Another spec check

c61ll

c61ll

c61ll

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12 Sep 2006
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256
Hi there, my budget is £900 could i improve on this spec for the money?

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-9200 1150MHz Reaper HPC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPR11502GK)
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC2 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC2 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz (1333FSB)
OCZ GameXStream 600w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Power Supply
Samsung SpinPoint T HD401LJ 400GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM NEC AD7170S Serial ATA 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Black - Retail (BV3-00007)
Asus P5K Deluxe WiFi Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
NZXT Hush Classic Series Silent Computer Chassis


Total : £930.44
Slightley over budget but i think i can srape the extra £30 together :)

Main questions are:

1. will the memory run at 1150mhz with no probs on this boar or am i better going for some 1066mhz?
2. Will i the q6600 be better than the e6850 i think they are the same price now
3. Is the power supply capable to run this system and handle a GTX, as will prob upgrade in the future?

Any help is much appreciated
 
How's this ?

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA663)
Linksys WMP55AG Dual-Band Wireless A+G PCI Adapter
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Black - Retail (BV3-00007)
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black)
Samsung SH-183LBEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM
Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
Gigabyte GA_P35C_DS3R (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 & DDR3 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - OEM
Total : £917.50

The ram you selected was massively overkill, the crucial ram will be more than enougth for you, the FSB of the selected ram was 575, where as the processor only runs at a FSB of 333.25. Seeing as a 1:1 ratio is favourable 666.5mhz memory suits you best(sold 667mhz).


That power supply could run a gtx fine, though if your unsure upgrade to the 620w version of the same PSU.
Ive gone for quad core because i think its a lot better value for money.

Chosen a wireless card aswell and seperate mobo because its far better value. Hard drives not as big as the one youve selected, but when you fill it, get another one :P

The case ive picked is better cooling, and generally more popular, but change at will.

Managed to get a GTX in, theres little to no point buying the GTS you selected, its expensive for what it is. If you want to get a GTS id suggest go for the cheapest versions, the overclocked ones arent worth it.
 
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As DavidB says, the memory you chose is overkill. You need PC2-5300 (DDR2 667MHz). This memory is for running at 1333 FSB (bus=333MHz, DDR2=667MHz, FSB=1333MHz). The benefits you get from running at a higher speed by using a memory modifier is negligible on a Core/Core 2 platform, and certainly not worth the extra money.

One thing to be aware of is the fact that in the Antec P182 the PSU is located at the bottom, so the length of the cables on the PSU may be an issue. As far as I am aware, however, the Corsair HX is pretty much a rebadged Seasonic and from what I understand the cables should be long enough for use in the P182. I'm sure the cables on most PSUs are, but it's something to keep in mind if you go with this case. The case itself does have a reputation for excellent airflow and being quiet - silentpcreview.com has a review of it.

As for GTS vs GTX in my opinion it depends on how much of a gamer you and what kind of games you play, and what resolutions you play on. The GTS is a good card for what it is. The GTX is faster and more expensive. To keep within your budget I'd go with the GTS.


So, combining your original spec and David's suggestions:

Asus P5K Deluxe WiFi Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £124.99 (£146.86)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz (1333FSB) - Retail £144.99 (£170.36) (This Week Only offer)
Samsung SpinPoint T HD401LJ 400GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £46.99 (£55.21)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black) £71.99 (£84.59)
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC2 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £174.99 (£205.61) (This Week Only offer)
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-520HXUK) £54.99 (£64.61)
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Black - Retail (BV3-00007) £22.99 (£27.01)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA663) £57.99 (£68.14)
Samsung SH-183LBEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.99 (£19.96)

Total : £857.59 (inc. VAT and shipping)


I've kept the original E6850 for now. Personally I would get the Q6600 (2.4GHz) and overclock it, as it should reach 3GHz. However this does mean more outlay: You'll need a good aftermarket CPU cooler, some thermal compound, and in most cases an additional fan for the heatsink, and perhaps one additional fan for the case.

I have also kept the ASUS P5K Deluxe, but, as David pointed out, if the main reason you want it is the WiFi and not overclockability or some other feature, then you might be better off with getting the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R or DS3P (cheaper by around £50) and get that Linksys WiFi PCI card for around £8.
 
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Thanks for the help,

Play a lot of games and going to be running through my tv which has native res of 1280x 768 or someware near there.

Need the large hard disc because im going to be producing music so need space.

Anything wrong with the NXZT case, ive heard they pretty good?

Came up with this
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz (1333FSB)
(£170.36)
Asus P5K Deluxe WiFi Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (£146.86)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz Dual Channel Kit (BL2KIT12864AA663)
(£68.14)
Samsung SpinPoint T HD401LJ 400GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
(£55.21)
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000 Black - Retail (BV3-00007)
(£27.01)
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - OEM
(£323.11)
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
(£88.11)
NZXT Hush Classic Series Silent Computer Chassis
(£61.09)
Shipping : £12.95

Total : £939.91

I know ive gone over but i get a gtx in with this.
 
I'm sure the NZXT is fine. Its dimensions are roughly the same as those of my P150 (which looks pretty much like the Antec Sonata and have more or less the same dimensions), so depending on how much stuff you've got in there it may get a bit cramped, but I don't think you'll have a problem.

Looks good.
 
On a 1280x768 screen the GTX is overkill. You'd be much better off savig over £100 and going for a 8800GTS with 320mb ram. A EVGA 8800gts will easily play all games at a resolution of 1600x. The 640mb version of the GTS is actually slower than the 320mb version at lower resolutions.

Also keep in mind that the current DX10 cards CANNOT play DX10 games at a decent resolution.

With the CPU i would personally drop down to the E6750 and save £50, your paying £50 extra for 333mhz more speed, plus the E6750 is highly overclockable.
 
Ok think this is what im decided on.

Just a quick qustion about memory. Dont really understand why there is 1066 mhz or faster memory and why i would not benifit getting this over 667mhz?

Finally would this system cope with another 2x1gb sticks of the same memory?

Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 "LGA775 Conroe" 3.00GHz (1333FSB)
(£170.36)
Samsung SpinPoint T HD401LJ 400GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
(£55.21)
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
(£88.11)
Samsung SH-183LBEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA Lightscribe
(£19.96)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz Dual Channel Kit
(£68.14)
Asus P5K Deluxe WiFi Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
(£146.86)
Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case - No PSU (Gun Metal Black)
(£84.59)
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC2 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) -
(£197.39)
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 4000 - Retail (K51-00151)
(£46.99)
Shipping : £12.95
total: £892.84
 
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