C2D build - mobo/GPU question

[jj14]

Hi,
In an earlier post, thanks to the suggestions from forum members, I decided to go with building this on my own rather than going with Dell. The parts that I had initially thought of were...

* Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail $329.00
* Intel BOXDG965RYCK Socket T (LGA 775) Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $119.99
* CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail $299.00
* Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail $89.99
* eVGA 512-P2-N572-AR Geforce 7900GTX 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $398.99
* LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHW-160P6S-04 - Retail $32.99

(I already have the HDD, Floppy drive, KB, Mouse etc from my existing build)

I have a few questions about this and was wondering if you could you help me out!

I will not be overclocking at all. Also, I am not into a lot of gaming. (I work with database development primarily and occasionally play games like HALO) With that in mind, I'm guessing I don't really need the 7900GTX (or do I?) I use two LCD monitors - DVI (one is a 2407FPW) and I will be upgrading to Vista when it releases, so 512MB on the video card sounds like something that I could use. There are cheaper cards like the X1600PRO (and others) that also have 512MB - could I use that instead?
I would like to be able to watch and record tv on this, so I will need to add a tuner card also.

Any suggestions on the mobo (I will not be overclocking)? The only thing that I *must* have is onboard RAID 0/1/5 and integrated audio.

Regarding the memory, I read on another post that unless I am overclocking, DDR2 800 is an overkill and that I could use DDR2 533 and wouldn't notice any difference at all - is that true?

Regarding the case, would a P180 (Antec) suffice? Or should I spring for something better? I have 4 Seagate drives in this build - 3x320GB SATA 3.0 (RAID5) and a 750GB SATA 3.0 and in my current PC, these drives are HOT after an hour or so of use (I am using a $20 case that I picked up from frys, so that probably explains the temps)

Any suggestions / recommendations are welcome! (The only things that I am not too keen on changing in my current build are the CPU and the amount of RAM)

Thanks!

 

[shadowduck]

Go with DDR2-667 memory so you will be good for quad cores if you go there.

Do not buy a 7900GTX- the X1900XT 256 can keep pace (for $199) with it and the X1900 XT 512 smashes it.

 

[purdueguy]

I haven't seen the X1900XT for less then $251 lately. Where can you get it for $199?

jj14:

Video Card: If you can pick up the X1900XT for $199, do not hesitate to get this card even if you don't game all that much. At $199, it would be the best bang for the buck for upper-end video cards. In fact, if you don't count OC'ing the 7900GTO to GTX speeds, even at $251, the X1900XT is the best bang for the buck. See here.

Here's the memory to buy. 2x1GB DDR2 667 sticks for $170. Since you are not OC'ing, this is all you need.

PSU: for 10 bucks more, I'd get the HIPER PSU. It comes in 4 colors, so you don't have to get the red one that is shown through this link. Make sure you go to HIPER's website to make sure you get the right version of PSU as the older version didn't have a long enough main power cable to be used in cases like the P180 where the PSU is on the bottom instead of on the top. I like the molex cables of the HIPER, have read good things about them and plan on using one in my next build.

 

[Sunburn]

Moboard: Intel G965 Express, $120
CPU: Intel E6600, $320
RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB PC2 6400, $300
GPU: eVGA 7900GTX, $400
PSU: Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W, $90
ODD: LITE-ON DVD±R, $33

Total: $1263

Pretty sick rig. Especially if you're not overclocking or gaming. To your questions:

...I don't really need the 7900GTX (or do I?) I use two LCD monitors - DVI (one is a 2407FPW) and I will be upgrading to Vista when it releases...

You don't need the 7900GTX. I was about to say you can go with onboard video from Gigabyte's new uATX moboard, which can run Quake4 at playable FPS, except you mentioned operating dual monitors. I don't have much technical experience with dual monitors. I had a dual monitor setup on my P4 rig, and all I learned of technical specs is "don't activate the second monitor while running WoW or your rig will crash." That said I recommend the X1900XT 256MB for three reasons:

#1) Dual DVI hookups for dual-monitor setup, ie what you need.

#2) The best price/performance ratio out there; and by "performance" we not only mean "games" but "Vista" and "longer useful lifetime." DX10 isn't gonna obsolete this card.

#3) It's $245 USD at Newegg, in lieu of $400 for the functionally equivalent nVidia offering.

As for "I would like to be able to watch and record tv," attach a monitor to the cable hookup and get a TiVo. That's what I've done anyway. I want to be able to play games without my wife's permission. If she wants to watch TV, I don't want her to need the computer to do it. Maybe people who have built media-center PC's will be of better assistance.

Any suggestions on the mobo... The only thing that I *must* have is onboard RAID 0/1/5 and integrated audio.

I dunno, I've got a boner for that new Gigabyte board right now for some reason, it's got RAID and onboard audio and competant onboard video if, like me, you want to wait for the DX10 offerings and still play WoW.

Regarding the memory, I read on another post that unless I am overclocking, DDR2 800 is an overkill and that I could use DDR2 533 and wouldn't notice any difference at all - is that true?

Yes. Someone mentioned Quadro compatibility, I don't know about that, but I don't think you intended to immediately upgrade to Quadro even if it were true about the RAM thing.

 

[WR2]

Regarding the memory, I read on another post that unless I am overclocking, DDR2 800 is an overkill and that I could use DDR2 533 and wouldn't notice any difference at all - is that true?

C2D likes high frequency memory and it can make use of the higher bandwidth lower latency the faster RAM offers.

But in practical terms only programs that rely more on the memory performance than CPU or HD access can benefit. Across the usual spectrum of application performance you're not likely to notice the difference.

In your case since you're ruling out any overclocking you can make your choice from one of the well respected brands based on price. The trend around here is to advocate the faster RAM but for what you want I think the DDR2 533 maybe the right choice. RAM running at the ideal 1:1 RAM/FSB ratio is considered to be "more stable".
XbitLabs review: Choosing the Right Memory for Core 2 Duo Platform
Please note this doesn't mean that using DDR2 667 at 5:4 ratio doesnt mean its unstable.

The Antec P180 with its 3 standard 120mm fans sound like just the case you need.

 

[rwpritchett]

Please note this doesn't mean that using DDR2 667 at 5:4 ratio doesnt mean its unstable.

Since DDR2-667 and DDR2-533 are pretty much the same price, I would suggest getting the DDR2-667 but running it 1:1 @ DDR2-533 speeds. That way you can have your cake and eat it too, meaning if the CPU is eventually upgradded to a 1333 FSB future Intel processor, the RAM can still handle it. If no upgrades are planned, then very little money has been wasted.

 

[jj14]

Wow! Thanks (everyone) for the valuable feedback!
I found the X1900XT (SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (RoHS) CrossFire Video Card - Retail) at newegg for $195.99. Or should I spring for the 512MB instead? The cheapest I found was $399 at BestBuy! (newegg had it listed at 415.99 - the cheaper ones are open box) Would it be worth the upgrade for me?

Am I right in assuming that DX10 will be useful only for future games that are designed to use DX10?
I will go with the DDR2 667 (You are right - I'm not planning to upgrade to quad core anytime soon) and the P180 case (the hot HDDs really bother me)
The motherboard - I guess I'm not sure which one to go for yet. The Intel board seems to be the among the cheaper ones out there - might end up going for that - gotta read up about it more. I wish there was a BTX board for C2D out there...

Thanks again for everyone's input!

 

[cptblackeye]

Good choice on the mobo and the 667 ram. Be aware that these 965 mobos from intel are 1.8v ram user friendly only. This Patriot DDR2 667 is what I have with my intel mobo. No problems except the price has gone up (I paid $179).

 

[rwpritchett]

Good choice on the mobo and the 667 ram. Be aware that these 965 mobos from intel are 1.8v ram user friendly only. This Patriot DDR2 667 is what I have with my intel mobo. No problems except the price has gone up (I paid $179).

I second the RAM suggestion. I bought that same set for $179 too

It works great at 1.8V and so far I've run it at DDR2-533 3-3-3-8 and DDR2-800 4-4-4-12. Very good stuff.

 

[shadowduck]

I haven't seen the X1900XT for less then $251 lately. Where can you get it for $199?

Ahh the X1900GT is $199.

XT is $259 as you indicated.[/quote]

 

[cptblackeye]

Here's a good review of the Patriot ram.