final Spec check

Slyman2k4

Slyman2k4

Slyman2k4

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Joined
31 Dec 2005
Posts
734
Location
N.I
Hi guys, I haven't done a build since my first one 4 years ago and I can't hold out any longer. Will the following be fine? (price is not a concern, but I want to go overboard)

I am happy with the selection of CPU and motherboard.

The reason for the others (other suggestions are welcome):

RAM: Want to go corsair for their warranty. And it's the only one I could see mention of clearing most CPU coolers

POWER SUPPLY: I have an enermax galaxy DXX 850W sitting here unopened that I bought two years ago planning a build but never used. £150 down the drain and I dont want to put it near my new rig in case it emplodes it. Plus it has terrible rail balance giving 420w to CPU.

This new one will give me better reliability and a refreshed warranty. Have I made the right choice in PSU regards to quality/stability? I remember when I did my first rig seasonic was all the rage (and a 600w one in my current rig). Whats the 'hot' of today?

CPU Cooler: I need something thats guaranteed to be compatible with my ram in its proper slots. Their website guarantees compatibility with the XMS3 and I want something premium/hassle free to fit.

HDDs: Made a selection based on a few posts (5200RPM was a misclick)
DRIVE: just picked round the 20 mark

The rest of the parts (gpu, fans, etc) will be bought at a later date. My current gfx card will do for now and I only need the essentials for now.


[IMG*]http://i51.tinypic.com/34f1cp4.jpg[/IMG] (more up to date below)

Anyway, thanks for your time guys
 
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You could just get the OEM CPU, saving you a bit of cash, as youre adding an aftermarket cooler anyway
Corsair are very good PSUs and in fact a lot of them are made by Seasonic, the AX version is more efficient but the HX is still very good
Cooler wise, I hear what youre saying, but imo its not worth spending much more than about £30 on a cooler, youve spent more than double and will only be gaining 5-10% performance for over 100% increase in cost
HDD, can you afford a SSD for your boot drive? If so its definitely worth considering
 
I forgot to add this will be for gaming/movies mostly. I'd like to see a speed increase in apps such as winrar and IDE's if that's possible too.

I can see where you're coming from, but I'd really like the retail warranty. My AMD op180 died just after a year which has made me slightly twitchy concerning warrantys.

No problem, I am open to suggestions especially if it's only a 5-10% increase. What would you suggest? But I would still like to take into account, how well it fits. I am coming from socket 939 where the pins were on the cpu. And I've read a few posts about the boards flexing while fitting the cpu cooler, or fitting it too tight (which i'd probably manage) and bending the socket pins.

SSD wise i've decided to wait out until the newer ones arrive. I am trying to reduce my buy now and regret later with this build. Unlike my AMD 180 when C2D came out 6months later at 1/3 the price :(.

Edit: Apologies, I also forgot to ask what the main differences between the AX and HX were?
Thanks,
 
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Even though your getting an aftermarket cooler, stick to the retail version of the cpu ( 2 years more warranty)
Is one of those Samsung HDD's a 5200rpm? Difference in price is confusing S:

Buy the cheapest sata drive you can and just save the money for something that would actually be beneficial to spend more.
 
I couldn't order yesteday, I forgot to top-up my card and haven't had a chance to do so until today. I think my questions/worries from my previous posts still stand.

The Corsair HX850 I've stuck with, couldn't see any reason for changing to the AX.

Updated a few bits and bobs, have removed the Noctua now and decided on the Thermalright Silver arrow, which will hopefully allow the corsair XMS3 to reside in the first slots.

Also have MX-4 down as a buy buy forgot to add it.

I've added a gfx card now too and hopefully I have made a good choice.

Again, any suggestions/improvements are welcomed.

Otherwise I think i'll order tomorrow night if the payment to my card goes through

3169tet.jpg
 
If your comfortable with computers i would definately recommending changing the GPU to a 6950 and flashing to a 6970 (better or equal performance) and allot cheaper.
Check the clearance section for RAM at the moment because theres a clearout.
 
id get a second dvd writer, i have the samsung and its quieter than the pioneer.

i dont see whats wrong with the enermax psu either, but ho hum
 
stulid: Good stuff, cheers :D. The ram, I have to go for corsair for now. But I'll see if I can squish in the GeIL somewhere. They were in mind though, from every spec thread I've been reading over the last few weeks where you've recommended them and no one's complained. So they're tried and tested haha.

Greavesy: Cheers, but I've decided to go with an Nvidia this time. My current build is AMD and my last few cards have been ATi. Want to try Intel and Nvidia this time round. Get a taste of everything.

pingu666: I did think about that, but ill hold off on one for now. Theres more bits ill want to get at a later date like a new sound card (my current X-FI fatal1ty gives me nothing but aggro with drivers and audio center)

The enermax is more of a fear of it going bang when I install it.Also I haven't used it ever and have had it a few years and also that rail balancing problem is a possibility when I SLI in 9-12 months time.

It's going in my current machine anyway, I'll need to justify puchasing it some way.

Anyway, thanks for the input chaps, hopefully I get her bought in the next few days.
 
is there any need for such a big powersupply, consdering its a corsiar, if you want a 850 thats fine but I think its a bit of a waste/over kill

I was thinking more of the 750 corsiar
 
It's going into a CM HAF 932 (which I still need to sort some dust filters out for)

Wanted to go 850w now so it has some leeway for SLI and extra down the line. Will definitely be doing SLI at some point so I wanted to play it extra safe.
 
Just wanted to give an update on this. This should be happening some time this week. My last build was an AMD SK939 so I am not really up to date on benchmarking etc

Is there any software I should pay attention to when testing the functionality and stability of my new system?

So far i've noticed:

coreTemp
realTemp
IntelBurnTest
3Dmark
memtest
Everest
sisoft sandra

Thanks again folks. Looking forward to the last pieces arriving and I am hoping everything goes smoothly
 
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