Comments before I hit "Buy"

Averick

Averick

Averick

Associate
Joined
5 Jul 2004
Posts
51
Location
London
Hi Guys,

If you could please take a look at the contents of my shopping basket and let me know what you think, any potential problems, etc. before I buy, I'd be very grateful.

pcpg1.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7821/pcpg1.jpg

Some information that'll show where I'm coming from: I'm buying this PC predominately for games. I'll be using the hard drives from my current PC (500GB WD & 74GB WD Raptor) so I don't need to buy them. I'll be hooking this up to my 2405FPW (24") monitor. I won't be overclocking this system at all.

Couple of questions as well:

1) As I'm using "OcUK" memory it obviously wasn't on the memory check list for the Gigabyte board. I'm pretty sure it will work but I'd like some confirmation on this.

2) What's this rigmarole about installing Vista with 2GB and then putting the next 2GB after due to issues with large amounts of memory?

Thanks.
 
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Where is the shopping basket? I presume there shoudl be a picture?

1)yes im sure the memory will work fine

2) 4gb is a lot nicer and smoother and in games like crysis i expect it will make a big performacne increase. You will need 64 bit vista tho.
 
If you aren't overclocking PC2-8500 is pointless, you could save a tenner there easy.

Why not choose either the retail G0 Q6600 or the OEM and get a third party heatsink? You have selected a B3.
 
you shouldn't have any probs installing with 4GB. I installed 8GB on Vista 64-bit Ultimate about a month or so ago, and it was probably the easiest windows install I've experienced to date. best of luck mate :).
 
why don't you get the: Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail instead of the kentsfield?

Not sure about the memory but it should work.. I don't think the 64bit version is affected, you don't see any more than 3Gb or so with the 32bit version anyway so the 64 bit version is needed.
 
Here is a spec for you.

Wait for the new GTS to come out. The new ones will be much more powerful and overclock even better then the current ones. They will overclock past the speeds of the GTX and will have just 12 less streme points (currently they have quite a few less). They will not be quite as powerful but if overclocked as far as they will go they will be very close in performance.

:EDIT:
Some changes ive made to your spec:

Cheaper ram but it will overclock nicely and the difference between 800mhz and 1000mhz can only be seen in memory tests and benchmarking. Not really in game performance.

A moer expensive case which can be changed if you want but it is superior with better air flow design and compartments and sound proofing.

A highly overclockerble mobo, but the gigabtye would still be fine if you wanted to save money.

A better psu, your psu is not quiet at all.

The oem Q6600 with a very good cooler to allow you to overclock it from 2.4 to 3.5 Overclocking is dead easy and someone on here will happly run you through it im sure.

ocuk940.jpg
 
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Wow! Thanks for all the input guys. I really appreciate it.

I will be changing the CPU to the 95W one. I meant to click that originally. :D

I got that memory because is was 1066Mhz which is the FSB of the CPU which I presumed (probably incorrectly) was the best match. I guess this isn't the case?

8igdave: Thanks for taking the time to re-spec but I am not going to be overclocking (as alien as that is to a lot of you :p). I will be taking on your case and PSU recommendations though. Thanks!
 
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Overclocking sounds like mission impossible but i can promiss you its dead simple.

Step 1: Turn off options in bios which will decrease the speed of the cpu when idle (all of these will be said to you by us so you dont miss any and even where they can be found)

Step 2: Increase voltages which someone on ocuk will tell you and give you an idea of how much

Step 3: Increase the FBS number to a number which the OCUk member will tell you

Step 4: Change the ram divider to give you the highest possible speed on your ram

Step 5: Run a stressing program just to make sure all is stable

As long as you choose to overclock your cpu to 3.2ghz intead of 3.5ghz i would say its almost certain 100% stable without even testing.

Ill give you a guide it not only helps you with building a pc but also overclocking it. read through it. its not as difficult as it sounds.

http://tools.corsair.com/systembuild/report.aspx?report_id=78237&sid=1

Use the drop down menu at the bottem to skip between pages. Read through its a pritty good guide for building and overclocking.
 
Averick said:
I got that memory because is was 1066Mhz which is the FSB of the CPU which I presumed (probably incorrectly) was the best match. I guess this isn't the case?
Click to expand...

Remember the FSB is quad-pumped whereas the memory is only double-pumped. So a 1066 FSB cpu pairs with 533mhz memory (PC4200).

Of course, faster RAM gives better performance and also headroom for overclocking. But something like PC6400 is perfectly adequate.

Regarding the soundcard, I'd recommend avoiding the cheaper "Xtreme Audio" X-fi. It's supposedly a lot worse than the Xtreme Gamer/Music models costing around £50.
 
I missed that bit about the memory speeds. Yup a he said its quad pumped. Also as i added in my spec id go for the gamer.

Also glad to help :) I enjoy it. Gives me somthing to do. I seem to haunt the general hardware forum specing up everyone the last few days :)
 
true, 1 went bang, although there have been mentions of a few others doing the silent death. either way its more than i would like to hear about.
 
Corsair PSU’s haven’t been around long enough to warrant the amount of recommendation they have here. Go with a proven brand like Enermax, a bit dearer but you know you can’t go wrong.
 
8igdave said:
seasonic is a lot dearer. The closest is 75 quid and you dont get modular cables. Enermex is a lot dearer also.
Click to expand...

I think an extra £15 - £40 is easily worth it though. Small price to pay for peace of mind over the debatable Corsair.

Personally I'll be staying away from Corsair and paying the premium for my next PSU. I'm not taking the risk with my system. Especially after reading this http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17792428.
 
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