Dream Computers

[Corpsecrank]

The only recommendation I will make is getting a corsair single rail power supply. No matter what you do make sure that you follow this one single piece of advise because I can assure you that you will not regret it.

I have been through numerous "high end" high wattage multi-rail power supplies. I finally got a corsair 850w single rail unit. This power supply came with a 5 year warranty and if they are willing to warranty something like a PSU for 5 years you know it must be built like a tank because they really hate replacing defective units.

Not only that but I was impressed by the overall quality surrounding this particular unit. It came in a black velvet bag with the corsair logo on the front. It also came with a really sturdy and sharp looking case badge for the front of my case.

I bought this unit because I originally had a xion 650w unit that went after 6 months it was 4 rails. Newegg replaced it for free with a new xion 650w with 6 rails and modular cables. Awesome free upgrade right? Well 7 months later I was sending that unit back to the manufacturer and I got jerked around by them for about 3 months before finally getting a new unit back which was an 850w 6 rail unit with modular cables. I did not use that unit I sold it because it was a refurbished unit and I had already got tired of waiting so I bought the corsair so I could use my computer again.

In short it was a bad experience with that company on many levels. But now that I have a corsair single rail unit my trouble has ended.

The xion units were not the only ones I have had trouble with though.

The biggest issue with the multi-rail units is that you have to use all of the rails to keep from tearing it to pieces. If you try to attach to many devices on the same cable you fry the rail out and then you have to replace the unit. The power distribution in a multi-rail unit is crap.

If you buy a single rail unit you can safely attach anything and everything in your case because that one single rail was built to handle the entire load the unit was built to take. No guessing about how much each cable set can handle before it stresses a rail and kills it.

So that is my piece of advise when building your machine and I hope it helps you out. I hate to see people suffer from poor power supplies because that is an important piece of the system to consider.

 

[nate42nd]

Good PSU like Corsair HX models (modular)

And here's the case I am currently building. It's my dream case! Consider it. I have been VERY impressed so far.

http://www.thinkcomputers.org/index.php?x=reviews&id=762&page=2

Correction: Mine is very similar but has hot swappable HD cages and 1 or 2 small changes.

I would highly recommend this case to build a dream computer.

 

[Static]

That case does look very nice. Easilly giving my Antec 1200 a run. I'll have to look into it for sure further and maybe visit a Fry's electronics or computer specific store to take a look.

Good work so far. Keep em coming.

 

[z3r010]

wait is that serious? Are you really running 3 GTX 260s?

Yeah, slight overkill as I dont do any gaming and just use them for the monitor outputs, but yes I'm running 3 GTX 260s.

 

[96accord]

^ that's crazy!!

 

[Bumpus]

<snip>
Lastly. take your time, don't rush into it.
You'll have to live with the decisions you make for maybe five years, so make them well.

$1500 to spend on a new computer,

I envy you .

Just wanted to bump the "Take your time" part.

Since you mentioned "designed for gaming", well, I would start here;
Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart - Review Tom's Hardware : Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July '09
...just to understand the video card "hierarchy", if you will.

Next, I'd look at system guides, like this one; (this one may be right in your wheel house.)
AnandTech: System Buyers' Guide: $700 to $1700

A Google search would turn up quite a few of these type of guides. Reading several will help you develop a "feel" for what would work well together.

you'll only need $1000 though, so, send the remaining $500 over to me, k? :shock:

 

[Static]

Just wanted to bump the "Take your time" part.

Since you mentioned "designed for gaming", well, I would start here;
Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart - Review Tom's Hardware : Best Graphics Cards For The Money: July '09
...just to understand the video card "hierarchy", if you will.

Next, I'd look at system guides, like this one; (this one may be right in your wheel house.)
AnandTech: System Buyers' Guide: $700 to $1700

A Google search would turn up quite a few of these type of guides. Reading several will help you develop a "feel" for what would work well together.

you'll only need $1000 though, so, send the remaining $500 over to me, k? :shock:

Excellent advice which is why I've been talking to people about this for months and don't plan and racing into a purchase until november right before call of duty modern warfare 2 comes out!

And I also said 1500 dollars as a starting price a few months back knowing that by november the prices of these items will have dropped and I can compare the dream computer of now, to what's around the same price and quality etc then. I only plan on spending 800-1000 most likely. and then 300 on a massive monitor

 

[DJG]

I don't think I could really improve much on my current rig.

You could use some RAID .

PS - Unless you really use all 12GB, go down to 8GB & you'll be able to get ~50% higher memory speed ... that's what I just did .

 

[z3r010]

You could use some RAID .

PS - Unless you really use all 12GB, go down to 8GB & you'll be able to get ~50% higher memory speed ... that's what I just did .

8GB isn't a good tripple channel number.

 

[Bumpus]

Excellent advice which is why I've been talking to people about this for months and don't plan and racing into a purchase until november right before call of duty modern warfare 2 comes out!

<snip>

Dang. I wish you hadn't mentioned Modern Warfare 2.

C.O.D. is the ONLY reason I'm contemplating a new, gaming only system. I was hoping to tire of COD and just not game anymore. That would make it easier to design my home lair... and that "taking over the world" thing go a little smoother. ("pinky & the Brain" reference there )

 

[StephenJay]

and that "taking over the world" thing go a little smoother. ("pinky & the Brain" reference there )

lol :shock:

 

[DJG]

8GB isn't a good tripple channel number.

My bad - should've been 6GB

BTW, 8GB WILL give you better OC than 12GB, but 6GB is optimal using all 3 channels.

 

[macgyver2]

I have read most of the replies, for the price range your in have you thought about a gaming laptop? I am a X hardcore gamer and I have looked at alienware and they have laptops in your price range that can handle gaming and if you ever goto a LAN party or tournament you would want your gaming rig easy to carry. I had a med tower that I put handles on to make it easy to carry. With the current line up of gaming laptops though you can scimp on things like the HDD in your laptop. I just found a display model for 700 bucks that normally would be 1500 and it will handle any current games as long as I still have my skills.

 

[Static]

I've given it thought, But I don't think it'd be worth it for me to get a laptop. I just don't think the built in monitor is anywhere near as good as a normal one.

I am also kind of excited to build a nice desktop myself. So If I were to do anything, I'd end up building a gaming rig for my desktop and get a decent enough laptop that can run most games but i can take to school or work etc to keep me busy.

Plus I know how easy it is to mix n match and upgrade towers nowadays compared to laptops. I have ZERO experience with them. even something like adding regular ram I couldn't do

 

[tw33k]

I want this with my current monitor and one of these GX SSDs