Help building new rig

IggyStooge

IggyStooge

IggyStooge

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28 Oct 2004
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Somewhere, in a field in cheshire... alright!
Hello all,

Ive currently got an Athlon64 4000+, Epox Mobo, 2GB Geil Value pc3200 and 6800gt Graphics Card, at least I did have until it stopped working yesterday. I have established that it is the motherboard that has packed up but dont really see the point of replacing it because the system has started to struggle with a lot of games now.

I need advice on where to go next basically. Processor, MOBO, Memory (if my current memory wont work on a new rig or if it would be a limiting factor), Graphics Card and ill need a new power supply. Is it likely my harddrive will have been damaged by whats happened or should it be ok?

I dont plan on going DX10 right now but would like to at some stage so would like a suitable setup that would enable me to just buy vista and a dx10 card later on.

I thinking about the Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40Ghz. Is it good for gaming purposes?

Any help you can offer me would be greatfully received.

Many Thanks

Iggy
 
That is a great proc for gaming, though it might be more cost-effective to go with an E6300 and overclock it. With how much money are you willing to part?

You'll probably need new memory as AMD and Intel have both switched most of their efforts towards DDR2.

The 4000+ isn't a bad proc at all, especially with decent clocks. Perhaos you might just upgrade your graphics to a GTS and see how you like it. If it's still too slow you can replace the rest of the system and keep the GTS.
 
CPU = e4300, e6300, e6600
Mobo = DS3/4, P5B, P5N 650 SLi
RAM = cheap 6400 left at stock, or overclock with cellshock. 2GB a must
PSU = Corsair 520W, Seasonic M12 600W, Tagen, Enermax, Antec
GPU = It has to be the 8800 GTS 320MB. I know you weren't bothered about DX10 (and as all you'd run on it at the moment would be some demos from NVidia, who could blame you) but this is also the best DX9 card about.
 
IggyStooge said:
So if I got the 8800gts and didnt get vista just yet. Would I still be ok to play all dx9 stuff?
Click to expand...

Oh yes, that's what a lot of people (including myself) are doing because (a) VISTA drivers aren't great atm and (b) there aren't any DX10 games out yet.
 
IggyStooge said:
So if I got the 8800gts and didnt get vista just yet. Would I still be ok to play all dx9 stuff?
Click to expand...
For arond the £200 mark its the only sensible choice at the moment.
And let vista wait
 
Is the Geil 2GB (2X1GB) PC6400C4 DDR2 Dual Channel Kit good?

I'll go with the 8800 GTS and the Core2Duo E6600 upto now. It recommends 600w PSU for the 8800 GTS so the Corsair 520w wouldnt be any good would it? Is 600w sufficient or would it be a good idea to get something a little more powerful? 650W? 700W?

Whats the diff between the Seasonic M12 600W and the Seasonic S12 600W?

Strugling with MOBO atm. What are DS3/4, P5B, P5N 650 SLi, im strugglin to find them. thanks
 
How about:

Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)

Abit AW9D-MAX Intel 975X (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)

Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)

Id appreciate your views on the above spec please. Deffinately sticking with the E6600 and 8800 but if there are better alternatives to the others (not more expensive though) i'd be glad to hear. Also should I get a different CPU cooler or is the one supplied adequate (wont be oveclocking to extremes) Thanks.
 
IggyStooge said:
How about:

Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)
Click to expand...

Great. If you want to make a saving, you could always drop down but it is still a great CPU.

IggyStooge said:
Abit AW9D-MAX Intel 975X (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Click to expand...

Why spend all this money on a 975 chipset board? The 965 boards are cheaper and the clock better.

IggyStooge said:
BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express)
Click to expand...

Really nice gfx card.

IggyStooge said:
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)
Click to expand...

Should do the job nicely.

IggyStooge said:
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
Click to expand...

Top PSU at the moment.
 
Ok, how about the ASUS P5B which someone mentioned above. But is it worth going for the Deluxe or the E Plus?
 
I know quite a few people with the P5B, nice board. I don't know that there is much difference between the two, I'd go for the P5B-E as its a newer design. Either should be good though.
 
Sorry Melbourne I just realised it was you who mentioned the P5B before. I was leaning towards the E so I think ill go with that. Thanks

Can anyone advise me regarding this CPU cooler cos ive never fitted one before. Is it easy or is there a lot of fiddling about with this thermal paste stuff? I had a bad experience fitting a cooler to a radeon 9800 PRO, lets just say it never worked again.
 
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IggyStooge said:
Can anyone advise me regarding this CPU cooler cos ive never fitted one before. Is it easy or is there a lot of fiddling about with this thermal paste stuff? I had a bad experience fitting a cooler to a radeon 9800 PRO, lets just say it never worked again.
Click to expand...
It's a heck of a lot easier on a CPU than on a GPU. Even so, most coolers now come with some pre-applied. You only need to futz around with a TIM if you're trying to reinstall a cooler.
 
Not too hard. I fitted a tuniq tower. With that, you apply a metal bracket to the back of the motherboard, and the tower fixes to it through the holes in the motherboard. I'd say it is probably as hard as fitting the stock cooler, just the aftermarket ones are bigger.

Worth the 10 minutes of effort tbh.

You can always give us a shout if you get stuck.
 
The tuniq tower looks good but I read that its huge and bit noisy or are most noisy? I have a Lian-Li PC60 Plus Case, will it fit?
 
Some (including mine) were a bit noisy at full wack . I just replaced the fan with a Nexus, 5 minute job. The actual cooler part is first class. It should fit in that case.

I think the Scythe Ninja has a better fan.
 
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