Final Review for Next Build PLZ

[brianosaur]

ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131196

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819115017

CORSAIR XMS2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Cas Lat 5 Dual Channel Memory Kit
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145590

EVGA GeForce 8800GT Core Clock 700 Mhz Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130302

CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817139004

ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16827135156

Rosewill R604-P BK 120mm Fan ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16811147058

Reusing (2) SATA-I 10k 75gb Raid 0 Raptors


Unless there are conflicts or deficiencies I have one last question.

I plan on gaming and getting Bioshock & Crysis eventually.

So 2 Gigs or 4 Gigs of the 6400's?

[shadowpr]

Make sure the optical is retail.

And I personally would get 4gb. But I would get 2x2gb pack.

And then make sure you get Vista 64.

Other then that, looks good.

[brianosaur]

The link above for the burner says its retail, so I guess Im ok there.

and yeah I was gonna go Dx10 w/vista
....add +100 something to the total price I guess
(and the wife is ALREADY freaked enough! ie."we just got a pc 3 yrs ago!")



As far as 2 x 2's and not 4 x 1g's - wondering why?

The 2 x 2g pack is $178 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145184

The 2 x 1g pack is $45 after rebate. ...x2 = $90
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145590

Unless I am missing something - Why drop the extra $88 ??

[RazR]

do the retail burners just come with the cables (i'm assuming) and some sort of software?

[shadowpr]

It has to do with stablilty when filling all 4 slots on the MB.

If you get 4x1gb at 800 then you might have to run it at 667. It's a known issue.


razr: yes, the retail versions come with the cable, and software. That's why it's recommended.

[The Village Idiot]

You're PSU and motherboard 'should' have all the right cables, and if it's retail it will come with DVD Software usually, not that it's completely required. I just plunked my DVD Drive into the computer and it works fine.

[RazR]

what sorts of problems (if any) could rise up from an OEM optical drive?

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by RazR what sorts of problems (if any) could rise up from an OEM optical drive?

No problems if you already have the sata cable, and if you already have burning software. But for like $3 more, you get a full version of nero, so if you didn't have anything yet, then it's a good idea. And for new builds, it provides everything to make things easier.

The software isn't required to install the burner.

[brianosaur]

The link for my drive above lists this:

Package Contents:
DRW-2014L1T
User Manual
Nero 7
Replaceable White Front Panel

Dont say no wires, but a sata cable is like, what $5?

[edit] Sorry I missed that Shadow - thanks

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by shadowpr It has to do with stablilty when filling all 4 slots on the MB. If you get 4x1gb at 800 then you might have to run it at 667. It's a known issue.

And guess Asus doesn't include a cable. Lite-on does.

[brianosaur]

Lite-On huh? ...guess I gotta go hunting again.

Stability for all the P5K boards? Or is it a memory issue?

[The Village Idiot]

Well, my Motherboard came with all the Optical Cables I needed, and more. It's just like you don't need to buy SATA cables as generally they come with the motherboard so I'd presume you don't need to purchase extra optical cables.

What you get:

Internal I/O Connectors
2 x USB connectors support additional 4 USB ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
1 x COM connector
6 x SATA connectors
1 x CPU Fan connector
4 x Chassis Fan connector
1 x Power Fan connector
1 x IEEE1394a connector
Front panel audio connector
1 x S/PDIF Out Header
Chassis Intrusion connector
CD audio in
24-pin ATX Power connector
2 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
System Panel(Q-Connector)

Unless you're planning to have 6 hard drives powering, you're set cables wise, I told you, you wouldn't need to buy any other cables.

[RazR]

which motherboard was that for?

[The Village Idiot]

EVGA 650i Ultra

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=EVGA%2b650i

I simply got it because it had all I needed which was a basic motherboard that supported 1333FSB and 800MHz RAM. It was dirt cheap.

Side note, those stats I gave with all the cables included was for your motherboard. the P5K, i found them on the web, they didn't come with my motherboard, the one you where looking at.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by brianosaur Lite-On huh? ...guess I gotta go hunting again. Stability for all the P5K boards? Or is it a memory issue?

I don't think it's just for the P5k's. And it's not a problem with the memory either, since they will run at stock speeds if they don't occupy all 4 slots. It's just the way the MB deals with it.

I had a thread on here about that, and I've linked othes to a few sites about it before.

If you want, I can provie some links if you feel like reading about others problems with this. (They're from the P5k, but that's all i looked for.)

[brianosaur]

yeah Id like to read up if you dont mind.

I believe you - Im just curious.

[glc]

The P5K only comes with 2 SATA data cables and that burner does not come with a cable.

[shadowpr]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=187690

http://www.asktheramguy.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=63175

Also you can check on the asus forum for the MB, there should be a few discussions about it.

[brianosaur]

Now that I went to the P5K manual (Zipped Here) I see that there is only 1 Corsair memory stick approved for 800 Mhz by Asus for this board.

Is this right? What to do now?

And its Cas Lat 4 not 5. I thought the cl4's had stability issues?

I am wondering if the X35 boards have the same 4 stick mem hang ups, and Cas 4 stability probs?

This is a clip from the manual ...and apparently the P5E is the same
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...nosaur/mem.jpg

[glc]

All I know is I built a Q6600 with a P5K-E and used a 2x2gb Corsair CAS5 kit, it works fine. The QVL is ram that has been TESTED, it doesn't mean other stuff won't work properly.

[Katreat]

I just buildt with the P5K and used Corsair XMS CAS5 with no problems. I did use a E6750 but doubt that makes a difference.

Kat

[shadowpr]

If you want to know better what memory from corsair will work, just go to the corsair website and enter your MB in the memory configuration.

The best bet, in my opinion, if going with 4gb is to do like glc stated. Get 2x2gb kit cas 5.

[brianosaur]

Alright sounds good. Ill chek the corsair web site. Thanks

But now I gottanuther question.

What about the PKE board with the x38 chipset?
Was the 4 stick 'overlaod' problem specifically with the P5k boards?

Or do you think the P5E's would have the same issue?

The reason I ask is that if Im gonna dump another $90,
Id rather do it on a newer (better) chipset and motherboard, and stay with the 4x1g's if possible.

Originally Posted by glc All I know is I built a Q6600 with a P5K-E and used a 2x2gb Corsair CAS5 kit, it works fine. The QVL is ram that has been TESTED, it doesn't mean other stuff won't work properly.

Hey GLC,
What vc did you put into it?
Does the user of that system push it real hard with games like Bioshock at high res?

[shadowpr]

Not sure if that's specific to the P5K, but i doubt it is.

You can still get the 4x1gb. Just run memtest after you install all 4 to see if it's stable, if it's not, then down it to 667, and you'll be good to go.

[brianosaur]

Would 667 instead of 800 affect performance -esp in gaming?

Are there 'known issues' with the X38 set as there are with the p35?

[glc]

It was not a gaming build. People use high end workstations for other things, you know.

I used a PNY Nvidia Quadro FX1500.

It's still too early for a X38.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by brianosaur Would 667 instead of 800 affect performance -esp in gaming?

To be honest, I'm not sure if I notice any difference in performance, but I also haven't played any games since I made the change. I seem to be busy watching dvd's and anime.

Once i get to gaming again, i'll let you know.

[brianosaur]

Originally Posted by glc It was not a gaming build. People use high end workstations for other things, you know.

I realize that, I just really havent heard about anything else pushing it to such a tough high end limit.

...but what do I know, SHEEZE!

I was just trying to compare apples to apples

(tough cookie that one )



Guess well see with the x38's, thanks

[glc]

Sorry if I was short with you, but I'm not a gamer and none of my customers are either.