New Build

Callan

Going to be upgrading my PC in the next couple of weeks. Here is what I am thinking off buying: http://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist.asp?mode=receive&si=445179&su=28C1230C-1EB8-447C-9B4A-BC1FD0EDC923

    * ABIT IN9 32X-MAX WiFi, nForce-680i SLI, Socket-775,ATX,2xGbLAN,DDR2,2xPCI-Ex16
    * Antec Performance One P180 Miditower, Black, Aluminum (Without PSU)
    * 327671 Corsair Powersupply 520W Black, ATX/EPS, 120mm Fan, 4xSATA, SLI, WxHxL 150x86x150
    * Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 2048MB CL5 Kit w/two matched CM2X1024A-6400 Dimm's
    * HIS Radeon X1950XTX 512MB GDDR4, PCI-Express, ViVo, 2xDVI/Tv-Out/HDCP
    * Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 4MB, BOXED w/fan
    * Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate English OEM DVD 32bit
    * NEC DVD±recorder AD-7173 IDE Black OEM Duallayer,LabelFlash,Multirecorder(Ram)
    * Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM
    * Zalman CNPS9500AT Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler, Socket 775

I already have a 19" samsung 930BF monitor, plus keyboard and mouse.

It will be mainly be used for encoding and gaming, and I would like it to be as silent as possible. I have a max budget of €2000 (incl delivery), the above comes to €1884, before shipping.

I'm not too sure about the graphics, PSU or heatsink.

Any advice on this build would be appreciated

Thanks

8T8

Nothing wrong with any of the choices for the tasks you outline though you could save money here and there which would allow you to purchase some more powerful parts.

Motherboard - nForce 680i is unnecessary unless you plan on SLI, go with this MSI P965 board instead for €145 that's a saving of €185! with a board that does everything the same bar SLI support.

I'd leave the RAM as is as media encoding is one of the few area's that benefits from the extra bandwidth of DDR-2 800.

The graphics card you can replace with a 8800GTS 640MB version as the GTS and GTX are the same at 1280x1024 the max res of your display and offers plenty of pixel pushing power & Direct-X 10 support.

Vista Ultimate you could replace with the Home Premium version if you want to save a bit of cash the difference aren't all that great unless you want the Ultimate extras.

Power supply is fine no need to change.

CPU cooler is fine too maybe get the Zalman 9700 which is a little bigger or a Scythe cooler both run quiet.

Depending on much you save you might just squeeze out enough extra to get an E6700 if you want to that is the E6600 is just as good for media encoding & gaming.

awhir

or u could get a q6600 or a 8800gtx

8T8

No point in getting the 8800GTX as the GTS and GTX are neck and neck with everything maxed at 1280x1024 (details/AA/AF) when you start to go higher in resolutions that's when the GTX pulls away from the GTS.

So if keeping your Samsung 1280x1024 display then the GTX is a waste.

awhir

sorry dident notice what size screen he had

Callan

Thanks for the replies, I have made a few changes to the build based on your suggestions.

http://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist.asp?mode=receive&si=445179&su=28C1230C-1EB8-447C-9B4A-BC1FD0EDC923

    * MSI P965 Platinum, P965, Socket-775 Firewire,SATAII,ATX,GbLAN,DDR2,PCI-Ex166
    * Antec Performance One P180 Miditower, Black, Aluminum (Without PSU)
    * Corsair Powersupply 520W Black, ATX/EPS, 120mm Fan, 4xSATA, SLI, WxHxL 150x86x150
    * Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 2048MB CL5 Kit w/two matched CM2X1024A-6400 Dimm's
    * Club3D GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, HDTV-Out, HDCP, Dual DVI
    * Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 4MB, BOXED w/fan
    * Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate English OEM DVD 32bit
    * NEC DVD±recorder AD-7173 IDE Black OEM Duallayer,LabelFlash,Multirecorder(Ram)
    * Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM
    * Scythe Andy Samurai Master CPU Cooler, 120mm Fan,Socket 478/775/754/939/940/AM2

Some questions

Will the heatsink fit onto the motherboard OK?
Is the stock heatsink on the graphics card noisy, would it be worth replacing?
Is there any point opting for a I975X or 680i based motherboard over the P965 one, I don't intend going for SLI.

Thanks

8T8

Will the heatsink fit onto the motherboard OK?

Should do there is plenty of clearance around the socket on the MSI board.

Is the stock heatsink on the graphics card noisy, would it be worth replacing?

It is quiet enough though at the moment there are no after market coolers compatible with the GeForce 8 series anyway even if you wanted to change it.

Is there any point opting for a I975X or 680i based motherboard over the P965 one, I don't intend going for SLI.

No reason at all stick with the P965.

Anti

id go for a qx if your budget can afford it, you will see huge benifits when it comes ot encoding.

Callan

Thanks again for the advice, I just orderd what's above from komplett, if I'm lucky it may arrive before the weekend.