Need Ideas and Comments/Input on my new PC SPECS that I will be assebling soon!?

Question

I'm building another PC - Need input on specs I put together...?
Here are the specs, and if you have any sugesstions let me know. Ideally I wouldn't mind using an HTPC case (home theater case) but I'm unsure about the air flow and cooling efficiency versus a space hungry mid/full tower.

CASE: Silverstone LC17C HTPC
MOTHERBOARD: DFI LP UT NF590 SLI-M2R/G Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 Windsor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Dual Core Processor
GPU:ASUS Geforce 7950GX2 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Dual GPU
PSU:SilverStone Zeus ST75ZF Silent 750w
MEMORY:OCZ 2GB (4 x 1GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
HDD 1:Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
HDD 2:Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
DVD-RW DL:Plextor PX-716SA / 16x8x16x DVD+RW / 16x4x16x DVD-RW / Int. Dual Layer Serial ATA DVD
CARD READER:Atech Flash Xm-4U 11-in-1 USB 2.0
TV CARD:VistaView Saber2020 Dual TV Tuner, NTSC, PCI Express

I will be doing a few things actually.. I like vista and will continue to use it, but I will have dual boot options for XP Pro...I'm looking to just have my laptop for work only, and a system that serves my intense gaming needs, Graphic Design & Rendering Needs, but can also serve as a central Media Source for movies & Music to hook up my surround and all. It's a Steep Task, but It should be fun.

Answer 1

For the high end parts you are using I would strongly recommend against an HTPC case, and recommend a full size tower case, but I see some flaws or suggestions that I would make.

First is your CPU: For the cost of that CPU I would recommend going with the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 as it gets better performance at half the price of the FX-62

Memory: Your 4 gigs of memory, but you didn't mention what the OS will be. With Windows XP home and Professional there are performance issues at 4GB (even though they claim it can support it) it will slow you down. I believe XP64 or MCE can allocate the memory better. Other than that 2GB is enough (unless you are Vista proofing, which is next to impossible anyway given your lack of DX10 support on your GFX card)

Sound: Given that you are building a gaming machine you will want good sound as well. The Soundblaster X-Fi is you best bet for quality sound. A good pair of speakers to pair with that is the Logitech Z-5500 (since money doens't seem to affect your build too much)

Answer 2

Use a motherboard with the hot p35 chipset like the Asus P5k deluxe/wifi version. Use the Q6600 cpu yet be sure you get the extra recent SLACR with the DO stepping and not the SL9UM. If youre installation Vista positioned the 64bit in. Its extra reliable and over 10% swifter. Use 2 Western digital 75GB Raptors in a Raid0 array and use a great SATA 3.0 as a garagechronic. Load it up it 4 gigs of needed Ballistics Ram because it has the micron d9 chips. Dont waste money on $seven-hundred video enjoying cards actual now because of the fact even the 8800 768MB extremely is incapable of doing what DirectX10 can do. Nvidia says its using immature drivers yet a great variety of persons think of its the hardware. come to a decision an EGVA 8800GTS 640MB superclock (under $4 hundred) till the extra recent enjoying cards come out and Directx10 matures cuz maximum directX10 out now could be basically restructured DX9. Get the 520 or 620watt Corsair PSU and a intense overall performance fan/heatsink. Clock that 2.4 Quad to approximately 3 and connect your seatbelt.

Answer 3

wow, that is going to be a screaming machine. Get a good sound card if this thing is going to be a media machine. A tad on the overkill side for a media machine, but hey, if you can afford it, go for it. Nice choices.

Answer 4

Drop the Seagate HDD and get this on instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136014

And for your primary HDD try this:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136012

Then you'll have a kickin system!