Spec almost decided BUT ...

GWillow

GWillow

GWillow

Associate
Joined
16 Jun 2003
Posts
818
Location
Romney Marsh, Kent
Thanks to everyone for their help/suggestions/experiences to my questions in other threads.

My spec is almost complete but I have a couple of questions.

Cooler Master CM-690 II Advanced Dominator Case Purchased already
MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** £124.99
(with FREE Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler)
Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) £161.99
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz £79.99
XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular Power Supply £78.98
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache £39.98
LiteOn IHAS324-32 24x DVD±RW ReWriter SATA £19.99
Windows 7 - alternative (legal) sourcing.

3 or 4 existing Sata Drivers hard drives

My questions:
  • Is the PSU powerful enough for this set-up?
  • Could it support another 6950 in the future?
  • Reading so many modular PSU reviews, a lot seem to comment on how some of the cables are too short - need I be worried?
  • What thermal compound should I use.
  • have I missed anything?

Once I've established these last points and assuming no-one has any adverse comments on it, then I think I might be ready to order (stock availability allowing).

Your comments please.
 
Last edited:
with the 3 or 4 SATA drives you will be pushing it a bit if you want two graphics cards. i would go for the 750W version

usually the coolers will come with some thermal paste, but the OcUK favourite seems to be Arctic MX-4, which can be found for £3.97 with free shipping from a certain unmentionable rainforest

if you are a student, then you can get windows very cheaply from software4students. if you are doing a vaguely computing related course at university you may be able to get it for free. other than this i have no idea about alternative sources

rest of the build looks great :)
 
GWillow said:
My questions:
  • Is the PSU powerful enough for this set-up?
  • Could it support another 6950 in the future?
  • Reading so many modular PSU reviews, a lot seem to comment on how some of the cables are too short - need I be worried?
  • What thermal compound should I use.
  • have I missed anything?
Click to expand...

1) YES.
2) YES.
3) Add a 8pin ATX extension cable to be safe.
4) Artic Silver5, MX-2, MX-4
5) NO.
 
Reaper 392 said:
with the 3 or 4 SATA drives you will be pushing it a bit if you want two graphics cards. i would go for the 750W version
Click to expand...
The second card is a bit of a dream but would be cheaper to up the PSU now instead of later should I need it.

Reaper 392 said:
if you are a student
Click to expand...
Both my children are students so I shall again take advantage of that fact (previously bought Office 2007 using that site).

Reaper 392 said:
usually the coolers will come with some thermal paste, but the OcUK favourite seems to be Arctic MX-4, which can be found for £3.97 with free shipping from a certain unmentionable rainforest
Click to expand...
I'll take a look, thanks.

Reaper 392 said:
rest of the build looks great :)
Click to expand...
Better start looking for my wallet before the wife changes her mind :D
 
What's your budget? I've built pretty much the exact same specced system as you but I also added in an OCZ Agility ssd, and it really does make a big difference. It's the first time I've owned an ssd and I'm blown away with the difference compared to a standard hdd. If it's at all possible for you to add it, I'd advise you do.

Otherwise, make it your first upgrade after putting the system together. The case is fantastic, particularly considering how much it costs. The only thing I'd say is the fans it comes with aren't that quiet, make replacing them an aim for the future too. Great spec though :)
 
Well, it's all ordered and it's all turned up now. Just waiting for the thermal compound although I've just opened up the fan and see that it comes with some paste.

Really tempted to start building now but ... must ... resist. Must wait until the weekend when I'll have more time (and the ordered compound turns up), Quite looking forward to attempting a nice clean and tidy build oh, and of course, playing with the new PC.

Just am observation, the XFX PSU is so well packaged it seems almost a shame to unpack it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom