Computer from scratch Help & Tips

[Silorak]

My current selection of parts:

Graphics Card: Asus GeForce 8800GTS 640MB DDR3, 320bit, TV, 2xDVI, PCI Express

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 CPU, 2.66GHz, Socket775, 1333MHz, 4MB, with heatsink

Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus MB Socket 775, Nvidia C55, 1066MHz, DDR2, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, ATX

Ram: Geil DDRII 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 800MHz Value (Silver) GX22GB6400DC

Hard Disk: Samsung HD401LJ/HD403LJ HDD 400GB, SATA II, 16MB, 7200rpm

DVD Drive: Liteon LH-20A1L DVD+/-RW, Lightscribe, SATA, juodas

PSU: CoolerMaster eXtreme Power RP-500-PCAP power supply, 500W, ATX

Case: CoolerMaster Mystique 632 case, without PSU, ATX, black

Now I am wondering if all these parts will be compatible with each other. Will the 500W PSU be enough to power this computer?
I am currently spending 1500$ on this computer, I am in Europe [Lithuania] so the prices might vary from american ones.
It says that the MotherBoard is 1066MHz, and the Intel Processor 1333 MHz, though in the Asus website it states that the E6750 is compatible.

Anyway, would love to hear your opinions and thoughts.

Thank you,
Karolis.

[shadowpr]

Just a few quick suggestions.

Change the MB to P5K. The fsb on that will match the e6750.

Get a 8800gt instead of the gts.

Look at seagate HD instead of samsung. Look at the 7200.10 or .11 series.

[Khalil]

Even though I think Asus motherboards are the best I don't really care for the graphics cards. I would suggest an eVga 8800gt instead. I would avoid the Coolermaster power supply. The most important hardware in your machine is the power supply. Go with an Antec, Sparkle or FSP. Pay a little extra and have peace of mind.
SLI? Unless you going with 2 X GTX cards it is a waste of money. As Shadowpr suggested the P5K is a much better board.

[Silorak]

Ok, re-evaluated accordingly to your suggestions. I don't have a very broad range of selection when it comes to brands and such, since we don't have them in this hell hole of a country. But take a look at what I have changed.

Graphics Card: Point-of-View GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3, 256bit, TV, DVI, PCI Express

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 CPU, 2.66GHz, Socket775, 1333MHz, 4MB, with heatsink

Motherboard: Asus P5K3 Deluxe MB Socket 775, iP35, 1333MHz, DDR3, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, ATX

Ram: Geil DDRII 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 800MHz Value (Silver) GX22GB6400DC

Hard Disk: Samsung HD401LJ/HD403LJ HDD 400GB, SATA II, 16MB, 7200rpm

DVD Drive: Liteon LH-20A1L DVD+/-RW, Lightscribe, SATA, juodas

PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W, ATX, Silent

Case: CoolerMaster Mystique 632 case, without PSU, ATX, black

For Hard drives I have a choice between Samsung and Western Digital for the 500-400GB models, and only 320GB models of Seagate. What would you suggest? I'd like to stay above 400GB, but if the 320GB Seagate is much better, I might reconsider.

[Alaron]

Western Digital would be better then Samsung if you want a large drive.

The P5K3 is not the right board. It uses DDR3, which is physically different from the DDR2 in your list. Look for the plain P5K instead. DDR3 is not ready for primetime.

[shadowpr]

Western Digitals are good quality too. I would just stay away from samsung drives.

Don't get that MB, it's for ddr3 ram. Get a basic p5k. Also you can look at the p5k-e, and the p5k-se.

What other brands of video cards do you have available for the 8800gt?

And you could probably lower the power supply a bit if it saves money.

EDIT: Alaron beat me to it.

[Silorak]

Only brand for the 8800GT is Point of View. ;> The PSU I guess is fine, doesn't cost too much. Noticed Myself it was DDR3 right after posting, and the only other Asus choice is the Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus.

Graphics Card:Point-of-View GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3, 256bit, TV, DVI, PCI Express

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 CPU, 2.66GHz, Socket775, 1333MHz, 4MB, with heatsink

Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus MB Socket 775, Nvidia C55, 1066MHz, DDR2, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, ATX

Ram: Geil DDRII 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400 800MHz Value (Silver) GX22GB6400DC

Hard Disk: Western Digital RE WD5000ABYS HDD 500GB, SATA II, 16MB, 7200rpm

DVD Drive: Liteon LH-20A1L DVD+/-RW, Lightscribe, SATA, juodas

PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700W, ATX, Silent

Case: CoolerMaster Mystique 632 case, without PSU, ATX, black

I guess I'll have a SLI card without actually going SLI, cause I have no other choice. Well there are a few other brand cards, for example:

MSI P6N SLI Platinum MB Socket 775, nForce650i SLI, 1333MHz, DDR2, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, ATX

MSI P35 Neo-F MB Socket 775, iP35, 1333MHz, DDR2, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, ATX

Intel Q35 MB Socket 775, Q35, 1333MHz, DDR2, SATA, RAID, VGA, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, mATX

Intel D975XBX2KR MB Socket 775, i975X, 1066MHz, DDR2, SATA2, RAID, PCI-E, GLAN, 1394, ATX

[Jimmy0]

Where are you selecting these parts from? (What country are you in?)

[Silorak]

Originally Posted by Jimmy0 Where are you selecting these parts from? (What country are you in?)

Lithuania. Although I did some snooping around and found another retailer that has a way larger range of products. Though they only have one type of 8800GT, CLUB 3D GF 8800GT PCIE 512M GDDR3 2X DVI . Club 3D anything decent? Never heard of em myself.

[flanzig1]

I believe that Club 3D and Point of View are European brands so us in the states won't have a feel for the quaity. Could check on some Btiish computer forums to see what they say about them.

[Silorak]

I managed to find another computer part retailer, with a WAY larger assortment of parts.

So I came up with a new configuration, the costs staying about the same, even 50$ cheaper.

Here goes:

Monitor: SAMSUNG TFT 21,6" 223BW BLACK GLOSSY

Graphics Card: CLUB 3D GF 8800GT PCIE 512M GDDR3 2X DVI

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66 GHz/1333FSB/4MB/Box (BX80557E6750)

Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula, iX38/1600MHz/2xPCI-E x16/3xPCI-E x1/2xPCI/4xDUAL DDR2-1200/2xPATA/6xSATA2 RAID 0 1 5 10/8-ch Sound/CrossFire/Dual G-LAN/2x1394/12xUSB/ATX

Ram: 2X CORSAIR DDR2 KIT 2X1GB 800MHZ HEAT SPRE [4GB ram total (worth it?)]

Hard Disk: SEAGATE ST3320620AS 320GB 16MB 7200rpm SATAII

DVD Drive: SAMSUNG SH-S203N/BEBN DVD-/+RW Lightscribe (20x8x8x DVD+RW/ 20x8x6x DVD-RW ) Black, SATA Bulk, double layer + Nero SW

PSU: NEXUS PSU REAL SILENT REAL 600W 80PLUS

Case: CHIEFTEC AEGIS MIDITOWER NO PSU BLACK

What do you think? Any suggestions? Is 4gb of ram worth it? I heard there's some OS limitation, not exactly sure. It says 4Gb for 32bit windows, though i've heard many theorys on how it actually works.
Thanks.

[Katreat]

A 32 bit OS will only recognize 3.2 gigs of rams. If you go with 4 gigs it is better to go with Vista 64. Two gigs is plenty for most people so I would not worry about going for more at this time.

I am not familiar with that MB so will let others chime in. The reason the P5K is highly recomended, other than Asus quality, is that it uses the P35 chipset which was designed for the 1333 FSB speed of your chosen processor. There are a few other good boards out with the P35 chipset so you might shop around for something other than Asus. There is also at least one other new chipset that also is desinged for the faster cpu and the MB you have chosen might have it, I just have never seen that board myself so wait for others to comment.

Kat

[Alaron]

That is an interesting board. It uses the new X38 chipset but it has DDR2 instead of DDR3. I haven't heard anything about it specifically but it looks like a fine option if the P5K is not available in your area.

Your list looks good except for the Nexus PSU. I've never heard of that brand. I'd stick with the OCZ unit you listed before unless someone knows about Nexus.

[Silorak]

Originally Posted by Alaron That is an interesting board. It uses the new X38 chipset but it has DDR2 instead of DDR3. I haven't heard anything about it specifically but it looks like a fine option if the P5K is not available in your area. Your list looks good except for the Nexus PSU. I've never heard of that brand. I'd stick with the OCZ unit you listed before unless someone knows about Nexus.

That board only came out about two weeks ago, I am surprised we have it as an option in my area.

About the Nexus PSU, the company seems quite credible, though since I changed retailer and I want to buy all the parts at one retailer, because I will get a discount then, and they do not sell OCZ units.

List of brands I have here that specifically sell PSU's on this retailers site:
# FORTRON
# CODEGEN
# ASUS
# Q-TEC
# TRUST
# IBM PC CO
# ENLIGHT
# COMPUCASE
# CHIEFTEC
# MODECOM
# MICASE
# TITAN
# NEXUS TECHNOLOGY
# JOU JYE COMPUTER
# ZALMAN
# INTEL
# TRIPP LITE

Any known names you would suggest?

[shadowpr]

Here is a list of power supply's: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

The fortron should be good. Just post a link to which one you think about getting.

[Silorak]

Decided to go with ZALMAN 600W PSU WITH HEAT PIPES BLACK direct link to product on retailers website: http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/..._name=ZM600-HP .

Whatcha think?