Pre Order questions

[beersnob]

Hi all. New to the board so forgive me if these have been covered before. I did some searches but didn't see what I was looking for.

Looking for a new PC, mostly for first-person shooters and also for video editing using Premiere Elements.

1) Does the Prelude come with Firewire? If so, where is the port located?

2) Is shipping a flat rate? Is it Overnight? I've seen $130 as the rate in a forum, but that seems high if I'm not ordering monitor, speakers, etc. During the Checkout process, which I did to try and find out, it said by weight and said $130.

3) One 8800 GTX or 2x 8800 GTS 640 ?!?? Cost is same, any suggestions in terms of performance? 2 GTX's are cost prohibitive at this point.


thanks,chris

[stragi]

Hi all. New to the board so forgive me if these have been covered before. I did some searches but didn't see what I was looking for.

Looking for a new PC, mostly for first-person shooters and also for video editing using Premiere Elements.

1) Does the Prelude come with Firewire? If so, where is the port located?

2) Is shipping a flat rate? Is it Overnight? I've seen $130 as the rate in a forum, but that seems high if I'm not ordering monitor, speakers, etc. During the Checkout process, which I did to try and find out, it said by weight and said $130.

3) One 8800 GTX or 2x 8800 GTS 640 ?!?? Cost is same, any suggestions in terms of performance? 2 GTX's are cost prohibitive at this point.


thanks,chris

Prelude has firewire, one in the back and one on the top front of the case if I remember right.

[whoops]

I just ordered a PC a week ago and it was $130 flat rate for shipping.

[RottynDawg]

Welcome to the boards beersnob...love the name! With that name, I just have to ask which beers you like :)

The Prelude has firewire in back and on the top front. Shipping was $129 when I ordered in November so I suspect it is still $129...about the same I paid from another vendor when I ordered two years ago.

I would go with one 8800GTX anyday...less complexity, less to go wrong.

[theDreamer]

:welcome:

I do not know the whipping or fireware, but these guys would know as they are MG owners.

You will want to go with one 8800GTX as it will provide the best setup, plus if you want you can easily go dual 8800 GTX, or even take the step-up if a new nVidia card comes out soon after you order.

[beersnob]

Welcome to the boards beersnob...love the name! With that name, I just have to ask which beers you like :)

The Prelude has firewire in back and on the top front. Shipping was $129 when I ordered in November so I suspect it is still $129...about the same I paid from another vendor when I ordered two years ago.

I would go with one 8800GTX anyday...less complexity, less to go wrong.

Thanks for the advice. Seems other than getting responses from sales@maingear.com, these guys are hard to beat.

And to return the favor with a bit of my own wisdom.... you can't go wrong with beers from Dog Fish Head or Bell's. But my perennial favorite will always be Anchor Brewing Company!

[RottynDawg]

Dog Fish Head makes a good IPA for sure; haven't seen the Bell's around so I'll definitely have to hunt some down. I lean towards IPAs and heard that Anchor Brewing just last week released an IPA; I have a few friends that live very close to the brewery so I'll have to ask them to hook me up. Keep the beer suggestions coming :)

If you get any more questions about their systems feel free to fire 'em off.

[beersnob]

Dog Fish Head makes a good IPA for sure; haven't seen the Bell's around so I'll definitely have to hunt some down. I lean towards IPAs and heard that Anchor Brewing just last week released an IPA; I have a few friends that live very close to the brewery so I'll have to ask them to hook me up. Keep the beer suggestions coming :)

If you get any more questions about their systems feel free to fire 'em off.

I'll never be able to match beer suggestions with someone in Oregon! I'd swear you have microbrews in vending machines there!

I think I'm mostly all set on what to order.
Looking like a Prelude, e6700, Intel cooling, 2GB of 5300 DDR2, 320GB HD, xFi Gamer, DVD w/ Lightscribe, and 8800GTX.

Unless anyone thinks upgrading to 6400 RAM is worth it. I may splurge on the Zalman cooling just in case, since my upstairs can be rather hot in summer.

[stragi]

I would get the Zalman cooler, you don't really need the 6400 ram unless you plan to overclock. Also I might go with a E6600 since it's practically just as fast and less money.

For sure get the sound card, I'm kinda sad I didn't now because with the onboard sound solution I cannot get my game sounds to not come through VOIP (ventrilo) and at hugely magnified volume.

[RottynDawg]

I agree completely with Stragi's suggestions...looks like a solid system.

[beersnob]

Another noob question - I'm assuming since the die size is different on Quad Core, that if I wanted to upgrade later, I'd need a new motherboard?

I'm just thinking how much quad would help Premiere. That and I read Valve is planning on using multiple processors to control different aspects like physics on one, AI on another, etc.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Will probably take the plunge and order later today.

[carsonmd]

Another noob question - I'm assuming since the die size is different on Quad Core, that if I wanted to upgrade later, I'd need a new motherboard?

I'm just thinking how much quad would help Premiere. That and I read Valve is planning on using multiple processors to control different aspects like physics on one, AI on another, etc.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Will probably take the plunge and order later today.

At present, Intel's dual core and quad core CPUs all use the same socket (775). The "roadmaps" I have seen don't foresee any changes to the socket size this year. However, since Intel manufactures chipsets and motherboards in addition to CPUs they like to make changes every 2 years or so.

[theDreamer]

A Q6700 can use the 680i or 650i boards.
I thought premiere already took advantage of quad and dual core? Maybe it is just dual core...

The thing about buying quad now is not much uses it, but when things do in the next few months a new "better" CPU will be out to replace the current one. Yet so will a new dual core, so the cycle goes on. The one thing I say when buying something is, will you use it? Of course you are going to use your computer DUH!!! :lol: The other is, will you regret what you bought? If so, then do not buy it, but if you buy and love it and when something new comes out you do not regret it. You made the right choice.