5-box guidance

[Tiuz]

Hello,

I've finally allocated the resources and gotten the green-light from my wife (hardest part of the equation..lol) to setup a 5-box rig. I'm definitely wanting to follow a more hardware oriented setup as described by Xzin and Bradster. I've spent some time reading through alot of the information on the site here. So first off, thank you to Xzin and Bradster and the many others for contributing your knowledge. Makes a world of difference to someone like me that is not that hardware savvy. Which, brings me to my question(s). Would it be more recommended (with my admission of hardware knowleedge) to build 4 new boxes or buy a barebones comp and build up from there? Also, any and all input is welcome. Knowing the type of investment this is, I really wanna do things right and in a quality fashion. So if anyone is interested in helping me out with a bit more direct guidance. I would be definitely open to the help. Thanks for any and all help.

[Mons]

I am in the same boat. I went to microcenter today and I looks better to build your own systems if you want to save a bit and be able to troubleshoot/change parts yourself if needed.

Obviously the main advantage of getting pre-made boxes is that you get everything all installed and that will save you a ton of time. I think I ll build one this week end and see how it goes. Thinking of a 2gig intel dual core with a 7300gt. The tech said for 4 boxing the 7300GT should be enough.

If money is not that much of an issue you could get 4 boxes at once. If you dont mind spending more time I think it s logical to say you will save some cash building machines yourself...

What do you guys think?

[Slats]

I'm going to buy identical hardware, I'm then going to build the machines myself and then install everything on one PC - then I'm going to use something like Nortons Ghost and ghost it to all the other PCs and change the machine name.

I think I would cry if I had to isntall Windows XP 4 times on the same PC =)

[Tiuz]

Doing some looking around, if I understand the recommended specs as listed in the various guides on this site. I'm wondering if I couldn't get by with purchasing 4 of these:
Link to Dell
These can be spec'ed up to a nice wow-capable box (once I upgrade the video card to the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3, which I would be interested in hearing if this is a recommended card or not, the total cost came to around 679 for my final configuration btw), and they total up (for all 4) to about where the running total listed in Xzin's write up is for pc's and monitors. This gets me 4 decent pc's to run WoW (I have a decent system for the 5th already) and the 17" monitors. Would this be thought as a viable option?

[Tealuin]

Doing some looking around, if I understand the recommended specs as listed in the various guides on this site. I'm wondering if I couldn't get by with purchasing 4 of these:
Link to Dell
These can be spec'ed up to a nice wow-capable box (once I upgrade the video card to the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT-DDR3, which I would be interested in hearing if this is a recommended card or not, the total cost came to around 679 for my final configuration btw), and they total up (for all 4) to about where the running total listed in Xzin's write up is for pc's and monitors. This gets me 4 decent pc's to run WoW (I have a decent system for the 5th already) and the 17" monitors. Would this be thought as a viable option?

I bought 4 of those with the basic options except just upgraded to the 8300GS and ditched the monitor. They work just fine, I have the settings low except terrain distance maxed, and the option to load objects set to the middle. I get at least 30 FPS, and can get upwards of 60 fps at times but usually in the 44 to 50 fps range.

[Jezebel]

ive posted this before, but ill say it again anyway..

research parts and stores through the internet and then build your own (or have the boxes built at the store if youre not comfortable assembling). you will end up with much better systems, a similar (far easier to claim) warranty and much more available support.

after a quick look through Newegg.com as a reference for prices..

2gb 667 Corsair RAM - $100
GeForce 8600GT - $90
Motherboard = Gigabyte DS3 or Asus P5B - $100/$130ish
CM CAC-T05 case - $49.99 (430w PSU incl.)
generic 18x DVD - $30
17" LCD - $100
--
<$500.

thats just a quick check. im sure if you research a bit you could find the parts cheaper. any decent retailer will give you a 24 hour hot test with 1-2 year RTB warranty for assembled systems. also remember that owner run business are often willing to negotiate (within reason).. the people i went through knocked $50 off the cost of each system and threw in a free 8 port switch, because i purchased 4 systems and a bunch of peripheral gadgets in one order. all up i got 4 systems, KVM, G15 keyboard, G5 mouse, switch, cables, 4x 17" LCD's and a 28" viewsonic LCD for under $3900 AUD.

[Zseth]

Who did you go through Jez?

[Mons]

I just started building the first of my 4 boxes (doing one first then I replicate 3 times).

I am going for Lanbox cases because they will be easier to store/stack and have a handle and a small form factor

[Ohls]

2gb 667 Corsair RAM - $100
GeForce 8600GT - $90
Motherboard = Gigabyte DS3 or Asus P5B - $100/$130ish
CM CAC-T05 case - $49.99 (430w PSU incl.)
generic 18x DVD - $30
17" LCD - $100
--
<$500.

Isn't 2gb of ram a little bit of an overkill to just play wow? Aswell as 430w PSU. Very cheap though. And you could skip the DVD. Just transfer files through your LAN. That brings the sum down to around 400. And if your buying 4 computers thats about a whole computer =).

[Tiuz]

I guess this may just show my lack of knowledge for putting together PCs I was not able to find parts that equalled out to that price. I kept ending up with numbers like 730. Did the mobo you listed have a processor bundled with it? Again, hope that isn't a terribly dumb question. But I'm just trying to get a handle on the whole hardware aspect of things.