Components For A New Build

Venter

n00b
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
5
Would like some advice on a build I'm putting together for uni.

Main uses of intended build: Gaming/Uni work/Media Hub that will link up to a large TV eventually.
Budget: £1200
Location: UK
Overclocking: Yes!
Monitor Resolution: Going to buy at least a 24" screen maybe a 27". Not sure which yet but want it all in HD.
Motherboard Requirements: USB 3.0/SATA 3/SLI/Crossfire/ No bottleneck of graphics cards/ Good overclocker
Transferable License: No, going to purchase windows 7 64-bit.

I am thinking of ordering the following parts from Scan.co.uk.

Motherboard
Asus P6X58D-E Intel X58 1366 Motherboard
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Asus...(x16)-DDR3-2000-(OC)-SATA-6Gb-s-SATA-RAID-ATX
£149.42

Processor
Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz (Bloomfield) (Socket LGA1366) - Retail [BX80601930]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-320-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1272
£219.98

CPU Cooler
Ultra-120-1366RT eXtreme - Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366RT 120mm heat sink KIT for Intel 1366 CPU inc 1600RPM fan
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Ther...m-heat-sink-for-Intel1366-CPU-inc-1600RPM-fan
£44.52

Memory
CMP6GX3M3A1600C8 - 6GB (3x2GB) Corsair Dominator, DDR3 PC3-12800 (1600), CAS 8-8-8-24, DHX, XMP, New connector, 1.65V. Triple Channel Desktop
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/6GB-...1600)-CAS-8-8-8-24-DHX-XMP-New-connector-165V
£129.39

Graphics Card
Waiting until new AMD cards are released.
Prob around £230

Hard Drive
1TB Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint F3, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200rpm, 32MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ, OEM
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ss1T...3-SATA-3Gb-s-7200rpm-32MB-Cache-89-ms-NCQ-OEM
£44.42

PSU
Corsair HX 850 W Power Supply (PSU)
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/850W...ATX-EPS12V-Modular-UK-Version-7-Year-Warranty
£133.77

DVD Drive
LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD±R, 8x DVD±DL, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, DVD-RAM x12, SATA, Black, OEM
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lite...DVDplusRW-x8-RW-x6-DVD-RAM-x12-SATA-Black-OEM
£13.50

Case
Coolermaster HAF 922 Case with Window - Black [RC-922M-KWN1-GP]
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-188-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29
£89.99

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium - Complete package - 1 PC - DVD - English - United Kingdom
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/168373
£95.99

Just got a few questions before I order

How good is the memory, is there better for the money? How important is Latency? I haven't a clue what to pick to be honest. This is my main problem before I order. So far I have looked at the one above and these:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/plus...0-(1600)-Non-ECC-Unbuffered-CAS-9-9-9-24-165V
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...Hz+Triple+Channel+Memory+Kit+?productId=41157

Will the 1366 socket be ok with the 1.65v of the memory? I understand this is right on the limit and so may not be safe and/or limit overclocking. I cant seem to find a clear answer on this problem.

I am also not sure about the CPU fan, though I have been assured the one I have chosen will not cover a memory slot on this motherboard. What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
If you're not a hardcore overclocker, then Corsair Dominator RAM is overpriced for your need. Latency matters little with DDR3 RAM, and even less while overclocking (as RAM timings will automatically adjust to match is speed), so don't spend more for CL8 or CL7 RAM. If you're not overclocking, 1.65V will be fine, but if you can find it, buy some RAM that runs between 1.5V to 1.6V; the lower the voltage, the better.

Though the CPU cooler that you chose is good, there should be cheaper options available. See if you could find either the Cogage TRUE Spirit or the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.

I know that you're planning on buying a new monitor soon, but what are you using right now?
 
Ok, thanks for that, I'll try and find some at a lower voltage. Would that G.skill be a good choice?

I will be overclocking but more the processor and the GPU rather than the RAM. Then again I haven't looked into it a great deal yet, but it is something I want to do. I understand the cooler I have chosen will be good for overclocking, where as the coolermaster hyper 212 won't?

Currently using a 19" Samsung Syncmaster 931cw, why you ask?
 
Ok, thanks for that, I'll try and find some at a lower voltage. Would that G.skill be a good choice?

I will be overclocking but more the processor and the GPU rather than the RAM. Then again I haven't looked into it a great deal yet, but it is something I want to do. I understand the cooler I have chosen will be good for overclocking, where as the coolermaster hyper 212 won't?

Currently using a 19" Samsung Syncmaster 931cw, why you ask?

That G.Skill would be a good choice.

The Coolermaster Hyper 212 is still a decent HSF for overclocking.

Monitor size determines what GPU you should get.
 
Corsair A70 is the better choice right now with a dual 120mm fans in the box for the same price on newegg.
 
Guys, the OP is from the UK.

That's why I didn't include any links with my recommendations.
 
I might go for the G.Skill then. I can't seem to find any reviews on memory, is this becuase there is very little difference between the different kinds?
 
I might go for the G.Skill then. I can't seem to find any reviews on memory, is this becuase there is very little difference between the different kinds?
Pretty much.
 
If 1.65v RAM isn't ideal I don't understand why this seems to be the standard. Surely sites such as Scan and Overclockers would cater for the overclockers out there?

I haven't got a clue what to pick because I can't rely on reviews as I have done with everything else.

Are the Dominator's better then the G.skill, despite the latency?
 
If 1.65v RAM isn't ideal I don't understand why this seems to be the standard. Surely sites such as Scan and Overclockers would cater for the overclockers out there?

Are the Dominator's better then the G.skill, despite the latency?
For the longest time, RAM manufacturers probably couldn't manufacture RAM at a low-enough voltage in large enough quantities. However G.Skill did somehow. Hence why for the last two years or so, we've been recommending their RAM over other brands. Generally G.Skill RAM tends to be at 1.5V with only a handful of them actually needing 1.65. It's just now that big RAM names such as Corsair and Mushkin have released 1.5V RAM.

The only real advantage the Dominators have is their awesome heatsinks. But besides, performance wise, they're gonna be pretty similar. Just about any set of DDR3 1600 or 1333 RAM will perform the same as the Dominator RAM.
 
Right so If i go for the G.SKILL Pi Series (3x2GB) PC3-12800C7 1600MHz Triple Channel Memory Kit I wont be missing out on anything?

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...Hz+Triple+Channel+Memory+Kit+?productId=41157

Is there better out there for the money?

I'm just paranoid I'm not getting value for money becuase I had got Corsair stuck in my head. But I cant find any Corsair that operates at 1.5v

Also is this memory what you would call '1600MHz CAS 7' As I have heard this is the best to go for?
 
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At least here in the U.S, that G.Skill RAM set is a tad overpriced:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231335

For comparison, this G.Skill set will provide the same performance but for $20 cheaper:
$135 - G.Skill F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600 RAM

So see if you can find the above G.Skill set or something similar to it. Yes the G.Skill you chose is the 1600Mhz CAS 7. It's usually not the best to go for if you want best bang for the buck value.
 
You don't need CL7 RAM for everyday operation. And for overclocking, lower voltage levels (read: 1.5V) matter more than CAS Latency.

If you really want the G.Skill Pi Series RAM, get it for the low voltage level, not the tight timings. In fact, see if you could find a cheaper Mushkin, G.Skill, or A-DATA set with 1.5V.
 
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