A few questions about my first build

[kmac07]

Hello,
I am currently doing research on my first build, and I believe I have most of the parts picked out. However, I do have several questions:

1) This computer's most common use will be to play World of Warcraft. With that in mind, do I need an eVGA 7900GT, or would a 7600 be enough to run WoW on the highest settings?

2) I am slightly confused about Hard Drives. With an SATA HD, do I need to run it in a RAID configuration, or is it alright to use alone? Or, do I need an IDE HD?

3) Again with HD's... As this computer is mostly for playing WoW, how much HD space would you recommend? I have another desktop that I will use to store music etc, so yeah... I really don't have any idea.

I think that is all for now. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[kmac07]

I thought of another question:

To run a mid-level gaming pc, what wattage PSU would you recommend. I was thinking about an Antec 500W, but I wasn't sure if that was enough. If I someday decide I want to SLI, what wattage would I need for that?

 

[zdude255]

WoW is not very graphic intensive. A 7600 would be enough, although the 7900 will produce slightly faster framerates for other games. Remember anything above 60-75 fps is pointless, as it goes past human and monitor detection capabilities.

500W is plenty for SLI, and really for anything. One thing is you need a reliable supply. A cheap 500W will do worse than a good quality 400W. This one here looked amazing for its performance, stability and cabling features, although it is a bit pricey. I think there might be a cheaper version without a light. Ultra isn't known for good PSUs, but I checked a number of reviews and they reported that it was solid. It's on newegg too if you're ordering from there IIRC.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1273353&CatId=0

I don't think there should be a problem with only 1 SATA drive, but this isn't really something I know a lot about.

EDIT: About the HD size, get the fastest drive that has enough space. More space doesn't help if you don't use it, but more speed does. Make sure it's a 7200 RPM drive. I've used comps with 40 and 60GB without any problems, but getting a 160GB drive is pretty cheap these days. Seagate is a good brand I hear.

 

[suicide007]

One sata drive will do just fine. Raid is just optional if you want to use 2 but have them appear as one. Youre good there. As for capacity, probably around 74 GB if you ask me. And if youre only gonna be playing wow, then a 7600 will be perfect.

And if you want to sli, get this psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931
that other one he showed you is way overkill.
And happy building!

 

[john3]

7600 GT will be fine, infact its more than fine. as for PSU just get a Antec TruePowerII, i think the one under 550watt is 480W or 450W, just get that one, 480 or 450 whichever it is. udont need 550watt.

as for hard drive, u can get one small 7200RPM SATA hard drive, like 80GB or something like a 74GB Raptor which is 10kRPM, it is beneficial, but u probably wouldnt need it if ur on a tight budget. if u can affordd it, by all means get the 74GB Western Digital Raptor, otherwise, dont.

 

[kmac07]

thanks for the help, I greatly aprreciate it. Off to fiddle with my wishlist at newegg...

 

[cwiz]

i'd recomend the 74GB Western Digital Raptor. it runs at 10,000rpm instead of 7200rpm... it can access the info faster.

 

[john3]

i'd recomend the 74GB Western Digital Raptor. it runs at 10,000rpm instead of 7200rpm... it can access the info faster.

pheeww..........glad we got that cleared up, i was so confused for a while, lol

 

[SomeIranianKid]

yeah i suggest the 480 watt anec its very efficent and will pretty much run your specs very well