A beginners first build...

honosuseri said:
I would be very surprised if the heatsink didnt come with some half decent TIM. Unless you really really want arctic silver 5 it's just an added cost.

I'd consider dropping the TIM and pick up the G.skill ripjaw memory instead of the OCZ gold. Yes it's £10 more but the ram timings are lower (better) plus with the TIM gone it's only technically £5 more on the final bill
Click to expand...

Is there much of a difference between the G.Skill Ripjaw RAM and the OCZ Gold RAM?

I'll try and find an unboxing video of that cooler on youtube to find out what TIM it comes with. Im not dead set on Arctic Silver 5, i just heard that it is very good.
 
It looks like it just comes with a little sachet of Zalman'z own TIM. Do you think this will be OK or would i be better getting some Arctic Silver 5 as isn't very expensive.
 
OCZ had some quality control issues with that gold series, although it might have been fixed now, as no-one else has mentioned it. I would definitely recommend G.Skill RAM though.

As for AS5.... the temp difference will be only a couple of degrees C at most. I would take the memory, you can always reapply TIM later if needed.
 
Use the stock TIM like wilko said you can change it if you must. You don't sound like a hardcore overclocker so a couple of degrees isn't going to make much odds to you.
 
OK, final spec time:eek:

AMD X2 550 CPU - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-265-AM

Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H AMD 880G MOBO - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-280-GI

G.Skill RipJaw 4GB DDR3 RAM - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-047-GS

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-029-CM&tool=3

All together £276.45

I also plan to hopefully unlock the X2 to quad core and overclock to around 3.80-4.0GHz
 
I think your being ambitious trying to overclock and unlock. I'm not going to rule it out but it's probably an either or kind of situation.

You may get the extra cores stable at stock (or with some minor voltage tweaks) but overclocking may be asking too much. Worst case is that its an X2 CPU and you overclock, you will get 3.80GHz easy.

FSX wont use all four cores so i'd suggest running fraps with fsx to check the fps. See the difference between X4 (if u can unlock) and overclocking as an X2. Remember you can probably overclock the IGP too (im not certain as its not a ASUS mobo like mine)
 
honosuseri said:
I think your being ambitious trying to overclock and unlock. I'm not going to rule it out but it's probably an either or kind of situation.

You may get the extra cores stable at stock (or with some minor voltage tweaks) but overclocking may be asking too much. Worst case is that its an X2 CPU and you overclock, you will get 3.80GHz easy.

FSX wont use all four cores so i'd suggest running fraps with fsx to check the fps. See the difference between X4 (if u can unlock) and overclocking as an X2. Remember you can probably overclock the IGP too (im not certain as its not a ASUS mobo like mine)
Click to expand...

Well i can try it at least. As you said anyway, FSX will probably only use two of the cores so theres nothing wrong with the CPU for that.

For the price though, i think you've got to at least try unlocking the cores, just to see if it can be done;)

I don't think i'll bother overclocking the IGP though as i will be getting the graphics card about a two months afterwards anyway.
 
Yeah definately try and unlock it, i just said that expecting an overclock ontop of the unlock is asking a lot.

The other problem is that you can lose the abilty to accurately monitor the temps once the cores are unlocked so overclocking can be risky. Overclocking as an X2 will be easier to do and you can check the performance difference between the quadcore (stock) and dual core (oc'd) setup to see what suits.

I hope you do get lucky, you will grin from ear to ear knowing that you got soooo much more for your money ;p
 
honosuseri said:
Yeah definately try and unlock it, i just said that expecting an overclock ontop of the unlock is asking a lot.

The other problem is that you can lose the abilty to accurately monitor the temps once the cores are unlocked so overclocking can be risky. Overclocking as an X2 will be easier to do and you can check the performance difference between the quadcore (stock) and dual core (oc'd) setup to see what suits.

I hope you do get lucky, you will grin from ear to ear knowing that you got soooo much more for your money ;p
Click to expand...

I think i will overclock the X2, then unlock to an X3/4 then overclock that. Measure everything and then comparing to see what is going to be the best.

I do hope i can unlock and overclock it as an X4 though, that would be phenomenal value for money!
 


Hey Luke now I know what the drawstring bag that came with the corsair power supply is for - it's to keep the 34 piece PC tool kit in when you've done!?!:cool:

Vikki;)
 
No good as a backup makeup bag then Vikki? ;p

£20 on a toolkit is a bit pointless seeing as you only need a crosshead/small flathead screwdriver for the build. I'll admit to having a ratchet screwdriver with changeable bits but then i need to use tamperproof t-10 bits as i fix xboxs and ps3s too.

I look forward to seeing a thread on your new build luke. Download CPUID and the hardware monitor app they do too. Post some screens if you get an unlock and how far you can OC the CPU
 
honosuseri said:
No good as a backup makeup bag then Vikki? ;p

£20 on a toolkit is a bit pointless seeing as you only need a crosshead/small flathead screwdriver for the build. I'll admit to having a ratchet screwdriver with changeable bits but then i need to use tamperproof t-10 bits as i fix xboxs and ps3s too.

I look forward to seeing a thread on your new build luke. Download CPUID and the hardware monitor app they do too. Post some screens if you get an unlock and how far you can OC the CPU
Click to expand...

I will definatley download those and post results. As for the toolkit, i could really do with it as we have basically no tools in my house. I don't think my parents know what DIY means LOL:D
 
Look what i just ordered :D

PC.jpg


The build will take place on monday. Photos will be taken :D

Thanks sooooo much for everyones help!
 
Another Quick Question

I didn't buy an anti-static bracelet thing to wear while building this as I heard they weren't really needed.

What precautions should I take when I am assembling these components in regards to static electricity?

Also, where would the best place to build this be? On a wooden floor, carpeted floor, wooden desk or glass/metal table?

Once again, thanks for everyones past and hopefully continued support and help:D I couldn't have done it without you!
 
Ive built quite a few systems in the past few years, never bothered with a wrist strap, ground yourself by touching a radiator, as for a surface, i find a table to be the best, wood metal or even with a table cloth on. I hate building on the floor as it hurts my back to be bent down to long.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom