New computer specifications

[tbdsamman]

I've got money to burn so I thought I would get a brand new top of the line computer. :groovy: I was wondering if you guys could see if my system is top of the line or could use some better parts.

My budget is anywhere from $0 to about $8,000(Canadian).

Case: Undecided... I would want a watercooled one. (http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/scan/se=Modified%20Cases/se=Custom%20Watercooled/mp=menu_search.html)
Motherboard: Intel� Desktop Board D875PBZ (http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bz/index.htm?iid=ipp_browse+motherbd_d875pbz&)
Processor: Intel� Pentium� 4 Processor with HT Technology Extreme Edition (http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/processors/pentium4HTXE/index.htm?iid=ipp_desk_proc+highlight_p4_htxe&)
RAM: Kingston - KVR400X64C3AK2/2G - 2GB Kit 400MHz DDR PC3200 DIMM 3-3-3 (http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/partsinfo.asp?ktcpartno=KVR400X64C3AK2/2G)
Video Card: Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition (http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx800/index.html)
Sound Card: Sound Blaster� Audigy� 2 ZS Platinum Pro (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?prodid=4925)
Hard Drive One: 250GB Western Digital Caviar� SE 7,200 RPM Serial ATA RAID 0 (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=59)
Hard Drive Two: 250GB Western Digital Caviar� SE 7,200 RPM Serial ATA RAID 0 (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=59)
Optical Drive One: Lite-On - DVD 16X/CD 48X E-IDE DVD-Multi�, DVD-ROM, SMART-X�, ABS mechanism - Black (http://www.jlms.com.tw/new_p_E/jlms_165X.htm)
Optical Drive Two: Plextor PlexWriter Premium 52x32x52x CD-RW (http://www.plextor.com/english/products/Premium.html)
Floopy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black
Moniter One: NEC 22" MultiSync FE2111SB Flat CRT - Black (http://www.necmitsubishi.com/products/ProductDetail.cfm?Product=215&ClassificationFamily=1&Classification=1)
Moniter Two: NEC 22" MultiSync FE2111SB Flat CRT - Black (http://www.necmitsubishi.com/products/ProductDetail.cfm?Product=215&ClassificationFamily=1&Classification=1)
Speakers: Creative GigaWorks� S750 (http://www.creative.com/speakers/series/gigaworks/)
Headphones: Plantronics DSP-500 USB Digital Headset (http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/en_US/products/cat640035/cat1430032/prod440044)

[Rbstr]

for the case its personal prefference
Don't get that Mobo get an Asus P4C800-E Deluxe (http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/p4c800-e_d/overview.HTM)
That ram is way to expensive, and has bad timings go for two of these: Kingston Hyper X 1gb Kit (2x512) cl2 (http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KHX3200AK2_1G.pdf)
I'd go with 2 WesternDigital Rapot 10rpm SATA's WesternDigital Raptor 10rpm SATA's 70gb's (http://www.westerndigital.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=65)

otherwise its 1337

[tbdsamman]

About the motherboard, one of my friends that sells them says the Intel boards are better for Pentiums than ASUS ones.

[Biohazzard56]

Id buy a nice $3000 Dollar Comp right now and save the rest for the future.

[Rbstr]

now way man the ASUS board are much better, the pbz has PAT dissabled, and the asus board has alot more features. The intel board aren't even made by intel they are made by some third party white box dealer

[Electrofreak]

ASUS makes really some of the best mobos u can buy

[Daleon]

Forget buying a new computer and buy a new escalade instead. Geez, little cash to burn? I'd go with The One Personal Super Computer or a Mach 3.8 system from L systems.

http://www.go-l.com/news/product_news/2004/index.htm

You won't be able to buy that video card until July 1st or later prolly. For really high end I'd also go with like 2 raptor 74 gig drives in raid 0 and then a 250 for storage. Also the plextor 712SA is out, so get that over the plexwriter maybe if you were into it. With technology going through such a major changes over next 6 months buying anything like this now is bad timing though.

[Acaila]

Seriously, if you have the kind of money, FX-53.

And ditch the Plantronics, Sennheiser PC150's the shit.

[Rbstr]

yeah you could wait for a bit and be able to get teh X800 XT (the pro version is out) with a very nice socker 939 FX-55 system

[dscytherulez]

If you got $8,000 to burn, go with the Mach 3.8, like Daleon said, that thing is a beast. If you got the money, why not buy the best? :lol:

That system is really nice, but Rbstr, I think 2 250 GB 7200RPM HD's in Raid0 would be PLENTY fast enough. I think 10,000's would be overkill at this point.

That computer would be the shit, but yeah go with an asus mobo for sure.

[TekDragon]

Asus P4C800-E Deluxe is the best motherboard. Period.

I would suggest going with a pioneer HDJ1000 headphone. DJ Quality, exceptional sound, very comfortable, and they look fuking sweet.

For RAM I would suggest either Kingston or OCZ. I've heard Kingston has good reliability while OCZ has excellent compatability and timings. Corsair is for losers who buy Alienwares.

[Vitter]

Wish I could have gotten in earlier to add my 2cents.

Agreed with Rbstr and TekDragon on the Asus P4C800-E Deluxe.

7200 on RAID-0 will be plenty. Definately suggest going with Seagate, anything else and your begging for lower quality.

Dunno much about Headphones but i looked up the Pioneer and the Sennheisner ones suggested. I think i'd go with the Pioneer, i remember a friend at college having them, he loved em.

As others suggested, Kingston is good. Tek, however, was right on the money with OCZ. If you got the money, go with the 2x512 (1gig) DDR500 Dual Channel Gold edition. I'm running them and I can do anything with my computer, including running SWG at max settings with 2-3 games in the background (usually Generals and Battlefield).

[Rbstr]

The WD 250 simply canot be beat in performance in 7,200 rpm, but the Seagate is much quieter, it depends on what you want

[TekDragon]

Of course Rbstr, but when running a RAID-0 array that performance goes beyond overkill.

[Rbstr]

the 250 is not a 10k drive its that one he had up there.

Heres some benches for people to look at for SATA drives:
http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/200311141/index.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20031219/index.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20030501/index.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20040123/index.html

[TekDragon]

Oh, my apoligies then. I made an assumption. I'll go check out that link now - i'd be suprised to find something superior to a Seagate. Just wondering about the price..

[Rbstr]

no problem, i added some more links from THG if you guys want more i'll dig some up

[TekDragon]

Seagate did a good job - the new 200 GB Barracuda 7200.7 is currently the fastest UltraATA drive in terms of transfer rates. With up to 64 MB/s, it even outperforms Western Digital's WD360 Raptor drive, which runs at 10,000 rpm. However, the transfer speeds at the end of the medium cannot cannot compete with the Raptor of course.

[Rbstr]

oh i may be proven wrong wich one was that from, i may not have read it

[TekDragon]

http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20040209/index.html

[Acaila]

Sennheiser shits all over Pioneer ffs.

[TekDragon]

Sennheiser shits all over Pioneer ffs.

:rolleyes:

By any chance would you happen to be an Nvidia fanboy?

[tbdsamman]

Forget buying a new computer and buy a new escalade instead. Geez, little cash to burn? I'd go with The One Personal Super Computer or a Mach 3.8 system from L systems.

http://www.go-l.com/news/product_news/2004/index.htm

You won't be able to buy that video card until July 1st or later prolly. For really high end I'd also go with like 2 raptor 74 gig drives in raid 0 and then a 250 for storage. Also the plextor 712SA is out, so get that over the plexwriter maybe if you were into it. With technology going through such a major changes over next 6 months buying anything like this now is bad timing though.

Yeah I think thats whats going to happen in the end.

[Daleon]

I think I saw a deal on hitachi desktar 250 gig drives for $105 after rebates and WD 250 gig'ers for $140 after rebates. Check AT forums/hot deals. Some awesome deals.

Personally I don't believe there is anything such thing as overkill, especially when it comes to HD read/write speed. I can ALWAYS find something that will push even the fastest setup's to their limits.

[Acaila]

:rolleyes:

By any chance would you happen to be an Nvidia fanboy?
Oh god. Do you seriously believe that thinking Sennheiser is better than Pioneer makes me a fanboi?

[TekDragon]

Oh god. Do you seriously believe that thinking Sennheiser is better than Pioneer makes me a fanboi?

Yes, because if you weren't a fan boy you would do your research. You would know that I suggested to him DJ quality headphones.

If you had done research you would have gone to DJ websites and found that "Headphone selection" is one of the BIGGEST topics of discussion.

And, while Pioneer is not the BEST, it does, however, beat Sennheiser hands down in DJ quality sound/coverage/comfort. The exact model I suggested is almost always ranked in the top 3 favorite DJ quality headphones.

So do some research and come up with something better than "Pioneer sucks, Sennheiser r0x0rz" if you don't like the fanboy label.

[Electrofreak]

Now, you sound like a Pioneer fanboi to me. Seriously guys, don't get into the whole fanboi arguement thing.

Also, arent DJ headphones typically open-air? Wouldn't a gamer want closed headphones?
Im not a headphone expert but this Sennheiser vs Pioneer thing seems a lot like an AMD vs Intel arguement to me. I say this because before I wrote this post, I read a random review on each of the companies high-end headphones from the same website. (http://www4.head-fi.org/) Both recieved high praise, though, to be honest, I didn't understand half of what they were saying. Also, the reviews were very intangible in nature, essentially, there weren't any hard numbers in them. It was all stuff like "The midrange was powerful at high volumes, yet seemed a bit supressed at lower volumes...".

Without any hard numbers in these reviews one cannot say "THESE HEAPHONES ARE BETTAR THAN THOSE!!!one1". It comes down to personal preferance it seems to me.

::Sprays his fire extinguisher over Acaila and TekDragon::

[TekDragon]

1. This started out with me suggesting Pioneer, someone else seconding it, then Acaila coming in a basically saying "Pioneer sucks, Sennheiser rocks" with no reason what-so-ever.

2. DJ Headphones are closed air.

3. DJ Headphones are the epitomy of high quality sound. Great highs, great lows, and everything in between. No canniness, no far off sound.

4. Commercial and amatuer DJ's take their headphones VERY seriously. Pioneer's HDJ1000 happens to be one of the favored DJ Headphones. Sennheisners are not.


I don't see how any of that is me being a pioneer fanboy. I will be the first to admit that if you want a open air non-DJ quality headphone go with something else. If you want a built in mic, go with something else. However, if you want excellent sound quality in a closed environment then go with the HDJ-1000.

That's my recomendation. I don't appreciate getting flamed for that with a "Omg! Dude! Pioneer is t3h sux0r! Go w/ Sennheisner cause I think it's l33t dude!"

To continue with the STRUCTURED INFORMED DEBATE, of which Acaila has no interest in participating in: heres a pic of the Pioneer HDJ-1000

http://zalmar.com/images/HDJ1000.jpg
3,500 mW of maximum input allowing high sound volume with best possible clarity
ear pad fully encompasses each ear
Both ear pads have a swivel mechanism allowing the ultra-light HDJ-1000 to be manipulated to any desired position
plush padding makes it possible for music professionals to wear the headphones for hours of listening pleasure
compact folding design
ear pads made of a tear resistant material
special screws that hold the cord in place, making it simple to replace the cord should the need arise


You can get them for around $100

[Electrofreak]

Dude, enough. Acaila has never said that he is not interested in a structured informed debate. He said one statement and it set you off. He obviously had a reason for saying that, whether it be an informed statement or not.

Reading the reviews at head-fi.com, I'm seeing a lot of high praise for both Pioneer and Sennheiser. TekDragon, if you are seeing websites that specifically say Pioneer is better, why don't you post the links, and settle the discussion. I'm just trying to prevent a flamewar on a good thread here. I'm sure Acaila is willing to explain why he believes Sennheiser is better; TekDragon, relax a bit dude.

Christ, I'll bet that if a typical gamer like me put on high-end headphones from both of these companies, I wouldn't hear a goddamn difference. ::Shrugs:: I'm sure a DJ may notice a difference, but most of us here are gamers. All we want to hear is explosions and the screams of our enemies. Whether those screams have "optimal high-frequency clarity" and the explosions have "powerful tone with no muddy bass" probably won't matter much. I'm sure both companies make perfectly good headphones for a gamer. Whether they make the best DJ headphones or not, TekDragon and Acaila can argue about that, but I really don't think its an issue that relates to the topic (a good pair of gaming headphones).

edit- sorry if I'm acting like a moderator or something... I just hate seeing good threads turn into flamewars over stupid stuff. Rbstr man where are you? This is YOUR job! :p

[TekDragon]

Notice i didn't much explemplify the sound differences.

When i listed the points i listed the comfort, durability, and cost as the main reasons to go Pioneer.

If your looking at JUST sound quality then, again, I would still go for Pioneer HDJ-1000 but i realize that for gamers once you hit a certain sound thresh-hold it becomes a moot point and the comfrot and durability (with the cost) play a MUCH bigger part in picking.

[Acaila]

@TekDragon
Well, I think you over reacted a little bit considering I suggested Sennheiser before your 7 ugly heads reared in this thread. That's right, this started off with me suggesting Sennheiser before you even posted. But you wouldn't know that, you just came bashing into this thread with your own know-it-all agenda and didn't bother reading any of the replys before yours, didn't you? Perhaps your monitor is upside down? Now don't you look stupid.

Perhaps you have been stuffing too many tissues in your bra today and need a little time out, son. But if you feel up to it, how bout a reply without you insulting me? You think I flamed you? Paranoid aren't we.

First off, I suggested the PC150s, which if you had bothered to read the thread, you would know I had and with your extensive knowledge on the subject, would realise is a headset. A headset which costs significantly less than DJ quality headphones, and is ideal for gaming and voice coms aswell as music, they are designed to be used with a PC.

Secondly, you have a source for Pioneer headphones being better than Sennheiser "hands down"? You have a source that says "commercial DJs favour Pioneer over Sennheiser"? Because quite frankly, I am going to call bullshit on that. They are both fine choices and many professional DJs do use Sennheiser as many also use Pioneer. Perhaps now would be a good time to stop making up facts? Or stop taking what your little disco bunny raver friends tell you as gospel?

Here is why I think Sennheiser is superior. I have owned a set of SE-DJ5000s and a set of HD-25s. I liked the HD-25s alot more, they were more comfortable, they weren't brittle as fuck like the SE-DJ5000s and all the parts are replaceable. You appear to be budget conscious, perhaps the idea that if you somehow break them, they can be easily and cheaply repaired appeals to you? I broke the cable on my HD-25s, cost me $9 to repair them. Just got a new cable. You can do that with every part on them.

Now I realise that the 2 headphones I owned are not the top of the line models, sorry, but personal experience leads me to say "Sennheiser is better than Pioneer".

I am not a professional DJ, so perhaps not being in "the biz" means my opinion is worthless in your eyes. I may have money to waste on shit like this, but I don't make stupid purchases. I would buy Sennheiser over Pioneer for my HiFi use because I am happier with how Sennheiser performs. For my PC use? Well, I use PC150s and am very happy with them.

Alrighty, fuck this, I am done with this topic. Say what you want, claim what you want. Whatever. Reading crap like this gives me the shits.

[tbdsamman]

Please drop it! I wanted this to be a forum to discuss the top of the line products I can slap into a computer to make it sweet, but if you want to flame... :rofl: make a new topic.

Now I don't want just headphones, I want a headset so I can use TeamSpeak. :doh: What would be sweeter is if I could find a wireless headset with a charging base (none of that BlueTooth crap).

[Rbstr]

Ok Time to quit the flames ok? As in no more, this is starting to become a problem here. And i don't like it.

@ Electro, yeah i've been fidling wiht XP all day, i got the CPU but Windows corupted itself by sheer coincidence so i had to do a whoel fucking reinstall ect. i'll make a thread about it

[TekDragon]

@ Acaila. Wow. You are a fuking riot.

You compare a $150-$200 Sennheisner headphone to a Pioneer headphone that costs HALF to a THIRD as much and which i NEVER recomended and NEVER even mentioned (SEDJ5000 vs HD-25) and you use THAT as your argument as to why the HDJ-1000 is inferior?!

You have GOT to be joking.

Oh yeah Acaila? Well.. i bought a $300 Pioneer headphone and a low end Sennheisner and the Pioneer was WAY better so OBVIOUSLY Pioneer kicks Sennheisner's ass.

You see how retarded that sounds?

I can't believe you try to counter my debate by taking a completely DIFFERENT topic and debating THAT, and then pretending you know what your talking about.

As for me proving to you that Sennheisners are overpriced peices of shit that most home and commerical DJ's dont get - i've trolled DJ forums for years. If YOU want to try to prove ME wrong you can either:

1. Go on these forums and look for yourself.
2. Try to post stats like i did for the Sennheisner you recomend (you won't, trust me. You'll just embarass yourself).

Heres some forums you can go to and do some research.

The fact that you actually payed money for a SEDJ5000 shows you have absolutely ZERO clue when it comes to buying headphones. I suggest you visit these forums ASAP before you embarass yourself some more - blowing money on peices of shit.

http://www.djforums.com/forums/

http://www.tjsdjs.com/forums/index.php?

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?showforum=21

http://forums.djcafe.com/

Those people are the epitomy of experienced knowledge when it comes to buying top quality sound equipment for less. Go on their and suggest a Sennheisner. See how quick you get laughed out of the thread for being an over-spending rich-bitch newb.

[Rbstr]

OK FLAMES = DONE NOW

Stop get on with constructive things

[TekDragon]

Rbstr, if you suggested that the Asus P4C800-E Deluxe was a great motherboard, and I came on and said that Asus sucks compared to Soyo because the Soyo "SY-P4I875P DRAGON 2 v1.0" i875P (which is comparable to the P4C) beats the Asus "P4SGX-MX" SiS650GX (which is old as balls and costs a third as much as the Asus board YOU reccomended) - how would you feel?

Would you feel that i was a complete moron that is just trolling and being an all-around ass hole?

I woulnd't blame you, and that's how i feel about Acaila.

[Rbstr]

yes i understand, your point is taken. But lets tone it down a bit in here ok?

[Electrofreak]

Wow. Headphones. Seriously people, relax.
Who gives a fuck who makes the better DJ headphones, lets just find tbdsamman a nice pair of headphones with a mic.

At this point, I would suggest any brand of headphones BUT Sennheisner or Pioneer for the sake of avoiding a complete riot. :lol:

:: Mutters under his breath about the soap opera that has become PSU Tech Forum ::

[Acaila]

@OP
Sorry for being partially responsible for ruining your thread. I apologise. I suggested Sennheiser PC150s because I own a set and believe them to be the best headset available.

@TekDragon
You win. I will be the big man here and back down. You are right, I am wrong. Satisfied? You need to work on your people skills, son. Never fear, this "over-spending rich-bitch newb" won't interrupt your bias tirade. Enjoy your ignorance.

[tbdsamman]

@OP
:doh: I'm pretty sure this is my topic and my name isn't op.

[Electrofreak]

::Smacks Acaila upside the head::
:p

[Rbstr]

ok, so let fine him a nice headset, to play Videogames with. I personaly liek some of the ones logitech has.

I use a boom mic, and some Labtech LT-820's i found in my dads office. So it not like i know much about sound, ecept when it dome to the specs on a SB audigy 2