Proposed System Build

[imported_browsing]

I'm still open to ideas as far as substitutions, etc and I've got between 1,800 - 2,250 to spend on this sytem so if I can make it noticably better for a hundred here or there, I'm all for it. Since a lot of you guys really watch the shops like hawks, I'm hoping you can link me to the best prices on these things or suggest better components. I'm not interested in Crossfire because I want to use a dual monitor setup, but pretty much anything else is open game. I'm pretty decided on the case, despite what might be better out there. Really, I'm worried about good high-quality ram for stable OC and the like. I want to easily be able to play games and I do a lot of dvd encoding/burning along with photoshopping. Luckily, as a student, I've got XP Pro for $10 bucks, so that allowance can go towards something else.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
CPU Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500 LED CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe
Memory: 2GB OCZ XTC Platinum PC2-6400 DDR2-800
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB
Optical Drive: NEC ND-3550A
Hard Drive(s): 3 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V
Case: Thermaltake Aguila Case VD1000BWS


I really appreciate the help!

 

[Baked]

You need to change that OCZ RAM to Corsair RAM of equal spec. Asus mobos don't like OCZ RAM. Everything else looks fine.

 

[imported_browsing]

For overclocking, would it be better to get the CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 800, the Crucial Technology Ballistix BL2KIT12864AA804 2GB kit DDR2-800 PC2-6400 or go with some of the 1000 ram that is out there?

 

[imported_RedStar]

Your build is almost exactly what my first draft was going to be ...

so i would just point you to that aguila case with this review:

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/thermaltake_aguila/index2.shtml

It is a very nice case ..except for the HDD enclosure and the ports mounted up on the top of that case (nightmare to cable +clutter).

So that is saving you money right there..avoid the case. Well if water cooling is your thing then i guess case choice is a bit mor elimited.

 

[Cinna696]

look at newegg.com , mwave.com ? , there are others if you just search. why not a E6400 and the 150$ asus p5b. save a lot of cash and still get great performance

 

[imported_browsing]

If you don't mind typing it out, what did you end up going with, Redstar?

I'd like to have the extra 2 mb of cache that the 6600 offers and I'm not looking to do a maximum overclock- since I've never done one before, so if I can get a bit of a boost out of the 6600 with the 4mb cache, I thought it would be better. I'm almost tempted to move up to the 6700. I'm not really aware of the differences between the p5b and what I've got up there but I figured that the P5W DH Deluxe would have more OC options.

 

[Baked]

I'd go with the Corsair XMS2. Have you thought about the Antec P180 case also?

 

[Cinna696]

the whole idea, well atleast mine, behind o/c anything is to get the most for the lowest cost, hence you buy the cheapest version and make it perform like the best if not better. Unless your going for a max o/c the most expensive parts don't make sense unless you want to waist money or just want the best non o/c system.

From what i know the less cache you have, generally the better o/c you can get. The o/c options for the two mb are simliar and the new bios' coming out only make it better, the deluxe has better chipset cooling albeit passive (i think) and probalby some better parts and "acessories" but its not worth a 230$ price tag by any means.

 

[imported_RedStar]

mine is not a done deal yet.as i continue to debate the arrival dx10 and nvidia crossfire vs sli at that time.

but i am up to:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600

CPU Heatsink: Zalman CNPS9500 LED CPU Cooler (worried about weight but not as bad as the ninja

Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe (crossfire and nvidia says they will unlock 975x chipset for sli in future --no mention of exactly when though)
for now i am waiting on the asus nforce 590 review

Memory: really want to go OCZ ..but yes even they say they have issues with asus even after tinkering with spd ..so i am waiting a bit more to see how it all falls out --prolly go corsair)

Graphics Card: cheap card for now while i wait for r600 (x800xl for 130$ cdn)

Optical Drive: NEC ND-3550A
Hard Drive(s): 2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10

Power Supply: Corsair 620w (or maybe still the ocz gamexstream 700w even though 1 very knowledgable and thorough review said ripple went beyond spec at full load)
your solution is better but well

Case: p190b

edit: oops i saw that wrong: i was thinking the zalman 9400....
and oh ya..i actually have purchased an x-fi extreme music card (was on sale for 55$ cdn)

 

[imported_browsing]

I was going to go with the xt instead of the xtx in order to save a hundred or two before the dx10, as well, but I don't understand just how good the dx10s will be compared to what we have available now / prices.

What is the Zalman 9400?

 

[imported_browsing]

bump and reiterating the question about 1000Mhz ddr2 ram. Would it improve OC performance, and if so, what brand is best?

 

[imported_browsing]

Bump