2 builds - need your help to finalise these specs once and for all!

Yozz76

Yozz76

Yozz76

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I have been planning to build a new PC for myself for sometime but my indecision and inexperience is now hurting my head! Has been made more complicated after my daughter was left disappointed by a faulty laptop that I bought her for Christmas!

After considering both of our needs it seems sensible that she also has a desktop and one that is capable of playing games such as The Sims 3 and Spore etc. As for myself, I have been planning to go down the i7 route for some time now.

The following details everything from Overclockers that is currently in my basket:

pcshop.jpg


My plan is to recycle components from my current setup for my daughters build. Therefore, into the Akasa barebones system will go:
E6400 cpu
BFG 8800gt gpu
4 gig of OCZ PC2-6400 memory
A Maxtor 6V300F0 hard drive
Akasa Cool Blue cpu cooler
Choice of Sony or LiteOn dvd r/w

I ask you if the recycled components will work ok with the Akasa barebones system? (the saitek keyboard is for her too)

The rest of the above basket is what I'm now planning for my own build. I am probably going to purchase 6gb of TEAM XDARK 6GB DDR3-1333 as this is available elsewhere for £88 but I'm unsure if it is compatible with the Asus mobo?

I haven't got a clue as to which cpu cooler to go for and so need help with that (I refuse to go with water cooling as I'm very uneasy with it).

I already have a 1tb Western Digital Caviar Black hard drive and an xfi extreme gamer sound card for my build.

The above basket and the ram I intend to purchase will cost £870. I basically have £230 left from my budget for both of these builds and if all of the above will work together I will need to buy a 22" monitor, cpu cooler for the i7 and anything else I need to complete the builds. Is the 22" Viewsonic at £112 a good buy?

Please help me finalise this as I'm on the verge of a breakdown!
 
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Ok ...I'll answer

CPU cooler:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

(Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Dual Fan Quiet CPU Cooler) seems to go well with the i7 920 for overclocking

I also suggest a Samsung F3 for your main OS and gaming drive and leave the WD 1TB for data storage and system backup duties

No nothing about the monitor from first hand experience, so can't help on that one.

Daughters proposed built seems solid enough for a re cycled build

Hope that helps
 
Appreciate your suggestions Essexraptor. I've just noticed that the Lian-Li is now out of stock! The Antec case isn't to my taste I'm afraid, is too aggressive looking and I would like something a little more refined. The Fractal Design looks nice but I'm not keen on a door and especially one that opens the wrong way! I think I'm settled on a Lian-Li now as I like their styling and reputation.

That Noctua looks huge and is also pricey. I may yet go with it but the reviews are putting me off, talk of blocking ram slots and cases not being big enough etc!

Not sure what to make of another hard drive suggestion, is food for thought certainly but I have to ask if it is necessary? I'm yet to fill a 500gig hd!
 
Not knocking the Lian Li PC-7FN. As I said I've got it's older brother under the bench here waiting to be used. Just question if cooling may be a problem with just 2 x 120 fans only. This one is less aggresive looking


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-LN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1447

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW8QlOcQhw8

you may need to buy a couple of extra fans, but room inside already for fitting them.

The only other favourite CPU cooler on here is the Megahalems, but you have to factor in cost of fans and clips etc. My CPU cooler just would not fit in that Lian Li or similiar, or would be a VERY tight squeeze.

Just suggested a faster HDD drive as a option only.

ATB
 
Essexraptor said:
Not knocking the Lian Li PC-7FN. As I said I've got it's older brother under the bench here waiting to be used. Just question if cooling may be a problem with just 2 x 120 fans only. This one is less aggresive looking


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-LN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1447

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW8QlOcQhw8

you may need to buy a couple of extra fans, but room inside already for fitting them.

The only other favourite CPU cooler on here is the Megahalems, but you have to factor in cost of fans and clips etc. My CPU cooler just would not fit in that Lian Li or similiar, or would be a VERY tight squeeze.

Just suggested a faster HDD drive as a option only.

ATB
Click to expand...

Happy to go with that case, I do like it - is cheaper too! My daughter actually picked this out when I was going to do a fresh build for her.

What does everyone think of the Cogage cpu cooler? Seems reasonably priced but is it effective?

Would like suggestions for x2 140mm fans for the Lancool case.

I've decided that the single WD Caviar Black 1tb hard drive will do me fine.

I'm still unsure if the Team Xtream ram I've mentioned is compatible or decent enough?

Also, still need advice on a 22"monitor.
 
The RAM just has to be compatible with the MOBO, as normal. For the motherboard you have chosen, DDR3 triple channel. Normally 4 -6 Gb sets work best if you read the Overclocking threads.

I take it that the Team Xtream that you mentioned are the DDR3 model that I managed to track down on the net?
 
I can only guess that the Team Xtream ram is probably the same as you have found and I really appreciate your advice so far.

I'm settled on my daughters build, that will stay the same as my original post.

I just now need to finalise my own build. I think I've settled on a monitor, it is included within the following basket:

latestspec.jpg


Is the graphics card good enough for the monitor?

I'm going to stick with the single 1tb WD CB hard drive and I hope the Team Xtream ram is good enough?

I think I've got about £100 left for the cpu cooler and extra case fans, need someone to convince me that the Cool-It Eco or the Corsair H50 isn't going to leak and destroy the PC! They look easy to fit and I do like how they take up less room.

Come on Overclockers, help me sort this once and for all.
 
Yes, as long as you aren't planning on playing on hardcore gaming. That graphics card will be more than fine.

The H50 is a superb bit of kit.

Its sealed.

It wont leak.
 
Cheers Hairy, added the H50 to my basket now. I just want to get this done, just need to decide on the extra case fans now.

I'm assuming the H50 comes with thermal paste pre applied or do I need to buy that too? Also, will I need to buy any extra cables?
 
should come with paste.

An extra tube never hurt any PC builders basket. Just in case eh? ;)

Is that for the dragon?

Will you need another?
 
Hairy said:
should come with paste.

An extra tube never hurt any PC builders basket. Just in case eh? ;)

Is that for the dragon?

Will you need another?
Click to expand...

Just realised I will need some for the cpu and cooler from my current system as they are going into my daughters build! Haha, if you lot are sick of me now, just wait till I come to build!

Only extra case fans and some reassurance from you lot that everything will work together ok now is all I need!
 
I really don't believe this. The Team Xtream ram is sold out! I guess I'll have to spend more than I had planned and I may as well give Overclockers my money for everything, I do qualify for free delivery after all.

I'm looking at the Geil Black Dragon memory on here as it seems appropriate for my case. I'm funny like that, I like things to match which is why I'm not changing the psu as Lancool is essentially Lian-Li.

Given the mobo I'm going for, am I better off going for the 10600 or 12800 modules?

Essexraptor, I'm still hung up on the case fans even after your suggestion. What the hell is wrong with me?
 
The 12800 (1600Mhz) ones would be be the ones that I would choose. Just more room to manouver when OCing. Although the max voltage appears to be 1.6v?

Those were the best looking fans that I could find (and only 2 in stock!) staying within the NO competitors rules, the decision, and money is yours.

Go on .... do it!!!!....lol

ATB
 
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Essexraptor said:
The 12800 (1600Mhz) ones would be be the ones that I would choose. Just more room to manouver when OCing. Although the max voltage appears to be 1.6v?

Those were the best looking fans that I could find (and only 2 in stock!) staying within the NO competitors rules, the decision, and money is yours.

Go on .... do it!!!!....lol

ATB
Click to expand...

The mobo states it will only support 1600Mhz O.C. Does this mean that the mobo will deafult it at 1333 and I will have to tweak something to get the 1600Mhz?

I'm forgetting about the fans for now, just want to get the ram sorted and I'll order. The fans can be ordered anytime.
 
Without going back to my bios to double check my RAM is running at about 1440Mhz, which is a rock solid for my current 24/7 3.6Ghz OC, but I can go up to 1600Mhz by changing settings in the bios.

Hence what I meant by headroom. If you go for the perfectly good 1333Mhz modules that will be your safe max. And the price differnce between all 3 is only approx £20!!!
 
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