Proposed new build advice reqd

Dr. Dre

Folks, you wouldn't by any chance have a look over this list I've put together on Komplett?
Looking for your thoughts re> the components.
I'm trying to have it nice and quiet, and, according to the internet, the CPU cooler and case seem to be recomended.
Any advice/opinons welcome, cheers - Gav.
Listy wisty

EDIT, oh and I know I'll probably be able to knock a couple of quid off that on Jes

UPDATE: list has been updated to reflect advice below.

Khannie

Not /absolutely/ sure on the importance of CAS level in your RAM, but I know that 3 is pretty high. All mine (which wasn't expensive) is 2.5.

Apart from that it looks like a s**t hot machine. Good luck, have fun.

Edit: A few other things: Check if that mobo supports SATA-II (aka SATA-300). Also, lots of people give out about Maxtor on here (never had any trouble with them myself). I bought a Samsung SATA2 drive and it's quality.

Malafus

Nice rig, very nice. Just to reiterate what Khannie said, CAS3 is a little high. Try and get 2.5, or 2 if you can afford it. Also, if you plan to overclock, you may want to buy some higher spec RAM, maybe 4000, or 4400, so you can keep the timings tight. Of course, this costs extra.

For you CPU cooler, have you considered this: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=312473&view=detailed.
It's a fiver more, but it is a Zalman, and it could be well worth it. Zalman coolers are famously impressive, and impressively famous. I'd recommend you get one of their passive Northbridge coolers as well, if it'll fit - looks like it will on this mobo.

Oh yeah.... ditch the Maxtor drive(had multiple problems with Maxtor drives) - Samsung Spinpoints, for the win. Seagate Barracuda for runner-up(Although these seem to be the quietest...? My experience anyway). Avoid Hitachi Deathstars - bad things happening there, it seems half of them are great, and half terrible, though in this case I am relying on 2nd hand information.

roamer

http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=307912&cks=KRF

There the job! Maxtors have failed on me a few times. Even the Maxline Plus 2 models which are better than the Diamond Max.

bmm

I built a pc, it cost more, was less stable, and was noisier than any off the shelf pc i could have bought from dell etc. my advice is buy a dell USFF (ultra small form factor) are very very quiet and small , ring them as u will be able to buy the base without the monitor which are a bit overpriced , wait for the free delivery deals to come up.

good luck:D

p.s how is a metal chassis ever going to be quiet? can't understand why they don't sell plastic chassis

ShiverinEskimo

I would maybe save some money by going for this 7800 GT - its overclocked and comes with a lifetime guarantee and its going very cheap at the mo:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/7800__Series.html

I've overclocked that CPU to 2.366 on stock so you should get well in excess of a 4800+ with that cooler you have listed.

There are better mobo's there too - if you do plan to over clock look at gettin a lanparty - excellent for overclocking and packed out with features.

Also do you really need that good a sound card. I know the X-Fi's are supposed to be **** hot but i couldn't justify it if you're going to end up connecting 20 qud earphones or speakers to them - unless you're really into your audio see about saving some on sound or maybe look at your mobo's on board sound capabilites.

Just a suggestion. The machine in my sig is 3 weeks old so i've been through all the researching quite recently..

Dr. Dre

Lads, seriously, thanks for the all the pointers. I don't know what the hell I was thinking with regard to the CL3 memory, it's been a while since I last built one for me or anyone else - so I'm a bit rusty! I've also taken out the creative sound card to see if I can do without.

My 'new' proposed shopping list is as follows:

Overclockers.co.uk

Crucial 1GB (2x512MB) DDR PC4000 Ballistix Dual Channel Kit €173 (not set in stone yet, might go for 2Gb option)
BFG GeForce 7800 GT OC 256MB GDDR3 VIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) €345 *thx Shiverin

Jes Computer

CPU AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Sockel939 Box 509.10 EUR
MB S939 Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, nForce4 143.50 EUR
HDD SATA 250GB Samsung SP2504C SATAII 108.99 EUR (maybe 2 of 'em) *thx all


Komplett

Can be seen from the original link ~€296



Also will try some passive chipset coolers, will just have to put it together and see how she sounds and then see if I need to investigate some quieter VGA cooling.

Thanks to all once again, much appreciated.

Mac daddy

bmm wrote:

I built a pc, it cost more, was less stable, and was noisier than any off the shelf pc i could have bought from dell etc. my advice is buy a dell USFF (ultra small form factor) are very very quiet and small.

Builder blaming the tools and parts YOU selected thats what you get for not researching and checking these things before hand, for buying cheap parts.

bmm wrote:

p.s how is a metal chassis ever going to be quiet? can't understand why they don't sell plastic chassis

Because plastics is cheap and nasty.

Mac daddy

Dr. Dre wrote:

Also will try some passive chipset coolers,

Have a look at the zalman chipset passive cooler works like a charm

WizZard

Aaaaargh, don't get a Thermaltake PSU to power good/high quality components!!!

Get an OCZ/Antec/Enermax, i.e. a good, solid, reputable brand with good support.

Voodoo2

I agree with Wizzard, its a very low powerd supply, get something that 550w + ive a 650W Antec power supply and it bearly can power SLI cards and 6 IDE Drives and Sata, and fans etc etc im on the border line of getting a second passive one!

Dr. Dre

Ok, thanks lads. I have changed to This 480W Antec one
I aint going to be filling this thing with drives and what not, so I'd say 480 will do me grand.

WizZard

If you're interested I have the 520W OCZ Powerstream for sale (http://www.pc-memory-upgrade.co.uk/memory/ocz-accessories.asp) for €120, it was bought for a second PC which ain't gonna happen. Receipt and everything (overclockers.co.uk)

Dr. Dre

Thanks all the same Wizzard, but it would appear to be of a higher noise level then the Antec one - and I am trying to eliminate as much noise as possible (for a fan system). Gonna order these components at the weekend - thanks all.

Dr. Dre

Ordered!

Should ye be interested, here is what the final order was

AMD 64 X2 4400+
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
BFG Geforce 7800GT OC
GeIL 1GB PC4400 UltraX CAS2.5
Samsung Spinpoint 250Gb HDD
Antec P180 Super midi tower
Antec Trueblue 2.0 480W PSU
Akasa AK-920 EVO 120 CPU cooler
Akasa Fan control/temp display 5.25" bay
+ various noise elimination paraphernalia

...and it wasn't friggin cheap I'll tell ya!
Thanks once again to all.

WizZard

Very nice. Good luck with the build!