how does my build look?

[demented]

I'm planning to build my first computer, just wondering what you guys think of my setup. It will mostly be used for gaming (want it to run Oblivion really well), and other software such as Photoshop/AUTOCAD.

MOBO - ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
$156.99

Video Card - SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Video Card
$315.99

PSU - ENERMAX EG651P-VE FM(24P) ATX 550W Power Supply
$95.99

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400
$229.00

MEMORY - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Unbuffered System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4
$237.00

what do you guys think about that RAM? I can't find anything on these forums about the 675. Should I go with the 800?

Thanks in advance.

 

[1Tanker]

I'm planning to build my first computer, just wondering what you guys think of my setup. It will mostly be used for gaming (want it to run Oblivion really well), and other software such as Photoshop/AUTOCAD.

MOBO - ASUS P5B Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
$156.99

Video Card - SAPPHIRE 100149L Radeon X1900XT 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 CrossFire Video Card
$315.99

PSU - ENERMAX EG651P-VE FM(24P) ATX 550W Power Supply
$95.99

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400
$229.00

MEMORY - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Unbuffered System Memory Model TWIN2X2048-5400c4
$237.00

what do you guys think about that RAM? I can't find anything on these forums about the 675. Should I go with the 800?

Thanks in advance.

Core2Duo works best with a 1:1 FSB/RAM ratio(synchronous). If you plan on staying at stock clocks, then stick with DDR2-533. DDR2-800 only offers very slight advantage over 533. If you plan on overclocking, than get at least DDR2-667 or DDR2-800. You can also use the 667 you picked, and just run it at 533 and tighten the memory timings. The rest looks fine. GL

PS. Not sure if you realize, but x965 motherboards only have one PATA port. So, if you are going to use existing HDD's..and they're PATA, you're going to have headaches...1xDVD-ROM + 1xCD-ROM leaves no PATA connectors. Just thought i'd mention it, as you didn't list hard drives.

 

[demented]

Thanks for the advice! And I plan to use SATA HDD

 

[The_Prophecy]

Suggested Changes:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 <--- An E6400 is just a higher clocked version of the 6300. Get this chip and save yourself $50. If you find you need the extra performance.... overclock.

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 If you're into overclocking, this is the board for you.

Video Card: If you're looking forward to DX 10, get an eVGA Geforce 7600GT for now, then go high end when DX 10 arrives.

PSU: That Enermax is a bad idea. No PFC, and only one 12V rail. Swap it for this Antec NeoHE 550W

RAM: If you can afford it, go with this Corsair XMS2 2GB DDR2-800 set.

 

[demented]

Thanks for the advice The_Prophecy.

Made some changes

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz

MOBO
I don't plan to OC so would the Asus I listed be alright? or go with the GIGABYTE?

VIDEO CARD
I won't be upgrading to the DX10, so I'll stick with the x1900xt, its enough for me.

RAM
Corsair TWIN2x20248-5400C4 2GB DDR2-675 XMS2-5400 (Still thinking of getting the 6400, money is tight though)
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

PSU
Enermax ELT500AWT Liberty 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003

CASE
Coolermaster RC-534-KKN1 Centurion 534
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119106

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB SATA (3.0Gb/s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148142

OPTICALS
Probably just one DVD+RW/CD+RW drive, still shopping for it.

MONITOR
Probably get this locally in my area (I live in HI, and shipping for big stuff is expensive)

How does it look?

 

[demented]

Hmm just noticed something about the ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015
and
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

what's the difference?

 

[angry_ducky]

Hmm just noticed something about the ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145015
and
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

what's the difference?

The first is a 2GB kit, hence the higher price. The second is a 1GB kit.

 

[demented]

oh oops..HAHA how did i miss that. Thanks lol

 

[1Tanker]

oh oops..HAHA how did i miss that. Thanks lol

Yeah, make sure to budget in 2GB RAM. Photoshop and AutoCAD will thank you. As far as the motherboards..if you don't plan to overclock, then either one is good..get the one that's the best deal. Since you aren't going to be overclocking, DDR2-533 will be good enough, and you might be able to save a few bucks using it. You can get DDR2-800 if you really think that the slight increase in performance is worth it, but i wouldn't bother with DDR2-667(unless it's a great price/then just run it at 533). GL

 

[demented]

another question, these 2 MOBOs
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247098
and
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247083
what's the difference? i see just that the pb5-vm has IEEE1394 and the p5b doesn't, and the vm says M-ATX, the other just ATX. not sure what that is.

 

[1Tanker]

another question, these 2 MOBOs
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247098
and
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247083
what's the difference? i see just that the pb5-vm has IEEE1394 and the p5b doesn't, and the vm says M-ATX, the other just ATX. not sure what that is.

M-ATX is microATX (form factor=size)...a shorter motherboard to fit into smaller cases. The P5B-VM has on-board video, whereas the P5B doesn't.
The P5B-VM(due to being shorter) has 2-PCI slots(for sound-card,NIC,etc.) vs. the P5B's 3-PCI slots.I would suggest the regular P5B over the P5B-VM.

 

[demented]

Ah I see, thanks.
Ok now I'm trying to decide on a case. I want a black aluminum one, nothing fancy, no windows or plastic decor stuff, just a sleek/cool looking black case (with good cooling and space for my build)

so far looking at:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141806

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141804

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141614

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112025

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112104

so many choices...

 

[1Tanker]

Ah I see, thanks.
Ok now I'm trying to decide on a case. I want a black aluminum one, nothing fancy, no windows or plastic decor stuff, just a sleek/cool looking black case (with good cooling and space for my build)

so far looking at:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141806

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141804

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141614

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112025

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811112104

so many choices...

I never suggest cases, as they are a more personal thing. Some people like cases that look like a transformer LOL, but i find them ugly. Just try and get one with good airflow(front intake/rear exhaust), preferrably a 120mm exhaust.

PS. I do like most of the LIAN LI cases, but they're a bit too expensive for me.

 

[demented]

I've decided to change PSU after hearing about the bad modular design on the ENERMAX and some other things. I've narrowed it down to 2 Antecs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103931

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941

which one do you guys reccomend for my setup?

and could someone do a compatibility check on my setup to see if everything will go together nicely?

Thanks everyone.

 

[demented]

Bump! need some input!

 

[demented]

please could someone double check my build for compatibility and reccomend a PSU (last thing I need)

Made some changes

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz

MOBO
Gigabyte 965 DS3

VIDEO CARD
SapphireRadeon X1900XT 512MB

RAM
Corsair TWIN2x20248-5400C4 2GB DDR2-675 XMS2-5400
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

PSU (Need some advice on selection)
Last thing to decide on, its between Hiper 580W (the one with color options), Antec NeoHe 550W (been hearing some complaints about it not working with some MOBOS like not providing enough voltage to the MOBO), or something else 500W+ and around $100

CASE
CoolerMaster PAC-T01-EK Praetorian Aluminium Mid Tower Case (Blk)
https://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=141614

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB SATA (3.0Gb/s)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148142

DVD/CD DRIVE
NEC ND-3550A 16X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827152058

MONITOR
Probably get this locally in my area (I live in HI, and shipping for big stuff is expensive)

How does it look?

 

[The_Prophecy]

I still say drop to the E6300 and Geforce 7600GT.....