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Once again, a system upgrade turns into a new build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Once again, a system upgrade turns into a new build

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As per my usual tendencies, I always build new systems in hopes that I will later just upgrade certain aspects. But 90% of the time I end up just building a new PC all together. Oh well.

Anyway, I just recently bought a BenQ V2400W 24" LCD and my current setup struggles whilst running games at 1920x1200. I mainly game and just general PC usage with some web/graphic design mixed in on occassion. This is what I'm looking at:

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8600
CPU Fan: ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
Video: 2x CF'd SAPPHIRE 100242TXSR Radeon Toxic HD 4850
RAM: 2x kits for a total of 8gb - A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

I'm planning on doing some OC'ing. I'm hoping to get 8gb of RAM on this board. Will the A-DATA cut it?

Storage isn't an issue and I currently have an Antec P182 which I really love. I am taking suggestions on cases, but will probably just stick with the P182. I am in need of a new PSU, something that will work well with the P182 (I had issues with past PSU's reaching everything needed inside this case) and will support CrossFire. I'll be running a vLite'd version of Vista Ultimate 64-bit.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Message edited by df1z on 08-25-2008 at 10:33:40 AM

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Couple of comments:

- Drop to E8400 because if you are overclocking you will make up the difference in clock speed to an E8600 and you will save yourself money ($100).

- For overclocking look at a 4GB of DDR2-1066 from Corsair, Geil, OCZ, Mushkin. The quantity is not so important, and 4Gb is the sweet spot, whereas extra speed will help you.

- The money saved on the processor could upgrade one of those 4850's to a 4870. Although you would need another 4870 to crossfire. You might find that one 4870 would cope with the 24".

- PSU, suggest Corsair 750TX. Should be about right for your needs.

Jeremy

Message edited by jpdykes on 08-25-2008 at 01:09:20 PM

Reply to jpdykes

-1 on the Zalman cooler.its utterly expensive and with inadaquate performance.get the Xigmatek S1283 or the OCZ Vendetta 2 for better performance at a even lower price.

Reply to iluvgillgill

Excellent! Thanks for the input guys. I think I may just stick with the CF'd 4850s for now. And for the PSU I was looking into a modular unit. I just built a system for a buddy and used my first modular PSU and it was just a much cleaner setup. Any thoughts?

This is a revised outlook:

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
Video: 2x CF'd SAPPHIRE 100242TXSR Radeon Toxic HD 4850
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF

Reply to df1z

looks great!go for it!

Reply to iluvgillgill

Consider the P5Q -E.

It has some extra ports and a slightly better OC BIOS. Also better cooling on the board. Usually 10 bucks more.

Reply to Proximon

Anandtech in it's reviews shows the length of the cables, like this:

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooli [...] i=3368&p=3

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
Reply to evongugg

+1 for XIGMATEK

Reply to Sable Wanderer

On the topic of PSUs, I was looking at the Antec NeoPower 650 or the Antec TPQ-850 850W. I've never had any problems in the past with Antec PSUs. Anybody have experience with either of these?

Reply to df1z

The TPQ 850 is a pretty good deal, comes with a combo deal on a good case.

Corsair 750TX is highly recommended around here, and a good deal as well.

PC P&C has a 610W that is a pretty good deal, and OCZ has two 600W that are good as well. I think the Neo is probably good but not as good as the others listed.

Reply to Proximon

Again, thanks to everyone for your input. This is what I decided on and I'll being making the order as soon as my check clears!

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q-E
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
CPU Fan: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
Video: 2x CF'd SAPPHIRE 100242TXSR Radeon Toxic HD 4850
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
PSU: Corsair 750TX

Reply to df1z

all looks great.

Reply to iluvgillgill

There is hardly any performance difference between 800MHz RAM and 1066MHz RAM, and unless you plan on a ridiculous OC on that E8400, 800MHz is all you need.

Reply to Wanker79

well 4Ghz OC then you need 1066 ram and since his P5Q-E and Xigmatek is capable of both reaching there and keep it cool.why not?

Reply to iluvgillgill

I didn't check, but there are several 1066 4Gb kits in the 80 buck range these days.

Reply to Proximon

My parts will be in today. I'm pretty pumped to tear apart my old system and get this bad boy running!

Reply to df1z

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