
the same difference as Hoovering and Vacuuming and matters not. So do
/you/ have a cite for 'flame slant'?
 
J

John Doe

Does it really matter whether someone uses 'Googling' or Searching'? It
the same difference as Hoovering and Vacuuming and matters not.
Click to expand...

It might not matter to the masses, Steve, but it matters to the literate.
So do /you/ have a cite for 'flame slant'?
Click to expand...

I would if Google had not destroyed access to the USENET archive.

Are you a Google fan boy, Steve?
 

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