kavok

Distinguished
Aug 22, 2007
22
0
18,510
Would appreciate thoughts, suggestions, feedback, potential problems etc... on this build:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=13028087

I especially need suggestions for CPU cooler. Preferably one that does that job and is EASY to install. I absolutely dread installing CPU coolers.

I will be running Vista Ultimate 64bit. So if you spot any drive issues that you've run into let me know. :)

For people who don't want to click:

Case:
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
PSU:
ENERMAX MODU82+ EMD625AWT 625W ATX12V Ver.2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
CPU:
AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 140W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HD995ZFAJ4BGH - OEM
RAM:
4x mushkin 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory - Retail
HDD - Applications
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000GLFS 300GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
HDD - Storage
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Optical Drive:
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
Motherboard:
ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

One question though, with the Socket AM2+ Processor and RAM installed in all four slots won't it bring them all down to DDR2 800 anyways? Should I just buy DDR2 800?


 

auscanzukus

Distinguished
Jul 26, 2008
953
0
18,990
If you're overclocking AM2, you want ram as fast as possible or it may bottleneck your o/c. Stick to the one on your list. Otherwise, pick up some 800mhz sticks.

AM2 cpu cooler installs are a LOT easier than LGA775's. It takes a bit of pressure to lock the latch.

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125

If you do extreme overclocking, you want better cooling:

XIGMATEK HDT-RS1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233012
 

kavok

Distinguished
Aug 22, 2007
22
0
18,510


Well from what I've read, if you put RAM in all four slots then they become DDR2 800 - so would it technically still be faster RAM?
 

johnyeah

Distinguished
Nov 12, 2007
562
0
18,980
Hmm.

I don't know what you want to do with your system, but I would take the VelociRaptor out and either get a 4870x2 or a crossfire setup with the two of them.

The Corsair CMPSU 750-TX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 would be a better buy than the Enermax.

Like the poster above, I'd recommmend XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 if you plan on overclocking.

Everything else looks fine.
 

johnyeah

Distinguished
Nov 12, 2007
562
0
18,980
Yeah, if you're a heavy gamer working at 1680*1050+ resolutions, I'd ditch the VelociRaptor (sure it's slightly faster when you load up Windows, but when it comes to gaming, who cares). If you do heavy file transferring and such, maybe you want to keep it.
 

Fwertz

Distinguished
Sep 21, 2008
53
0
18,630

johnyeah

Distinguished
Nov 12, 2007
562
0
18,980


1000W power supply is way overkill for what he's getting (and even future upgrades).

Also, I'd personally get a ASUS 790GX Combo with the CPU, it's substantially cheaper and offers more or less the same performance.
 

kavok

Distinguished
Aug 22, 2007
22
0
18,510


From the reviews the BIOS on the ASUS 790GX is a nightmare at the moment. The FX has much better reviews.

The raptor should help improve times in games too, correct me if I am wrong. For example if a game needs to read from a save file or load HDD contents into memory the raptor will make that move faster. Also better page file speeds and windows load times.

 

Fwertz

Distinguished
Sep 21, 2008
53
0
18,630
I'm a strong advocate of cheap and you wont recognize much of a preformance gain in a raptor from a 7200 RPM drive than you would a difference in your bank account. In my eyes, not worth it just yet. Especially the drive space, which you'll miss.
 

ahslan

Distinguished
Aug 23, 2007
941
0
18,990
well I personally think 4 gigs is enough, but I've heard people love having 8gigs (especially with vista)...that psu is pretty pricey for a 620w...i think you could probably get a cheaper one from antec without necessarily giving away quality.
 
Good build. Go with the XIGMATEK HDT-RS1283 cooler. The RAM will probably default to 800 but you can set it to 1066 in the BIOS by selecting the appropriate speed and voltage. If it has any problems running at the recommended settings test the sticks one at a time and you can RMA it or contact Mushkin. Mushkin is really good with RMAs and it's got a lifetime warranty.

Anyway since you got a BE processor if you're going to overclock start by raising the multiplier. Once it gets unstable lower the multiplier and slowly raise the FSB. Stress test it to make sure it's gonna be stable at whatever setting you're going to leave it at. Overall good build.