first Scan system

[sleepyhead]

Oh no! Dilema. On the customisation screen I've been confronted by 120mm coolermaster case fans. I'm not sure how many to go for...assuming at the moment I think my gfx card will be 2x GTX285s. Anyone?


I can't thank anyone via options Is this because of number of posts?

Thanks (and other things such as PMs) are related to post count.

Go for as many 120mm fans as possible and make them spin slowly so its nice and quiet but high airflow (well that's what I would do).

2x GTX285s??! Insane...or why not 2xGTX295s Quad SLi FTW!!! LoL.

Let us know what kind of screen resolution you will be playing at The very top end cards only come into play at 2560x1600 resolution.

[Bletch]

Hi everyone.
Still messing with the customisation screen but here's roughly what my system would look like..

Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W Tower Case Black
Intel i7 920, 2.66GHz,
Thermalright TRUE Copper All Copper 120mm Heat Sink
3XS System Core-Logic Overclocking*10 - 20%
6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3, DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600)
1GB XFX GTX 285
1GB XFX GTX 285
1000W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
300 GB WD VelociRaptor
750 GB Western Digital Caviar
Samsung SH-S223Q/RSMN 22xDVD
LG GGW-H20L - Super Multi Blu-Ray Writer
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Vista Home Premium 64Bit

£2697ish

I'll be using my own dell 2709 27" (1920x1200) monitor and want to play all FPS games with lots of eye candy
I'm still not sure how many of these case fans to add, 2-6?

Think I might add that steel series keyboard, I hate my new razer Lycosa's backlit keys.

Quad sli Sleepyhead? Pleeease don't tempt me!

[sleepyhead]

Hi everyone.
Still messing with the customisation screen but here's roughly what my system would look like..

Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W Tower Case Black
Intel i7 920, 2.66GHz,
Thermalright TRUE Copper All Copper 120mm Heat Sink
3XS System Core-Logic Overclocking*10 - 20%
6GB (3x2GB) Corsair XMS3, DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600)
1GB XFX GTX 285
1GB XFX GTX 285
1000W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
300 GB WD VelociRaptor
750 GB Western Digital Caviar
Samsung SH-S223Q/RSMN 22xDVD
LG GGW-H20L - Super Multi Blu-Ray Writer
Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio
Vista Home Premium 64Bit

£2697ish

I'll be using my own dell 2709 27" (1920x1200) monitor and want to play all FPS games with lots of eye candy
I'm still not sure how many of these case fans to add, 2-6?

Think I might add that steel series keyboard, I hate my new razer Lycosa's backlit keys.

Quad sli Sleepyhead? Pleeease don't tempt me!

I'd say...look at the following review from the test setup and the next pages are the games they test. I would guess their test system is amost similar to what you spec'ed out.

clicky

Concentrate on the results for 1920x1200 results. You'll get a rough idea of what your new card(s) are capable of.

Your money, your choice

[Bletch]

Thanks for the link Sleepyhead..It's actually made me a little vary of quad sli I didn't realise there were still driver issues with these kind of cards, oh well looks like I'll stick with normal sli.

My mate (the one I'm always in competition with ) has just thrown a spanner in the works. I let him know of the build I was going to opt for and he's told me not to go with Vista. Even giving me a quick tour of his super machine. I came away a bit shocked actually...maybe he's done something behind my back to put me off? The main bad things that I remember were - waiting for everything to happen, exploring files on a dvd (he went and put the kettle on!!) copying bits from one place to another. I kept thinking has it crashed. I asked what was causing these long pauses, he shrugged and said Vista, get used to it.

Choosing my PC just doesn't seem fun anymore

[sleepyhead]

Thanks for the link Sleepyhead..It's actually made me a little vary of quad sli I didn't realise there were still driver issues with these kind of cards, oh well looks like I'll stick with normal sli.

My mate (the one I'm always in competition with ) has just thrown a spanner in the works. I let him know of the build I was going to opt for and he's told me not to go with Vista. Even giving me a quick tour of his super machine. I came away a bit shocked actually...maybe he's done something behind my back to put me off? The main bad things that I remember were - waiting for everything to happen, exploring files on a dvd (he went and put the kettle on!!) copying bits from one place to another. I kept thinking has it crashed. I asked what was causing these long pauses, he shrugged and said Vista, get used to it.

Choosing my PC just doesn't seem fun anymore

Well with any multi-GPU solution, the benefits are less the more GPUs you add. Hopefully that made sense.

There is nothing wrong with Vista - I'd say whatever your mate has done to Vista has slowed it down alot. My Dell Studio 15 laptop has Vista Home Premium and that boots up pretty quick. Navigation of CD/DVDs is painless as well as networking and using the laptop to Remote Desktop to my main PC. There is alot of false Vista bashing - as a day to day OS, it does pretty much everything I want it to on the laptop.

[Andy14]

There is a well documented copy speed issue with Vista. I believe that SP1 went part way to curing it. It's another items that's firmly on the "fixed" list for Win7.

A quick search of the internet will bring up all the details, but if memory serves me right it particularly effects copying LOTS of smaller files.

From your spec - remove that copper heak sink

[Bletch]

Hi all
Just a quickie before I order

If I order an extra 6GB of DDR3 for my build, could it be fitted for me or would I have to do this myself? (I've been told 12GB might be overkill, but I think it's a ggod idea as I 'll be editing a lot od raw photos in Photoshop)

Is it possible not to have the Acronis software installed? It seems like it might be a waste of space if all I'm backing up is 'My Docs' (onto a third drive)

Anyway, hope to order in a day or two

[Philipp]

Hi all
Just a quickie before I order

If I order an extra 6GB of DDR3 for my build, could it be fitted for me or would I have to do this myself? (I've been told 12GB might be overkill, but I think it's a ggod idea as I 'll be editing a lot od raw photos in Photoshop)

Is it possible not to have the Acronis software installed? It seems like it might be a waste of space if all I'm backing up is 'My Docs' (onto a third drive)

Anyway, hope to order in a day or two

Hi Bletch, yes thats not a problem we will install and test the memory for you

We can remove Acronis if you like, just give me a nudge once you have placed your order...

If you have any further questions do not hessitate to give me a shout

Cheers

[Bletch]

Hi Phil
Just ordered my system with one or two changes - with that extra 6Gb of DDR3, please install for me and uninstall the Acronis software, thanks.

Also feel free to post a photo or two if you find time

Bletch/James

[leepen@scan]

I really would suggest keeping Acronis pal, it really helps us and wouldn't just be a backup of mydocs - it'd be a pure system image guaranteed to be shiny, new and fault free!

If your OS gets corrupted through Virii or Malware, a complete reinstall will be needed, whereas Acronis can restore within 10-15mins on a reasonable system. Have a think about it

[Bletch]

Oh Dear. just reading my emails and there's a problem with payment/visacard I don't get why though. credit limit fine, I've not filled anything in wrong

[DavidM]

Please contact the payment team on the usual number - could be a number of reasons.

[DavidM]

(If you can PM your invoice number - I'll have a quick look as well)

[Bletch]

Have PM'ed you David, thanks

[DavidM]

NP - Hope my under-sized inbox lasts until the issue's sorted out

[Bletch]

Hi guys
Some lady at the bank sorted my Visa problem after a few questions regarding amount, comp vendor etc and apparently everything's okay now
Nowever, my order was placed last week, is that one no good now? shall I start again from scratch?

@LeeP Okay installing Acronis is fine, especially if it might help later on with problems Don't forget about installing the extra 6Gb ram for me...I'd faint if it turned up in a box seperate

Bletch/James
Invoice Removed
Date 24/02/2009