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New build. Any advice?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New build. Any advice?

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sacoops   04-13-2008 at 11:19:02 PM

Hey everyone. Doing my first ever build for myself. Done it for a couple of other people before but never actually owned any parts myself! Was wondering if you could give any advice on parts i have chosen. I will be playing games on a 1680x1050 screen. I have never overclocked before but i wouldn't rule it out so i will be buying parts with that in mind.

E8400 CPU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CP-192-IN £187.99

Mobo - Asus P5E Intel X38 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=946 £140.99

Memory - OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz Reaper HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (CZ2RPR800EB2GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=813 £45.99

GPU - Either an 8800 GTS or 9800 GTX. unsure really. any suggestions from the site i have chosen?

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=940 £63.44

DVD-RW - Asus DRW-2014L1T
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=951 £19.96

Antec Nine Hundred - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CA-065-AN £76.36

Antec EarthWatts 500W - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] 23&subcat= £55.21

Total cost = £589.94 plus which ever graphics card i decide on


Thanks for looking.

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mihirkula   04-14-2008 at 01:04:27 AM
- 0 +

Its a nice build.

Except...get the 8800GTS... the 9800GTX is quite overblown and underwhelming.

------------------------------ Intel E6750 * Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L * Galaxy 8800GT 512mb 620MHz* Corsair VX450 * 2GB Transcend 667* 2x120GB Seagate SATA * Altec Lansing ATP3*
 Reply to mihirkula
Shadow703793   04-14-2008 at 01:29:20 AM
- 0 +

^Agreed on graphics. Also try and get a better PSU. I recommend Corsair or PP&C.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 01:44:22 AM
- 0 +

Ok. What about the mobo. just seen from specs it is only suitable for 1333 fsb. is that right or should i get a gigabyte model which has 1600?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=946

Reply to sacoops
Maroc   04-14-2008 at 01:50:14 AM
- 0 +

I highly recommend you get 4gb (2x2) of memory rather than just the 2.

Reply to Maroc
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 09:20:48 AM
- 0 +

But i only have XP 32 bit and no plans of upgrading OS yet. I know it would still be more memory but it couldnt use all 4gb could it?

Also can anybody suggest a PSU and motherboard? I am unsure what i am looking for with these.

Reply to sacoops
lunyone   04-14-2008 at 09:46:54 AM
- 0 +

The x38 mobo will be under-utilized, if your not going to OC much. A p35 based mobo will do quite well and save you some $. The p35 mobo's will also OC quite well and you shouldn't be dissapointed either. I'd go with at least a Gigabyte DS3L/Abit IP35-e/Asus p5k e or better. They will all OC well and should give you many years of service. Just make sure that whichever mobo you get will have all of the options that you require (i.e. # of SATA connections, RAID, eSATA, firewire, etc.).
The Antec 500w PSU should be fine, especially since your not going to be tasking it too much with your proposed build. You'll have 34A on the 12V rail with that PSU, so you'll be able to supply any single GPU solution. If you want to look at other good PSU's, I'd go with Corsair or PCP&C PSU's. They have good warranties and are built well. I'd look at the Corsair vx450w (minimum) or the vx 550w or if you want modular cables the hx520w PSU. From PCP&C I'd look at the Silencer 610w PSU.

------------------------------ PSU Tiers
GPU Power
8800gtx w/e6600 OC'd will run on Antec 380w w/27A on 12v rail, PSU!!
 Reply to lunyone
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 12:22:09 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the advice. If i were to buy a good p35 mobo then what kind of overclock could i expect on my build?

Reply to sacoops
lunyone   04-14-2008 at 02:38:48 PM
- 0 +

Most people have been getting around 4 gHz on the e8400, so I'd expect that you should be around there too. There are alot of different variables, but that seems to be a pretty constant OC on the e8400 and a p35 mobo. I'd start at the Gigabyte DS3L and if it doesn't have enough than the DS3R or even Abit IP35 or Asus p5k series of mobo's. They start around $90-$140 USD, so you can see how much you'd save over the x38 mobo's.

------------------------------ PSU Tiers
GPU Power
8800gtx w/e6600 OC'd will run on Antec 380w w/27A on 12v rail, PSU!!
 Reply to lunyone
aevm   04-14-2008 at 03:32:56 PM
- 0 +

Check these out
BFG 8800GTS 512MB, Corsair 620HX, GA-P35-DS3R or IP35 Pro
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =GX-059-BG
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CA-004-CS
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =MB-088-GI
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =MB-135-AB

Between those two motherboards: both are great overclockers and very stable. The IP35 Pro costs more, but it offers additional features like eSATA, FireWire, a second PCI-E x16 slot. That slot won't do SLI, but you can still use it for a cheap second card if you need 3 monitors and your first card is already taken by the first two monitors.

Reply to aevm
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 07:40:12 PM
- 0 +

Ok so my build is shaping up like this:

E8400 CPU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CP-192-IN £187.99

Mobo - IP35 Pro
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -AB&tool=3 £109.26

Memory - OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz Reaper HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (CZ2RPR800EB2GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=813 £45.99

GPU - BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 512MB
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =GX-059-BG £170.36

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=940 £63.44

DVD-RW - Asus DRW-2014L1T
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=951 £19.96

Antec Nine Hundred - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CA-065-AN £76.36

Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] =CA-004-CS £88.11


Total cost = £761.47

How does this looks? Any comments? Chose the motherboard based on the reviews on the website. People seemed more pleased with its overclocking abilities compared to the ds3r

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to sacoops
aevm   04-14-2008 at 07:50:51 PM
- 0 +

sacoops wrote :



....
Memory - OCZ 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400 800MHz Reaper HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (CZ2RPR800EB2GK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=813 £45.99

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] subcat=940 £63.44


How does this looks? Any comments? Chose the motherboard based on the reviews on the website. People seemed more pleased with its overclocking abilities compared to the ds3r



The IP35 Pro is probably the very best P35 motherboard out there. I think it's got the most Editor's Choice awards. You won't regret it.

You still need a CPU cooler, since you're into overclocking. From what they have in stock there, I'd pick the Tuniq Tower.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -SB&tool=3
This version has annoying blue lights, but since you picked the Antec 900 I assume you don't mind them :)

If you still have some cash left get 2x2GB RAM or upgrade the hard disk to WD6400AAKS.

Reply to aevm
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 07:54:32 PM
- 0 +

I have an arctic freezer 7 pro for my current computer. which is a P4 3.6GHz! Think i will notice the upgrade? :D

I picked the case as everyone seems to think its good :p

I chose the HDD based on this websites charts, what difference will i notice with the WD?

I may upgrade the RAM but will it make much difference to me? I don't really plan on going 64bit any time soon. I obviously game but does it make much difference to games atm?

Reply to sacoops
aevm   04-14-2008 at 08:05:09 PM
- 0 +

All right, the Freezer will do nicely.

If the PC is supposed to run at night in your bedroom you may want to look at the P182 instead of Antec 900. It's quieter and has no lights.

The WD 6400AAKS is a bit faster (very dense platters, 320GB each). I doubt you'll notice that, since the 7200.11 is very good too. You will notice that it's 640 GB instead of 500GB.

The RAM will help if you get Vista. Don't bother for XP. With XP 32-bit, that vidoe card, and 4GB, you'd see 3.5 GB.

Reply to aevm
sacoops   04-14-2008 at 08:08:46 PM
- 0 +

Ye. i just searched for pics of the 900 and thats a lot of light! not sure about that now.

Will prob go for the p182. Is there a cheaper alternative PSU to offset the extra case price?

Was thinking about going Vista soon but assumed i would go 32bit. To be honest i don't use any specialist programs though so should i just go 64?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to sacoops
cisco   04-14-2008 at 08:12:33 PM
- 0 +

I agree try to get a better PSU. Like a PC Power 610 or 750quad. A good PSU can actually improve the performance of your computer as well as the stability, especially when overclocking. I own the 1066mhz version of that ram it's sweet. I think the Reaper series is one of the best ram kits on the market. I tried the Reaper X but returned it because the new heat pipes are huge. The one you have chosen is perfect and will allow you to fill all four ram slots.

Reply to cisco
Silverion77   04-14-2008 at 08:43:04 PM
- 0 +

Definitely^^

It will do fine and is a great PSU

------------------------------ Antec 1200|Antec Signature 850w|Asus Maximus II Formula|Q9650|4GB Dominator 1066|EVGA 9800GX2
 Reply to Silverion77
aevm   04-14-2008 at 08:54:27 PM
- 0 +

sacoops wrote :

Ye. i just searched for pics of the 900 and thats a lot of light! not sure about that now.

Will prob go for the p182. Is there a cheaper alternative PSU to offset the extra case price?

Was thinking about going Vista soon but assumed i would go 32bit. To be honest i don't use any specialist programs though so should i just go 64?



Yeah, if you get Vista you might as well go 64.

You could get the P182 and the 620HX from www.ebuyer.com, save £9 and get free delivery. Or shop around. Somebody in the UK might be able to tell you other good sites.

There's also the Silencer 610W, a very good PSU, very much like the 620HX but not modular and cheaper. It's out of stock at Overclockers right now, unfortunately.

Reply to aevm
aevm   04-14-2008 at 08:56:38 PM
- 0 +

sacoops wrote :

How about this? Enough power?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] -CS&tool=3



Yeah. A bit less room for future upgrades, but still plenty of juice for what you need.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to aevm
aevm   04-14-2008 at 09:01:32 PM
- 0 +

aevm wrote :

Yeah. A bit less room for future upgrades, but still plenty of juice for what you need.



Something's wrong with the site, I can quote but I can't edit or just post reply. Anyway, go to www.ebuyer.com and get the P182 and the 550VX. That's just as good as the 520HX and costs less, and the P182 is cheaper there.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132563
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126946

Reply to aevm
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