New Build Help

apache24uk · 4 Dec 2007 at 13:00

Hi,

I want a new asus motherboard and intel C2D processor for a first build but I still want to use my old HDD (x2) and my DvD drives (x2). I know that most new mobo's only have one IDE socket so I could still use my old IDE HDDs (x2) through the master-slave setup on the mobo and then use DVD drives (x2) through a PCI IDE controller card.

I already have got a case, a 550 Watt PSU. I’ve yet to decide on a graphics card and some RAM, but probably going to spend no more than £60 on each.

I will mostly be using the computer for office work, web, Photoshop, movie editing and the odd game like COD2 and possibly on COD4 in the future.

Like the idea of a Intel C2D E6550 seems like a nice all rounder as I won't really be doing any overclocking.

Any help or advice that is offered will be welcomed and appreciated.

Cheers for your help

semi-pro waster · 4 Dec 2007 at 13:15

Welcome to the forums, for the graphics card and Ram I'd suggest an X1950pro (little bit over the budget but take some of the cash saved from the Ram) and any decent PC6400 (Geil and OCZ do a couple of 2gb options under £40).

What motherboard are you considering going for? Also when you say you have a 550w PSU you don't specify the brand so do you know what it is? All PSUs are not of equal quality.

apache24uk · 4 Dec 2007 at 13:57

I have a Corsair 550W PSU

apache24uk · 4 Dec 2007 at 16:45

Well its going to be an Asus board.
So far I was thinking of either a Asus P5N E SLI 650i or a Asus P5B mobo. What do you think?
Do you think they will work well with a C2D E6550?

semi-pro waster · 4 Dec 2007 at 19:05

Good choice on the PSU. As for the motherboards I think either will be fine however there are newer motherboard chipsets out there and you should check that either or both of them support 1333mhz FSB CPUs. The P5B uses the 965 chipset which has been superceded by the P35 chipset so unless you are saving £10 or more I'd probably just get a newer motherboard such as the Asus P5K.

apache24uk · 5 Dec 2007 at 07:45

Got to do some research on this P5K mobo. Has anyone got one, if so how reliable are they? Does anyone one know of a alternative asus mobo if it's no good?