Need help with a new spec

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11 Jul 2004
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I'm looking for a new system for gaming, video and photo's.

I'm open to idea's, so long as the machine is quiet. I'm not into overclocking, so i would prefer a rock solid, stable machine.

The components I prefer are:
Asus motherboard
4GB RAM
Nvidia 8800GT
Antec Case

Suggestions ?

Thanks !
 
This might do the trick, its hard without a budget to work to though.

specru7.jpg
 
I just need a case + mobo + ram + gfx + cpu + cpu cooler.


GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-058-GL

This Week Only Offer
was £31.99 ex vat
£24.99
£29.36 inc VAT (x2)


Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

£61.99
£72.84 inc VAT


BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC2 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (Life Time Warranty)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-053-BG&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1008

This Week Only Offer
was £169.99 ex vat
£159.99
£187.99 inc VAT


Asus P5K-E WiFi Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-241-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=

£84.99
£99.86 inc VAT


Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-161-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=

£136.99
£160.96 inc VAT


Tuniq Tower 120 CPU Cooler

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-SB&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=

£27.99
£32.89 inc VAT

Total INC VAT £613.26

Inc Next day Delivery @ £12.95

= £626.21
 
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I'm not sure why people are including the Antec 900 in their specs.

It's not really suited to the OPs situation being loud and dusty - and the extra cooling wont be of any use as he doesn't want to overclock.
 
The 900 is hardly the quietest case in the lineup, I would look for something with less fans on it. Granted setting them all to low will reduce noise but you still get a deep humming from it.
 
I'm not sure why people are including the Antec 900 in their specs.

It's not really suited to the OPs situation being loud and dusty - and the extra cooling wont be of any use as he doesn't want to overclock.

As an actual owner of the Antec 900 i can positively say this case is neither loud nor dusty, any extra cooling is of benefit, be it over clocking or not. You can install dust guards as any other pc case as i or others have done.

Instead of posting a negative post feel free to contribute an alternative "as it is a spec me thread"
 
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Thanks for all the replies so far.

Case wise I was looking at the Antec Sonata III which comes with a PSU. Is this quiet, and is the PSU enough to power the spec I'm looking for ?

So far from the specs above, I like the look of:

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
Abit IP35 motherboard
Geil 2GB x2

Which GFX card then in the 8800GT series ?
 
BFG GeForce 8800 GT OC2 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (Life Time Warranty)

(If you want a cheaper Gt card then you will be looking at cards that offer 1-2 year warranty only)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-053-BG&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1008

This Week Only Offer
was £169.99 ex vat
£159.99
£187.99 inc VAT

The Antec Sonata III will be fine, and the power supply is an EarthWatts 500 Watt PSU. its is quiet and adequately powerful enough for your component specs.
 
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Antec Solo is quite good on the quiet front according to the specs, sound deadened panels and the option of suspension mounting the HDD's...this can make a telling difference.
 
So is the PSU that comes with the Antec good enough then ?

CPU coolers, I was looking at a Zalman CNPS9700 NT, how does that compare to others ?
 
Yes for example the Tuniq tower is a better cooler than the zalman and would be my preferred choice due to the no of heat pipes and fins.

The Tuniq cooler includes a fan controller as well (fan speed 1000-2000rpm) and is quiet.

The Zalman uses a fan controller "mate" as well. Albeit either fan cooler will suit your needs. The choice is yours as you are not over clocking.
 
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if you are not oc'ing is there any reason you're getting after market cooling?

and even if your getting an OEM cpu, there's no real need to get such expensive coolers.
 
Yeah, I noticed from various reviews that the 3rd party coolers do a better job than the stock fan, even at stock speeds, and I prefer my equipment to be cool, so I don't mind that little "upgrade" for the cpu. ;)

Motherboard wise, should I get a P35 or X38 chipset motherboard ?

Also the RAM, I can get the following:

G.SKILL 4GB kit (2GB x 2) DDR2-1000 (PC-8000) CL5-5-5-15

G.SKILL 4GB kit (2GB x 2) DDR2-800 (PC-6400) CL4-4-4-12

G.SKILL 4GB kit (2GB x 2) DDR2-800 (PC-6400) CL5-5-5-15

CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX 2 X 2GB DDR2-800 XMS2 5-5-5-18

What would you recommend ?
 
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