Once again, a system upgrade turns into a new build

[df1z]

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!

 

[jpdykes]

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

 

[iluvgillgill]

-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.

 

[df1z]

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

 

[iluvgillgill]

looks great!go for it!

 

[Proximon]

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.

 

[evongugg]

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

http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.aspx?i=3368&p=3

 

[Sable Wanderer]

+1 for XIGMATEK

 

[df1z]

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?

 

[Proximon]

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.

 

[df1z]

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

 

[iluvgillgill]

all looks great.

 

[Wanker79]

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.

 

[iluvgillgill]

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?

 

[Proximon]

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

 

[df1z]

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