Need advice on new (partial) build

D

dave2521

Weaksauce
Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
97
So about a month ago my computer took a crap on me. The mother board went out and fried my processor and my ram! So it is time for a new build, or partial one at that. I currently have most of the parts just need to get some new ones as well as see about upgrading. Here is a list of what I currently have:

Video Card: EVGA 7900GTX 512MB
Storage: 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache
Power Supply: OCZ PowerStream 520W
Case: Thermaltake Kandalf

I just bought this...!
Processor: E8400 Wolfdale

What I need help with is the motherboard and ram I was thinking GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L and G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) and I would like to stay under spending $300. I plan to on a later date or if I have anything left over to upgrade my Graphics Card since I think the 7900GTX is out dated.

I welcome any opinions!

Thanks!
 
You're going to need a new PSU before you get a new graphics card, but your other choices are solid. You might consider the MSI P35 Neo2-FR or another board with more SATA ports if you think that'll ever matter to you, as I feel $90 is a lot to pay for the lower end boards, but they're all good OCers so it's not as big a deal as it might otherwise be.
 
in addition to what silent-circuit said, you could get the gigabyte ga-p35-ds3l rev 2.0 for like $83 at clubit.com and make sure you have a 64bit os so it can run your 4gb of ram.
 
I'd recommend the faster kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

It's gotten some good heat and runs fast for 2gb sticks.

If you have that chip I'd put the money down for a DFI LanParty board (the p35 DK is ~$135) or something similar. You don't want to have that chip and be suffocated by your MB (although the DS3L is an excellent budget board)

Your PSU might be fine for a new card, cause I think that GTX is a power hog (although I don't remember exactly) but it of course depends how top-line you go. The CPU consumes reasonable amounts of power so if you don't have an excess of hard drives and/or optical disks you might be OK
 
How high do you plan to OC that E8400? While it can reach 4Ghz, you'll need additional cooling for the NB chipset on most budget boards.

Choose your RAM according to your OC goals:

/*------------- <cut n paste> -------------*/
Formulas for Intel platform @ 1:1 settings: (base FSB speed is SDR, or single data rate)
c x [Base FSB speed] = CPU speed (c = CPU Multiplier)
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed (DDR: double data rate)
4 x [Base FSB speed] = FSB speed (QDR: quad data rate; Effective FSB speed)

On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is, for the most part, useless, so don't bother trying to do so. If the BIOS does it for you, just let it. All you need is a 1:1 config, though. Here's some possible clock speeds (as always with OC'ing, your results will vary):

E8400: 9 × 333 = 3.0Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK
E8400: 9 × 400 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800 << Nice OC
E8400: 9 × 445 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-890 << Good OC
E8400: 9 × 500 = 4.5Ghz, DDR2-1000 << Great OC
E8400: 9 × 533 = 4.8Ghz, DDR2-1066 << :eek:
/*------------- </cut n paste> -------------*/

If the board you choose doesn't use heatpipe cooling for the northbridge chipset and mosfets, you'll need additional and/or better cooling. With the DS3L, if you want to go past 425Mhz FSB SDR, you'll need a 40mm fan on the NB heatsink. Another option is to replace the heatsink with a Thermalright HR-05(-SLI/IFX). However, I think its better to just get a board with better chipset cooling, like the MSI P35 Neo2-FR, if you plan on OC'ing past 3.6Ghz.
 
I would like to reach at least 4.0Ghz with no issues at all. I am not 100% set on getting 4gb of ram currently as I will be running XP 32... and I do not plan on upgrading to vista 64 anytime soon. So I guess I could get cheaper ram combo and a better motherboard?

Also as far as a new graphics card, I think the one I have right now is fine because I also plan on upgrading that same time as vista, so I save money there too!

Id like the mother board to stay around 160 or less but still have great qualities.... As for the ram again I can go either 4gb now or just 2gb now.

Edit: also on the PSU I have currently looks like the specifications are this...
1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V (4+4Pin)
6 x peripheral
2 x SATA
1 x Floppy
2 x PCI-E

I am not sure if that is going to mater too much when picking a board... Not really educated in the PSUs... :)
 
We need the make and exact model -- what connectors it has aren't going to be enough to base a decision on.
 
I still cast my vote for that DFI board, it can be found at $135 and it's working great for me -- not a budget board by any means. For the ram if you want 4 GB go for it, ram is pretty darned cheap at the moment.
 
Model
Brand OCZ
Model OCZ520ADJSLI
Series PowerStream
Spec
Type ATX12V 2.01, BTX, EPS12V
Maximum Power 520W
Fans 2
PFC No
Main Connector 20+4Pin
+12V Rails Single
PCI-E Connectors 2 x 6Pin
NVIDIA SLI Support NVIDIA SLI Certified
Modular Cabling Support No
Input Voltage 100 - 240 V
Input Frequency Range 50/60 Hz
Input Current 10/6A
Output +3.3V@28A,+5V@40A,+12V@33A
Features
Connectors 1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 12V (4+4Pin)
6 x peripheral
2 x SATA
1 x Floppy
2 x PCI-E
Features OCZ PowerWhisper Technology
OCZ PowerFlex individually adjustable power rails with LED indicators.
OCZ ConnectAll universal connector. (ATX, BTX, SATA, P4, and EPS12V)
OCZ PowerShield power leads

That is what is lists on newegg. Also I looked at the Neo2-FR and it looks to be a really good card for the price. How is the stock cooling on it and would i be able to use it to get the e8400 to around 4ghz?

Thanks again!
 
Heh, he linked the PSU model in his OP, guys. :p

There's 33A on the +12V rail, which is pretty good. The only problem would be if it was based on the FSP Epsilon unit, which are notorious for out of spec ripple at high loads.

EDIT: Its built by TOPOWER. Review: http://www.slcentral.com/ocz-powerstream-520adj-power-supply/
While it was good for its time, you may want to replace it sooner or later.

dave2521 said:
That is what is lists on newegg. Also I looked at the Neo2-FR and it looks to be a really good card for the price. How is the stock cooling on it and would i be able to use it to get the e8400 to around 4ghz?
Click to expand...

Yes, the Neo2-FR would be good for getting an E8400 to 4Ghz. Don't forget to get some overclockable DDR2-800 RAM, or some DDR2-1000 or higher RAM.
 
That RAM looks fine. I'm not sure how well it OC's, but I'm pretty sure they can reach 450Mhz -- though, as always, your results may vary. Therefore, you're only guaranteed at least 3.6Ghz, if your CPU can reach that high.

E8400: 9 × 400 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800 << Nice OC

There's some A-Data stuff on sale at Fry's for $70 shipped, and those can most likely reach 450Mhz as well, btw.
 
I looked that the A-data ram, its coming as 82 shipped... charging for tax and shipping lol. Not that it is a bad deal, i just think the g.skill is better ram. But im not 100% sure
 
dave2521 said:
I looked that the A-data ram, its coming as 82 shipped... charging for tax and shipping lol. Not that it is a bad deal, i just think the g.skill is better ram. But im not 100% sure
Click to expand...

They're comparable. If the G.Skill is cheaper for you, go for it.
 
Last question because i think i am just going to go with the DS3L because i see a lot of good reviews and it seems people are getting good overclocks with it. I know it was stated earlier but if I want to run about 3.8Ghz stable would I need to upgrade the NB heatsink? Also what should i worry about more the CPU cooling or the NB cooling? (or upgrade my case for better cooling in general I really like the Antech 900)
 
If you want a high OC get a board with better stock cooling and more features, rather than spending money to better cool a low end board. Heatsinks add up fast. I do not recommend the DS3L or IP35-E/IP35-V for what you're doing.

The Gigabyte DS4/DQ6, DFI TR2S, and MSI Neo2-FR are better suited out of the box to hitting high OCs.
 
All P35 boards that have been mentioned in this thread can reach high FSB speeds. The DS3L does not OC better than the Neo2-FR -- they're about the same once you upgrade the cooling on the DS3L. Stick with the Neo2-FR since you want a high OC, or go for one of the others s-c mentioned.
 
For some odd reason i and reading reviews on the Neo2-FR and its saying that it has the CPU Multiplier locked at 8x? that doesnt seem correct... Anyone else heard of this?
 
It's not true. Do you mean Newegg reviews, or ClubIT, or similar? You have to remember that /anybody/ can write those things... so take them with a grain of salt. If that.
 
It was Newegg. As newegg is my first stop for basicly anything i look at buying because of the good prices/shipping. I am down to either the Neo2-fr or the IP35-e (since it is only $60 AR). I feel the Neo2-fr has some really great features for the price and better cooling it seems. But the reviews and the price on the IP35-e are awesome too it seems. Torn between the two.
 
dave2521 said:
It was Newegg. As newegg is my first stop for basicly anything i look at buying because of the good prices/shipping. I am down to either the Neo2-fr or the IP35-e (since it is only $60 AR). I feel the Neo2-fr has some really great features for the price and better cooling it seems. But the reviews and the price on the IP35-e are awesome too it seems. Torn between the two.
Click to expand...

While people have hit 4ghz on those boards, don't take that to mean you will or it is even likely. Good luck
 
Yah, with OC'ing, your results may vary. If you go for the IP35-E, you'll be in the same spot you were with the DS3L -- you'll need better chipset cooling to reach past 400Mhz FSB SDR. So again, stick with the Neo2-FR or better.
 
What would be some good ram to pair with the Neo2-FR... Looking for either 2GB or 4GB total. Under 100 please :)
 
Hmm. You've got an E8400 right? Then ideally you're going to want DDR2-1000, though good quality DDR2-800 that'll OC reasonably well will work, also. There should be a 4GB (2x2GB, which is preferable to 4x1GB) kit of G.Skill DDR2-800 just under $100 that'll do it, or you could wait around a bit and watch for deals. It's sold out now, but there was a 4GB kit of A-Data that pretty regularly OCed to DDR2-1000 speeds for $70 shipped a couple of weeks ago at Buy.com.
 
Nice, hey SC you have been a TON of help my last question (because i just saw it tonight) is what about the msi p35 platinum? I have not heard much about it but the cooling on that looks insane! and the price is just a little bit more than the neo2-fr right?

Thanks much!
 
The cooling is good but I've found MSI's intel offerings to be rather hit-or-miss
 
dave2521 said:
Nice, hey SC you have been a TON of help my last question (because i just saw it tonight) is what about the msi p35 platinum? I have not heard much about it but the cooling on that looks insane! and the price is just a little bit more than the neo2-fr right?

Thanks much!
Click to expand...

It's a solid board -- the Neo2-FR is a slightly stripped down P35 Platinum -- they use the same PCB even, the "P35 Platinum" silkscreening is under the Neo2-FR sticker. ;)

If you like it better and can get it in budget, then by all means go for it, but in that price range there are all kinds of options, from the Abit IP35-Pro (though I don't recommend it with the 45nm chips and it seems to be having BIOS-related issues), Gigabyte's P35-DS4 and DQ6, and the DFI LanParty Dark P35-TR2S.
 
well i want to buy a quality board for less than $180. Something that will last me a while (even though 775 is dead after this year). Ideas based on that?

and the dq6... OMG that thing looks awesome... but how would you do an aftermarket CPU cooler lol
 
It'll fit. I'd recommend the DS3P/DS4, or P5K-E (sc hates asus, so you won't see that recommendation from him, hehe) over the MSI Platinum. DFI is great if you love tweaking a ton of BIOS settings, but it can be overwhelming to the novice unless they want to learn. The Abit IP35-Pro is the crowd favorite, but as sc mentioned, it has problems with 45nm chips, and you've chosen the E8400, so thats not a good option (until they fix it with a BIOS rls, if possible).

Here's the math behind sc's RAM suggestion...

enginurd said:
How high do you plan to OC that E8400? While it can reach 4Ghz, you'll need additional cooling for the NB chipset on most budget boards.

Choose your RAM according to your OC goals:

/*------------- <cut n paste> -------------*/
Formulas for Intel platform @ 1:1 settings: (base FSB speed is SDR, or single data rate)
c x [Base FSB speed] = CPU speed (c = CPU Multiplier)
2 x [Base FSB speed] = RAM speed (DDR: double data rate)
4 x [Base FSB speed] = FSB speed (QDR: quad data rate; Effective FSB speed)

On Intel platforms, running the RAM higher than a 1:1 ratio with the CPU is, for the most part, useless, so don't bother trying to do so. If the BIOS does it for you, just let it. All you need is a 1:1 config, though. Here's some possible clock speeds (as always with OC'ing, your results will vary):

E8400: 9 × 333 = 3.0Ghz, DDR2-667 << STOCK
E8400: 9 × 400 = 3.6Ghz, DDR2-800 << Nice OC
E8400: 9 × 445 = 4.0Ghz, DDR2-890 << Good OC
E8400: 9 × 500 = 4.5Ghz, DDR2-1000 << Great OC
E8400: 9 × 533 = 4.8Ghz, DDR2-1066 << :eek:
/*------------- </cut n paste> -------------*/
Click to expand...
 
Great quality under $180 on intel chipset:
Abit P35-Pro
DFI LanParty P35-T2RS DARK
Gigabyte P35 DS3P

Please let us know what you still want to know
 
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