System spec check?

Bane

Bane

Bane

Soldato
Joined
10 Jun 2005
Posts
2,604
Going to take advantage of the Beast promotion :)

Getting a E8400, CPU cooler (Enzotech Extreme-X passive), case fans x2 (probably Noctua NF-P12) from elsewhere.

Three uncertanties I have:
a) Motherboard. Like how dfi only manufacturer a limited amount of models, so hopefully it will be well supported. But I won't be using Crossfire, and not sure how much overclocking I'll try (not patient enough).

b) 4GB Memory. Thinking if overclocking is limited then stay with PC6400? Since Geil Black Dragon has increased over £58 I considered OCZ Reaper, but it looks gimicky with the heatpipe. Have selected the G.Skill although it was a toss up betwen Corsair, Kingston HyperX, and G.Skill (all in same price region).

c) PSU. Gone with 525W should I decided to get a beefy graphics card later on. Or would the 425W model still be sufficient?

system.jpg


Edit: Just noticed my post number identical to promotion. Is that a sign :)
 
Tbh the mobo is very expensive to not use it for Xfire and not OC on it much. I would get some PC8500 4GB kit, as the multis on the E8400 are a little lower so leaves room to play with.
 
the motherboard is designed with crossfire in mind so supports 8x on both PCI-E lanes. It does not support 16x on one if you don't use crossfire so it would limit you a lot. Get something else. Save yourself some money and get an Asus P5E-VM or GA-G33M-DS2R?

Memory depends how far you are planning on pushing your E8400, but the cost of PC8500, i might look at that atm. Saying that the OCZ ultra low lantency 2x2 looks good value. I've got 2x2 PC6400 patriots and I got my Q6600 to 3.5 with them, so just depends on your pref and how far you want to go. Otherwise I'd get the G.skill. 8500 (maybe ask OCuk if they expect the G.skill 8000 back in as they were great 1/2 way point) BTW The reapers have higher latencys.

As for the power supply. A decent 425 would probably do you, but your best looking at 500+ so you don't have to worry about it in the future. If you don't need modular why not look at this weeks deal on the Corsair TX 650 or if you wanting modular maybe the Zalman 500W or the Corsair HX 520W - I've got the 620 and love it, but put a zalman in a silent media centre the other day - it is damn quiet!

If you don't spend all your saving on memory I'd get a 4850 now :D
GL
 
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Regarding the dfi motherboard, with the 6% promotion saving and free delivery it's £3 more than an Asus P5Q-EM (non-OcUK).

The P5Q-VM (non-OcUK) is around £13.52 cheaper than dfi. Just not sure if the saving is that great for a long term product. Then again you could apple that to everything and end up with double the budget :)

Also the dfi with PCIe 2.0 x8 be equal to PCIe 1.0 x16?

Probably end up with a Gigabyte G33M if mixed order time expires
 
the x8 lane isn't really a problem. my cards run as well as the x2's in full x16 lane so a little 4670 wont be any different. I didn't realize the prize difference. The board is very good and if you go with it you always have the option in adding another 4670 at a later date. The HX 520 is a very very quiet PSU.
 
Bane, i LOVE that case (i did a similar build a few months ago and can not stop grinning when im on it)

The PSU will be ample for the system, i have the same one running a 4870, 2 harddrives, 8gig of ram, a d2x and a wireless pci card so i wouldnt worry about it

Anyway, i thoughly recommend upping the gfx card :) it'll be awesome! and the other thing is you might want to get a WD or samsung 320gig harddrive.. (rave reviews about them and all that)
 
Not at all really, the difference in running ddr2 out of sync with the fsb at this speed is negligable to invisible. Also if your overclocking it'll take a while before you reach the limits of a good brand of pc6400 (let alone pc 8000 or 8500) so its best not to spend extra pennys on soemthing you wont really notice :)
 
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