That's it... 2 more W2's and I'll be ordering my new computer! This spec was put together by you guys not too long ago. I want to keep the cost under $1000, and I'm also aiming for a quiet PC. I do have a few questions, but I am more interested in hearing your thoughts or comments if this should be upgraded in any way. Anything that can be done to cut costs I will do. I will probably swap out the PSU, as I don't need modular at this time. This is a non-SLI gaming PC, I intend on staying with my 22" LCD screen and not going dual.
Case: Cooler Master 690 ($80)
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro LGA P45 ($119)
Processor: Intel C2D E8400 3.0GHz ($165)
HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S1283 ($36)
HSF Retention: Xigmatek ACK-I7751 ($9)
Video: MSI N260GTX 192cores ($230?)
Memory: OCZ Fatal1ty 2x2gb DDR2 800 ($39)
PSU: Corsair Modular 620W HX - ($160)
HD: Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM 500gb SATA ($60)
CDRom: LiteOn 22x DVDRW w/ Lightscribe ($30)
Total cost before taxes & shipping: $928
A few questions:
1) What are your thoughts for this?
2) Someone in my other forums recommended going to the E8500 C2D + 1066MHz memory, as I would be able to reach 4.0GHz speeds at stock voltages. What are your thoughts, and should I do this?
3) Since I'm looking for a quiet system, if I go with the CM 690, should I replace the stock 120mm fans w/ some aftermarket ones?
I appreciate any input you guys can give me on this, thanks!
Building a new rig, looking for opinions!
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee
How does the 4870 1GB rank vs that video card, I believe the price is comparable. Might want to check.
I have the 640GB WD drive and it's very quiet and only $5-10 more.
And for that price, what about a quad core DAAMIT system? Be about the same price for a 9850 or 9950 w/unlocked multiplier.
okay...yeah, I root for DAAMIT.
But Phenom 9950 and 4870 1GB would probably be equal if not faster at the same price. Looking at the reviews at Newegg the 9950 overclocks to 3+ pretty easily.
Eyeballing that case, I only have 2 thoughts--get some compressed air to hose it down with once a week, and you might want to see what some black electrical tape over the upper side vent does to temps when you get it. Seems like it would be a great way to shortcircuit airflow with that vent there, the rear fan would just take air in and send it out with no cooling happening.
Good luck!
I have the 640GB WD drive and it's very quiet and only $5-10 more.
And for that price, what about a quad core DAAMIT system? Be about the same price for a 9850 or 9950 w/unlocked multiplier.
okay...yeah, I root for DAAMIT.
But Phenom 9950 and 4870 1GB would probably be equal if not faster at the same price. Looking at the reviews at Newegg the 9950 overclocks to 3+ pretty easily.Eyeballing that case, I only have 2 thoughts--get some compressed air to hose it down with once a week, and you might want to see what some black electrical tape over the upper side vent does to temps when you get it. Seems like it would be a great way to shortcircuit airflow with that vent there, the rear fan would just take air in and send it out with no cooling happening.
Good luck!
If you are going to go 260gtx, go for the 216 not the 192, it's only maybe $15-20 more.
Go for the 640GB drive. Faster than the 500GB.
e8400 is fine. Don't see much benefit to spend $25 more for 0.16GHz stock clock...and they'll overclock about the same.
quad core - most games do better with faster clock on a dual core than slower clock and a quad. This'll change sooner or later...but you might want to look at the games you play and see if it matters.
Go for the 640GB drive. Faster than the 500GB.
e8400 is fine. Don't see much benefit to spend $25 more for 0.16GHz stock clock...and they'll overclock about the same.
quad core - most games do better with faster clock on a dual core than slower clock and a quad. This'll change sooner or later...but you might want to look at the games you play and see if it matters.
Alright guys, here is the final build spec on everything that I am getting. It's a shame my credit score wasn't better... I would absolutely love to be approved for a Newegg Credit Card. *Sigh*
Case: CM Stacker 590 ($59.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R ($119.99)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale ($164.99)
HSF: Xigmatek S1283 + Retention ($45.48)
Memory: G-Skill 2x2gb DDR2-1000 ($49.99)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S75CF ($109.99)
Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GTX260 216 Cores ($269.99)
Hard Drive: Western Digital SE16 640gb SATA ($74.99)
CDRom: Samsung 22x DVDRW w/ LS ($29.99)
Total cost: $925.40
After shipping: Over $1000 (Retention is out of stock and doesn't display in cart)
After rebates: $850.40
1) If I do go ahead and replace the fans in the case, what should I replace them with? I know that attempting to read stuff on this website I think I came across some Scythes. Are there any notably quiet LED fans I can purchase?
2) Should I replace the fan that comes with the Xigmatek, and if so again is there an LED fan I can put there (Just snazzing it up a bit).
Note: Upgrade of memory will result in a 4.0GHz overclock hopefully!
Case: CM Stacker 590 ($59.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R ($119.99)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale ($164.99)
HSF: Xigmatek S1283 + Retention ($45.48)
Memory: G-Skill 2x2gb DDR2-1000 ($49.99)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling S75CF ($109.99)
Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GTX260 216 Cores ($269.99)
Hard Drive: Western Digital SE16 640gb SATA ($74.99)
CDRom: Samsung 22x DVDRW w/ LS ($29.99)
Total cost: $925.40
After shipping: Over $1000 (Retention is out of stock and doesn't display in cart)
After rebates: $850.40
1) If I do go ahead and replace the fans in the case, what should I replace them with? I know that attempting to read stuff on this website I think I came across some Scythes. Are there any notably quiet LED fans I can purchase?
2) Should I replace the fan that comes with the Xigmatek, and if so again is there an LED fan I can put there (Just snazzing it up a bit).
Note: Upgrade of memory will result in a 4.0GHz overclock hopefully!
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that Linux guy
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Your list looks really good Punkrulz. My only suggestion is a smaller PSU. Since you're not going SLI or Crossfire, you don't need 750w power. PSUs are most efficient at a certain load, and you'll be way below that load even when your rig's running full-tilt. Look at my sig. I'm running a lot of the same hardware, and my stuff's OC'd pretty good. I've got a 550w PSU and I'm running just fine. You could probably even get 500w and be just fine. I highly recommend PC Power&Cooling, Seasonic, Corsair, Enermax, most Antec, and most OCZ PSUs.
Also, you won't need any special RAM to get your E8400 to 4GHz. I've got 800MHz stuff, and with the RAM/FSB ration set 1:1, My RAM is running at 890MHz. FSB at 445, 9x multiplier, and my CPU core voltage is currently at 1.37v. Don't go over 1.4v with these 45nm procs.
Scythe S-Flex or Slipstream (Hell, even low-speed Kaze's), Nexus, Noctua, Yate Loons... all great quiet fans, and they all take well to undervolting. I can't say much about quiet LED fans.
The Xigmatek is quiet. Mine at stock clocks never goes above 900rpm, idle or load, and my CPU temps are between 32C and 38C. With my E8400 at 4.05 GHz, Idle temps are the same 32C, while my load temps are around 55C. The Xigmatek fan at full load hits between 1200 and 1250 rpm. It's not loud, but it's noticeable. I too am using the crossbow bolt kit (it makes the cooler so easy to install). My high load temps with the OC is probably because my chip took so much voltage for my goal of 4Ghz. I'm still debating on whether it's worth keeping to be honest.
That's my 2 cents on your build. It looks good. Getting higher speed RAM definitely won't hurt the OC, but it's not necessary quite frankly. If you were on water, and going for some crazy numbers, perhaps, but for a fairly standard overclock, regular RAM is just fine.
Also, you won't need any special RAM to get your E8400 to 4GHz. I've got 800MHz stuff, and with the RAM/FSB ration set 1:1, My RAM is running at 890MHz. FSB at 445, 9x multiplier, and my CPU core voltage is currently at 1.37v. Don't go over 1.4v with these 45nm procs.
Scythe S-Flex or Slipstream (Hell, even low-speed Kaze's), Nexus, Noctua, Yate Loons... all great quiet fans, and they all take well to undervolting. I can't say much about quiet LED fans.
The Xigmatek is quiet. Mine at stock clocks never goes above 900rpm, idle or load, and my CPU temps are between 32C and 38C. With my E8400 at 4.05 GHz, Idle temps are the same 32C, while my load temps are around 55C. The Xigmatek fan at full load hits between 1200 and 1250 rpm. It's not loud, but it's noticeable. I too am using the crossbow bolt kit (it makes the cooler so easy to install). My high load temps with the OC is probably because my chip took so much voltage for my goal of 4Ghz. I'm still debating on whether it's worth keeping to be honest.
That's my 2 cents on your build. It looks good. Getting higher speed RAM definitely won't hurt the OC, but it's not necessary quite frankly. If you were on water, and going for some crazy numbers, perhaps, but for a fairly standard overclock, regular RAM is just fine.