New build, will it fit?

Dr.EM

Dr.EM

Dr.EM

Soldato
Joined
15 Jun 2006
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Swindon
Hi. I have been planning an upgrade for a while. Recently my graphics card seems to have burnt out and looking for a new one I realise just about everything has changed in the world of PC components!

I currently have a quiet PC and intend to keep it that way (hopefully quieter still), so this is a factor. Gaming isn't a big thing for me but it's nice to be able to run them if I need. Anyway, here is the list I have so far:



Obviously it's missing a couple of parts I will source elsewhere, these are:

ASUS EN8600GT SILENT 512MB GDDR3 graphics card
External IDE drive enclosure

I already have and intend to use:

Lian-Li PC7+ case
Akasa Pax-power 400W PSU
Optical drive (IDE)
Audigy 2 soundcard (PCI)
Wi-Fi card (PCI)
Monitor, mouse, keyboard, case fans..

I suppose firstly, is there anything obvious that I've missed? To be more specific, how will that 400W PSU cope? Mosty not being used for highly intensive applications it shouldn't be too stressed? There was a PSU calculator somewhere if anyone can find it.

Also, I am planning to put my old HDD in the external box to copy over data. I have listed a new copy of XP in my basket but the old drive does have it on. Is there any way at all to copy it over since I don't have the original CD (pre-installed job :(). Annoying having to buy a new copy is all :p . Not definate on the HDD BTW, any suggestions for similar ones appreciated, want fast, quiet, reliable, the usual I guess but 250GB is enough.

Any help appreciated :)
 
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Everything looks basically fine there, the PSU should easily cope with that. Might you be overclocking? If so then Intel might be a better option but if not that should be ok.

It isn't necessarily hugely accurate but if you want a very rough estimate then the PSU calculator here is about as good as any other.

I'm afraid I'm not too sure on the legalities of copying Windows across, if it is an OEM copy then I don't think you are meant to use it again, however you could check it out in the Windows sub-forum, if you do a search then you should be able to find an answer. If it is a copy that you can put onto a different machine/hard drive then something like Norton Ghost or TrueImage should do it, you might need to install the SATA drivers before cloning though.
 
Save some money by getting the ACF 64 Pro instead. Got one & along with PWM (4-pin header on mobo) cools efficiently & quietly ;)

Is that 8600GT 512MB GDDR3 or DDR2? With that series, only seen the latter at that amount of RAM. 512MB only benefits on higher res BUT DDR2 doesn't perform as well as GDDR3 :(

For copying data you need a cloning tool like Acronis True Image (demo here). Might want to partition & move your documents, etc around before since reinstalling Windows. Also recommend you do it while the drive is connected directly to the mobo instead of USB which is slower.

EDIT: The Seagate Barracuda 7200.10's are faster.
 
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Hi,

I'd suggest getting the lower range Intel chip and appropriate IP35 motherboard instead of the AMD stuff. Also, you won't be able to simply copy windows. It won't do it. As stated, you'll need a cloaning tool.

Alternatively, as you already have a legit OEM copy, just get a tool that will tell you your current CD key. I won't risk linking it, but a google search will get you the tool.
 
Thanks for the replies :)

PSU calculator suugests a mere 198W so that should be well covered.

Good call on the ACF 64 Pro cooler, is it as quiet as the Noctua though? I chose that because I have thier 120mm case fans and they actually are silent when run at low RPM and about 1 metre away (tested outside of case).

The graphics card is listed as 512MB GDDR3 HTDP. Best of both I guess, it isn't too cheap but I don't want any particular bit letting this down overall.

The Barracuda 250GB drive looks good, 16MB cache is an attractive feature for only a few £'s more :) . Not a lot said about noise but one review says even 3 together are inaudable. My current one constantly makes a high pitched whine, which has became evident after changing to lower noise fans :eek: .

I don't know enough to comment on the differences between Intel and AMD, but have had AMD for years so didn't put much thought into choosing them again. I don't plan any overclocking if that helps.

I think I have the key printed (special windows security sticker) on my old computer case since this was a pre-built machine. How will this key help me copy the OS over (sorry, not experienced with this at all)?
 
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Cheers. Looked around and the Abit AN52 motherboard seems to have the 4-pin CPU fan connector, so it can lower the fan speed with the CPU at lower loads?

Will a HDD come with a SATA cable too? Otherwise I need to get one of those aswell :)
 
Personally I see no reason to go AMD atm.

Intel Core 2 Duo E2160 "LGA775 Conroe" 1.80GHz (800FSB) - (£49.34)
Abit IP35-E (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard - (£69.31)

Prices inc. VAT.

I know it works out about £15 more then your AMD motherboard but you get what you pay for, so long as you overclock it a little ;)

That Intel CPU has a multiplier of 9. Your RAM has a stock speed of 400mhz on the FSB. The motherboard is good enough to be pretty much eliminated as a limiting factor here.

So, assuming we get the FSB to 350mhz, your CPU would run at 3.15Ghz (given the slight necessary voltage increase). Your memory would run at 400mhz.

Bump the multiplier down to 8X on the CPU (or simply buy the cheaper E2140 with the 8X multi already, but I'd go for the E2160 just to have the option of 9X) and set the FSB to 400. Your CPU will be at 3.2Ghz and your memory will be at 400mhz. Quite a nice setup considering the price.

At that speed you'll pretty much be wiping the floor with any AMD setup including the latest phenoms :D
 
See no reason to stay AMD when a build such as below is far quicker and simular money considering you appear to be going the route of overclocking >
 
Sorry, I know this is the overclockers forum but overclocking isn't something I was planning :p . I take it your main reason for preference of Intel is superior overclocking ability? I read the review on the 5000+ processor and it did say that overclocking performance wasn't great.

I adjusted the spec to have the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB drive and Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro PWM, which overall makes the system cheaper. The same setup with Intel parts that Darg suggested is £15 more. Is this very worthwhile at stock speeds? Also annoying paying for retail CPU's when using a different cooler :(
 
Dr.EM said:
Sorry, I know this is the overclockers forum but overclocking isn't something I was planning :p . I take it your main reason for preference of Intel is superior overclocking ability? I read the review on the 5000+ processor and it did say that overclocking performance wasn't great.

I adjusted the spec to have the Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB drive and Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro PWM, which overall makes the system cheaper. The same setup with Intel parts that Darg suggested is £15 more. Is this very worthwhile at stock speeds? Also annoying paying for retail CPU's when using a different cooler :(
Click to expand...

no, it is just the fact that the intel c2d's currently out perform anything else on the market. that is without even overclocking :)
 
Dr.EM said:
Sorry, I know this is the overclockers forum but overclocking isn't something I was planning :p . I take it your main reason for preference of Intel is superior overclocking ability?(
Click to expand...

Tbh no, i allways was one for buying AMD untill these new Intels turned up, even the one suggested at stock speed beats that AMD chip at stock, and yet price wise same money more or less. Also most Intel P35 board's support partial upgrades down the line such as the new 45nm CPU's. :)
 
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I can understand why people are a bit worried about overclocking but to these C2D overclock them by 50% is considered mild yet it would still bring it over the best AMD can offer.

Obviously there are guides here and people that will walk you throw step by step and help with any problems you might encounter. It's very hard to kill one of these chips if you stay within some guidelines.
 
So even though the AMD is 2.6Ghz at stock and the Intel is 1.8Ghz stock, the Intel outperforms it? Just a case of how it uses it I guess? These lower range Core 2 Due's don't seem to appear in that comparison chart, the 5000+ ranks fairly near the top considering its price (and is roughly 5 times faster than what I have now :p ). Bear in mind it's not often used for games but I like things to work right away, converting mp3's fast would be good. I get the impression the Intels generally run hotter too since AMD seem to have more focus on power efficiency, ideally i'd like it cooler to keep fan RPM down.
 
Another question about the Windows installation. I have 2 other copys of Windows in this house for the other computers. I mentioned that I still have my genuine Windows key stamped on my old PC case, is it possible and legal to install the OS from another disc but using my own key? Surely it's the same data on every disc and the liscencing is done purely by the key?

If that is true can I also still use my old IDE drive in an enclosure and pull the files off of it, despite it having the same registration copy of Windows on it? Or will it be best to back all the files I want onto DVD or something with my current machine? Sorry, I'm really no expert on this :p
 
Any ideas anyone? I will go ahead if it can be done, for £300 total this should be a very reasonable upgrade :)
 
Intels don't run hotter, in fact the lower model ones run significantly cooler from what I have seen, especially at stock volts.

Think of it this way, the AMDs you're looking at are the same technology that they've been pushing and pushing to try and eek every last drop of speed they can out of. The Intels on the other hand are brand new technology designed from the start to work at these speeds.

You could have said the same about the Pentium Ds. They were never really designed to work as dual cores or even at the speeds they were which is why they couldn't overclock and frequently ran very very hot.

Personally I would definitely go Intel, a mild overclock which I can guarantee you, if you follow the steps, won't damage your system.
 
Ok, well so far the only thing remaining from my original spec would be the RAM :p



I don't know if thats ok. I am totally unaware of the differences between the P31 and P35 chipset Motherboards, but can only assume it'd work? The P31 board saves enough money to make it reasonably comparable price wise to the AMD spec. An overclock to say 2.6Ghz is not too unlikely for the processor from what i'm reading; that being the clock speed of the AMD 5000+.

Any clues on the Windows installation? I already paid for it when I had this machine built and would rather not pay again! Would the installation from another disc but with my product key work?
 
Could anyone confirm that spec posted above is ok, and that Windows can be installed in that way? Assuming it is and there aren't better options for the same price I can go ahead and order :)
 
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