Approval of a new C2D system

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:17 am

Hello

I'm fed up with reading review after review and I need a shoulder to lean on, so I hope you could help me in commenting on my new setup:

Core2Duo 6300

Gigabyte 965P-DS3

2x1024 Kingston Value DDR2 667, CAS 5

ASUS 7900GS TOP

SeaSonic S12-380

I don't plan to OC or run SLI, but I do want to game occasionally.

The part that bugs me is the motherboard - every review I can get my hands on all circle around how much boards can OC, which isn't my interest. I just want value for my money and low power consumption and, if possible, 2 IDE slots. Been looking at the ASUS P5B SLI which seemed nice until I saw the power consumption - jeees.

So please comment on my future baby

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:30 am

Hello,

If low consumption is your goal, then you should get a 300watt PS (or thereabouts), since it would run at higher efficiency at the power level that your system will use. For that matter, I'd guess that your system won't use more than 150watts.

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:17 am

You got a point. I could take the S12-380 instead then but my concern is that it will get too noisy because it will work nearer its maximum load load than the Corsair - too bad it isn't reviewed here. I will investigate it further, thanks.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:23 am

I could take the S12-380 instead then but my concern is that it will get too noisy because it will work nearer its maximum load load than the Corsair

Maximum load with those parts (plus 3.5" HDD?) is roughly 65+15+2+45+10=137W. That is less than 50% load for the S12-380.

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:40 am

I got 2 HD, 1 dvd burner, 2 120mm fans and a fan-controller so it shouldn't be more than 150 as NeilBlanchard said. That leaves room for some OC if I decide to do that. The SS-380 is now part of the list, thanks to both

But that still leaves the motherboard...any suggestions?

sjoukew · Post by **sjoukew** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:04 am

the ati x1950pro is as cheap / cheaper then the 7900gs and a lot faster.
I should go for an motherboard with a intel chipset, those are the standards, and almost everything works in combination with intel

ultrachrome · Post by **ultrachrome** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:25 am

I have a Kill A Watt on my new machine showing under 120W with a brief 150W hit at bootup.

E6600, 2GB, 1 HDD, 1 DVD, 7900GT KO Superclocked, NeoHE 430, 3 USB peripherals.

Edit: P5B Deluxe motherboard.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:47 am

But that still leaves the motherboard...any suggestions?

Your original choice seems fine? The 965P-DS3 is popular and the 965 chipset is quite low power, IIRC.

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:25 pm

sjoukew wrote:the ati x1950pro is as cheap / cheaper then the 7900gs and a lot faster.
I should go for an motherboard with a intel chipset, those are the standards, and almost everything works in combination with intel

That was my original choice actually, but the 7900gs TOP (which is factory overclocked) is actually faster in most cases and more energy efficient than the X1950pro, albeit a bit more expensive. A test here:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardw ... ax1950pro/

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:29 pm

jaganath wrote:
But that still leaves the motherboard...any suggestions?
Your original choice seems fine? The 965P-DS3 is popular and the 965 chipset is quite low power, IIRC.

Thanks, it seems like that is gonna be my pick then - looking forward to getting rid of my sempron 3100+

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:24 pm

looking forward to getting rid of my sempron 3100+

Is it socket 754? I collect old CPUs like that, I'd pay for postage if you wanted to get rid of it.

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:15 pm

jaganath wrote: Is it socket 754? I collect old CPUs like that, I'd pay for postage if you wanted to get rid of it.

I will try to sell the whole system first, if possible, otherwise I will get back to you.

jackylman · Post by **jackylman** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:47 pm

If you don't plan to OC, then get DDR2-533 or run your DDR2-667 kit at DDR2-533 and tighten the timings.

I'd suggest this kit so you can plug it in and not worry about tweaking it in the BIOS. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820144157

Buddabing · Post by **Buddabing** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:37 pm

Just make sure your motherboard has a passively cooled chipset. The DS3 is one such board.

My next motherboard will be a Intel D975XBX2 "Bad Axe 2".

sjoukew · Post by **sjoukew** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:15 am

SarC wrote:
sjoukew wrote:the ati x1950pro is as cheap / cheaper then the 7900gs and a lot faster.
I should go for an motherboard with a intel chipset, those are the standards, and almost everything works in combination with intel
That was my original choice actually, but the 7900gs TOP (which is factory overclocked) is actually faster in most cases and more energy efficient than the X1950pro, albeit a bit more expensive. A test here:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardw ... ax1950pro/

Hey, I din't know the 7900 GS TOP card, looks nice

. Nice review

SarC · Post by **SarC** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:35 am

jackylman wrote:If you don't plan to OC, then get DDR2-533 or run your DDR2-667 kit at DDR2-533 and tighten the timings.

I'd suggest this kit so you can plug it in and not worry about tweaking it in the BIOS. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820144157

There is only a $5 dollar difference in price here in Denmark, so I will go with the 667 kit. Do you know what FSB those are designed to run with? I wouldn't mind a light overclock