Hey everyone, I'm hoping to get some feedback on this possible build. I was trying to stay around $1200 but still include reliable components that will hold up for a decent amount of time.
Here is what I have so far...(oh and I'll be using the Apevia X-Alien case from the previous system)
If possible get a better quality card from XFX,EVGA, BFG. ECS is not the best of quality. Also consider a 9600 or a 8800GT. Also consider not getting a Raptor, instead consider a big 7200.11 HDD(s), the 7200.11s are almost as fast as Raptors in most benchmarks but has bigger storage for the same price.
Thanks for the reply Shadow, and nice OC guide. The main reason I was going to go with 2 HDs was for the possibility of using fraps.
You're probably right about the gfx card. I've never heard of ECS but they had some crazy rebates going on that card. Is the difference between the 8800 GTS and the GT really that big?
Thanks for the reply Shadow, and nice OC guide. The main reason I was going to go with 2 HDs was for the possibility of using fraps.
You're probably right about the gfx card. I've never heard of ECS but they had some crazy rebates going on that card. Is the difference between the 8800 GTS and the GT really that big?
The difference isn't that big at stock. The gts overclocks more though, and runs cooler, due to dual slot cooler.
I would say ditch the Raptor. If you're concerned about speed, save the $100 and get another 320GB for RAID 0.
As for the ECS brand 8800GTS, I think it's a good move. Just look into the warranty and see if it offers lifetime. They're all the same anyways, the KO editions or the XXX alpha dog editions, etc. Only difference being stock clocks and you'll probably be able to overclock that ECS 8800GTS just as well as any other card.
If you ditch the Raptor all together and just go with one hard drive, you could bump up the GTS to a 9800GTX. Seeing as you're gaming on 22" monitor, I would go with the GTX. Even if you don't the GTS is a very capable card.
Just my two cents
Message edited by fjabad on 05-06-2008 at 05:33:32 AM
Thanks for the replies. I swapped out the 2 Western Digital drives for the 7200.11. I'll have to do some more research on the gfx cards since I don't see any warranty info for the ECS 8800GTS.
Two more quick questions though. This will be my first build so I'm not sure how hard I will push the OC. Would it be better to stick with the E8400 or switch to the Q6600? I may be using this for AoC if they fix the stability issues. And for the OS, home premium 64bit or Ultimate 64bit?
ECS offer 3 year warranty, not lifetime. You do not need lifetime, as the card will be long obsolete after 3 years. Lifetime warranty is a gemmick from manufacturers, knowing they won't need to honor it past a few years anyway, since no one will be using it.
E8400 is easier to OC. If gaming E8400 will also be better. If video editing go with Q6600.
E8400 easily overclock to beyond 4.0ghz. The problem is, your p35 chipset motherboard will bottleneck it to not much more than 3.6ghz. And since q6600 overclocks to 3.6ghz just fine, it's pointless to get e8400 unless motherboard fsb bottleneck is removed.
So I'm sensing that the Q6600 would be a better option for me. Would the OC be pretty straight forward and reliable with the Xigmatek?
Also does anyone have any experience with the Samsung monitor? The specs claim...
Contrast ratios of DC 8000:1(1000:1) DC being?
And response of 5 ms, 2 ms (GTG) GTG?
P35 runs at 1333mhz fsb at stock, and reliably overclock to 1600mhz. X38/48 runs at 1600mhz stock, and reliably overclock to 2000mhz. 1600mhz fsb = 3.6ghz for 9x multiplier cpu (e8400, q6600). Q6600 cannot oc much beyond 3.8ghz, e8400 easily oc above 4.0ghz.
P35 wont bottle neck at 3.6. You need 400FSB with the 9x multi to hit 3.6. This would run 800 ram at a 1:1 ratio as well. Most all P35s will do 450fsb.
I must have better luck then Dagger has brains. Dagger I bet I can get to 2000, why dont you put your money where your mouth is? All i need is ram that can do 500, my current generic ram wont oc past 440. MY chip and my mobo will do 2000 for sure.
Most everyone having issues with P35s and hitting over 1600 is because of DDR 800 ram. Most x38/48 setups are running 1066 or higher. 90% of the time its a ram limitation not a motherboard limitation. Most good P35s have more voltage adjustments as well which helps even more with the right ram. All I can adjust is CPU vcore and ram voltage, so any board with better settings is likely to work better.
Where the hell do you get this magical 1337 number? Fairytale land?
That is a GREAT build in my opinion. I take it you've modified it since people have been posting. Don't fall for the Quad core crap unless you know for sure that the apps you are running will utilize it. Other wise a higher clocked dual core will suck less power and performe better in 90% of all games.
The ONLY think I would change is the memory. the e8400 run on a 333MHZ bus and with DDR2 800 you will hit the 1:1 ration at 400MHZ. That CPU can definitely clock higher than that. So if you plan to OC I'd pick up some DDR2 1000 or 1066 memory. Other than that you can't get much better for the money with that build. The 8800GTS is the best choice you can really take with a 22" monitor. I have one and it is rock solid and runs basically all games at max res and max settings... in DX9 that is
ECS offer 3 year warranty, not lifetime. You do not need lifetime, as the card will be long obsolete after 3 years. Lifetime warranty is a gemmick from manufacturers, knowing they won't need to honor it past a few years anyway, since no one will be using it.
True, but the quality still matters. But I dont know about you but my cards tend to go down to replace the older cards, for example my 8800GT will replace a 7600 on one of my rigs when I upgrade the 8800 to something else .i.e. 4800.
That is a GREAT build in my opinion. I take it you've modified it since people have been posting. Don't fall for the Quad core crap unless you know for sure that the apps you are running will utilize it. Other wise a higher clocked dual core will suck less power and performe better in 90% of all games.
The ONLY think I would change is the memory. the e8400 run on a 333MHZ bus and with DDR2 800 you will hit the 1:1 ration at 400MHZ. That CPU can definitely clock higher than that. So if you plan to OC I'd pick up some DDR2 1000 or 1066 memory. Other than that you can't get much better for the money with that build. The 8800GTS is the best choice you can really take with a 22" monitor. I have one and it is rock solid and runs basically all games at max res and max settings... in DX9 that is
Like I said on my guide many people have problems with RAM natively higher than DDR2 800. Get some good quality DDR2 800 and OC it. (ie. Crucial Ballastix)
Like I said on my guide many people have problems with RAM natively higher than DDR2 800. Get some good quality DDR2 800 and OC it. (ie. Crucial Ballastix)
REALLY! so PC8000 and PC8500 memory has issues but if you take good pc6400 memory and PC it to 500MHZ it doesnt? that is interesting.
That is a GREAT build in my opinion. I take it you've modified it since people have been posting. Don't fall for the Quad core crap unless you know for sure that the apps you are running will utilize it. Other wise a higher clocked dual core will suck less power and performe better in 90% of all games.
Thanks. The processor is just about the only thing I'm still unsure about. I know everyone has different opinions on it based on the OC level. This is my first build so I'm not sure how far I will push the OC. It sounds like the Q6600 with the P35 @ 1600 is a solid 3.6ghz. To take the E8400 past this then I would either have to really push the P35 or step up to the x38/x48? The difference in price between the procs is about $20, while the difference between mobos is over $100.
The only multithreaded game that I might play at this point is AoC. Who knows in the near future.
I don't want to steal your light but I have a question... Would upgrading to the x38 board make it more future proof? How high can you oc with the GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L with the e8400 compared to the x38?
Feel free to try 2000mhz fsb on p35. It's not like I'm the one paying. But make sure to come back and post results.
Note that all those people's system specs indicate they're running on p35. People tend to boast with whatever they have, it makes them feel better. I'm the only one who ran both p35 and x38. And note that I'm not boasting whatever I use with fantastic scores like they are. Boasting for either p35 and x38 does well to for stroking my own ego, yet I'm doing neither. What's in it for me? Could it be that I just want to help, instead of showing off? Ignore the hooting mob, listen to the voice of reason. Conservative estimate is the solid advice to bank on.
Steppings of fsb are 1066-1333-1600-2000. A good estimate for oc to bank on would be one step above. P35, according to manufacturer specs, run at 1333mhz fsb, x38/48 at 1600mhz. Look at the board you're planning on, it says "1333/1066." http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813128059
Don't go by what I say. How well do you think any hardware can run at nearly twice of what they're designed to do?
Nothing is magical. Take online advices with a grain of salt. People have egos. Start with what the manufacturer tell you as baseline, then use your brains to make an intelligent estimate.
If you do go with p35 with e8400, come back and help someone else so that they don't make the same mistake.
Message edited by dagger on 05-07-2008 at 01:52:20 AM
. Nice choices on PSU, CPU, HDDs, Motherboard, HSF.
Dagger I bet I can get to 2000, why dont you put your money where your mouth is? All i need is ram that can do 500, my current generic ram wont oc past 440. MY chip and my mobo will do 2000 for sure.
