Help with my spec please

Cambofrog · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:13

Hi guys, first post here but I’ve been lurking for a while.

I am going to do a full build soon. The only existing component I will be using will be my 19” TFT @ 1280 x 1024 native res.

I am going to put my old rig on an old 17” CRT and wireless network to it. I have to stick to a max £1000 budget for the new rig, as someone else is paying.

I am thinking of the following spec ATM:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600.
Asus P5B-E Socket 775 motherboard.
2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800 MHz Dual channel memory.
Nvidia GeForce 8800 Gts 640 MB graphics card.
Enermax Infiniti 650W EIN650AWT ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU.
Akasa Eclipse 62 Aluminium Case.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB ST3320620AS SATA-II.
Samsung SH-183LBEBN 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer Serial ATA Lightscribe ReWriter (Black) – OEM.
2 x Hiper 120mm HiperFlow Chrome Blade Case Fan With Blue LED.
Sony 3.5" Floppy Drive Black – OEM.
Netgear WGR614 Wireless 54Mbps Cable / DSL Firewall Router 802.11g.
Netgear WG111 Wireless USB Adapter 54Mbps 802.11g.
Xpro Silver Wireless Optical Mouse with Cradle - Mains Rechargeable
BTC 9019URFIII Wireless Multimedia Keyboard.
Logitech Z-4 2.1 Speakers With Remote Control.
Google Checkout -£10.

I think all links are to OcUK or non direct selling manufacturers sites (no competitors).

I would like to know what you think of this spec in general, any comments are welcome.

Specifically, I would like a recommendation for compatible memory for the MB. Max budget for the memory is £100.

A couple of points to consider guys.
Most likely I won’t be able to do a major upgrade again for several years.
I know a lot of people recommend the 320 MB gts over the 640MB gts for a 1280 x 1024 display, but I may update my monitor later, so I definitely want to go for the gts 640 MB.

TIA,
Dave

Behemoth · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:17

Only two things I would change, if you can do away with a floppy drive, I haven't used one for some 2 years now, and secondly if you can go with a PCI wireless lan catrd as opposed to a USB one, otherwise all good mate

Cambofrog · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:31

Behemoth said:
Only two things I would change, if you can do away with a floppy drive, I haven't used one for some 2 years now, and secondly if you can go with a PCI wireless lan catrd as opposed to a USB one, otherwise all good mate

Thanks for the reply Behemoth,
I am just thinking of getting the FDD for completeness, and I have read some driver/ bios flashing utils may require it. Can get one for around £3.75, so nothing to lose anyway

Regarding the wireless adaptor for the old PC. I once tried a PCI NIC card in the old PC (wired) but I could never get it to work, I think I had some sort of conflict. I would just feel a bit safer with a USB adaptor.

Cheers,
Dave

Behemoth · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:37

I found the reverse, USB was useless for me for networking, I think with a new PC you'll be fine

I can highly recommend the netgear WG311, good card

t31os · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:40

Sorry i have to echo avoiding USB wireless adaptors, i cannot see how you'll have a problem with it, especially with the new system, trust me you'll regret it if you get the USB one, they really do suck.

Rest looks good, though personally i think the PSU is overkill, a 520W Corsair would be more then enough, unless you plan to add another 5 hdd's 4 more fans, and another card for SLI etc...etc..., the PSU selected will just be overkill...

Cambofrog · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:48

Behemoth said:
I found the reverse, USB was useless for me for networking, I think with a new PC you'll be fine

I can highly recommend the netgear WG311, good card

I am thinking of going wired with the new rig 'cause the router will be next to the new rig downstairs, and using the wireless adaptor on the old rig upstairs.

I am assuming the router can also take a wired connection ( I hope I assume correctly

).

The new MB I am thinking of doesn't have built in WiFi, so that would require a second wireless network adaptor if I can't do a wired connection to the router.

Cheers,
Dave

Behemoth · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:51

Cambofrog said:
I am thinking of going wired with the new rig 'cause the router will be next to the new rig downstairs, and using the wireless adaptor on the old rig upstairs.

I am assuming the router can also take a wired connection ( I hope I assume correctly ).

The new MB I am thinking of doesn't have built in WiFi, so that would require a second wireless network adaptor if I can't do a wired connection to the router.

Cheers,
Dave

What make and model is the router ? Most of them have at least 4 wired connections

Cambofrog · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:54

t31os said:
...personally i think the PSU is overkill, a 520W Corsair would be more then enough, unless you plan to add another 5 hdd's 4 more fans, and another card for SLI etc...etc..., the PSU selected will just be overkill...

Yea, I may cut back on the PSU a bit, but I would like to have a bit of future proofing, so a would like to go for something like 620w-650w with decent amps on the rails. I might go for non modular

Cheers,
Dave

Cambofrog · 3 Jun 2007 at 23:59

Behemoth said:
What make and model is the router ? Most of them have at least 4 wired connections

Netgear WGR614 Wireless 54Mbps Cable / DSL Firewall Router 802.11g.

Cheers,
Dave

t31os · 4 Jun 2007 at 00:10

Cambofrog said:
Netgear WGR614 Wireless 54Mbps Cable / DSL Firewall Router 802.11g.

Cheers,
Dave

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rou...lessRouters/WGR614.aspx?detail=Specifications

Interface:

* Internet/WAN: 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45
* LAN: 4 ports 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45
* Wireless:
o Network Speeds: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, & 54 Mbps (auto-rate capable)
o Modulation Type: OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK
o Frequency:
+ 2.412 ~ 2.462 GHz (US)
+ 2.412 ~ 2.484 GHz (Japan)
+ 2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Europe ETSI)
+ 2.457 ~ 2.462 GHz (Spain)
+ 2.457 ~ 2.472 GHz (France)

Cambofrog · 4 Jun 2007 at 00:17

t31os said:
* LAN: 4 ports 10/100 Mbps (auto-sensing) Ethernet, RJ-45

Thanks, I am new to networking, but I should have known to read that as the wired connections - duh.

Cheers,
Dave

Cambofrog · 4 Jun 2007 at 21:07

Thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated

I am just looking for recommendations for memory which will be compatible with my chosen motherboard now.

To recap:
Motherboard is Asus P5B-E.

The memory I am looking for is 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 800 MHz Dual channel memory.

I want to get reasonable quality RAM (£100 max budget), but I don't just want to throw money at it because I have read that even if you get quality memory, you could still have compatability probs with certain motherboards.

Do any of you have first hand experience with this motherboard, and could you recommend a specific make and model number for the memory?

TIA,
Dave