Need advice on new gfx and hdd please

Banzai_Joe · 12 Dec 2006 at 20:32

Hi all,
today i was took charge of:
E6600
GA-965P-DS4
Super Talent (never heard of em) 2 x 1GB 667MHz PC5300 2 Rank CL5
550W psu (with 24-pin mobo power)

Now, a few questions that i'd appreciate your opinions on please:
1a. This is an SLI board right?
1b. What gfx to get considering its SLI. Not sure if i'll afford to do it though.
Was thinking of just the one
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-063-CO. whats the diff between all the similar spec'd cards? Just manufacturer? Needs to be sub £200, considering i also;
2. Need a sata drive. 250GB should be fine, Samsung Spinpoint P SP2504C. It seems decent performance for its price.
3. What is ATX2.0?

Many thanks for any help.

semi-pro waster · 12 Dec 2006 at 21:46

The motherboard supports Crossfire, not SLi so you would need an ATI graphics card (or strictly 2 of them) if you want a dual graphics card setup, I'd suggest there isn't much point for most people though. That graphics card would be fine for Crossfire although you'd also need to get a Master card I believe.

The Samsung ought to be fine, the Seagate 7200.10 series is faster but also a bit noiser in some instances.

ATX 2.0 is simply a standard for PSUs to meet, it has certain requirements such as 24pin plug for the motherboard, PCI-E connectors, 8pin connector for the motherboard also (? not so sure about this and I can't be bothered to look it up) etc. What manufacturer is the PSU? 550w doesn't mean a great deal if it is generic as it may only be a maximum output rating that it can support for a short period of time.

Banzai_Joe · 12 Dec 2006 at 22:09

SPW,
the psu does look generic, and i questioned this with th shop owner (who is actually a decent guy). He says that he runs twin 8800's in SLI with this psu and it runs fine (albeit everything at stock speeds).
He said, any probs to bring it back, fair enough

semi-pro waster · 12 Dec 2006 at 22:23

Fair enough, maybe it is better than most generic PSUs or it is a debranded model from a good manufacturer. Once you get everything installed check the rails, Speedfan will do it or even better if you have a multimeter, as long as they remain stable you shouldn't have a problem but it might pay to keep an eye on it to begin with.

celliott · 12 Dec 2006 at 22:36

I would get something like an X1900XT then you can add another ATI card at a later daye for crossfire.

Should have no problem with the SuperTalent ram. Got my 2GB PC3200 kit for under £100 on another site and it does CAS2.5 at 210Mhz. Excellent stuff

Banzai_Joe · 13 Dec 2006 at 09:13

Excellent, thanks for the input fellas.

celliott - why did you advise the X1900 XT. Do you not think the X1950XT would be better?

As a single card, its supposed to be a lot better value for money isn't it?

spw - i remember checking the voltage rails in my pc class years ago. Thing is, if you don't earth one of the connectors by touching the case with it you can get a good belt from it can't you? (iirc) And i'm possibly just that daft to receive such a belt! :rolleyes:

celliott · 13 Dec 2006 at 14:08

If you get the one on this weeks offer then yeah, depends how much your willing to spend.

Banzai_Joe · 13 Dec 2006 at 15:39

to be honest, i may wait till after xmas, then the prices will drop.
I cannot afford the gfx, hdd and a new case yet anyway.
Wanna put all my new stuff in my existing lian li p70, but will need a new case to put my old stuff in.