New build, will it fit?

Dr.EM

Dr.EM

Dr.EM

Soldato
Joined
15 Jun 2006
Posts
3,900
Location
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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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 :)
 
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 :(
 
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 :)
 
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 :)
 
Thanks for the reply :)

I will likely order this tomorrow then. I actually just noticed this RAM on offer:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-072-OC

which should perform better than the Geil despite currently being cheaper. It's not listed on the compatablility chart for the motherboard (the Giel is), however OCZ2G800R22GK is listed there. Possible typo on one listing or a case of "close enough"?

Graphics card should be fine right? Don't see it making any difference, still PCI-E slot.
 
Ok, now i'm not sure what to do :confused:

Overclocking is something I could attempt but don't feel safe relying on. Stock speed of the Intel might well be fast enough for me, but I may as well have the AMD if it is faster at stock.

I planned to just order this now, I have ordered the graphics card and HDD caddy. This will sound wierd but my router is running on a battery since the adapter burned out last night and I'd like to get things ordered before it goes flat! Hopefully bits will arrive before the weekend this way, so I can assemble it then :)

Would I need a P35 board to achieve decent overclocks with the Intel chip?
 
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Ok, went with the Intel setup. Figured it'd likely be fast enough for me as-is, but at least I've got a way forward with it (by overclocking) if nescesary :) . Hopefully will be building at the weekend.
 
Just to update, the parts arrived before I expected and a freind helped me put it together a couple of days ago. It is all working nicely, very quiet. That passive graphics card gets pretty hot (not able to keep hand on it for more than a couple of seconds) but apparently this is quite normal. Windows installation went fine and getting data off the old drive is very easy (though time consuming with 16GB folders and USB).

Couple of slight oddities, yesterday it would not switch off! It went off only using the "stand by" option, not the proper "turn off". It seemed to be off when in standby, so I just flicked the wall switch. I also get kicked out of a game quite a lot, but it is a mod version so mabye thats not too big a deal. Certainly faster than the old system anyhow :)
 
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