Yet another new build thread!

projects14a

projects14a

projects14a

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16 Jun 2008
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First of all, would just like to say this site is a great source of info and look forward to learning a lot!

Right, I haven’t build my own PC for a few years now so am looking for abit of guidance with component choices. From the research Ive done, the following spec list seem to meet my requirements.

1 Overclocked Bundle Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard / Intel Q6600 Quard Core @3.3Ghz / 2GB (2x1GB) OCZ PC-8500 RAM / Tuniq Tower CPU Cooler
2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500gb SATA-II 32MB Cache
1 Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
1 Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter
1 Scythe Kama-Meter Multi Functional Controller
1 One of the New Range of ATI Video Card's Coming Out
1 WinTV-HVR-1300
2 NF-R8 80mm Quiet Case Fan
2 Fansis Fan Dust Filters 80mm
1 NF-P12 Vortex-Control 120mm Quiet Case Fan
1 Fansis Fan Dust Filters 120mm

Ive never overclocked a PC so hoping the bundle from OC will teach me a few things. The purpose of the PC will be my main pc which will act as a media centre as well as all the day to day stuff. Will be doing abit of gaming, but don’t want to spend more than £150 for a graphics card as I don’t think I will be doing enough to justify more, but I will be running dual screens so can use as pc and TV simultaneously.
Will be loading all my music and some DVD’s onto it, hence the 2 hard disks, and also carrying out some audio editing, possibly production if I get time to get into it.

Finally, I will be using XP Home Edition as Ive already got it, would like to get vista and have a dual boot but that will be some time into the future as cant afford to get a new OS.

As mentioned, I have done a fair bit of research, but am happy to hear people’s advice so all comments and suggestions welcome!
Many thanks in advance :)
 
There is lots of advice of overclocking on the forums so I wouldn't bother with the bundle, have a look here for instance. You don't need PC8500 either, PC6400 is more than sufficient and could take you beyond the 3.3ghz of the bundle without any issues.

The PSU is slightly overkill but no real harm in it I suppose.

Other than that it looks fine.
 
I was thinking that with the RAM as in the specs of the mother board it states RAM bus speed is DDR2 800Mhz, so would it not make more sense getting 4Gb of the 6400 such as these..

OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C5 800MHz SLI-Ready Edition Low Latency Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2N800SR4GK)

Would i be better off with double the RAM capacity which operates at a lower speed than half the amount but faster? I my mind and experience it makes some sense especially if thats the max the mobo would support, just not sure im thinking about it from an overclocking point of view.

As mentioned, ive never overclocked and know next to nothing about how to do it. Will definately be reading more into it so i understand it all. Think i was just going for the bundle for the ease and to introduce me into the world of overclocking. Guess i'd be better off reading more before i buy :)
 
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depending on what case you have, and you're diy skills, you might want to use 120mm fans instead of the 80's as there a fair bit quieter.

also, have a look at the G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-6400C5 (2x2GB) memory, runs off 1.8-2.0v rather than the 2.1 of the ocz.
 
I have an old antec alu case which i bougt from ****** a few year back. Was going to mod the case to fit the 120mm fan on theperspex side panel, will see if ive got space to mod the existing 80mm positions for 120mm :) Thanks for the recommendation!

With the RAM, due to my complete lack of knowledge, i assumed the higher the operating voltage the better for overclocking :o Seemed like you bump up the voltage to overclock but im a complete newb so know ive got a lot to learn!
 
Get the Antec 300 case for £35 odd, you won't regret it. You said £150 for a graphics card, even if you had £250 I would recommend the new Ati 4850 for around £135 it's by far the best bang for buck at the moment :)
 
Not completely true on the Ram, if you start from a lower voltage then you will often have more headroom to up the voltage and speed but if you start from a higher voltage then you might run into a limit of what the motherboard can supply sooner and that would restrict your overclock.

The OCZ is pretty decent Ram but the Abit IP35 range supplies 1.8v as a default which means you've got to manually change the voltage for it and that is a bit of extra hassle. The G.Skill that mp260767 suggests will boot straight off and you can change the voltage later if/when needed so it is generally a simpler option.
 
Ah I see, yes that makes a lot of sense. Thanks :)

Thanks for the case suggestion bennyboy, i recon it makes more sense to get that than buy a load of fans and cut up my old case. Although, now looking at the 900 as its reduced :D
With the 4850 card, does it matter which of them i get? Will go for 512, but are there any brands you would recommend? They all look the same to me in terms of specs :)
 
Right, think i've figured out my final list which i will hopefully be ordering in the next few days. Any last comments?

1 Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail
1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)
1 Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
1 Tuniq Tower 120-LFB CPU Cooler (Socket 478/754/939/940/AM2/LGA775)
1 Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (CMPSU-620HXUK)
1 Samsung SH-S203P/RSMN 20x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer Lightscribe ReWriter (Beige/Black/Silver) - Retail
2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (ST3500320AS)
1 Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case
1 G.Skill 4GB DDR2 PQ PC2-6400C5 (2x2GB) CAS5 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ)
1 Asus ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail

Cant wait!!! Going on holiday for a week on thursday so will be ordering then so it'll be waiting for me to get back :D Not sure what im more excited about :cool:
 
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