spec review

[Micronaut]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing the following kit:

2Gb Geil Ultra 6400 DDR 2
Gigabyte GA965P-DS3
Intel E4300
XFX 8800GTS

Does anybody have any recommendations on this spec.

I am considering an AMD alternative around the 5000+ but not sure of the best motherboards to run them on.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Tk7]

I'd definitely go with the C2D over and AMD. Do you plan on overclocking, and your budget would be good to know.

I'd recommend getting one of the new P35 chipset motherboards, Gigabyte do a few if you want to stick with that manufacturer. They are a bit more expensive, but will take the new Intel processors due out later this year making them a bit more future proof.

The ram is reportedly fine, but a lot on here would suggest the Crucial Ballistix PC5300 stuff, it supposedly overclocks like crazy, and is good value too (on a This Week Only price at the moment).

I'm sure some will pop on here and give you a full spec, some of the guys are real good at that. The sort of spec you're after though, you won't be disappointed.



EDIT Also, if you do plan on overclocking, i'd buy an aftermarket cooler too. I use an AF Pro 7, which is ok for my stock voltage at 3ghz, but any higher and you'd be better to get something like the Noctua NH-U12F or Tuniq Tower. They are more expensive but are very good coolers.

 

[Nebzor]

I was originally deciding between the two exact models of RAM given here. I chose the GeIL in the end. It has done that decision justice so far. Also, I personally bought an AMD X2, but I'd recommend going for an Intel C2D unless you're some form of AMD junkie.

TK7 has it covered. The P35 chipsets are future-proofed (as far as the crystal ball can tell us as of now), and so would be a good buy. 8800GTS is obviously a beautiful card

 

[Micronaut]

I'd definitely go with the C2D over and AMD. Do you plan on overclocking, and your budget would be good to know.

I'd recommend getting one of the new P35 chipset motherboards, Gigabyte do a few if you want to stick with that manufacturer. They are a bit more expensive, but will take the new Intel processors due out later this year making them a bit more future proof.

The ram is reportedly fine, but a lot on here would suggest the Crucial Ballistix PC5300 stuff, it supposedly overclocks like crazy, and is good value too (on a This Week Only price at the moment).

I'm sure some will pop on here and give you a full spec, some of the guys are real good at that. The sort of spec you're after though, you won't be disappointed.



EDIT Also, if you do plan on overclocking, i'd buy an aftermarket cooler too. I use an AF Pro 7, which is ok for my stock voltage at 3ghz, but any higher and you'd be better to get something like the Noctua NH-U12F or Tuniq Tower. They are more expensive but are very good coolers.

Thanks for the reply

Yes, I am planning on overclocking the e4300 to 3ghz. My budget is £380 to £400 max. The above spec was as expensive as I wanted to go. I wasn't sure of the layout of the Gigabyte P35 motherboard. Some people recommended the GA965P-DS3.

 

[Tk7]

If that's your budget then the DS3 would be a fine choice. I use a DS3P and couldn't be happier. It was a doddle to get to 3ghz, and has been solid since I bought it.

If you aren't planning to upgrade anytime soon (which like me i'm guessing not) then the P965-DS3 will be fine. If you could stretch to a P35 board though, you'd always have that option of the new cpu's...

Also, I have an XFX 8800 gts, and whilst I hear their customer support if naff the card has been great for me. I run it at stock and it plays everthing I need at 1280x1024.

 

[Micronaut]

If that's your budget then the DS3 would be a fine choice. I use a DS3P and couldn't be happier. It was a doddle to get to 3ghz, and has been solid since I bought it.

If you aren't planning to upgrade anytime soon (which like me i'm guessing not) then the P965-DS3 will be fine. If you could stretch to a P35 board though, you'd always have that option of the new cpu's...

Also, I have an XFX 8800 gts, and whilst I hear their customer support if naff the card has been great for me. I run it at stock and it plays everthing I need at 1280x1024.

Yes, I wasn't planning on upgrading for at least 12 months, maybe year and a half. The extra £20 really pushes me into the £400+ range which I didn't want to go to. I agree the P35 motherboard is a good idea for future proofing, but don't know if I will be dropping any new components into it in the near future. I bought an abit max3 a few years ago in expectation of a prescott p4 but it still holds my p4 northwood The x38 chipsets are due out next month as well, which has made me think about waiting for an upgrade, but I think the new boards will cost £££££.

 

[bliss]

Looks like a pretty decent spec. But i'd be more inclined to get a 8800gts from either BFG or Evga. As tk7 said, XFX's customer support is pretty much notorious.