E6600 Newbie-Build - Now an E6750 system?!

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:50 pm

Heya there all, just setting out to build my second computer. My original was an athlon 3200 64bit in a thermaltake xaser lan case that im currently on, served me well for uni. I built it with the "blue-searchlights-so-that-you-cant-sleep-due-to-being-blinded-and-defened-by-the-jet-engine-cooling-system" hypothesis, you know - being cool and all (:/)
Anywho, bout to set about building a new rig under the "quiet" hypothesis and found that you guys' website is the best around - so in no particular order, here goes:

Components

CPU Heatsink: Thermalright Ultra-120 Socket 775 Processor heatsink
2xCPU heatsink fan Noctua NF-S12 1200RPM 120mm Silent Case Fan - 3 Pin
HarDrive: Hitachi Deskstar T7k500 HDT725032VLA360 320GB SATAII - 3.5in 7200RPM 16MB Cache
Kboard: Saitek Eclipse Keyboard - USB
PSU: Coolermaster eXtreme Power 380W PSU - ATX12V V2.01 20+4pin 1x PCI-E 2x SATA
DVD LiteOn LH-20A1H 20x DVDÂ±RW-RAM DL Lightscribe IDE Int Black - Bare Drive
Case Antec Solo Quiet Mini Tower Case - Piano Black/Silver - No PSU
MOBO ASRock CONROEXFIRE-ESATA2 SKT775 945P PCI-E 7.1 channel audio ATX
Ram OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800Mhz/PC2-6400 Memory CL4 Unbuffered ATI Certfified Dual Channel Kit
GFX Connect 3D X1950 XTX 512MB GDDR4 DVI VIVO PCI-E Graphics Card

"Grafix" Card
Now I'm sure the first responses will be "Get a geforce DX10 gfx card" but you see, I won the graphics card after getting an article printed in pcgamer, thats why if i were to buy a new one it would be dx10 but as i allready have this radeon X1950 (worth around 150-200 quid) i figure i may as well keep it for now and upgrade to dx10 once they cycle in some cheaper ones.

My Worries

-The last computer i built was 'old-skewl' ddr ram, so i have absolutely no clue about these new ddr2 ram specs, so i chose a compatible/medium range ram - hope this is ok?

-Will the thermalright 120 fit ok in the p150-based solo antec case?

-I read somewhere that the average home computer doesn't actually need a lot of power so a 380W psu wouldd surfice, is this actually the case, especially with my beasty X1950?

-If i have built the computer to spec for "quiet", would the gfx card completely ruin that allure with its fan? i.e. should i start thinking about getting a passive gfx cooler as well?

Thoughts
Im looking for any and all thoughts and recommendations that you guys could help me with my new build. Also as i have just finished university, money is on budget so im looking for the best components for a high range yet not too pricey gaming/work pc.
Thanks very much for all your thoughts guys!

-Moff

Edit: 23 July 1am: title change to reflect current thoughts of new CPU type.

Max Slowik · Post by **Max Slowik** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:26 pm

I'd be surprised if that computer can pull 250W from the wall. Your PSU wattage is fine. I'd consider getting a Seagate PSU, just because I have read a lot more about them, and use them whenever possible personally.

Max Slowik · Post by **Max Slowik** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:27 pm

Oh, and I do think you should consider an after-market cooler for the X1950; they're pretty loud, especially once you've got everything silenced. The only circumstance that I wouldn't replace it is if I was saving up to buy a better 8800GTS, probably the 320MB version.

It, of course, does NOT need a replacement cooler, as the stock cooler, designed by Cooler Master, is exceptionally quiet.

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:18 pm

I shall have a look for X1950 coolers man, any reccomendations?
Also, was talking to a mate of mine and he said if you have any intention of overclocking, you want to get a decent mother board
-Is the Asrock not up to the challenge?

Max Slowik · Post by **Max Slowik** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:27 pm

A Gigabyte DS3 or DS3R will do you very well if you intend on overclocking. There are also rumors about the P35 getting official SLI support (in addition to Crossfire, not instead of) so that definitely opens doors. But yeah, i945 chipsets aren't renown overclockers.

As far as video card coolers go, I think an Accelero X2 is about right. Inexpensive, practically silent, very cool. It will also add to the resale value of your X1950 when you decide it's time to upgrade.

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:53 am

And the OCZ RAM? Its 800Mhz, will that fit ok in the gigabyte DS3R, or could i do better? On overclockers.com they are selling 4 gigs of oem ram pretty cheap, but i was hesitant to go for it considering it was the same price as a 2 gig kit.

cloneman · Post by **cloneman** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:57 am

Max Slowik wrote:I'd be surprised if that computer can pull 250W from the wall. Your PSU wattage is fine. I'd consider getting a Seagate PSU, just because I have read a lot more about them, and use them whenever possible personally.

Seagate PSU? Do those come with 5 year warranties?

He meant Seasonic

Bobfantastic · Post by **Bobfantastic** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:55 am

2xCPU heatsink fan

I'm assuming that's one for the HSF, one for the case exhaust?
You really don't need one on each side of the HSF. Other than that it all seems fair enough. The HSF is good, the case is held in high regard by most here, I'm not familiar with that PSU though. The specs suggest its made by someone else, so it could be quite good. The graphics card is likely to be the loudest part though, you may need to look into alternatives.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:50 pm

Well why not get a P35 chipset board (maybe Gigabyte or Asus) and a E6750?
Do not buy a 945 chipset board. That is an old chipset that i don't think support any new Intel FSB 1333 MHz CPU (like the E6750) and certainly not
the upcoming Penryn.

Also support for faster DDR2 memory might be limited.

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:13 pm

Bobfantastic wrote:
2xCPU heatsink fan
I'm assuming that's one for the HSF, one for the case exhaust?
You really don't need one on each side of the HSF. Other than that it all seems fair enough. The HSF is good, the case is held in high regard by most here, I'm not familiar with that PSU though. The specs suggest its made by someone else, so it could be quite good. The graphics card is likely to be the loudest part though, you may need to look into alternatives.

I read somewhere that the heat sink im after works well with a "push/pull" system? i.e. with one pushing and one pulling the air throughb it, or is that a luxury thats not really warrant?
I hadnt honestly thought of changing any case fans, i thought that the case itself would come with sufficient fans - am i wrong, perhaps as you say i should have just one fan pushing air through the cooler and then slap the other one as a case exhaust fan yeah?
Also, think am definately going for a gfx cooler, the accelero x2 that Mr. Slowik reccomended looks quite good - not too pricey either!
So 1 fan pushing and 1 fan on the case then? in addition to or substituting ones allready on the antec case?

Max Slowik · Post by **Max Slowik** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:36 pm

He meant Seasonic

Of course not! Don't you know information is power

Bobfantastic · Post by **Bobfantastic** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:19 am

The antec case fans are often quiet enough for most people (so long as they're kept slow), you should propbably just try them and see. The e6600 is easy enough to cool; again, I'd say start with one fan on the HSF and see how it goes. If it passes say 50 degrees at full load, you can think about adding a second fan (or spinning the first fan up to full speed, but this might make the noise worse than simply adding another slow fan).
For the vast majority, one CPU fan and one 120mm case fan is enough- the PSU has a 120mm as well remember.
Hope this helps!

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 4:49 am

Oh no!

Just reading over Alexs comments talking about getting a tricked-out motherboard, allowing for a e6750 in place of an e6600.

So i check on ebuyer (where im shopping) and they have none in stock, but then i check ebay and there are a few uk sellers that have e6750's in stock - cheaper than an e6600!

Is this lies, or should i now start thinking about changing my ideas and getting a E6750? Are they strictly better, or is it not worth the hassle?
Because i assume ill have to change my Â£40 mobo for some top amazing Â£140 job?

merlyn · Post by **merlyn** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:32 am

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/07/20 ... duo_e6750/

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:56 am

The E6750 is cooler, faster and more efficient than the E6600.
Also it is a very good overclocker (amazing actually).
Wait 2-3 days until the prices and availability stabilizes (it is a new CPU).

If it is worth a 100 pound pricier mobo is hard to say but 20-30 pounds more for the newer mobo, yes certainly.

I bet the extra features the quality (if Gigabyte or Asus) and compatibility of the P35 mobo is worth at least that much (20-30 pounds more).
Check P35 board prices again in about 2-3 days and hope for a price reduction (but I doubt it will happen unfortunately).

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:18 am

Ah thanks very much for that link merlyn, very much appreciated! Tells indeed that the E6750 is generally strictly better and faaaar cooler, so "Why not get anything else?!" as it so eloquently puts it!

And thankx alex, so if its 30 quid(ish) more, then no problem, i was actually thinking that i would need a mobo with onboard wifi - and these are generally the 'higher' class mobo's anyway!

Ok, so now, the situation is:
---Which p35 motherboard would be around 30 quid more than the Asrock (currently Â£52.17) that will handle the E6750 with no problems and include Wifi (sound is not a problem as i have a decent enough sound card to plug in - if need be)

Any suggestions will be most appreciated!!

.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:38 pm

Well I don't think you'll find such a mobo. I just agreed with you that to me I would gladly pay 30 more pounds for a P35 mobo but as you say 100 more pounds for a P35 mobo is quite much more if you are on a budget.

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:28 am

So there's no chance of a decent but not overkilled mobo that'll take the E6750 perhaps with wifi (or not) that i could get without remorgaging my house?

-gay

Moffit · Post by **Moffit** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:07 am

Okk cool, just found out that the price drop is currently in, woo!

So E6750 is now officially the choice of sense as it is actually 20 pounds cheaper than the E6600

E6600 costs Â£138.23 inc VAT and the E6750 costs Â£118.74 inc VAT - Sweet!

So now mobo's need changing, and then im done with my build and can order the parts, so the two main options i have seen are:

Asus p5k AiLifestyle http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/129125 @ Â£84.45 + A wifi pci card (D link or something â‰ˆ Â£17) = Â£102 inc VAT
-or-
Asus p5k-E/WIFI-AP http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/129126 = Â£117.49 inc VAT

Which one then? Or does anyone else have a good motherboard suggestion that is around-about this price mark (cheaper is better) that can handle a E6750 + 800MHz ram + onboard wifi (or possibley an addition of a wifi pci card)

-Moff

fjf · Post by **fjf** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:38 pm

Abit IP35 Pro: can control 6 fans (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainbo ... pro_7.html)