Uber-Computer: new pc build from scratch but with a few problems

python911 · 16 Jul 2006 at 14:03

Hey, I'm tired of buying pre-configured computers so I've decided to build one from the ground up. I've modded and upgraded mobos, cpus and the likes before so I'm not a complete novice yet I'm having big problems speccing the machine and getting the right water cooling. Here's what I've got so far.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 FX62 (AM2) - CPU
Thermaltake PurePower 680W ATX2.0 - PSU
ATi Radeon X1900 XT 512mb (CrossFire Edition) - GPU 1
HIS Excalibur X1900 XT-X 512mb - GPU 2
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 500GB - HDD
Asus DRW-1608P3S - Optical DVD/CD drive
CoolerMaster Stacker 830 Silver - Case

I've got a spare Raptor 10,000 RPM HDD ready for the system files and a floppy for booting into DOS to use good ol' FDISK. I'm ignoring the keyboard, mouse, monitor etc here. My main problems are what mobo and memory to get and also what cooling rig to buy. I'm looking around £300 tops for cooling. I'm interested in the ASUS M2R32-MVP Deluxe or the DFI Lanparty UT CFX3200-M2 but I've seen no sign of them anywhere yet! And with AM2 I've heard it's best I stick to DDR2-800 to get any noticable speed increase.
Someone please give me a hand with the mobo, memory and watercooling. I plan to order everything in two weeks.

Cheers
Py*

python911 · 16 Jul 2006 at 16:06

Wow, 2h later and I have a mass of golden responses. I was expecting to wait till Monday for only a couple of replys

There is no budget for a mobo and memory - I'll max out the memory capacity on the mobo and I've never really seen a mobo going for more than £150.

Thanks for the advice on the case, I'm looking for a HUGE case. I hate small machines. I like big, obtuse and stylish. It's going to be on display and I'm quite a big fan of the Lian LI V2100. Didn't like the Silverstone Temjin TJ07, hated the curvey top. So I guess no curves for me. Just had a drool over the Coolermaster Stacker 810 but Overclockers dont stock them and I'm trying to avoid shopping in multiple stores since I want a single delivery. Yes, I'm picky like that. I've also heard good things about the Antec P180 because of it's chambered design... any comments?

So ok, if I go with the Intel *shudders* the X6800, pricewise it's on par with the AMD AM2. :confused:

I havn't a clue about the sockets for Intel processors. Went off them back when the AMD FX-53 came out

so could use some advice. What about mobos for the Intel chips? Are they as overclockable as the AMD's? Also are there any Xpress 3200 (RD580) boards for the Intel X6800 (Conroe)?

Use my origional spec at the start and fill in the gaps for me guys! Thanks a lot. I'll post a piccy when it's built

python911 · 16 Jul 2006 at 18:02

Right. I think I'm close to the final build now. Tell me what you think:

Intel Core 2 DUO Extreme Edition X6800 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.93GHz (1066FSB) £666.00
Asus P5W DH Deluxe WiFi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-152-AS) £149.95
OCZ GameXStream 700w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Power Supply (CA-019-OC) £94.95
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 NR PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400PHU2-2GBNR) (MY-014-GS) £114.95
ATI Radeon X1900 ***Crossfire Edition*** 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-045-CO) £254.95
HIS Excalibur ATI Radeon X1900 XT-X ICEQ 3 SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-052-HT) £299.95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-079-SE) £52.50
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-079-SE) £52.50
NEC ND4570 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM (CD-030-NE) £21.95
OcUK Value Floppy Drive - Black (HD-001-OK) £5.95
Akasa Eclipse 62 Aluminium Case (CA-005-AK) £129.95
Akasa Eclipse 62 Thermally Advanced Side Panel (CA-016-AK) £19.50

Logitech G15 Gaming-Grade Illuminated Keyboard - Retail (UK Layout) (KB-077-LG) £59.95
Logitech Cordless G7 Gaming-Grade Laser Mouse (KB-070-LG) £41.95
Steelpad S&S Mouse Pad (GS-006-IC) £12.50
Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers - OEM (SP-057-CL) £56.95
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition inc. SP2 - OEM - 1Pk (ZAT-00054) (SW-022-MS) £79.95
Viewsonic VX922 19" LCD Monitor - Black/Silver (MO-046-VS) £229.95

WATERCOOLING
DD 1/2" TDX Intel 775 £32.73
DD 1/2" Tyee X-Fire Kit £125.99
XSPC 5.25 Bay-Res £17.01
1/2" NexXxos Xtreme III £31.48
1/2" Mag II LE Pump £29.99
Tygon 1/2" ID Hose 1ft *6 £13.74
Zerex 50ml £3.40
UV Blue Revealing 25ml £4.25

TOTAL
exc VAT= £2,595.29
inc VAT= £3,049.46

Well... kinda pricey and any cash saving tips would be ace. Almost there. Looking forward to OCing this baby!

python911 · 17 Jul 2006 at 17:43

Well I think I must be very close to my final build. I'm still quite into the Akasa Eclipse 62 case with the thermally advanced side panel. If anyone can suggest something as big and as good as cooling, please say so. Anyway, here is the latest spec:

Intel Core 2 DUO E6700 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.67GHz (1066FSB) - Retail (CP-129-IN) £349.95
Asus P5W DH Deluxe WiFi (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard (MB-152-AS) £149.95
OCZ GameXStream 700w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Power Supply (CA-019-OC) £94.95
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ) (MY-013-GS) £147.95

ATI Radeon X1900 ***Crossfire Edition*** 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-045-CO) £254.95
HIS Excalibur ATI Radeon X1900 XT-X ICEQ 3 SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-052-HT) £299.95
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-079-SE) £52.50
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD-079-SE) £52.50
NEC ND4570 16x16 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM (CD-030-NE) £21.95
Mitsumi FA 404M 7in1 USB 2.0 Floppy & Media Drive - Black (HD-002-MI) £12.95

Akasa Eclipse 62 Aluminium Case (CA-005-AK) £69.95
Akasa Eclipse 62 Thermally Advanced Side Panel (CA-016-AK) £19.50
Logitech G15 Gaming-Grade Illuminated Keyboard - Retail (UK Layout) (KB-077-LG) £59.95
Logitech Cordless G7 Gaming-Grade Laser Mouse (KB-070-LG) £41.95
Steelpad S&S Mouse Pad (GS-006-IC) £12.50
Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers - OEM (SP-057-CL) £56.95
Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition inc. SP2 - OEM - 1Pk (ZAT-00054) (SW-022-MS) £79.95
Viewsonic VX2235wm 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - Black (MO-060-VS) £299.95

DD 1/2" TDX Intel 775 £32.73
DD 1/2" Tyee X-Fire Kit £125.99
XSPC 5.25 Bay-Res £17.01
1/2" NexXxos Xtreme III £31.48
1/2" Mag II LE Pump £29.99
Tygon 1/2" ID Hose 1ft *6 £13.74
Zerex 50ml £3.40
UV Blue Revealing 25ml £4.25

I'm looking at that new 22" Viewsonic thats out in August. I've sworn by Viewsonics at home and at work and I don't feel like switching to another brand (**** Dell and Apple). I'm going for the extreme watercooling because I don't like aircooling and phase changers are just too expensive. I've got aircooling on my current computer and in the summer I keep having to underclock my Radeon X850 (good old AGP) because it's getting way too hot.
Let me know what you think.

Py*