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Build advice

D

deep22

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
186
Alright I'm going a little stir-crazy from trying to decide on things for my new system build. I haven't built a PC for a long time and I could definitely use some critiques and advice. I'm not married to any component yet (except the processor) so fire away.

My goal is for a mildly overclocked gaming system without it turning into something as loud as leaf blower. This is going to be my first attempt at overclocking and I'm psyched!

-Antec P182 Gun Metal Black (Do I need better/more case fans for this?)
-Intel Q6600 G0 stepping (only thing I've actually bought so far)
-Abit IP35 Pro
-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB x 2
-LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06

I've been agonizing between these. What would fit be best Suggestions? Anything else that would be better suited?
-Thermalright Ultra-120 EXTREME (what fan would be ideal for my purposes?)
-XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
-Noctua NH-U12P

I don't know if its worth the extra dough to get the GTX
-EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB
-EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB

Again, I'm not sure about this RAM.
-OCZ Reaper 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800
-mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

I dont know if I trust Newegg's PSU calculator. Is this enough or too much juice
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W
 
It's more than enough power for your system and it is a good quality PSU. With that said you can get bigger PSU for cheaper than the 620HX:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $99

Also, it is not worth the extra dough for the 9800GTX. The 9800GTX is not that much faster than the 8800GTS 512MB and is a bit of a rip-off as a result since you can get an 8800GTS 512MB card for $210:
MSI NX8800GTS 8800GTS 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $210

Note that it's clocked exactly the same as that eVGA card you chose.

As for case fans for the P182, get these better-than-tri-cools fans:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60

Don't bother with the OCZ RAM either. A bit too much since you can get DDR2 1000 RAM for $15 cheaper:
G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 1000 RAM - $85

With that said, DDR2 1000 RAM is TOTAL OVERKILL for the Q6600 and you won't be able to take full advantage of it. But since it's cheaper than OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 RAM, why not get it?

As for the HSF for the P182, all three HSF will fit inside the P182. If quiet is your primary goal, get the Noctua. If the best cooling possible is your primary goal, get the Ultra with the S-Flex SFF12E 120mm fan. If you want the best bang for your buck HSF, get the Xigmatek.

EDIT: Didn't see that Mushkin RAM. Which Mushkin RAM are you talking about? There's 6 Mushkin RAM that have that name.
 
what danny bui said...

no real need for the 9800GTX, 620HX is fine, but you might consider going for some OCZ reaper HPC, i really like the heat pipe thing...

i really like the noctua cooler, and the fan that comes with it is amazing...
 
Listen to Danny Bui, he knows his stuff :)

However... if you stick with eVGA or BFG Tech video cards, then you can use their Step-Up Programs (eVGA = 90 days, BFG Tech = 100 days) to purchase one of the new video cards being released on June 18th: GTX260 or GTX280. Depends on the resolution you'll be gaming at, as to whether these will be worth buying for your computer. If you game at 1680 x 1050, an 8800 GTS is enough, if at 1920 x 1200 or higher, then one of the new cards will probably be your best bet. I'm looking forward to reading reviews of the new cards.

Also, consider getting a Samsung S203B or S203N (w/Lightscribe) instead of the Lite-On drive. The Samsungs are quieter.
 
Danny Bui said:
It's more than enough power for your system and it is a good quality PSU. With that said you can get bigger PSU for cheaper than the 620HX:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $99

Also, it is not worth the extra dough for the 9800GTX. The 9800GTX is not that much faster than the 8800GTS 512MB and is a bit of a rip-off as a result since you can get an 8800GTS 512MB card for $210:
MSI NX8800GTS 8800GTS 512MB PCI-E Video Card - $210

As for case fans for the P182, get these better-than-tri-cools fans:
120mm Yate Loon D12SL-12 Case Fan - $3.60

Don't bother with the OCZ RAM either. A bit too much since you can get DDR2 1000 RAM for $15 cheaper:
G.SKILL F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 1000 RAM - $85


With that said, DDR2 1000 RAM is TOTAL OVERKILL for the Q6600 and you won't be able to take full advantage of it. But since it's cheaper than OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 RAM, why not get it?

As for the HSF for the P182, all three HSF will fit inside the P182. If quiet is your primary goal, get the Noctua. If the best cooling possible is your primary goal, get the Ultra with the S-Flex SFF12E 120mm fan. If you want the best bang for your buck HSF, get the Xigmatek.



EDIT: Didn't see that Mushkin RAM. Which Mushkin RAM are you talking about? There's 6 Mushkin RAM that have that name.
Click to expand...


Would I be wasting electricity by going with a 750W psu if I'm not utilizing it to capacity?

Hmm, ok I'll take the GTX off my list, but I'm kinda leaning more towards EVGA cards because of their step-up program.


Sorry about that, this is the other RAM I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146726
I actually didn't know that I could even put DDR-1000 on that board, will I be able to OC just as well?

Between the TRUE and the Xigmatek, which is quieter? The noctua's fan is lauded as being extremely quiet, but can it keep pace if I OC?
 
AndonSage said:
Listen to Danny Bui, he knows his stuff :)

However... if you stick with eVGA or BFG Tech video cards, then you can use their Step-Up Programs (eVGA = 90 days, BFG Tech = 100 days) to purchase one of the new video cards being released on June 18th: GTX260 or GTX280. Depends on the resolution you'll be gaming at, as to whether these will be worth buying for your computer. If you game at 1680 x 1050, an 8800 GTS is enough, if at 1920 x 1200 or higher, then one of the new cards will probably be your best bet. I'm looking forward to reading reviews of the new cards.

Also, consider getting a Samsung S203B or S203N (w/Lightscribe) instead of the Lite-On drive. The Samsungs are quieter.
Click to expand...

Doh, out of stock at newegg :(
 
deep22 said:
Would I be wasting electricity by going with a 750W psu if I'm not utilizing it to capacity?

Between the TRUE and the Xigmatek, which is quieter? The noctua's fan is lauded as being extremely quiet, but can it keep pace if I OC?
Click to expand...

No, the system will only draw as much power as it needs, though it'll be capable of drawing 750W from the wall.

The TRUE doesn't come with a fan, so there's nothing to compare since a heatsink alone is silent. The Xigmatek heatsink will perform up to par with the TRUE. You can choose whatever quiet fan you like for either heatsink, which will be the source of the noise. Yes, a quiet but good Noctua fan will keep up even if you OC... thats why they're expensive. The S-Flex fans are also good choices. Personally, the stock xigmatek fan was fine for me. I have an S-Flex on my Ultima90 now, though.
 
620HX available for $105 after rebate @ buy.com if you sign up for Google checkout there. :) (good deal?)
 
deep22 said:
Sorry about that, this is the other RAM I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146726
I actually didn't know that I could even put DDR-1000 on that board, will I be able to OC just as well?
Click to expand...

Definitely go with the DDR2 1000 RAM then. You'll be able to OC just as well with DDR2 1000 RAM since all you reallly need is DDR2 800 RAM with the Q6600 for overclocking. Some math:

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

So as shown above, the DDR2 1000 is not needed to OC the Q6600 BUT since it's cheaper than any of the DDR2 800 RAM you've chosen so far, why not?
 
Thanks, this is very helpful!

When it comes to power supplies, are modular cables something I should shoot for?
 
deep22 said:
Thanks, this is very helpful!

When it comes to power supplies, are modular cables something I should shoot for?
Click to expand...

That depends how clean you like your cables inside your case. Many people love modular cables because it makes cable management easier. Though, many people don't like the price premium of a good PSU and modular cables. Keep in mind, a clean cabling job will lead to better airflow, and an overall cooler system... literally and figuratively. :p Check out the Rate My Cables thread in the case mod gallery section for some ideas.
 
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