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need suggestions & advice on new build

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - need suggestions & advice on new build

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I wanted to get some advice for a potential build.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2-4 weeks

BUDGET RANGE: $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Multitasking [720p movies/music/Microsoft office], photoshop

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Case, video card, hard drive, fan, DVD/floppy

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: buying locally

PARTS PREFERENCES:
Looking to build the following machine and want some advice:
Core i5 750 2.66 Ghz
Asus P5P77 LX socket 1156
4GB OCZ RAM 1066mhz
Antec EarthWatts EA 500W PSU

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, but nothing hardcore requiring voltage adjustments or extra cooling (have 2 fans for the case)

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Nope

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 22" Samsung 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Looking to run it on a windows 7 x64 system.
I was wondering if these parts were a good combination, especially the mobo since I can't
get much info about it. On top of that, how would this machine compare to a core 2 quad Q9400?(only because the parts are slightly cheaper). I'm moving from a pentium D945 @ 3.74 Ghz and my Mb doesn't support quad cores.

Message edited by vancoRx on 11-15-2009 at 02:44:02 AM

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I can't find anything about that motherboard. Where are you getting that model number from? You need to make sure the RAM is compatible with that board. I assume it's DDR3? Also, a 500W PSU should be fine, but I'd still like to know your video card.

The i5 750 will be better than the Q9400. If nothing else, for its great overclocking abilities. You defiantly see an improvement over your Pentium D.

Reply to dougx1317

Hey sorry about that, the video card is an ATI 4850 i'm using from my old system.

the ASUS mother board can be found here
http://infonec.com/site/main.php?m [...] &id=449971

and here

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P [...] templete=2

The ram is DDR, I actually found the 1333Mhz version with the part number OCZ Platinum 4GB [OCZ3P13334GK]

sorry about the confusion

Reply to vancoRx

That looks like a fine motherboard, and the RAM (DDR3) should be compatible.

Reply to dougx1317

I was looking at the article on toms regarding 4GB ddr3 ram kits, and ocz 4GB 1066mhz had some issues with their voltage on some 1156 mobos. Would this 1333mhz set have the same issues as the ones in the article?

Reply to vancoRx

Yes, it very possibly could have issues. 1.8V for DDR3 RAM is very high. It might work, but I'd go for RAM around 1.65V. Do you already have these parts?

Reply to dougx1317

Not as of yet, but this ram thing has me miffed, not sure if I should get only 2 GB for now and wait to get 2 GB later or whether I should spend more and get different RAM. This set was one of the cheapest ones going for roughly $75 cdn

Reply to vancoRx

It's really up to you, but dual channel RAM needs to be bought in sets of 2 sticks to be utilized. I'd recommend a two 2GB stick pack. (total of 4GB) 4GB is becoming the standard, especially on that cpu.

Reply to dougx1317

What about RAM from GEIL? I haven't heard much about them, and I wanted to make sure I got reliable RAM from a reliable company. This is suppose to be compatible with i5, and runs at the normal 1.5V rating

Geil 4GB 2 x 2GB DDR3 PC3-10660 1333MHz C9 lactency
http://infonec.com/site/main.php?m [...] &id=449788

Additionally, would lower latency(C7) 1066Mhz RAM be faster/better than higher latency (C9) 1333Mhz RAM? i'm really confused as to the specifications and comparison of RAM latency

Reply to vancoRx

GEIL is a great company to buy from. 1.5V is what it's suppose to run at normally, so that's good. (1.65V is pretty much the limit in my opinion.)

That RAM is fine. It would best if you could find 1333Mhz with CL 7. I wouldn't go below 1333Mhz though. Here's some nice G. Skill RAM. It's a little bit more expensive, it's 1600Mhz with CL 7.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231303

Reply to dougx1317

I read up on the issues surrounding foxconn sockets and how they can potentially malfunction. I was wondering whether the Asus motherboard I've chosen uses this socket manufacture and if so is there another board i can get that won't have these issues, I wouldn't want to invest money into something that's going to kill my processor

Message edited by vancoRx on 11-22-2009 at 04:09:24 AM

Reply to vancoRx

Yes it does have a Foxconn. Zoom in on the picture of the bottom of the board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131604

I had the same concerns. Here's the thread.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] onn-socket

Reply to dougx1317

Thanks for the links,
With that in mind, did you go ahead and use the mobo? and are there any problems with its use?

Reply to vancoRx

I have the board, but I still haven't found the time to build the computer. I'm going to check the puncture points on the pads of the processor as was suggested in my thread. If it's all good, then I'll keep it. If it appears to not be working properly, I'm not sure. I'd hate to have to return it, but it sounds like a critical problem. I'll be building it over Thanksgiving weekend, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Reply to dougx1317

The Foxconn socket problem will only matter if you plan to overclock to 4ghz or more. Just because it doesnt seat right does not mean it wont work right.

Reply to Sonic-Boom

It's still hard on the processor. And the 1156 socket hasn't been around long enough to know what the long term effects are. It seems like the problem could be more or less serious depending on how poor the connection is. Only time will tell how many normal users with stock speeds will experience problems. The only way to avoid possible problems with the socket is to make sure it has a good connection.

Reply to dougx1317

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - need suggestions & advice on new build