constructive criticism on new pc build

[lfnfan]

I am raring to go on my first pc build, and would really appreciate your views on compatibility of components (in case I missed something) and quality of PSU before I press the ‘buy’ button.

I will be using the pc for heavy photo processing, video editing, multi-media multi-tasking, gaming, as well as light MSOffice stuff. I will probably overclock this system a little, no SLI tho’ - at least that’s what I’m telling myself right now

I want the build to be comfortably fit for purpose (my current Dell Dimension 8250 is just about dead in the water, and driving me nuts with its sloooowness) using the best established technology/hardware as a rule, but I also don’t want to go overboard on costs.

here we are:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 8Mb cache 1066MHz, stepping G0
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X48-DS5 DDR2 1600FSB
RAM: Corsair XMS2 Dominator DDR2 1066MHz 4 x 1Gb
CPU Cooler: Akasa AK-965 (PWM) (I liked the Zalman 9700 but it’s just too heavy for comfort)
Video Card: Gigabyte GV-N98TZL nVidia GeForce 9800 GT 512Mb PCIe 16x
Sound: onboard
PSU: Zalman ZM750-HP, ATX2.2, OVP/UVP, OCP, OTP, SCP 3.3v 30A, 5V 30A, 12V (4 rails) 20A
Case: Akasa Eclipse 62
Case fans: Akasa Amber 120mm x2
HDD: Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 SATAII 16Mb cache x 2
Optical Drv: LG GH20NS15 SATAII x 2
OS: XP Pro 32-bit
Keybd, Mouse: Dell legacy PS/2
Monitor: Dell legacy LCD
FDD: Dell legacy

Much appreciated

[shadowpr]

I would look at a few changes.

First, the ram: get 2x2gb corsair ddr2-800 pack instead.

Get a better psu. Look at corsair, fps, p.c. power and cooling, and seasonic.

Get a seagate hard drive. Look at the 7200.11 series.

For a dvd, look at lite-on, or asus.

I would also say a asus p5q mb instead, but make sure they have ps/2 connections if you don't want to buy new keyboard and mouse.

[Masaki 7-11]

In adition to what shadowpr said, I would consider getting a video card such as the HD4850 or HD4870 since they provide better performance in gaming and provide better image quality in videos and photos. The motherboard you are looking at buying is not necessary for the type of computer you are building and you can save money by going with a motherboard such as the Asus P5Q (any of the variants as long as it has the connections you are looking for) which will provide you with similar quality/performance as the Gigabyte motherboard.

[F.E.A.R.]

My advice is to listen to shadowpr, he is always right.

[SCKiller]

Also if you want to use the 4GB of RAM get a 64bit OS.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by SCKiller Also if you want to use the 4GB of RAM get a 64bit OS.

32-bit can use up most or all of the 4GB of RAM depending on who you ask, but it's more stable than 64-bit and has better compatibility with drivers and apps.

[lfnfan]

Thanks for the feedback guys

@ Shadowpr

PSU - i was not totally comfortable with my choice of psu - the Corsair HX620 a better option?
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 looks fantastic - 32mb cache for same money as my original choice!

RAM - interesting comments - why go for a 2x2gb stick arrangement, and why only 800MHz? Definitely cheaper but what about performance...?

MB - I had not looked at Asus at all - i was seduced by Gigabyte The p5q range is pretty extensive and I think the p5Q Pro will have everything I need... at about GBP70 less! Good work!

DVD - the Lite-on costs an amount more - I may go for one LG and one Lite-On - will see what the final bill looks like!

@ Masaki 7-11

I had not considered ATI - all my previous GPUs were nVidia, so guess I was just going with what I know. Looks to me like the Gigabyte HD4850 rocks (and conveniently costs about as much extra as Shadowpr and your suggestions may save me...). The HD4870 is about GBP50 too much extra again - and i'm not sure what more i get for my money?

thanks again!!

[shadowpr]

Well you only really need one dvd drive, unless you make a lot of copies.

And the reason i suggest 2x2gb is because you MAY have issues running 4x1gb cause it uses all the slots. I know that when I had 4x1gb i had to lower the speed for it to remain stable. I thus switched to 2x2gb and have had no problems since.

And I only said ddr2-800 cause that is more then fast enough for that processor. Your processor has a fsb of 266, and the ram i suggested has a fsb of 400. That gives you more then the 1:1 ratio. Anything more and you wouldn't ever notice a difference. In fact you can even go lower on the ram, but because ddr2-800 is so cheap now, might as well get that. And you have room to overclock later on if you decide to go that route.

[lfnfan]

Originally Posted by shadowpr And I only said ddr2-800 cause that is more then fast enough for that processor. Your processor has a fsb of 266, and the ram i suggested has a fsb of 400. That gives you more then the 1:1 ratio.

uh oh - my threshold of incompetence has been reached - I thought I matched up my fsb speeds exactly - 1066 for the CPU, 1066 for the RAM, and up to 1600 MHz for the MB... seems it's not as straight forward as that. Guessing, you work out the processor fsb as 1066 / 4 (quad core?) = 266. But I'm struggling with the RAM fsb....

Ta for the heads-up on the 2 x 2Gb sticks vs 4 x 1Gb of ram - voice of experience

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by lfnfan uh oh - my threshold of incompetence has been reached - I thought I matched up my fsb speeds exactly - 1066 for the CPU, 1066 for the RAM, and up to 1600 MHz for the MB... seems it's not as straight forward as that. Guessing, you work out the processor fsb as 1066 / 4 (quad core?) = 266. But I'm struggling with the RAM fsb.... Ta for the heads-up on the 2 x 2Gb sticks vs 4 x 1Gb of ram - voice of experience

The FSB on newer intel processors is measured as the base frequency (in this case 266MHz) which is quad pumped to equal 1066MHz which is what is listed for the processor's FSB, the speed of DDR memory is measured as the base frequency (for DDR2-800 it is 400MHz) which in dual channel equals 800MHz (in single channel mode, the frequency remains at 400MHz). Ideally you want to match the base frequency of the processor to the base frequency of the ram (having the base frequency of the ram slightly faster than the base frequency of the processor will increase performance, but not by a large margin).

[lfnfan]

guys - thanks so much for the comments - my updated component list is below. New/revised components are marked with a *

unfortunately the recommendation for the HD4850 GPU got credit-crunched but i think that the overall package seems quite nicely balanced, and comes out a shade over £700 (about $1000 and rising)....

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 8Mb cache 1066MHz, stepping G0
* Mobo: Asus P5Q Pro DDR2 1600FSB
* RAM: Corsair xms2 DDR2 800MHz 2x2Gb
* CPU Cooler: Intel stock
* Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD3870 512MB DDR3 PCIE x16 Dual DVI 850/1.8GHz
Sound: onboard
* PSU: Corsair HX620W
Case: Akasa Eclipse 62
* Case fans: 2 x Akasa Silent Blue 120mm 3 pin
* HDD: 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500Gb SATA
Optical Drv: LG GH20NS15 SATAII
OS: XP Pro 32-bit


Updated - look what I just found on dabs.com for little more than the Gigabyte HD3870:
Video Card: Sapphire Technology HD4850 512MB PCIE - good deal?

[tomtoon]

Yes the 4850 would be better.