Nearly Done Researching (I Think!)

[bloodandsoil]

Need some feedback on a system I'm putting together. Here's what I have so far:

CPU------> Intel C2D E6600
Mobo----> Intel DP965LTCK (P965 chipset)
RAM------> Corsair TWIN2X1024A-6400 2x512MB PC6400
Video----> GeForce 8800GTS

The only thing I'm confused about is that, according to the Intel website, the C2D E6600 operates with a 1066Mhz FSB...yet I can't seem to find any memory that says the number 1066 on it.

There's DDR2-533, DDR2-667, DDR2-800, and DDR2-1000....and then there's PC2-4200, PC2-5300, PC2-6400, and PC2-8000. Where is the one that says 1066?

And what's the difference when it says CL=5 or when it says 5-5-5-12?

 

[bloodandsoil]

I was thinking of going with the 450W SmartPower 2.0 PSU that comes with the Antec Sonata II case. Reason is...I'm on a budget and it's hard to beat the $87 pricetag on a case/PS combo.

But I do wonder if it's enough power. I was also looking at the Antec 550W TruePower 2.0 TP2-550EPS12V power supply....what do you think?

 

[apt403]

your going to be cutting it close with that smartpower psu, the 550w truepower one would be a much better choice.

 

[js2k6]

Go with the E6400 instead and use the extra money on 2GBs of 800 mhz memory. You won't regret it.

 

[apt403]

NO NO NO NO. The No PSU srom Antecs Smart Poer line can handle a system running an 8800.

8O

but seriously, get a better psu.

 

[bloodandsoil]

NO NO NO NO. The No PSU srom Antecs Smart Poer line can handle a system running an 8800.

Sorry, I really want to know what you mean but I can't figure out...can you say that again?

 

[apt403]

Sorry, I really want to know what you mean but I can't figure out...can you say that again?

The SmartPower psu bundled with that case wont even come close to providing enough power for an 8800gts, if you actually want your pc to run, get a different one.

 

[apt403]

When you do check the link at the bottom of my sig...

sorry for the thread jack, but does newegg carry Zippy psu's?

 

[bloodandsoil]

I notice that the power supplies (like the NeoHE for example) have different models with different Watts....how much will I need? 400W, 450W, 500W, 550W?

And also what do you guys think of my motherboard selection?

 

[apt403]

as long as its a good brand, 550w's to be safe, with room to oc, and to upgrade in the future.

edit: i would much rather get a P5B Deluxe or a bad axe 2 (975X instead of P965).

 

[bloodandsoil]

apt403: I'm curious to know more about why the 975X is superior to the P965. As far as I can tell the only difference is that the P965 has the newer ICH8 southbridge whereas the 975X has the older ICH7R...

And what features does the P5B Deluxe have that justify me spending so much more on it? I don't need fancy raid or digital audio out or dual-gigabit ethernet or SLI or crossfire or any of all those extra whizbangs....

 

[apt403]

apt403: I'm curious to know more about why the 975X is superior to the P965. As far as I can tell the only difference is that the P965 has the newer ICH8 southbridge whereas the 975X has the older ICH7R....

it isnt (I actually like the P965 chipset more then the 975X), but the D975XBX is a better mobo then the DP965LTCK.

The main reason i would get a P5B Deluxe over a DP965LTCK is its oc-ing ability.

there doesnt seem to be to much info out there about the DP965LTCK either.

 

[bloodandsoil]

Ah...well I'm not much into overclocking. I know I know....I'm wasting value that's just SITTING there waiting to be extracted....hehe.

So if you put overclocking to the side, how do you rate the DP965LTCK now?

 

[apt403]

I would still get the P5B Deluxe (or P5B vanilla if your not oc-ing.) the DP965LTCK is like the neglected half brother of the D975XBX. and if you dont want to get an asus board there are a ton of alternative's, the Biostar TForce965PT, the Gigabyte DS3, and the Abit AB9, are 3 other really good P965 alternatives.

 

[bloodandsoil]

What about the P5B-E....just what is the difference between those 3 anyway? (P5B Deluxe, P5B-E, and P5B)

edit: I just found one difference. The P5B Deluxe and the P5B-E both have the ICH8R South Bridge, whereas the P5B has the ICH8 South Bridge. But that only reveals yet another question: What's the difference between the ICH8R and the ICH8 South Bridge?

 

[apt403]

The main difference is oc-ing ability, the P5B Deluxe is the best, followed by the P5B-E, and theres the vanilla P5B, and it sucks for oc-ing. The P5B-E and P5B only have 1 pci x16 slot, whereas the Deluxe version has two. The P5B Deluxe has 7 sata ports, the P5B-E has 6 and the regular P5B has 5. oh, and the P5B Deluxe is black, while the other two are off yellow.

im not really to sure what the difference between the ICH8R and ICH8 are, but im sure somebody knows.