Need a new PC, but from whom?

[Rik]

So we shouldn't expect to hear too much from you then?

[scook94]

Rik, I can give a running commentary of the build progress from my laptop if you like? 

[Rik]

I think you should, preferably streaming a webcam.

[Inactive]

I think you should, preferably streaming a webcam.

So that we can see the blood pouring from your knuckles.. 

[Rik]

Not just knuckles on some of the builds I have done. 

[Lance]

Coming to just over £1300 means you could buy very nice monitor with the spare!

[Arthix]

Heh, I have the Abit IP35-Pro, Q6600, 2 GB of Crucial Ballistix (Wasn't paying extra for the tracer which appears to be the same thing except with a few LED's and comes in black for some more bling ) and the Asus 512mb 8800GT.

Seems we will have almost identical systems. My case doesn't look like a fridge though!

Two Raptors seems a bit of overkill no?

Which CPU cooler and PSU did you go for?

[Rik]

It's the way I would do it, one for system, one for apps.

[scook94]

I'm not sure yet how best to use the raptors. My current archaic PC is dual boot with Linux, so I had been thinking of Raid-0 using the raptors purely for Windows and the 320Gb drive for Linux. Or I might use 1 raptor for the OS, one for programs and the 320 for data and get a fourth drive should I decide to keep Linux. Any thoughts?

I went for the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler and some Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound, the PSU is a Seasonic X900 SS-900HP 900w. These were on the recommedation of a friend/ex-colleague who builds his own gaming PCs. Again, any comments?

I agree about the case though, it's pretty hideous compared some but it's supposed to do it's job extremely well. It'll be hidden for the most part anyway, so no point having a bling-ed out case with loads of windows and LEDs when it won't be seen.

I wasn't sure when I placed the order if I'll get all the cables I need, but I can get those in my local PC shop should it be necessary.

[Rik]

It's well worth having a couple of small drives, one for Windows, one for apps, 80-100GB will be adequate. Once you have Windows installed, move the swap file from C to D (assuming that's the second drive), which will gain you a small speed advantage. I'd go for a third Raptor for Linux, then one or two large data drives - you could consider a RAID1 for some added redundancy.

[Arthix]

I went for the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler and some Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound, the PSU is a Seasonic X900 SS-900HP 900w. These were on the recommedation of a friend/ex-colleague who builds his own gaming PCs. Again, any comments?

I wasn't sure when I placed the order if I'll get all the cables I need, but I can get those in my local PC shop should it be necessary.

900W is overkill again , you don't really need that (Mine worked fine on a 480W Thermaltake, switched to a new Corsair 620W now however), it won't really matter though. I'd reccomend the modular PSU's now after getting one for myself, so nice not having unwanted cables cluttering up your case.

You should get all the cables you will need .

Can't help with the HD setup, I just use one 500GB drive for everything .

[scook94]

900W is overkill again , you don't really need that...

hehe, are you detecting a trend here? LOL
I thought that by the time I add bd-re drives and further disks i didn't want to regret skimping in this area. Anyway, looking forward to see how it runs, FreeCell should really rock! (Do you get FreeCell with Vista?  )

[Rik]

I tend to over-provide with the PSU too. I like a bit in reserve.

[Inactive]

He has still saved £700 from his original budget, so the price of the PSU isn't that important.

[Rik]

Still some cash for a nice Eizo monitor then. 

[Inactive]

, FreeCell should really rock! (Do you get FreeCell with Vista?  )

Probably has if you can find any drivers for it... 

[scook94]

I think a new monitor is definitely on the cards, I'll need to see how my current one fares but I suspect I'm going to get dissatisfied with it VERY quickly indeed! Assuming it works at all with the new graphics card!

[Rik]

You wouldn't regret a move to a 24" w/s, 1920 x 1200. It's very easy to fit multiple windows on the screen. Or, you could make us all jealous and go for a 30" w/s.

[scook94]

Well our TV is only 21", she'd freak if I brought a 30" monitor into the house! 

[Rik]

 

Sue wondered why I wanted to go to 24" until she saw it...

[Inactive]

Sue wondered why I wanted to go to 24" until she saw it...

Boasting again Rik tch tch.. 

Sounds like a tale from an angler..

[Rik]

 

[Arthix]

I tend to over-provide with the PSU too. I like a bit in reserve.

Theres a differance between over-providing and going over the top .

My 620W is over-providing, I'd guess i'm using about 350W at most. Still.. its only £50 more than mine was and it shouldn't use any more than it needs to so who cares .

Couldn't agree more about the 24" though, I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. Fell in love with it as soon as it came .

[Glenn]

I think a new monitor is definitely on the cards, I'll need to see how my current one fares but I suspect I'm going to get dissatisfied with it VERY quickly indeed! Assuming it works at all with the new graphics card!

You could always go for something like my racing PC's display http://www.wrracing.net/pics/screens.jpg

[Rik]

Time for an upgrade, Glenn, you could move to 3 x w/s.