*HELP* NEW PC BUILD - OCing & RAM

[sbdesign]

Hi Guys
I'm requiring help on my new system build.

The system is for ADOBE cs3 Applications - NO GAMING.
Its a similar machine to what I have already, but due to this one going to my empoyee, I thought I'd build something better.

I have never over clocked and I do not know what all the numbers in the RAM mean or whats best for me, this is where I need most help. I don't need to know as much as what they are all for, but really the advantages for the apps I use.

This new machine is going to have 8gb Ram as opposed to 4 GB in my current set up.

On the list I have 2 lots of ram, 6400 and 8500+ I was wondering if the more expensive option is worth my extra money??
Currently with my BLACK DRAGON 4gb some effects take ages, with PShop CS3 I max my ram instantly all the time.

Motherboard is the same as I have now, at the time when i got it, it was quite raved about, but how true that is now I dunno.

The graphics card will go in my current machine and the 2 x 512 sapphire 2600hd's will go in my new build (have them already due to 3 x monitors (all dvi) not for power so no sli etc required)

I'm hoping to OC to 3.4ish? or is that not realistic? you tell me! please
Wanting to order ASAP today if possible.

LASTLY MY 3rd pc (old old one) is to loud! its the cpu fans -
I have a this mobo with 2 x xeon 3.06HT (2 x mPGA604 sockets)
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/E7505/X5DA8.cfm
I measure the cpu fans at 60mm
will these do - Akasa AK-186-L2B Amber Ultra Quiet 60mm Fan - 3 pin

kind regards
SBDESIGN

 

[sbdesign]

Sorry just to add - what hdd's do you guys recommend and what size for system drive.

I'll got 750 gig for storage.
can I raid the storage to make it quicker?

I have no idea what options there are to speed up hdd, I know you can do 3 hdd set up for PS

1 os
1 scratch disc and 1 source

Can anyone recommend ?

cheers

 

[Pilky01]

Get vista home premium 64bit instead of ultimate.
Definitely get rid of the SLI motherboard and swap it for a p45.
Get a tuniq Tower intead of the asus cpu cooler.
That is not a modular psu is that bothers you.
You have 8gb of ocz ram and 4gb of g.skill stuff? what going on there?

About the ram numbers. 6400 is the speed of the ram = 800mhz. CAS5 is to do with the timings. You want the timings as low as possible. For example CAS4 has tighter timings than CAS5

 

[sbdesign]

the ram was one or the other or a recommendation
is 2 lots of the 4 gig better than the single 8 gig?
I'm guessing so but will I notice?

can the system be overclocked decently?

I'll look up the cooler, just like the asus one for looks but I appreciate the advice and will go for better spec over looks as you advise.

the mobo - Asus P5Q-E Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
is this the one? your saying instead?

cheers again

 

[sbdesign]

oh and why home, whats wrong with ultimate, this is what i have now, whats the difference?

 

[semi-pro waster]

the ram was one or the other or a recommendation
is 2 lots of the 4 gig better than the single 8 gig?
I'm guessing so but will I notice?

There is no difference in terms of the number of physical chips, both would give you 4 sticks of 2gb Ram. However the PC8500 does have more headroom for overclocking, it is unnecessary on a Q6600 normally though.

can the system be overclocked decently?

Yes, although as suggested I'd go with a P45 based motherboard.

I'll look up the cooler, just like the asus one for looks but I appreciate the advice and will go for better spec over looks as you advise.

Good choice.

the mobo - Asus P5Q-E Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

That motherboard is fine.
is this the one? your saying instead?

oh and why home, whats wrong with ultimate, this is what i have now, whats the difference?

To misappropriate the phrase "if you don't know the difference then you don't need it". Ultimate edition gives you more options including better HTPC capabilities (it has Media Centre Functionality built in) and a few other options but Home Premium is easily sufficient for most people.

//late edit have a look at the Microsoft comparison table for a better idea.

 

[sbdesign]

SO all is fine?
go for the alternative p45 mobo.
go for diff cpu fan.
go for the 1 x 8 gig kit as extra (from the 2 x 4gig kits) speed not needed for q6600?
no one has complained about psu or gpu these are fine?

ANy advice on hdd setup? which drives, can i do raid to speed things up? is it easy?
Any advise on the 60mm fans for my xeons?

apart from that sounds like im ready to order right?

thanks again!
sbdesign

 

[semi-pro waster]

PC8500 isn't needed for a Q6600 normally, correct.

The PSU and graphics card are fine for what you are proposing.

As for hard drives you might want to look at the Samsung F1s, Seagate 7100.11s and Western Digital AAKS drives.

Your signature is a bit oversized now though, you've got up to 4 lines of standard text to play with.

 

[sbdesign]

Newbie error, i think i fixed sig.



just gonna get 2 drives (os and my files) worry about raid etc at a later date

I'm going to get the fans for my xeon, which so far is unanswered, and its little money anyhow.

right it looks like im going to order now thanks very much - appreciated greatly.
thanks - qwerty321
thanks - semi-pro waster

Sbdesign