Update 5/2/09: System is now running Windows 7: Lastest updates are in my “Update on my computer upgrade” blog post.
My current system, AMD X4800 based, 4GB ram, Windows XP x64, GeForce 8800 GTS is getting a bit long in the tooth (it’s two years old now) for gaming. In addition there isn’t a good Vista drivers for the mother board’s (ASUS A8N32-SLI) on board RAID controller. I’ve also started to have problems with the system, due to me trying to move my Windows\Installer directory to another drive using a NTFS junction/mount point. For some reason all of my Installer files are gone now, undelete utilities can’t even find them and Microsoft Office and other applications are now acting up. Finally, I want to goto Vista (even though I hate it) for DirectX 10 support for some of the latest games.
So I could spend hours rebuilding my current system, minus the RAID0, with Vista x64 or hours rebuilding a new system… I choose the new system route. I will still rebuild my current system since I need a gaming system at the place we are renting in the mountains for the ski season, but that’s a lower priority then having my primary system work correctly.
With that said here’s what my requirements were:
- Intel Quad Core support
- 1,600MHz FSB support
- DDR3 RAM support
- Two PCI X 2.0 slots (for future SLI/CrossFire support)
- Can use my existing GeForce 8800 GTS
-
At least 6 SATA ports
- DVD R/W
- BlueRay (soon)
- OS 1
- OS 2 (mirrored)
- Gaming/data drive 1
- Gaming/data drive 1 (mirrored)
- Two eSATA ports (minor point I know, but I have 1 eSATA drive that contains my entire networks backups and a 2nd for “portal” music, which I have over 400GB now of)
Here’s what I purchased:
| MSI P45 Diamond LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard – Retail
Item #: N82E16813130183 |
$274.99 |
| COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case – Retail
Item #: N82E16811119137 |
$74.99 |
| COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply – Retail
Item #: N82E16817171024 |
$129.99 |
| LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 – OEM
Item #: N82E16827136152 |
$23.99 |
| Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 – Retail
Item #: N82E16819115041 |
$319.99 |
| OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3P16004GK – Retail
Item #: N82E16820227297 |
$219.99 |
| ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink – Retail
Item #: N82E16835118003 |
$41.99 |
| Total: |
$1,055.95 |
I’ll update my blog with the results once I build the system…
10/29: Got parts, but the case had some melted wires in it so I had to return it to NewEgg. I called them up and they sent me an RMA form and paid for shipping.
11/5: New case shipped out
Jason (Izzy) Sherry's Blog 