Planned New Build + A few questions

[Pryse]

Hello everyone. I’m planning on building myself a new system (last built one 5 years ago). I’m trying to model the system on top spec Dell 9150 system. I’m going to using to use the system to do a lot of media work (e.g. website design, studio MX, Paintshop Pro etc) and a small amount of gaming (football manager sims etc). Could anyone comment on the components I have chosen and are there any glaring compatibility issues? Are there any ways I could improve the system (price permitting)? Are there any ways I could save money on alternative components?


Case: Antec Sonata II (450 watt PSU)

Extra front Fan: Antec 120mm Smart Cool

Mother Board: Intel D955XBK

Processor: Intel® Pentium® D processor 940 3.20 GHz, Front Bus 800 MHz, Cache 2x2MB L2)

Memory: 2048MB (4x512) Corsair XMS2 (533MHz, Non-ECC, CL3, PC2-4300)

Hard Drive: Western Digital 300GB (3.5" x 1/3H, 7200rpm, ATA-100)

Gfx Card: Xfx Geforce 6800 Xt 256mb (clock rate350 MHz, PCI-E, DDR3, RAMDACs 400MHz)

Sound Card: Terratec Aureon 7.1 Space

DVD RW: Sony DRU-810A

FFD: Sony 1.44MB Internal

OS: Windows XP Pro

+ A Internal Multi-Card Reader/Writer

I would be most grateful for any advice…..

Many Thanks

Pryse

[glc]

It's all compatible. You can save some money with Value Select ram instead of XMS. I'd recommend a Lite-On burner instead of a Sony - Sonys are just rebadged Lite-Ons at a higher price. You should also use a SATA hard drive, not IDE. You don't need a sound card - try the onboard sound, if you don't like it you can always put a sound card in later. Mitsumi has a nice combo floppy drive/card reader that will save you a bay. If you are doing primarily media work, I'd recommend an ATI-based video card - they have historically had better 2D quality than Nvidia - Nvidia is more 3D game biased.

[Staren]

Looks like GLC has you pretty well covered. Only thing I would add is that you would get a little better performance if you used 2 1GB sticks over 4 512MB sticks. If you have 2 512mb sticks already, then ok. But if you are buying all new, go with 2 1GB sticks of Corsair ValueSelect.

[786ARS]

if you are basing it around a dual core proc, try AMD, their X2 range perform noticiably better in multitasking then intel dual cores,

[Pryse]

Many thanks for your advice / suggestions.....

Further thoughts:

1). Is it worth spending a little extra on 667Mhz memory or stick with 533Mhz?
2). Which ATI graphics card would you recommend compared to the Xfx Geforce 6800 Xt 256mb?

Regards

Pryse

[786ARS]

im not to familiar with the ATi range, but I think the X800 GT or GTO or XT are in that area, but not quite sure.

As for the ram, do you think that you will benifit from having hogher clocked ram, usually for heavy duty gaming and the likes.

[glc]

There is no benefit to 667 ram with a stock clocked 800 FSB processor - 533 is the best match.

The X800GTO is probably the best ATI card in the same price range.

[Pryse]

Hello again,

Firstly thanks for all the advice - its proving to be really useful!

If I could just 'pick your brains' once again....

I am pretty clueless when it comes to the motherboard. I chose the Intel D955XBK board based on the brand name, cost and compatibility. I'm aware this board has a good chip set and offers good expandability options but are there any equally good boards for less money OR is it worth sticking with this one??

Many thanks

Pryse

[Pryse]

* Just a quick apology to the mods – sorry if this seems like reposting, but I have reviewed my original post and taken on board all the great advice I received and thought I would post a more updated (detailed) version. Sorry in advance if this breaks board rules.

I’m planning on building a new system predominantly for use for media work (e.g. website design – MX Studio, paint shop pro etc) and some gaming. I have taken advice from previous a previous post and have come up with a more detailed system (see below):

Case: Antec Sonata II (450 watt PSU)

Extra front Fan: Antec 120mm Smart Cool

Mother Board: Intel D955XBK (1066 MHz, ATX , LGA775)

Processor: Intel® Pentium® D processor 940 (3.20 GHz, Front Bus 800 MHz, Cache 2x2MB L2)

Memory: 2048MB (2x1048) Corsair Value Select (PC4200, 533 Twin Pack, 240 Pin DDR2 Non-ECC Unbuffered CAS 4)

Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus10 (7200rpm, SATA, ATA-150, Buffer 16MB

Gfx Card: Sapphire RADEON X800 GTO2

Sound Card: Motherboard (possible upgrade to sound card in future)

DVD RW: Samsung SH-W162C

FFD / Card Reader: Mitsumi 7 in 1 card reader

Mouse + Keyboard: Logitech LX700

Monitor: Samsung 19" SM913V

OS: Windows XP Pro


Q1). I’m sure the components are all compatible but have I missed anything?
Q2). Are there any better or alternative components that would improve this system?
Q3). Is a 450w PSU powerful enough?
Q4). Have I missed any vital components or useful add ons?
Q5). Are the any ‘build accessories’ (e.g. extra cables) that I will need when it comes to construction?
Q6). Is this system actually going to be any good?

Many thanks in advance for all the advice and suggestions.

Pryse

[786ARS]

looks good, just remember the anti-static band and that this will take time, best do it on the weekend. A couple of things to note though, get a cd ready with all the things you want to install on the new comp, but with antivirus and firewall as a priority. The psu seems fine and as for cables, the mobo should come with enough spare cables for your hd drive, after that, enjoy

[Alaron]

Next time, please continue your original thread. I merged them this time.

Your system looks good. The only change I would make is the DVDRW. Samsung drives are not the best. I would grab a LiteOn or NEC instead.

HTH