Rate my spec...

2Thumbs · 9 Sep 2008 at 20:52

It's not often I do this so thought I'd ask peoples thoughts...

Already have a Arctic Freezer 7 (which I may change for an Xigmatek at some point), Pioneer 216 drive, Corsair HX520w, 8600GT, 2GB G.Skill PK 8500 memory and a WD RE hard drive so the spec below is to finish off the system.

I've spent a few weeks deciding on this so please dont be too harsh.

My aim is for a silent, cool running pc with enough grunt when i need it so hopefully this should cover it.

Thoughts?

Ben M · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:00

looks good

i'd probably go for yate loons though

icey_haj · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:07

Ben M said:
looks good

i'd probably go for yate loons though

Why would you go for yate loons? Noctua are quieter.

2Thumbs · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:13

Ben M said:
looks good

i'd probably go for yate loons though

I've used both, my previous experience with Yate Loons was that they spat out their bearings in around 8 months although others dont seem to have a problem so maybe I was unlucky. Noctua's are also much quieter out the box IMO with equal/more airflow.

I do recommend yate's to people on a budget though, can't be beaten for VFM.

mattyfez · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:15

Get rid of the silly fans and put the money where it will be better used, the CPU would be a prime target, what were you thinking?

The money saved on the fans will boost your CPU budget up to about £100, and why on earth do you need 2xPSU extension cables?

Make that £110 for a CPU, your in E8400 territory now.

To answer the first question, I would rate your spec 3/10

2Thumbs · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:26

The psu is bottom mounted and the case has cable management so I'll need extended 4/8pin and atx cables.

What's wrong with an e5200? They overclock like demons!

I don't game much, if at all, so anything better would be wasted on me.

mattyfez · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:37

2Thumbs said:
The psu is bottom mounted and the case has cable management so I'll need extended 4/8pin and atx cables.

What's wrong with an e5200? They overclock like demons!

I don't game much, if at all, so anything better would be wasted on me.

Fair enough then, but if not gaming, why the £100 mobo?

2Thumbs · 9 Sep 2008 at 21:47

Future proofing (if there is such a thing...).

At the moment I don't game but that might change in a few months, I want to get a raid array at some point. It's also a very good clocker which I want to dabble in. It's the latest chipset with native 45nm support which is a bonus too.

I see you have a Lian Li A10. What you think of it? It was my first choice when I started looking for a case last month.

mattyfez · 9 Sep 2008 at 22:13

I wouldn't swap it for any other case I've ever seen to be honest, (even other Lian-Li's) its a work of art!!!...

...this case will be in for the long haul with me, unless ATX goes out of fasion, I can't see me wanting anything else.

I wouldn't think its practical for water cooling though, but apart from that, 100%.

"Future proofing" for what? what do you do with your PC? it just seems a little backwards, your better off spending £100 on a CPU and £50 on a motherboard if you ask me....

2Thumbs · 9 Sep 2008 at 22:28

mattyfez said:
"Future proofing" for what? what do you do with your PC? it just seems a little backwards, your better off spending £100 on a CPU and £50 on a motherboard if you ask me....

You're probably right, I'll go do a bit more digging. A B grade Gigabyte P35-DS3L for £42 is quite hard to resist.

I thought the A10 was lovely, almost perfect but it's a bit rich for my budget.