Advice on new gaming build

[Meian7]

I figure it's time to upgrade my old 3.2GHz 478 socket comp to the latest technology. I live in Toronto, which means no newegg :(.
Most parts I'm going to buy are from a local store and I'll probably have to order the video card.

These are the parts so far that I was considering:

Mobo: Asus P5B-E i965 LGA775 PCI-E Motherboard (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=610839142859&CategoryID=737766&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

Processor: Intel E6400 2.13GHz 1066FSB 2M Core2 Duo (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=735858184632&CategoryID=736780&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=761345159005&CategoryID=676583&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

PSU: OCZ Game Xstream 600W SLI Power Supply (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=P6001&CategoryID=808385&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

GPU: HIS Radeon X1950 XT (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21290)

I have optical drives and a hard drive already

I need some advice on RAM. I'm not sure whether to go 667 or 800Hz or even which ones are good.

I'm open to advice on the parts I've listed already as well.

Thanks in advance for the feedback :)

P.S. If anyone happens to know a good online store that ships to Canada, please enlighten me, tigerdirect.ca seems to be a little overpriced on certain items.

[newbuilder14]

If you aren't overclocking get DDR2 667 memory, Corsair preferably. If you are overclocking, get DDR2 800 memory.

I'd like to suggest the E6300, since the difference between that and the E6400 just doesn't warrant such price differences. I have used an E6300 and E6600 and although the later is obviously much more powerful it is not too noticeable in everyday use to be honest.

Now, on to the power supply. I guess you are trying to future proof yourself for DX10? If you are, that may be fine but I don't know too much about power supplies so I'll let someone else make a recommendation. 600+w sounds like a good idea.

Everything else looks good.

[glc]

Check out NCIX.COM and canadacomputers.com.

[Meian7]

Awesome, thanks glc, those are a couple of nice sites.

About overclocking... how noticeable of an increase can one squeeze out of a system like this with 2 gigs of DDR2 800 Memory? I'm all for overclocking if it's something I'll notice.

I've never overclocked my current system because I was afraid of it overheating in my Antec Sonata II case, but mostly because I've simply ignorant about on the subject.

Basically, would YOU do it? ;)

[jfk]

I've seen a fair number of sites showing the 6300-6400 to easily hit 3Ghz on air, some had it higher. On water, I've seen them up to 3.5. A couple things to remember is if you're planning on oc'ing, unless you're going real mild, you'd be advised to get a quality heatsink from someplace like Thermalright, Scythe, etc. Also watch the heat. That's the thing that will probably limit you, hence the need for a quality heatsink. As with any overclocking adventure, your mileage may vary. All chips are diffferent and as a result, so are all overclocks.

Would I do it...absolutely, the C2D's are great overclockers, but aside from that I find it a hobby onto itself. I'm not a crazy overclocker, but I do enjoy playing around with it.:) Just remember, don't overclock what you can't afford to replace.;)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Also depends totally on what type of ram you get. Some ddr2 800 kits wont be able to go much farther then well ddr2 800, however..others I've known can hit ddr2-1200 without a sweat.

Your powersupply is good, a another good one would be the Corsair HX520.

If you really want to overclock..maybe look into a P5B Deluxe. The normal P5B's are not as stable under heavy overclocks.

[glc]

You should be able to run a C2D up to 333 FSB with stock cooling and no mods whatsoever on any quality 965 chipset motherboard using CAS 5 DDR2-800 ram. Any higher speeds will need some research to do it right. Note - don't overclock right out of the box, run it stock for a few weeks to ensure stability and to verify everything is working right.

[Meian7]

Ok, with all your excellent advice, here's the revised build:

Mobo: Asus P5B Deluxe s775 Motherboard (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B61013BB2%2DCAA5%2D4021%2D93D9%2DEE274C8DE745%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=610839141685&CategoryID=737766&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

Processor: Intel E6400 2.13GHz 1066FSB 2M Core2 Duo (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=735858184632&CategoryID=736780&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=761345159005&CategoryID=676583&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

PSU: OCZ Game Xstream 600W SLI Power Supply (http://www.businessvision.net/edge/Main.asp?D=%7B686F1785%2D26B4%2D4500%2D8E22%2D4ED5AAB58B32%7D&PageType=Product&SKU=P6001&CategoryID=808385&DisplayMode=Category&PageNumber=1)

GPU: Sapphire Radeon X1950 XT (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21491)

RAM: Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P. Memory (2 x 1024) (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&sku=C13-2022)

How's that?

Oh by the way, I have a 21" widescreen LCD monitor with a native resolution of 1680 x 1050. Does that make any difference in how I should choose a video card?

[Alaron]

That looks fine to me. Don't forget a copy of Windows XP.

[Meian7]

Oh yeah the OS is no problem, I'm just using my current hard drive which I upgraded recently in the new system. So no need for me to buy a new copy.

[glc]

You will need to do a repair reinstall of XP.

[Meian7]

Oh, a repair install, eh? My brother was just telling me he had that done on his computer once and he ended up with two copies of windows on his hard drive. Or something to that effect.

It was sort of weird, all of his old user-specific files (including desktop files and stuff) was in a folder somewhere on the new admin login or something. Is there any way to avoid that sort of weirdness without wiping the drive first?

[glc]

Repair install procedures are in our Tips and Tricks forum.

[DustinM]

Personally, I'd do a wipe and reload. Just back up your essential data to a dvd or two. Your computer will thank you for it.

The E6400 is an overlooked chip but its worth the extra $40 dollars over the E6300 for the extra multiplier. With good DDR2 800 ram you should be able to get a nice 3.2ghz OC for a 1:1 ratio pretty easily. The E6400 is regarded as the best and easiest overclocker in the Conroe line.

[Meian7]

Yeah I'll probably just wipe it anyway, It's probably the simpler solution.

Anyway, it looks like I've got all the info I need to order/assemble this thing.

Thanks to glc and the rest of you for the awesome advice, you guys were really helpful :)

[newbuilder14]

Wait a minute, the memory he chose has 4-4-4-12 timings, which as we all recall has stability issues on the P965 chipset. Definitely get the Corsair XMS2 with 5-5-5-12 (or 15) timings.

Also, I'm not sure if 600w will be enough for DX10 but it should be.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Why would the 4-4-4-12 have stability issues? Its the exact same chips as the 5-5-5-15. I've also seen many use it without an issue..