Can you guys check this e4300 proposed spec please?

barkingboy · 20 May 2007 at 11:13

Hi guys,

I'm planning on building a HTPC, but the last PC I put together for myself was 4 years ago so am a bit out of touch with component choices!

My main aims for the PC are quiet and reliable. I have a NOVA T 500 PCI TV tuner card already.

Here are the new proposed parts:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 4300 (£70)
RAM: 2 x 1GB Corsair Value DDR2 PC5300 (£55)
Mobo: Abit Fatal1ty F-I90HD (£70)
Case: Antec NSK2400 with 380W PSU (£40)
Video: 256MB XFX 7300GT with TV Out - passive cooling (£45)
HD: 500GB Western Digital Caviar -WD5000AAKS (£70)
Optical: Optiarc AD-7170s black (£20)

The prices above are V approximate.

I am also going to add Vista Home Premium and the MS media center remote.

Also, is the Zalman CNPS8000 worth getting over the stock C2D cooler in terms of noise reduction?

I'd appriciate any feedback.

Thanks!

masslac · 20 May 2007 at 11:15

Looks good.

I'd change the RAM to http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-058-GL and stick with the stock cooler.

p4radox · 20 May 2007 at 11:18

For the same price as the Zalman 8000 you could get a Scythe Ninja, which is much better.

Also, get some PC6400 ram instead.

And why are you getting an mATX motherboard for an ATX case? You may as well get a full size board with more features. A DS3, P5B or P5N-E would be a good choice.

edit: ignore my comments about the motherboard. It seems you are getting an mATX case after all.

If you want an mATX board the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R looks to be even better than the Abit Fatality.

masslac · 20 May 2007 at 11:19

The Scythe is a total bitch to use with 775 boards tbh. If you're gonna spend that much, check out the Tuniq Tower (currently our of stock, though).

kbc · 20 May 2007 at 11:38

p4radox said:
If you want an mATX board the Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R looks to be even better than the Abit Fatality.

... Looks very interesting. Wonder when that'll be arriving in the UK.

barkingboy · 20 May 2007 at 12:01

Thanks for the comments so far. This is a noob question, but what benefits would I get from 6400 RAM over 5300? I know the 6400 runs at 800MHz - is this linked with the CPU FSB like the Athlon CPUs were?

The Scythe Ninja looks beefy!

but I doubt it will fit in the Antec case. I think I will stick to the retail cooler and see how the noise is.

p4radox · 20 May 2007 at 12:08

barkingboy said:
Thanks for the comments so far. This is a noob question, but what benefits would I get from 6400 RAM over 5300? I know the 6400 runs at 800MHz - is this linked with the CPU FSB like the Athlon CPUs were?

The Scythe Ninja looks beefy! but I doubt it will fit in the Antec case. I think I will stick to the retail cooler and see how the noise is.

Yeah I was stupid to recommend the Ninja, I misread the case as the NSK4400 which is an ATX case.

You will need a low-profile cooler such as the Zalman 8000. However the reports are that it's a bit of a disappointment, the 7000 may be more effective. You might be able to fit a slightly larger cooler in such as the Thermalright Si-128 or Silverstone NT06 but you'd have to check dimensions.

On the subject of ram, it would be beneficial to get some PC6400 as it's so cheap at the moment. It is linked to the FSB like with the Athlon 64s but with a 965P chipset I don't think you can set low dividers, which is why fast ram is desireable.