Interim build

C

charliek

n00b
Joined
Nov 27, 2007
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So here's the scenario: I have little or no spare cash, and my rig is starting to show its age.

Because my old rig is AMD and AGP based, I am going to have to replace the mobo, which also means new CPU, RAM and GPU. I want to do this as cheaply as possible, while still getting good bang for my buck, and with a view of further upgrading components one at a time for better kit once I have more spare cash.

My main uses are photo editing, video editing and gaming (being able to run Crysis would be nice), I also plan to start getting into 3DSMax or Maya.

My current rig is an AMD 64 3400+, on an Asus K8VSE deluxe, 2Gb RAM, AGP 6800 Ultra. I plan to keep the 2 SATA and 2 ATA HDDs, DVD RW and CRT 1600*1200 monitor.

I would like to keep the Antec P160 case and Tagan 480-U01 PSU, if I can, but I guess a new PSU is going to be inevitable?

I currently cool my CPU, Northbridge and GPU with a Zalman Reserator I. I've not tried overclocking, but I love the silence.

The old components will get moved into a cheap case, and put out to grass as a media centre, or network storage or somesuch.

From my research so far, it seems to me that the budget sweet spot is going to be:

Core 2 Duo E6750 - 168 Euros.
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R rev 2 - 99 Euros.
G.Skill Value DDRII 2 x 1 Go PC6400 NQ - 48 Euros.
Albatron GeForce 8800 GT 512 Mo (1 slot) - 210 Euros.
Scythe Ninja Plus Rev.B 40 Euros

Total 575 Euros, give or take.

Is this wide of the mark? Any improvements to suggest?

Will I need a new PSU (if so, any better suggestions than the Corsair TX 750W at 139 Euros? I know it's overkill, but it'd be bought with future upgrades in mind)

Just out of interest, would the Reserator 1 cool all that, given the right waterblocks?

Cheers

Charlie
 
I don't know much about watercooling, so I don't know if your current waterblocks would be enough for your new setup. But your build, as a whole, is fine. If anything, drop down to the (Corsair) 520HX, 550VX, or 620HX... you don't really need a 750 watt processor for your build.

Also, where are you from? And where are you buying everything at?
 
Thanks for the feedback

I'm from the UK, originally, but I live in France now. That's why the Euros :)

I spec'd the 750W PSU so that I don't have to change again when I upgrade the mobo or processor down the line. Ultimately, I want to bring the whole thing up to the cutting edge, but for now I'm bringing it out of the dark ages, and an extra 40 Euros now seems sensible compared to another 140 Euros in a year...

I take it the 4 year old Tagan 480W is going to have to be upgraded from the outset, then?

As for the Reserator question, it just occurred to me that the Athlon Clawhammer and the 6800 Ultra both put out a lot of heat, and that maybe a Core 2 and an 8800GT might be more efficient - therefore easier to cool.... dunno.

Charlie
 
Looking at the page for the Zalman Reserator, you may need a new mounting kit for the LGA775 socket, if you don't already have one. Having said that, the Scythe Ninja is a good CPU cooler should you decide to go that path.

It would be best to replace the Tagan 480W with a new power supply, as the PSU's age makes its longevity a question mark. Today's components draw most of their power from the 12V rail, so the Corsairs -- whichever one you choose -- make excellent choices.
 
Yup, what tiraides said on the power supply. Your setup looks good but just get a better power supply and you're all set.
 
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