Not another PC spec check :-)

qwertybob

qwertybob

qwertybob

Associate
Joined
20 Nov 2007
Posts
14
Hi,

I've been burning the midnight oil for the last year earning some bucks so decided to treat myself. As such, I have no clue that’s the current sweat spot; AMD or Intel, Nvidia GT, GTS, GTX, but it seems the following may be a good start.

I currently have a KT400/XP2500/GF4-TI system that is in need of an update (I try to get my moneys worth). Im planning on keeping my Coolermaster 201* because its such a nice case but it does limit the length of the PSU hence the below. Ill also have to check the size of the cooler.

*
atc201b_nice.jpg


The PC most intensive tasks will be code compilation, some CAD work, simulations but occasional I play games (well not in the last year but I reserve the right to :) ) and encode multimedia hence the quad core; is this best bang for buck?

I don’t plan to overclock and a silent PC is preferable but a compremise is OK.

Parts:
------

Akasa Ultra Quiet 500W Paxpower Active PFC ATX2.2 PSU - Black Nickel
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-024-AK&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=239
£53

Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-131-AB&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=913
£82.24

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-172-IN
£156.26

OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-6400C4 Dual Channel Platinum Revision 2 XTC Series DDR2
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-072-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813
£36.41

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-017-AR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=821
£17.61

Asus GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-126-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=912
£103.39

Sub Total: 448.91


Im wondering if the following is worth it:

...for an extra £66.37 I could get abit more graphics power:

Point of View GeForce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-015-PV&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1008
£170.36

...or for an extra 36.41 I could get an extra 2GB or RAM.

My original budget was 400-500 but I could easily stretch further - just don’t want to ***** money up the wall if it’s not going to yield much.
 
Looks good to me, all the parts are compatible and since you have a bit of cash to spare I'd go with the 8800GT and extra 2gb Ram, particularly as you don't seem to upgrade often. :)
 
I'm not familiar with CAD, but your spec seems adequate as is, I can't see for CAD that either of the upgrades are necessary, you can always add more memory later.

Rgds

Radderfire
 
Not really worth going for AMD at the moment, Phenom might change that with further revisions but from what I've seen so far it doesn't look like a clear step ahead.

Yes the graphics card would be overkill but like I said, you don't seem to upgrade often so it may be worth the extra spend initially. The Ram is more debateable, it depends how seriously you take your CAD but some models do eat up a lot of Ram from what I know.
 
that 8800GT is a lot better than the 8600, so if you're not going to be changing for a while, and you have the money, it's worth it imho.
 
Ok here it is :)

Akasa Ultra Quiet 500W Paxpower Active PFC ATX2.2 PSU - Black Nickel
53

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775)
17.61

Abit IP35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
82.24

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600
156

2x GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC)
70.48

Point of View GeForce 8800 GT 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail
170.36

Sub Total: 549.69

Just goto check the cooler dimensions and see if I can add some ducting from it to fire hot air out the back :)

Does anyone have a 8800GT? Isit noisey and worth an aftermarket heatsink?
 
For CAD the 8800GT is more than powerful enough, in fact as mentioned it is overkill but not stupidly so given the price so I definitely wouldn't go spending more on another graphics card since the next one up is the 8800GTX at closer to £300.

Looking at the times of the posts I rather suspect it was just a case of your post not being present when Going to Cali posted. :)
 
^^ Your probably correct, 8800GT would probably be more then enough (allow me to play the odd game and handle all the CAD work).

^ DAM YOU :D I could wait but Id probably just end up waiting and waiting and never get around to it due to new hardware always being around the corner.
 
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