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camel99

camel99

camel99

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Joined
2 Apr 2007
Posts
25
Hi

Can you please help me decide on the spec for my new build.

At the moment I have narrowed it down to:

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 320MB
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe" 2.67GHz (1066FSB)
Samsung SM-226BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black
Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 5000AAKS SATA-II 16MB Cache
Asus P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP
Lian-Li V-1100 Plus Black V SILENT Deluxe Tower Case
Zalman CNPS9500-AT Aero Flower
620W Corsair CMPSU-620HXUK
Corsair Dominator TWIN2X2048-6400C4D DDR2 / 800MHz 2x 1GB Modules

I am happy with most of my decisions apart from the motherboard, RAM and GPU.

I am aiming for a quiet machine that will mainly be used for graphics work using Photoshop, 3D Max and Maya. I will probably not be playing the latest games but will want to play CS Source. I also aim to do Overclocking. I dont think I need SLI for a while.

Should I be considering a newer motherboard with a higher FSB (1333) and better RAM (8500) with higher speeds? There seems to be little difference in price between my choices and newer higher spec models. Is this a no-brainer or is there more to it?

What do you think about the EVGA graphics card. Do you think it will be overkill for my uses?

My budget is < £1400.

Thank You
 
Most of the stuff you have there looks good, though I would change the cpu for an E6600, the E6700 isn't worth the extra imo. I have the dominator ram and I really like it, very overclockable, but there is better memory for the money, such as Crucial Ballistix, Team Xtreem and Cellshock. The motherboard is ok, though you could also go with a Gigabyte DS3P if you don't need SLi.

P.s. stick with pc-6400 ram, you really only need higher if you have a less clockable cpu that needs the extra.
 
Hi

Thanks for your response.

The price for the E6700 has dropped by £85. It seems like a bargain?

What do you guys think of the graphics card i choose?

Thanks
 
Welcome to the forums. The 6700 has dropped in price but so has the 6600 and the 6600 is still about £80 cheaper which is a lot to pay for a minor speed bump, you can almost certainly overclock the 6600 to at least 6700 speeds and probably a lot further since 3ghz+ is common.

The graphics card might be slightly overkill but it is DX10 compliant and will last you longer than swapping to a lower model.

I'd also consider the Gigabyte DS3P as nicktay2605 suggests, it is a very good overclocking motherboard which is compatible with quad core should you choose to upgrade with it.
 
Hi

Thanks for your input.

I have heard good things about the Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P. Do you think I should still get the Ballistic memory with this or the Dominator?

Thanks
 
It is probably debatable, they both use the 965P chipset so they start off on the same footing so to speak. I'd just pick the Gigabyte as it is a newer revision than the Asus and compatible with quad core, no other reason really. :)
 
Ok, I really need to order a new pc today cause its doing my head in!

Below are the specs:

EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 320MB
Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 Conroe" 2.67GHz (1066FSB)
Samsung SM-226BW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black
Western Digital Caviar RE2 500GB 5000YS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM
Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P 3.3
Lian-Li V-1100 Plus Black V SILENT Deluxe Tower Case
Zalman CNPS9500-AT Aero Flower
620W Corsair CMPSU-620HXUK
Corsair Dominator TWIN2X2048-6400C4D DDR2 / 800MHz 2x 1GB Modules
Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T-500 Dual Freeview TV Tuner

Total = £1338

Im buying the E6700 because if I decide not to overclock I might benefit from the extra couple of Mhz.

One of my priorities is to keep the machine as quiet as possible and If I overclock, it will require more cooling and make more noise. With the E6700 it may add that extra bit of performance at just a small price.

I decided on the DS3P purely because everyone says its good. I did like the idea of the WIFI on P5B though and the better onboard sound!

Im not sure about the Corsair Dominator over the Ballistix?. I can get the Dominators for £128 just a £20 difference.

Any comments please before I make the big plunge?

Thanks
 
Do you think its worth getting the E6600 instead of the E6700 then use the money to get the EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB GDDR3 instead?
 
camel99 said:
Do you think its worth getting the E6600 instead of the E6700 then use the money to get the EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB GDDR3 instead?
Click to expand...

yes id just use the differnce to get the 640mb as more ram on your gfx card will be better than the minimal performance increas of the E6700 over the E6600
 
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