Feedback on new AVA build

[michael.pa2]

I'm about to pull the trigger on this build from AVA,any advice appreciated.



Socket 775 Core 2 Desktop Processors
Core™ 2 Quad Q6700 Quad-Core 2.66GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB (2 x 4MB) L2 Cache, 65nm, 65W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
CPU Coolers
Ultra-120 eXtreme CPU Heatsink, Socket 775/AM2, Aluminum
Thermal Compound
MX-2 High-Performance Thermal Compound, Non-Electrical Conductive
Warranties & Service
Overclocking, Quad-Core CPU, 10-20% Performance Increase

Socket 775 Core 2 DDR2 Motherboards
IP35 Pro, LGA775, Intel P35, 1333MHz FSB, DDR2-800 8GB/4, PCIe x16 /2, SATA 3.0 Gbit/s RAID /6, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW /2, ATX, Retail
DDR2-800 Non-ECC DIMM Memory
4GB (4 x 1GB) XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500 DDR2 1066MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15) 2.1V SDRAM 240-pin DIMM, Non-ECC, Heatsink
PCI Express x16 Video Cards
e-GeForce® 9800 GTX 675MHz, 512MB GDDR3 2200MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV/S-Video Out, Retail

Warranties & Service
Overclocking, Single GPU, Optimal and Stable Performance

SATA Hard Drives
320GB Barracuda 7200.10, SATA II 300MB/s, 7200-RPM, 16MB cache

Floppy Drives and Card Readers
Black Internal 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
DVD RW Drives
LH-20A1L Black/Beige 20x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ LightScribe, SATA, Retail

Antec Nine Hundred Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, No PSU

LED Fans Maximum Package, Blue

Wire Management Solutions
Standard Wiring with Round Cables

Power Supplies
CMPSU-620HX HX Series Modular Power Supply, 620W, 80 PLUS®, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, Triple +12V, Multi-GPU Ready
Operating Systems
Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit, OEM


System Recovery
OEM System Recovery (both secure HDD partition and bootable CD/DVD)

 

[BIGJ]

what is the total price for that rig?

 

[michael.pa2]

$2098,plus shipping,which should be under $100.

 

[WhiteGuardian]

what's the difference b/t the high performance and socket ddr2 configurations? b/c the socket w/ the same configuration comes down to like $200+ cheaper than the high performance configuration.

 

[michael.pa2]

The configuration I listed is from the gaming system menu,which has extra options,like overclocking the CPU and GPU,installing extra fans that are optional with the case,additional recovery and booting options,ect.,that aren't available on the standard systems menus.

 

[bicycle_wreck]

I'd go for 2 x 2gb modules on the RAM. Less stress on the MCH. That is of course, if AVA gives you the option; I don't see why they wouldn't.

 

[AndonSage]

Looks like a great config The only changes I would make are:

DDR2-800 Non-ECC DIMM Memory
4GB (4 x 1GB) XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500 DDR2 1066MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15) 2.1V SDRAM 240-pin DIMM, Non-ECC, Heatsink

The G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz would be better (and cheaper). The quad-cores don't require fast memory. Also, it would be cheaper to upgrade in the future, since you'd only be buying more chips, instead of replacing what you currently have.

SATA Hard Drives
320GB Barracuda 7200.10, SATA II 300MB/s, 7200-RPM, 16MB cache

The new WD Caviar SE 16 are faster than that one. You might check with Joe or Misha to see if they are carrying the new WD 320GB hard drives. I think the WD code is WD3200B3AAKS.

DVD RW Drives
LH-20A1L Black/Beige 20x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ LightScribe, SATA, Retail

The Samsung 203N is quieter, if that makes a difference to you.

 

[michael.pa2]

Thanks for the advice.One question,would using the G.Skill have a noticeable effect with overclocking or overall performance?

 

[AndonSage]

Thanks for the advice.One question,would using the G.Skill have a noticeable effect with overclocking or overall performance?

Only if you were to go overclock higher than 3.8GHz, which I don't think you can do with a Q6700 on air cooling. IIRC, the Q6700 has a 9.5 multiplier, so 400MHz x 9.5 = 3.6GHz, and you run the RAM at 2 x 400MHz = 800MHz.

The hardware gurus in the General Hardware section (Danny Bui, silent-circuit, HardwareGuru, etc.) always recommend 800MHz RAM for a Q6600 or Q6700, and G.Skill is one of the brands they recommend.

 

[bicycle_wreck]

Only if you were to go overclock higher than 3.8GHz, which I don't think you can do with a Q6700 on air cooling. IIRC, the Q6700 has a 9.5 multiplier, so 400MHz x 9.5 = 3.6GHz, and you run the RAM at 2 x 400MHz = 800MHz.

The hardware gurus in the General Hardware section (Danny Bui, silent-circuit, HardwareGuru, etc.) always recommend 800MHz RAM for a Q6600 or Q6700, and G.Skill is one of the brands they recommend.

The Q6700 has a 10 multiplier:

1066FSB / 4 = 266.5
2665MHZ / 266.5 = 10

So, you would have to clock your CPU at 4GHZ before you ran out of runway with 800MHZ DDR2 RAM.

 

[AndonSage]

The Q6700 has a 10 multiplier:...

1066FSB / 4 = 266.5
2665MHZ / 266.5 = 10

So, you would have to clock your CPU at 4GHZ before you ran out of runway with 800MHZ DDR2 RAM.

My bad, sorry. The principle is still the same, though