Old motherboard use for SWToR Build

[duelistvash]

My budget constraints have led me to dust off an old motherboard, CPU and memory P5V-VM DH http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5VVM_DH/ with 2Gb DDR2 and unsure on the CPU but I do think it meets minimum requirements for SWToR.

My question is what can I add to this to create something to play SWToR on (if anything) just until I have the money to get something better. I really would like to re-use some of the parts I get for a Sandy Bridge build down the line if possible. If not then cheapness is the key.

Gonna go with this case http://www.ebuyer.com/136491-galaxy-black-mid-tower-case-with-blue-bubble-light-led-strip-cas-408 and this disc drive http://www.ebuyer.com/176026-liteon-ihas124-19-24x-dvd-rw-dl-ram-sata-optical-drive-oem-ihas124-19

So really that leaves a need for a graphics card and hard drive and hoping the motherboard will work with Windows 7.

My card of choice for my Sandy Bridge build would be Radeon HD 6870 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=asc_df_B004R7MTPQ6101422?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B004R7MTPQ but this might not work with the motherboard I have so an interim card might be required.

 

[rvilkman]

The PCIe cards are backwards compatible. So the 6870 should work fine in the single 16x PCIe slot you have.
And considering even the fastests cards are barely starting to hit the limits of 8x PCIe gen2 which is the same as you 16x PCIe gen1 you should be ok.
Do take into account that the 6870 cards are quite long, so make sure there is enough space in the case you do end up selecting.

However the 6850 is not a bad option if you can find it for considerably less money, should make it easier on the PSU as well.

Just make sure you PSU is up to the task to running the 6870. A good 450W-500W unit will do fine.
I wouldn't touch the one that comes with the case you listed with a 10 foot pole, but it 'might' do the trick.

Seasonic, XFX, Corsair, Silverstone and antec all have good units in the desired range, but they do cost about 40£+
XFX Core Pro 650W £66.53 being about the top end you should be looking at pricewise.

 

[digitalzom-b]

If you can, you might want to look into a different case... that one seems a bit flimsy and I doubt it has quality airflow/cable management solutions.

Something like http://www.ebuyer.com/143854-antec-300-three-hundred-case-0761345-08300-3 might be a better option... better cooling at least, IMO.

 

[rvilkman]

^+1 on the antec 300, will fit things nicely and it has 2 slots in the front for 120mm fans if you need more airflow.

 

[duelistvash]

Thanks for the great advice; good to know the old mobo is still useful.

Will def go for the better case as I do want to use it further down the line when I upgrade. I'm guessing from the many positive reviews that this PSU will do everything I need now and in the future http://www.ebuyer.com/124927-arctic-power-700w-psu-4x-sata-1x-pci-express-p2-arctic-700td.

Just FYI gonna get the Intel i52500k when I have the money for it and a new mobo and memory to match it.

 

[rvilkman]

The reviews may be good, but it sure isn't one.
Spend the extra £25 and get the XFX you will be so much better off.

One thing is that it has 1 PCIe 6 pin connector and even that is via a MOLEX adaptor.
You want at least 2 PCIe 6 pins.

The XFX comes with 2 6 pins and 2 6+2 pins which is much much better.

Also the 700W power might actually be peak power instead of continuous power.
Isn't very clearly stated and the pictures don't show the data sheet.

 

[duelistvash]

The reviews may be good, but it sure isn't one.
Spend the extra £25 and get the XFX you will be so much better off.

One thing is that it has 1 PCIe 6 pin connector and even that is via a MOLEX adaptor.
You want at least 2 PCIe 6 pins.

The XFX comes with 2 6 pins and 2 6+2 pins which is much much better.

Also the 700W power might actually be peak power instead of continuous power.
Isn't very clearly stated and the pictures don't show the data sheet.

Thanks will listen to your advice as you sound like you know what you're talking about and I have only ever built one PC many years ago, and that only just did the job then.

Also was hoping to use this hard drive in the interim http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maxtor-80GB-SATA-HD-7200RPM-3-5-Desktop-PC-Hard-Drive-DiamondMax-Plus-9-6Y080M0-/250911536498?pt=UK_Computing_HardDrives_RL&hash=item3a6b7e3572#ht_3988wt_952 will change to http://www.ebuyer.com/272944-seagate-500gb-3-5-sata-iii-6gb-s-barracuda-hard-drive-7200rpm-16mb-cache-st500dm002 when I get the money.

 

[angaddev]

+1 for the XFX PSU

 

[duelistvash]

Best answer selected by duelistvash.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey