New build - help with spec please?

[sitruz]

Hi all,

Had my current machine since 2005 I think (P4 3.4) and it's showing its age, keeps falling over and when it doesn't it still struggles.

Last machine was built for gaming, but I haven't used it for gaming in a long time, use my 360 for that. Looking for a good stable spec (No OC, stock only) as quiet as possible. I will be using XP OS.

Was hoping to re-use some existing components if possible. Can I still make use of these?

• Akasa Ultra Quiet 400W Paxpower Active PFC ATX2.0 PSU
• Radeon X800 XT (may upgrade later)

Was thinking maybe...

• Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 LGA775 'Wolfdale' 3.16GHz or...
  Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.50GHz *What would be a good Motherboard to suit those? Why would I be better with one over the other?
• Antec Solo Quiet Mini Tower *Really don't need anything bigger
• Samsung SpinPoint F1 750GB SATA-II
• Asus DRW-2014L1T 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer *When it's back in stock

Any suggestions on ideal components would be greatly appreciated guys and gals.

Many thanks

S.

 

[sitruz]

Mainly just streaming my HD vid files and work (multitasking Photoshop/Illustrator etc).

Although I don't think I'll be gaming on it, it would be nice to know that it could hack it, if a game was released on PC only that I had to play.

S.

 

[sitruz]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It won't be OC'd, and I'll already have the rest of the gear, I just need the Mobo, CPU, memory and case.

Ordinarily I wouldn't be upgrading, but as I mentioned it's showing it's age now and I often get reboots and freezes etc. I've tried reinstalls in the past and it's still flakey so I thought I may as well bring myself up-to-date.

S.

 

[sitruz]

Decided on the E8400, but not sure about the motherboard. I have an ASUS now, and up until the recent problems I've been having it's treated me well so I'd like to stick with another ASUS board.

shaffaaf27 - You suggest the Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45, but I think I can get away with bringing it down a notch or two as I don't need RAID.

How about the Asus P5N-E SLi nForce 650, seems to have some good reviews?

Also what do I do about my Radeon X800 XT (AGP)? All the ASUS boards say PCI Express with no mention of AGP, so I'm guessing I can't re-use it can I?

S.

 

[sitruz]

Oh right.

So I'm better paying a little extra for say the Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 (this week only offer at the moment) as suggested by shaffaaf27?

Can I avoid buying a PCI-E graphics card at this time? I read something somewhere about an adapter AGP > PCI-E. Is that an option?

S.

 

[sitruz]

Thanks Neoboy, that looks like a good option.

But I notice it says FSB1066/800/533MHz. The E8400 says its 1333FSB. I'm sure it would still work, but would I notice the performance difference between say this board and the previously mentioned Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45?

S.

 

[sitruz]

Great stuff. Thanks very much, I really appreciate the help.

RAM wise, any suggestions on make/type?

I notice shaffaaf27 suggested 4Gb. I thought 4Gb wouldn't be recognised by a 32bit OS (XP Pro)?

S.