my build, comments..

[stephenstern]

Im thinnking of purchasing all the below (from dabs), just wondering peoples comments.. this is like top end of my budget.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 S775 3.0ghz 4mb Cache 1333FSB
quicklinx:4MM7WS | Mfr#:BX80557E6850
£165.00

Gigabyte S775 Intel X38 DDR3 ATX Audio Lan Quad
quicklinx:4R83WS | Mfr#:GA X38T-DQ6
£154.80

OCZ Technology 2GB KITT 240DIMM PC3-10666 1333MHz DDR3
quicklinx:4N08WS | Mfr#:OCZ3P13332GK
£180.12

Asustek GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 PCIE Dual DVI 600/1.8
quicklinx:4TNMWS | Mfr#:EN8800GTGHTDP51
£176.23

CoolerMaster 700W REAL POWER PRO MODULAR PSU
quicklinx:4QZVWS | Mfr#:RS-700-ASAA-A1
£79.90

cheers

 

[Mintcondition]

I would recommend looking at http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088 for a different PSU. The one you are looking at is tier 4. If you need a little more cash for the PS, I would downgrade to the E6750 C2D and save a quite a few pounds, with a small loss on performance.

 

[chookman]

Corsair 520HX, Antec Trio, PCP&C, Seasonic... anything there would be better than what youve chosen there

You dont really need the x38 mobo either you could save a bita dough with a P35 board.

 

[stephenstern]

The main reason i choose that motherboard was for DDR3 (1333FSB+) and for future upgrade of CPU.
PSU just because it seemed to have a good review, so not bothered about changing that..

 

[rgeist554]

I still wouldn't do the X38 board. It's a crossfire board and you're getting an nvidia card. DDR3 is a waste (I'm still not sure even some of the newer CPU's will fully utilize what is already in place - sans OC). Maybe try some DDR2 1066 instead?

Anyways - I'd just go with a P35 board and wait for the X48 or Nvidia 7xx series chipsets. My $0.02

 

[stephenstern]

makes sense,
only issue is that ddr2 is 1066 as u say, the cpu and mb are 1333 plus

 

[stephenstern]

what about this mb: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4QNP&CategorySelectedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143,4294953870 ?

 

[nhobo]

All you need to run RAM 1:1 with 1333 FSB is DDR2 667. Any decent PC6400 (800) RAM is good for overclocking. DDR3 is like SATAII, all hype. Stick with the P35 series mobos. Also forget the E6850 - the E6750 is 90% of the performance for 60% of the price and can easily be OC'd to 3.2 with the OEM fan. Either that or get the Q6600 for the same money, although if you wait till after the horrordays there will be some new hardware (Penryns) and great sales.

 

[stephenstern]

the new cpus are gonna cost though wont they as they r new. it will also mean i need a x38 board?
i dont mind paying the extra for ddr3.
the cpu isnt a bad price and can over clock that higher.

i guess the main issue is the motherboard...? How do i know the board for nvidia rather that crossfire as rgeist554 said the gigabyte was crossfire... :S

 

[rgeist554]

You can use an Nvidia card on the X38, but you can't run SLI. X38 = Crossfire (2x ATI cards) and Nvidia 5xx, 6xx, 7xx Chipsets = SLI (2x Nvidia cards).

All you need to run RAM 1:1 with 1333 FSB is DDR2 667. Any decent PC6400 (800) RAM is good for overclocking. DDR3 is like SATAII, all hype. Stick with the P35 series mobos. Also forget the E6850 - the E6750 is 90% of the performance for 60% of the price and can easily be OC'd to 3.2 with the OEM fan. Either that or get the Q6600 for the same money...

I agree 100% with this. The DDR3 is not going to give you any noticeable increase in performance from DDR2 now. You'll just be missing $200-300.

If you want to spend the extra money, go for it, but if you want to save a little and invest it elsewhere... I'd also suggest going with the E6750 and just nudging it up to 3-3.2Ghz. Otherwise, you're paying Intel $100 to increase your clock by 400Mhz.

With the money saved, you can buy a nice monitor or some other gadgets.

 

[stephenstern]

i c your point on the memory. i guess i just dont know enough about ddr2 800 and the ddr3 stuff.. just seams pointless buying the older ddr2?

if im gonna buy a gefore 8800 then i cant run that in SLI anyway?, as i said, i wont be running two, im not a hardcore gamer.

Are all x38s ATI?
how do i know whats best for nvidia.. (sry for noob qs)

 

[singingigo]

For upgradability: Skip the X38...google it, and you will find there have been compatability issues with the new peryn Processors and nehalem won't work at all.

What's best for nVidia is a nForce motherboard. Look for a 680i board if you are concerned about that.

As others have noted, there isn't much difference between DDR2-800 and DDR2-1066 OR DDR3-1333. If you don't want to trusted the experienced builder who are giving you free advice, don't. Look around at tech sites. Tom's did a review on DDR3 and found that DDR3 only shows decent performance gains at DDR3-1600. They found that DDR3-1333 show little or even negative gains over DDR2-1066.

So what DDR2-800 over 1066? Well, you can buy DDR2-800 designed for overclocking with tighter CL timings at a lower cost that stock DDR2-1066. If you aren't going to overclock, then get the DDR1066.

 

[stephenstern]

i am taking on the advice, as i learn. i cant argue with the reviews. I just thought ddr3 at 1333 matched the board and cpu. i guess it dosnt work quite like that.

do i need a mb that has the 680i? will it actually make a difference.

 

[stephenstern]

ok taking you guys advice, dropped the x38 and ddr3. i have come up with these three boards... what do you think?

GA-P35-DS3 REV2
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4MTJ&CategorySelectedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143,4294953870,4294959071

GA P35C DS3R
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4KRT&CategorySelectedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143,4294953870,4294959071

P5KC
http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4QNW&CategorySelectedId=11143&NavigationKey=11143,4294953870,4294959071

 

[chookman]

Go with the first if any. Having a combo board is a waste of good DIMM space.

 

[stephenstern]

we all think the first one?

 

[stephenstern]

Right, i made my choice because of reviews, cost and features.
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4

On their suppored memory chart, it states: Corsair CM2X1024-8500C5.
But i can only find T2X2048-8500C5D, does the D mean anything important?

 

[stephenstern]

anyone got a preference between:
http://www.dabs.com/compare.aspx?&ql=4S61&ql=4S5P&ql=4TNM&ql=4S0H&ql=4RLN&ql=4SQB&ql=4S7R&NavigationKey=11137&CategorySelectedId=11137

im sure there all the same... i have put the asus in my basket, unless anyone thinks otherwise?

 

[rgeist554]

I like EVGA and XFX because of the warranty / benefits, but you can really go for which ever is actually available.

 

[stephenstern]

ok i have gone XFX alpha dog ed, £173.

just need to find a decent PSU now!

 

[rgeist554]

http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

The best ones are tier 2 and up on this list.
*edit* I'd go for 500-550W for your system.

 

[stephenstern]

i may upgrade to 4 hds in time. 3 in raid5, i would need mroe power than 550 no?

 

[stephenstern]

On gigabyte suppored memory chart, it states: Corsair CM2X1024-8500C5.
But i can only find T2X2048-8500C5D, does the "D" mean anything important?