New Build - First Time!!

Jammer84

Jammer84

Jammer84

Associate
Joined
9 Nov 2008
Posts
86
Location
Ireland, Mayo
Hi All,

Was just thinking of building my first pc. At current I have the first PC I ever owned, a Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo H in the sig below. Which was a rip off at the time. As I've started messing with vmware server to mess with Ubuntu and stuff I feel it's time to build a quicker PC.

I've just decided to use the credit card to build myself the PC and worry about the funds later so this is what I was thinking.

I'm just about to order the following from OCUK

1 x Antec Twelve Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case
1 x OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Reaper HPC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPR10664GK)
1 x Corsair TX 750W ATX2.2 SLI Compliant PSU
1 x Arctic Cooling Freezer XTREME CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/AM2+/AM2/939)

I'm going to temporarily use the Radeon X1600, HDD's and Optical Drives I have and in the next couple of few weeks if I think I can scrape the money together I'm thinking of completing the build with the following:

1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 3.0GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor - Retail
1 x Gigabyte GA-EP45-Extreme Intel P45 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard

I don't fancy trying to fork out for DDR3 or the i7 just yet.

The PC is just used for everything and anything. Internet, downloading (movies and music) converting movies for PS3, ipod, etc. Would love to get a few games for it also.

Before I get into the gaming, I need to purchase a monitor. This will have to wait until after the PC is built, but will probably get something in 22/24". The 19" will unfortunately have to do until then. :( I'd also love to do some water cooling but wouldn't know where to start so I'll leave this till another day.

Cheers!

EDIT: The sig with spec is not displaying for me for some reason.
 
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I really would change the X1600 if you want to play games. Seeing as you're doing more or less a complete build then get a HD 4850 which are brilliant value and will handle any game nowadays.

Also re mobo: if going for P45 I'd recommend the Asus P5Q series especially if you're thinking of ever overclocking (which you should with that hefty cpu cooler).

On CPU front, the Q9550 represents better value than the 9650, the performance difference is negligible and the money saved could go towards a gfx card etc.

Also for the PSU, you don't need 750W and as its your first build I'd recommend the Corsair HX 620W which is modular and hence will make everything tidier and easier to manage within the case.
 
Unfortunately I've never overclocked and wouldn't feel that confident. I'm one of those that when it comes to something like that where hardware can get damaged, I like to be shown the basics first.

Reading how to do it just isn't the same as actually doing it. In saying that I'd love to know how to.

When I build the new PC, if I can get a 939 board that will clock I might try it with the X2 3800+. The bios with the current board gives no options to change anything at all.
 
I was kind of liking the sound of eventually getting the GTX280 at some stage. When I get the 24" I'd like to be able to get savage graphics for if I do get into the games a small bit. That's the reason I was kind of holding off on that front. Unfortunately I'm the type that usually always tries to get near the best of gear if I can.

Is the Gigabyte not meant to be a better board that the P5Q?

Hence why cars and loans have me strapped for cash this weather:(

EDIT: Sorry just noticed I double posted. My Bad :(
 
Hmm, the CPU, motherboard and RAM in your spec comes to a total of £667.66 (inc VAT & shipping).

With that budget I'd be very tempted to just wait a little while until i7 is fully released. We don't know what prices are going to do and I think you'd really kick yourself if the prices of the Core2Quads plummet right after buying it. You could probably get an i7 rig with that budget too.
 
I was looking at the price on a site over here and the i7 prices are listed.

For the i7-940 which would be similar to the Q9650 is looking more expensive. Would this be correct or am I totally wrong? Then you also have the upped price of the DDR3.

EDIT: Deleted some content. Sorry was not aware of the posting of competitors. What am I like. Two issues on my first topic :(
 
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The i7's are due out on Friday, so it's well worth just waiting a day or two to check the prices.

Search google for "intel core i7 review" and you'll find many reviews on the i7.

You need to remove the competitor link and name from your post, it's not allowed on these forums.
 
Zildjian said:
The i7's are due out on Friday, so it's well worth just waiting a day or two to check the prices.

Search google for "intel core i7 review" and you'll find many reviews on the i7.

You need to remove the competitor link and name from your post, it's not allowed on these forums.
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Thanks for the heads up. Was un aware of that. Won't happen again!

EDIT: Think I may just get the case and other components to brake down the price and leave the MB, RAM and Processor & heat sync for a week or so until we see what the i7 is like. The only prob here is I'll want to go for the i7-965!!
 
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Jammer84 said:
Unfortunately I've never overclocked and wouldn't feel that confident.
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For the £165 difference i really would get the q9550 and clock it. There's very little need to worry since intel chips these days clock so effortlessly.

My e8500 is running @ 4ghz and all that required was 2 changes. One was the core voltage and the other was the FSB.

In your case to get the extra 170mhz you'd need for 3ghz (to match the q9650) you'd probably only need to change the FSB and not even bother with a voltage change.

Many of the users here would be happy to help.

With that saving you would be either halfway to affording a GTX 280 or very close to picking up a whole GTX 260. :D

gt
 
gt_junkie said:
For the £165 difference i really would get the q9550 and clock it. There's very little need to worry since intel chips these days clock so effortlessly.

My e8500 is running @ 4ghz and all that required was 2 changes. One was the core voltage and the other was the FSB.

In your case to get the extra 170mhz you'd need for 3ghz (to match the q9650) you'd probably only need to change the FSB and not even bother with a voltage change.

Many of the users here would be happy to help.

With that saving you would be either halfway to affording a GTX 280 or very close to picking up a whole GTX 260. :D

gt
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Thanks for the info. You make is sound very, very easy. I may check out what the i7 reviews are like and build a basic i7 machine with the cheapest chip and use that for a while if the reviews are good!!
 
Jammer84 said:
Thanks for the info. You make is sound very, very easy.
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TBH, for small overclocks it really is surprisingly simple. Most chips from both AMD and Intel will happily push a little beyond spec with very little work.

You'd be fine - and as i said above there's plenty of people and info on the forum to help you. :)

gt
 
gt_junkie said:
TBH, for small overclocks it really is surprisingly simple. Most chips from both AMD and Intel will happily push a little beyond spec with very little work.

You'd be fine - and as i said above there's plenty of people and info on the forum to help you. :)

gt
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I may get very tempted so once a build is complete. Cannot try until I get this as the bios in the current machine has no options to change anything.

If I don't start somewhere, I never will!

EDIT: I've just been into OCUK and purchased the starting of the kit:

Product Name Price Qty Line Total
Antec Twelve Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case £99.99 1 £99.99
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK) £81.99 1 £81.99
Samsung SH-S223Q/RSMN 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (Beige/Black/Silver) - Retail £18.99 1 £18.99
Imation CD-R 52X 700MB (100 Spindle) 31501 £10.49 1 £10.49
Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy (7g) £7.99 1 £7.99
Akasa Rounded Ultra ATA133/100/66 IDE Cable (0.9m) - Metal Braided £6.99 1 £6.99
Akasa AK-TC TIM Clean CPU & Heatsink Cleaner £3.99 1 £3.99
Akasa 20/24-Pin 30cm PSU Extension Cable £3.99 1 £3.99
Acousti AcoustiFeet ACF3007-25C Medium Anti-Vibration Feet - Clear £2.99 1 £2.99
Order Cost Summary

Sub Total: £237.41
Shipping: £31.30
Total Vat: £56.43
Total inc Vat: £325.14

There's no turning back now! :eek: :D

26th November - Order still not received.
 
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Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy (7g) £7.99 1 £7.99
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I hope you are not planning on putting that on your processor mate?:eek:
If so WRONG stuff
I think you meant to order this
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
 
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