High-End System Advice

[TinyTeeth]

In february I'm going to purchase a high-end computer system, but I have some questions already:

Is it worth it to go for 4 gigabytes of RAM right now, or is 2 gigabytes enough for heavy gaming, video editing and image editing?

In my test configuration for december I have 2x 74GB Raptor + 1x 300 GB Maxtor Diamondmax 10 drive. Is this a good solution, or should I go for 2x 300 GB Maxtor 10? Which one would be the fastest configuration?

And last: Is it worth the extra cost having an X2 4400+ instead of an X2 4200+? How much does the increase in cache memory increase performance? And is the Opteron 165 a good alternative?

Thanks in advance.

 

[nortexoid]

The locution "thanks in advance" is a curious one. It is not entirely clear what is meant by it. It could mean one of the following.

1. I have gone into the future to thank you, and then I returned to say "thanks in advance".
2. I am thanking you before I have any reason to thank you, in which case in makes no sense to be thanking you. I might as well be thanking anyone. Thanks Hitler! Thanks my unborn child!
3. I am a modal realist and there is a possible future in which you have done something which requires my thanking you. So I am thanking you present time knowing that there is a future state in which you should be thanked.

There are probably more possibilities to add to the analysis, but time is of he essence, and there are only so many techies that I can help out on this forum within my limited lifespan.

Oh yeah, your questions. I think the first one answers itself. If you are not sure whether 4GB would be a benefit over 2GB, then 2GB will be more than sufficient. Plus you said "heavy gaming" which in itself is not only hilarious, but answers the question as well.

For the HDDs, if it is not clear which configuration is faster, then I am a monkey's uncle. Actually I am.

The third question is equally hilarious. Good day.

 

[ionoxx]

Well, that was an interesting post however useless.

Here are some more pertinent comments for you.

1. 2GB of Ram will be more that enough for the best gaming. There is an article, either on AT or THG i don't remember where, that proved mild performance gain from 1GB to 2GB. So going to 4 will only hinder your perfomance by forcing the memory to run at a 2T command rate.

2. As for the hard drives, I would look into getting the Western Digital Caviar SE16. I just purchased 2 of the 250GB model. They come with 16MBs of Cache and support NCQ which will improve the performace of the drive. However, the Raptors will provide faster loading times in games no matter what.

3. You will see only a few frames per second increase when getting the 4400+ over the 4200+. If money is not an issue, get the 4400+ but i would definitly recomment the 4200+.

The Opteron 165 should only be an option if you plan on overcloking. There is so much hype around the Opteron because of the higher grade silicon used in their fabrication, thus permitting them to reach higher clock speeds.

Hope this helped!

 

[DaveBC]

Pair of Raptors in a raid 0 will rip!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

2 gigs

raptors aren't really as great as some people make them out to be.
If loading times are what you are after, check this out http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=2628&p=9

How about a couple WD400gig drives from that review for storage?

Are you going to be overclocking?