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Kras' Computer Configuration

• Date:	June 2008
  OS:	Windows Vista x64 SP1 (comments) Vista is beautiful. But, it uses a lot of resources compared to Windows XP. These resources include ram and hard drive. I had to turn off SuperFetch because it was hammering the hard drive. Vista Scores: CPU 5.8, RAM 5.9, Graphics 5.9, Gaming Graphics 5.8, Hard Drive 5.7
  System cost:	$650 (not including TV and extra hard drives)
  3DMark06 score:	11077 (comments) This score isn't very great, but decent enough to run somewhat graphically intensive applications.

• CPU

  Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core (link) $130 OCZ Vanquisher CPU Cooler (link) $12 I bought this locally from a random guy. Retails at $270 and I got it for $130 new. Currently overclocked to 3.8ghz at lowest CPU voltage. Idles at 53c and 67c on load. The cooler is very quiet and seems to be doing okay cooling, but not great cooling though. See my old CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core (link) $158 Cooler Master Gemini II RR-CCH-ANU2-GP CPU+ Board Cooler (link) FREE I can't be sure if I bought it used or new since it came from ebay and it wasn't boxed. I've overclocked it to 3.2ghz (from stock 2.66ghz) with cpu voltage at 1.35v. Settings are 400mhz fsb and x8 multiplier. Stress tested with Orthos Prime 2004 and stable. Stock temps running at 47c on my Gemini cooler when idle, 50c on load. I was using 4 sticks of 1 gb ram, but now I'm using 2 sticks of 2 gb ram. Using 4 sticks of ram limits overclocking potential... Use as few as possible!!! This cooler is monstrous. Its about half the size of a motherboard, and very heavy to boot! It does not come with fans, but has space for two 120mm fan mounts. I've mounted two separately bought CM 120mm fans to it and its doing wonders. Fans are virtually silent. AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz 1MB L2 Cache AM2 65W Dual-Core (link) $99 Cooler Master Hyper TX2 92mm RR-CCHL9U1GP CPU Heatsink/Fan (link) $5 This cpu made my new computer so much faster than my pentium 4 laptop I bought in 2002. It idles at 25c on my Cooler Master Hyper TX2. This cooler is big and tall. Fits in a mid tower atx case though. It uses a 3-pin connector, so its always going full blast unless you set up SMART fan control in your BIOS. Dropped my CPU temperatures several celsius degrees compared to stock. Great cooling, but very loud w/o fan control! Glad I can't hear it when I'm playing music ;)

• Hard Drive

  Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (link) $100 It's not so great. It's been producing random clicks ever since I got it. I'm backing up all my data regularly because I know it's going to die on me soon. I bought 3 more of these and those are extremely silent. 1 drive for normal use 1 drive for backup + 1 drive for external USB - Enclosure: INOi HD350U no fan supports USB + 1 drive for external eSATA - Enclosure: Antec MX-1 with fan and noise reduction supports USB and eSATA Motherboard does not support RAID, otherwise I would have the backup drive on mirroring detail.

• Motherboard

  ABIT IP35-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard (link) $60 This motherboard is pretty good. It was recommended from someone and so I bought it. This one supports increasing the ram voltage, unlike the biostar. RAM is running at the specified 2.1v and its running at 425mhz after overclocking the fsb for the cpu. I'm unable to overclock the cpu as far as I wanted because of what seems to be a limiting factor from the board. The voltage readings from the board doesn't match what I specify. Edit: I'm now running with the 2x2gb G.Skill ram, but I haven't tried clocking the CPU higher because I just don't need much more CPU for my purposes. See my old Motherboard BIOSTAR TForce TF7025-M2 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7025 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (link) $60 People say this has good overclocking capabilities, and they may be right. However, I haven't really tried doing any OC'ing on my dual core because it ran pretty good. One negative is that it can't run my 400mhz ram at 2.1v! I've tried different quality DDR2 PC6400 ram in this thing but it runs them at 1.8v according to the SPD tab in CPU-Z and its at 351 mhz. WTF!!! Yes, I've tried bumping up the voltage in the BIOS. It still runs at 1.8v.

• Video Card

  XFX PVT88PUHD4 GeForce 8800 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (link) $65 Xigmatek Battle Axe (link) $15 This card works about the same as the 8800GS. Still noisy as ever, even with the modded cable XFX tech support provided me. So, I went and bought the Xigmatek Battle Axe. This cooler is humongous and takes up 3 PCI slots. However, the fans run silent, but I seem to have slight vibration noise which a little banging could fix. Cooling ability is a few degrees lower than stock. See my old Video Card XFX PVT88SFDFU GeForce 8800 GS 384MB 192-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (link) $65 Runs loud at 50c idle and 70c on load. I will need to buy an after market cooler for this... I've bought this no name brand cooler for $7.51. Cooler works just as well as stock, but doesn't produce noise! However, cooler died in a few months... Screw brandless chinese crap! PNY VCG96512GXPB GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (link) $125 Performed fairly well and is the better than the 8800GT 256mb. It runs a little hot at 50c to 70c, but its not very noisy. But, it's a little pricy for someone like me, who doesn't use too many high graphics applications. XFX PVT84JUSD4 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (link) $80 This card is set up really great. Stock clocks is 680 mhz core 800 mhz memory. Idle temps reading 41 celsius and 58 celsius on load. The Zalman fan that came with the card is doing wonders for the temperature readings. I don't think I'll need to overclock this bad boy. Fan produces the regular fan sounds -- this is expected for any decently powered fan. PNY VCG8600GXPB GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card (link) $66 It's an okay card. Stock clocks are 540 mhz core 700 mhz memory. Runs at about 43c idle and 65 on load. Its not very good readings as you can see.

• Memory

  G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (link) $75 They're running at 480mhz on 5-5-5-15 settings on 1.8v. This definitely clocks better than the PC-6400 ram I've used. I'm leaving it on CAS 5 because I'm saving money on power, and its just pretty damn hard to notice any difference with CAS 4. See my old Memory CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (link) $63 They're running at 425mhz on 4-4-4-12 settings on 2.1v. No complaints. 4 is better than 2 right? Anyway, one of the features of Vista is Super Fetch to keep your most used programs in memory so that when you open them they will load really fast. Vista keeps the ram used up until you run memory intensive applications, during which the ram will be freed up. Could not overclock as much as with just 2 of these because more ram sticks = less overclocking ability. Corsair XMS2 DHX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (link) $34 They're working, but it looks like the Biostar motherboard isn't raising the voltage output to them... So, they're not running at specification. GeIL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory (link) $35 They're working, but it looks like the Biostar motherboard isn't raising the voltage output to them... So, they're not running at specification.

• Monitor/HDTV

  Sony KDL-40V3000 40" 1080P 13000:1 LCD HDTV (link) $1049 I bought this at a local store and it has 1 dead pixel. I decided to forget about it and keep the tv. The picture is pretty sharp and pretty darn good with my computer. Full resolution games are sufferring from not being able to produce that large a picture fast enough. I'm experiencing a bit of ghosting from the vga cable, but I've replaced the VGA line with a DVI to HDMI gold plated with ferrite core cable ($5), and its crystal clear! See my old Monitor ViewSonic Optiquest Series Q19wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor (link) $140 Maximum resolution 1440x900. I use it at 1024x768 because I don't want to strain my eyes too much. I have it wall mounted so its not right in front of my face. For the most part, this monitor has served me very well. The image is sharp and the quality is great. I've purchased a second one that is working just as great for over a year. Monitor is connected to a vga extension cord, which is connected to a vga cord, which is connected to a dvi converter, which is in turn connected to the vga card.

• Computer Case

  Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05 ATX Mid Tower Case (link) $25 This case provides great cooling. The face plate is porous with a single 80mm fan in the front. The back also has an 80mm fan. Another great feature is the tool-free design. Very roomy and sturdy. The face plate, where the front fan is, gets dusty very quickly, but thats a good thing, I think. The fans are very silent!

• Power Supply

  Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply (link) $18 I bought this to as a replacement because my Apevia PSU was making some fan noise. It is worth the money, however, because it will pay for itself in less than a year of use. It is 80% certified efficiency so it won't waste as much electricity in the form of heat as regular power supplies. See my old Power Supply Apevia ATX-CW500WP4 ATX 500W Power Supply (link) $25 After a few months of usage, this unit is making some sound. The sound is a little pitched and easily audible. By inserting a hand inside the case next to the intake for the unit, I can tell that its warm, which means its intaking warm air and thus the fan will work harder which leads to more sound.

• Speaker System

  Logitech Z-5300 5.1-Channel Surround Speaker System (link) $65 I bought these used with layers of dust on them for $65. Its working really great compared to my old 2.0 speakers... Remote is wired, but come on its an old model. Ordered a few extension cables and now they're all over the place. Bad thing is the rear speakers don't reproduce voice well at all, but then I'm not playing 5.1 channel sources and using the software speaker fill... The front and center speakers are great though. However, I'm noticing a buzz from the bass whenever the mouse moves across the screen...

• Keyboard

  Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Keyboard (link) $42 Logitech G15 Keyboard (link) $38 Mediaboard ordered from boomj.com (I've never heard of them) and got it in a week. This is for using on my bed. It has a touchpad!!! I would buy the pro version, which is a lot sleekier and has more functionality, but this is fine for its purposes, plus its $20 cheaper. I'm using this for my bed, which is why I needed the touchpad. The G15 will take some getting used to, but with its backlit keys I'll never have trouble finding the keys in the dark again. Maybe I'll find some use for the macro buttons. The 2 USB ports in the back are only V1.1 and low powered. So, they can't even power a USB flash drive. At least, it'll work with my new VX Revolution mouse. See my old Keyboard Dell Keyboard This is the classic Dell keyboard. It works great! Never had any trouble with it.

• Mouse

  Logitech VX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks (link) $24 It's designed for traveling or for small hands. So, it doesn't fit too well with my large hands. I'll get used to it I'm sure. The wheel wasn't designed very well. It's very hard to press on it because it spins too easily. I had to resort to reprogram the left scroll to act as the middle button, not that I need the left scroll on my 1080 resolution anyway. See my old Mouse Logitech MX700 Optical Rechargable Mouse (link) $60 I've been using this for a few years and it was wonderful. However, this past year or two, it started showing several annoying problems. Single clicks can turn into double clicks and dragging is a serious problem, every now and then. Also, it's become very hard to properly place the mouse on the base recharge station. This is a serious bummer that has forced me to use a regular battery charger. I might have to upgrade soon.

• DVD Burner

  Samsung 20X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N (link) $34 Burns very quickly. No noise when not in use (as far as I can tell over my fans). The lightscribe feature works great, although I've set it to leave the highest contrast which causes the lightscribing to take 35 minutes.

Need help with building your own computer or finding cheap quality parts? Fear not, Kras is here.

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