Computer

[suicidesspyder]

Ok question the computer i am buying is 975 dollars including shipping and handleing.

Specs


Power Supply:







Clear-Top 550-Watt ATX Power Supply







Processor:







Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (9.6GHz) Processor








Motherboard:








Asus P5N-D NVIDIA nForce 750i 1333/1066MHz SLI ATX Motherboard







Memory:







8GB 1066MHz (PC2-8500) DDR2 Gamer Memory







Hard Drive:







1000GB / 7200 / SATA-300 / 32MB Cache / Hard Drive







Video:








DUAL Extreme Gaming NVIDIA GeForce 9500GT 1GB x 2 in SLI







CD/DVD Drive:







DVD/CD+RW with LightScribe







Sound:







Creative Labs Audigy Sound Blaster Sound Card







Network:







10/100/1000 RJ45 (Ethernet, cable or DSL)







Ports:







PS/2: 2, COM: 1, LPT: 1, VGA: 1, USB: 6x USB 2.0,IEEE 1394: 2x 1394a Audio Ports: 3







Software:







All driver disks and manuals are included.






DVD-RW software also included.







System Condition:







All system components are brand new.






System is completely assembled and tested.







CPU Fan:







Intel Heat sink and Fan Included








Keyboard & Mouse







Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard & Optical Mouse







My question is should i pay 99 dollers extra for windos 7 64 bit or is that to much. Also this should be able to handle dal with 5 accounts pretty nicely or do i need more ram. Insite please. My laptop is about to shit the bed lol so i am forced to go buy earlier then intended like 1 month early so. Advice on this set up would be great thanks.

[jstanthr]

windows 7 64bit would really increase your 5boxing enjoyment imo, and if possible, i would sub the dual 9500's for 1 gtx280 that would be very similar to the setup i use on the road, with 2 monitors and 5 clients and mine runs flawlessly, 45-60fps on main and clones cut off at 15-20 thru keyclone

[Ualaa]

You'll need a 64-bit operating system to use the ram.
It doesn't have to be Win7, but that's a strong option.

I'd go with Win7 Home 64-bit, if I was buying a new operating system.
If you'd like to run XP based programs which won't run on Vista or Win7, then get Win7 Professional 64-Bit.
Professional and Ultimate have an XP mode, Home does not.

[suicidesspyder]

But other then that the computer is perfectley good for just playing wow on. I mean this way my laptop can just be for vent and surfing the net so i can get it to last a little longer lol.

[suicidesspyder]

Awesome talked to the guy it will cost me $1070.00 for it with win 7 premium. It costs the same amount for all os so i say fuck it ill get the best one out there wewt.

[Ualaa]

I would personally recommend an i7 or at least an i5 system.
But it might not be in your budget.
It's just if you're spending however much on a new system, an i7 blows a Qxxxx away.
And then you get faster ram, which isn't that much more then ddr2 now.

Your system will play wow anywhere.
But might not be totally smooth in Dalaran or Wintergrasp.
It should be playable.

Down the road, you could upgrade to a SSD.
Which should be a pretty large performance boost if you want one.

My older system had the same ram and a slower processor.
The game was playable, but epic mounts in Dalaran would lose follow easily.

[suicidesspyder]

i thought i was reading it correctly when it said it had dual quad cores in it or was i smoking the purple stuff lol. I mean all i got right now is around 1200 and i am about to be without a computer so i really dont want to not be able to play lol.

[Ualaa]

I don't know why they call them Intel Core 2 Quad.
The Core 2 is misleading, but the Quad says it is a quad core processor.

It will definitely play wow.
And if that's your budget, it seems a decent price for what you're getting.

I'd still recommend an i7 with ddr3 if you can afford it.
If you can go with your existing case, video card, hard drive etc.
And get the new motherboard, ram and processor.
Not sure if you'd need to upgrade your power supply etc.

[suicidesspyder]

Well see im runnin on a laptop so nething right now is an upgrade from my dell xps. Its served quite well for a year and some change. Although, now its time i see that its letting me know its on its last legs. So get new computer restore to defaults xps and just download messenger and vent so i can surf the net on that one while playing wow on a dedicated wow system.

Just later on ill update to more ram and a ssd. I just hope this system will last for a while like at least a year. I got the money to buy system next week ill buy another monitor so i have two. One for main one for alts.

[Drommon]

I don't know why they call them Intel Core 2 Quad.
The Core 2 is misleading, but the Quad says it is a quad core processor.

It will definitely play wow.
And if that's your budget, it seems a decent price for what you're getting.

I'd still recommend an i7 with ddr3 if you can afford it.
If you can go with your existing case, video card, hard drive etc.
And get the new motherboard, ram and processor.
Not sure if you'd need to upgrade your power supply etc.

They call it core 2 quad because it is actually 4 cores in 2 dual core dies. The silicon is not on a single die. Only the nehalem chips (i7, i5 and others in that family) are single die with 4 cores. It does make a difference in performance.

OP - If it is in your budget get either an i7 or i5. You want to get latest as possible CPU. GPU can be 18 months behind. I have 2 ati 4850s. They are never used beyond 40% (I have said 60% before but I benched marked them today with wow).

Drommon

[Owltoid]

I think you can get a better computer than that for 975. I'd shop around some more.

[suicidesspyder]

I cant find netbhing better then that atm. grrrr.

[suicidesspyder]

Ok imma post some ones for you to look at tell me what one you think is best. Thanks.


http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-i7-920-QUAD-CORE-12GB-GAMING-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-PC_W0QQitemZ390115058780QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop _PCs?hash=item5ad4ab645c

http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-CORE-i7-920-QAUD-CORE-12GB-DDR-3-1000GB-HDD_W0QQitemZ320444021412QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item4a9bf3baa4

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-System-Intel-Core-i7-920-GTS-250_W0QQitemZ370276602806QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item56363493b6

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Gaming-Computer-AMD-Phenom-3-0GHz-8GB-Windows-7_W0QQitemZ370282012631QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_ PCs?hash=item5636871fd7

So what one is best for the money thanks.

[suicidesspyder]

Oh yea by the way i can get my hands on windows 7 for free family member bought it when they got it for 50 dollars lol.

[Drommon]

Ok imma post some ones for you to look at tell me what one you think is best. Thanks.


http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-i7-920-QUAD-CORE-12GB-GAMING-COMPUTER-SYSTEM-PC_W0QQitemZ390115058780QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop _PCs?hash=item5ad4ab645c

http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEL-CORE-i7-920-QAUD-CORE-12GB-DDR-3-1000GB-HDD_W0QQitemZ320444021412QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item4a9bf3baa4

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-System-Intel-Core-i7-920-GTS-250_W0QQitemZ370276602806QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item56363493b6

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Gaming-Computer-AMD-Phenom-3-0GHz-8GB-Windows-7_W0QQitemZ370282012631QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_ PCs?hash=item5636871fd7

So what one is best for the money thanks.

Well I tried beating those prices elsewhere. Have you tried ibuypower.com? I think what you listed are very decent prices. The best for the money? IDK. In each case I found myself downgrading the GPU and HDD capactity to fit in an SSD. Even doing so made the system more expensive. If this is just going to be a WoW machine then you just need enough HDD to fit the OS and dump everything else (which would be wow) on the SSD. Unless it is an Intel SSD and windows 7, never put the OS on SSD, I paid the price for that already. Anyway, good luck on finding your machine.

Drommon

[suicidesspyder]

yea its only for wow. My laptop will be prefect for messaging and vent and surfing. So i mean i guess i can get a hdd to put windos 7 on it self but, im not to computer savoy i know how to lrn2dostuff lol. But i cant just be like oh i know this. So thats why im asking for the computer and if i get a hdd what to get and how to hook it up to take the operating system and use the other one for just wow. Thanks.

[suicidesspyder]

ive actually been debating and i think the third one is the best deal and bang for my buck what does ne one else think the one that has the 12gb ram and 250 vid card.

[thinus]

never put the OS on SSD, I paid the price for that already

What is the problem with the OS on the SSD?

[Bovidae]

They write a lot. If you are min/maxing abilities: SSD=read only, Raptors for the write

[suicidesspyder]

so is it worth it to get another hdd or ssd or is the computer i pointed out
http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-System-Intel-Core-i7-920-GTS-250_W0QQitemZ370276602806QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDeskto p_PCs?hash=item56363493b6
a good enough one that will run 5 accounts no problem whats so ever.

[suicidesspyder]

Now that i look at it closely does that one not have a hard drive or is just my imagination. If not which one should i add to it.

[suicidesspyder]

Ok is it wise to spend the xtra money and get the 2tb hard drive or will 1tb do just as well just to run wow times 5 cause im close to making decision. I found a good computer with the i7 in it just need to know if 1 tb hard drive with cooling fan will be enough. If so i can buy computer and have it next week and be lag free lol.

[thinus]

WoW has about a 10GB footprint I think. If you share most of the data between all your sessions then it won't take up much more than that. In the extreme case that you copy WoW for every session then you need 50GB+ for 5 etc. So it really comes down to more of a question of how much disk space do you need for everything else?

I would suggest 2x 250GB or 2x 500GB instead of a single drive as well. It gives you RAID options and/or the option to place your OS, data and swap file on different drives.

[suicidesspyder]

Good point so buy two of these one for os one for wow.

500.00gb seagate 7200rpm sata2 udma 300 16m cache

or 2 of

500 gb hitachi 7200 rpm sata2 udma 300 8m cache

or even this one member all would be 2 of each

320.0gb western digital 7200 rpm sata2 udma 300 16m cache

thanks.

[suicidesspyder]

Also what version of windows 7 is best im looking at all of them and i see premium starter premium and all that. I mean i dont want to put an assload of money into is since i wont be using it as much as some would. But i do want the 64 bit version.

[Naysayer]

baby jesus cries every time someone buys a premade pc rather than building it themselves.

seriously, building your own pc is no harder than baking a fucking chocolate cake, and you save a shitload of money, which allows you to build an even better pc.

[suicidesspyder]

Ok read prior post im not computer savoy ok i need someone to actually do it for me. I can play wow i can do addons mods macros all that shit. I can work with almost every program but i just cant build one so give me a friggin break. Some of us arent genius with computers. Some of us excell at other things. Like my grandparents use to say if you aint got anything constructive to say stick your foot and your mouth and shut the hell up.

Sorry just get annoyed at some comments when im am asking for help and i get a tard of an answer.

[Drommon]

What is the problem with the OS on the SSD?

In my experience with windows vista and OCZ SSD there have been some wipeouts. Never really found the root problem. I put the OS on an HDD and the problem was fixed. The "never put OS on SSD" rule only applies to this case. I have seen excallent results with windows 7 on and intel SSD. I have not seen any cases of windows 7 on OCZ SSD but I would be very wary of putting OS on OCZ SSD. Could it be the SSD was bad? IDK. It works fine with no hiccups with wow.

Drommon

[Ughmahedhurtz]

What is the problem with the OS on the SSD?
What they're talking about is the MLC SSDs (older models) had a limit of 10,000 write cycles per "cell" on the drive. With smaller models, you could conceivably wear out cells on the SSD if it was a small SSD, you had a crappy controller and you put the OS on it, primarily because the swap file gets written to continuously, especially if you're stressing the system with something like multiboxing. Newer SLC SSDs have 100,000 write cycle limits per cell, are usually much larger and have better controllers, which mitigates the problem enough that you'll probably end up replacing the PC before the SSD dies.

For more info on SSD technology and the rationale behind the above comments, see this article (http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631&p=2).

[Drommon]

OP - You should try to break up the HDD. 500GB is all you need for 5 wow clients + OS. Break the HDD up into 2x250GB drives and raid them for improved performance.

I know you are not computer savvy. But if you learn to symlink your wow folders you only need a 30GB SSD. IMO this is best option. My SSD is 30GB and WoW, plus symlinked folders, plus addons and some other WoW stuff use 13GB of it.

At least learn to use RAID for HDD. It will help you a lot.

Drommon

[Fizzler]

I go back and forth between building and buying pre-configured.

I would not suggest building a PC to everyone for the average end user it just does not make sense. Over tighten one darn screw and an RMA is in your future.

I built a kick ass screaming machine just last week. Picked up parts from New Egg and Micro-Centers but I would could have bought the exact same configuration case and all for only $200 more.

The most important thing about buying a pre-made machine is making sure you research the reviews of that website or manufacturer. There are more than a few fly by night companies out there.

[Drommon]

What they're talking about is the MLC SSDs (older models) had a limit of 10,000 write cycles per "cell" on the drive. With smaller models, you could conceivably wear out cells on the SSD if it was a small SSD, you had a crappy controller and you put the OS on it, primarily because the swap file gets written to continuously, especially if you're stressing the system with something like multiboxing. Newer SLC SSDs have 100,000 write cycle limits per cell, are usually much larger and have better controllers, which mitigates the problem enough that you'll probably end up replacing the PC before the SSD dies.

For more info on SSD technology and the rationale behind the above comments, see this article (http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631&p=2).

This makes a lot of sense. This explains what happened to my SSD (it is an old one).

Drommon

[suicidesspyder]

Ok so i am going to buy the computer with the intel i7 920 2.66 ghz with geforce gts 250 1gb vid card and have it come with 2 250gb hdd. One for wow and one for os. When i buy it and get it home i will just need someone to help me symlink and overclock it. Since alot of you say over clocking it is a great thing to do. So this is the computer i choose. Member just price without os and two hard drives.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370276602806&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Price with os and 2 hdd with fans on each is 1222 free shipping and handling.. Also is there that much of a difference between 8m cache and 16m cache or would i be fine with 2 250gb 8m cache hdd.

[Naysayer]

Ok read prior post im not computer savoy ok i need someone to actually do it for me. I can play wow i can do addons mods macros all that shit. I can work with almost every program but i just cant build one so give me a friggin break. Some of us arent genius with computers. Some of us excell at other things. Like my grandparents use to say if you aint got anything constructive to say stick your foot and your mouth and shut the hell up.

Sorry just get annoyed at some comments when im am asking for help and i get a tard of an answer.

riding a bike was hard the first hour as well. easy with the hurt butt, wasn't personal. just some advice that anybody who can't should take 5 minutes out of their time and learn. How much money do you make an hour? Take one hour and learn to snap the legos, i mean pc parts together, viola you saved yourself a shitload of money.

Now if that wasn't a constructive post, I don't know what is.

[Ualaa]

I personally don't like mounting the motherboard in a case.
But that has become much easier over time.

Processors are very easy too now, compared to a dozen years ago.

Aside from those two, everything else is quite easy to do.
The motherboard manual explains a lot.
And most of the plugs will only go one way.

Lots of resources on building systems too.

Still, the last system I bought, was pre made.
It cost $200 or so more then the parts.
But comes with what they call an IPR.
If at any point in 4 years from the purchase date, anything burns out or expires, they replace the part with a brand new (not refurbished) same piece free. If they no longer carry that piece, then its whatever the modern version is.

I like that warranty, and still remember cracking a motherboard many years ago.

[thinus]

Thanks for the info on the SSDs and OS, good to know.

As for build your own, I am a big fan of the let them do it school. I always seem to find little odds and ends that cause me headaches. Either the power cables or SATA cables can't reach the HDs or the last MB I installed came without the dust cover at the back.

My previous machine I bought I decided on the components I wanted, I searched for the cheapest prices, I found the company with the most components at competitive prices and then bought the entire machine from them. Assembly cost me about $40NZ which is about $30US and when you are buying a $1500 machine then the $30 is really a joke.

[Naysayer]

Assembly cost me about $40NZ which is about $30US and when you are buying a $1500 machine then the $30 is really a joke.

i dont believe you, sorry.

show me this company, or any company that builds pc's, and i'll newegg every part and show you the price difference.

[thinus]

i dont believe you, sorry.

show me this company, or any company that builds pc's, and i'll newegg every part and show you the price difference.

Yeah, and don't forget to add the shipping cost to New Zealand as well.

[Naysayer]

lrn2postconstructivefeedbackpl0x

[thinus]

You don't think these companies charge you the shipping fee's?

I have no clue what your point is.

[Ualaa]

I believe Naysayer is suggesting the price you paid locally, has the cost they paid for shipping already built into it. So he can find the product on Newegg and with the shipping cost extra, find a savings compared to what the store charged.

Sometimes the savings is worthwhile.
Sometimes the convenience/time saved is worth more.
If there's a decent warranty and it doesn't cost too much, that's a consideration too.

[suicidesspyder]

Another reason why i am buying this one talk about warrenties.

3-year warranty on system components from original invoice date (system components is defined as all major component inside the case). We will replace or repair any system component for a period of 3 year from the invoice date. If a replacement component is no longer available or is discontinued, we reserves the right to substitute the component for an equivalent part, or offer an upgrade option.
You will receive an official company invoice with a company phone number and warranty information. Should any problem arise, you may contact us by e-mail or by phone. If a return is required, it will be promptly authorized and you may return the system or the affected part for replacementhttp://www.magicmicro.com/images/ebay_template/images/top.gif (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370276602806&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#top). See store policy (http://www.support.magicmicro.com/support.asp) for complete details.

[Fizzler]

Another reason why i am buying this one talk about warrenties.

3-year warranty on system components from original invoice date (system components is defined as all major component inside the case). We will replace or repair any system component for a period of 3 year from the invoice date. If a replacement component is no longer available or is discontinued, we reserves the right to substitute the component for an equivalent part, or offer an upgrade option.
You will receive an official company invoice with a company phone number and warranty information. Should any problem arise, you may contact us by e-mail or by phone. If a return is required, it will be promptly authorized and you may return the system or the affected part for replacementhttp://www.magicmicro.com/images/ebay_template/images/top.gif (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370276602806&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#top). See store policy (http://www.support.magicmicro.com/support.asp) for complete details.

On day 1000 turn off the air in your house throw a blanket on the computer and play Crysis :P

[suicidesspyder]

lol maybe i should heh

[suicidesspyder]

Oh man oh man. Hurry up 2 weeks. Just bought my new computer and cant wait hehe. Hopefully theyset it up in raid cause i have no idea how to. I just know how to put wow on the other hard drive so that os is on one and game on another.

[suicidesspyder]

Update computer left ohio today estimated delivery thanksgiving lol. So either tomorrow or friday ill have it man i cant wait. Its got everything i wanted for less then 1400 dollars. Will update with pics when recieve.

[suicidesspyder]

ok windows 7 is all set up and im dling wow now. Is there a reason why it wouldnt let me dl it to my d drive. Aslo after its on my c will i be able to transfer it to the d drive. Thats why i purchased two hard drives one for wow and the c drive for windows 7.

[thinus]

ok windows 7 is all set up and im dling wow now. Is there a reason why it wouldnt let me dl it to my d drive. Aslo after its on my c will i be able to transfer it to the d drive. Thats why i purchased two hard drives one for wow and the c drive for windows 7.

You can just copy the WOW folder, there is nothing installed anywhere else. I copied the WoW folder from one machine to another machine that has never had wow installed and it worked fine.

[suicidesspyder]

Ok so once ive downloaded it the c drive i can copy it to the d drive right. After i do that is there something stopping me from deleting it off the c drive so it reads off the d drive. Becuase i really just want wow on the d drive.

[Shodokan]

Ok so once ive downloaded it the c drive i can copy it to the d drive right. After i do that is there something stopping me from deleting it off the c drive so it reads off the d drive. Becuase i really just want wow on the d drive.

Restart the computer, do not run wow.

Shift delete it.

If that does not work, use norton utilities or something similar to get all the info about it deleted on the HD (unlike macs pcs just use a "able to be re-written" option for areas which are deleted)

[thinus]

Ok so once ive downloaded it the c drive i can copy it to the d drive right. After i do that is there something stopping me from deleting it off the c drive so it reads off the d drive. Becuase i really just want wow on the d drive.

Yes, you can just move the WoW folder from C drive to D drive. Nothing else to worry about it except if you have a shortcut on your desktop, in that case you will need to change the shortcut to point to the new location, or just make a new shortcut.

[Fizzler]

The only issue I have ever had with moving a WOW installation to another directory is the patch did not want to take once. Not sure why it only happened the one time.

[suicidesspyder]

Ok cool thanks imma do that and change it to d drive shortcut. But since im not using the c drive one imma leave it there just for safe keeping. Just thought about it incase something happens i have it backed up.

[alcattle]

Just in case, put the clean install(backup) in a folder or change the top level folder name so some odd program doesn't look it it instead of the folder on the SSD