new build-need critique please

[fluffybunny]

Hey everyone,
I first posted this thread a few weeks ago, and after some research, and some money spent this is where I stand on my new build.

I have purchased:
Nvidia 8800 GT $250
Antec 900 $100

I have been going back and forth on all the other parts but this is where I think I am. I will do links to newegg, I do realize that zipzoomfly is a bit cheaper on some of the items, and I will be purchasing it from them where it is cheaper.

I will be runing Vista 64 on this machine.

Intel E8500 $270.00
Abit IP35 Pro $179.99
Ultima 90 with scythe S-Flex SFF21F 120mm fan $64.98
Arctic Silver 5 $7.99
Corsair CMPSU-620HX $159.99
WD Raptor 150 GB $169.99
G.Skill 4 GB DDR2-800 Ram $104.99
Belkin Wireless G PCI $33.00
Asus Lightscribe Dual Layer SATA Burner $34.99

I have a few questions.
1. On the CPU Cooler, do I need to get a remover kit for the stock fan, as well as to get off the thermal paste from the stock fan?
2. Will that CPU Cooler fit the new E8500?
3. The power supply is one area that I'm very unsure of, do I need that much power? Im planning on adding 3 hard drives at a later time, and that is about it.
3a. if I do not need that much power what power supply would you recommend with modular cables?
4. Do you see anywhere that I could get a different part that might be a bit cheaper?(I know mobo, but I need firewire ports.)
5. The main game this computer will be running is FSX, do you think this will run it relatively well?


If you have any other suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Anchen]

Not sure what you mean by needing a remover kit. Assuming that you haven't actually bought anything yet besides the vid card and case there is nothing to remove. The CPU (assuming it is a retail unit) comes with a heatsink/fan combo, but it isn't physically attached to the CPU or anything. It just comes in the same box.

Heatsinks (cpu coolers) need to fit based on the motherboard. The IP35 Pro uses the 775 socket, which the Ultima 90 is designed to handle. You shouldn't have any issues installing it if you follow the directions.

You probably do not need a 620HX with that setup (no quad, 8800GT is pretty good power wise). You could probably drop down to the 520HX and be fine if you want to keep the modular cables.

There are other motherboards that have firewire if you don't need RAID that are cheaper, but the IP35 Pro is certainly a good board. Do you need RAID or have any feeling you might try it in the future? Also, the raptor seems excessive, it's performance gain for gaming is really about nil in general, and although it will be a bit quicker loading maps and in applications, the gain is rather small compared to the size and expense.

I'm unfortunately not familiar with FSX so I can't comment if it runs it well. But honestly this rig should run most stuff besides Crysis very well.

 

[fluffybunny]

Thanks a lot for your reply,

Thanks for the clarification about the heatsink, the kit I saw was for removing the thermal paste, and from your response it seems that it is not attached from the factory.

As for the power supply, would the 520HX be enough if I decide to SLI down the road? I would keep the same processor probably.

As for RAID, in phase 2 of my build when im adding 2 1 TB hard drives and a 160 GB hard drive for mirroring, I would like to keep the RAID option open, im going to start off with just software backup for now, but may do RAID down the road.

If I decide not to go with the raptor, does the size of the hard drive matter on speed? I saw that the seagate barracuda drives are good. I have only used WD, how is the reliability of the seagates?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

 

[Anchen]

Thanks a lot for your reply,

Thanks for the clarification about the heatsink, the kit I saw was for removing the thermal paste, and from your response it seems that it is not attached from the factory.

As for the power supply, would the 520HX be enough if I decide to SLI down the road? I would keep the same processor probably.

As for RAID, in phase 2 of my build when im adding 2 1 TB hard drives and a 160 GB hard drive for mirroring, I would like to keep the RAID option open, im going to start off with just software backup for now, but may do RAID down the road.

If I decide not to go with the raptor, does the size of the hard drive matter on speed? I saw that the seagate barracuda drives are good. I have only used WD, how is the reliability of the seagates?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

The 520HX could be cutting it too close to not at all if you want to power SLI. It depends somewhat what cards you are SLI-ing. At the least though you really don't want to hit the upper limits of the load of a PSU, both from an efficiency stand point and performance. However, just make sure you consider carefully before going down the SLI path. Be aware you will need to get an nvidia motherboard (and all that it entails) and also that there very well could be a better single card solution down the road for the same price as getting another card to SLI.

There is not a significant if any effect from size of hard drives in regards to speed. Seagates are probably about as reliable as WDs, although hard drives are all on the volatile side. Seagate does come with a 5 year warranty though, significantly longer than just about any other desktop hard drive manufacturer (most are 3 years or less), which is their main selling point.

Keep the IP35-Pro if you need the raid and the firewire as it is a good board.

 

[Dangman]

1) No. There's no thermal past on the stock fan. There's some on the stock HSF but you won't need to remove it since you're using another HSF.

2) Yes. There isn't a fundmental socket change or CPU size change with the new Penryn CPUs.

3) Yes the Corsair 620HX is a good choice. Though like Anchen said, you could get by with the Corsair 520HX. As for SLI with the 520HX, it depends on what cards you get. No one knows just how much power the new unreleased Nvidia video cards will use so can't say if the 520HX will be enough.

4) Yes. You can get the Ultima90 for a little bit cheaper. The Panaflo actually performed pretty damn close to the Scythe S-Flex fan, so no real need to get an S-Flex:
Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF - $46 & Panaflo FBA09A12M 92mm Fan - $3

You can get the power supplies for a bit cheaper:
Corsair 520HX 520W PSU - $109
Corsair 620HX 620W PSU - $147

5) Haven't played FSX so I can't comment on this.

No, the size of the hard drive does not matter too much on speed. There are some 1TB drives that perform better than 160GB drives. Seagate drives are pretty good and fairly fast. I've only had one 300GB die and that was due to a shitty ass Apevia PSU. I ended up getting back a 400GB drive!

 

[fluffybunny]

Thanks a lot for the further clarification about the heatsink and fan.

I will get that ultima90 from that site that you linked me to.

Will I need to get arctic silver thermal paste? or does the ultima90 just kind of mount on there with screws and through the motherboard?

Also, what sort of extra cables or parts would you recommend? I have nothing lying around, and I know that some cable or somthing will come up that I need that will prevent me from getting the build done.

 

[tiraides]

Will I need to get arctic silver thermal paste? or does the ultima90 just kind of mount on there with screws and through the motherboard?

Also, what sort of extra cables or parts would you recommend? I have nothing lying around, and I know that some cable or somthing will come up that I need that will prevent me from getting the build done.

You'll need some sort of thermal paste to aid in cooling. IIRC, the Ultima 90 does come with some thermal compound... but I prefer Arctic Silver 5.

Also, the motherboard should have most, if not all, of the cables that you need. It will definitely come with at least two SATA cables, if not more. The retail packages for both hard and optical drives normally come with all necessary equipment -- screws, cables, etc. -- included. But since you are buying a high-end motherboard, it should come with all the cables that you need.

 

[engiNURD]

The Ultima90 comes with some thermal paste, but I used Arctic Cooling MX-2 instead.

In case you need to clean off any thermal paste, use 90% or higher Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, available at any drug/general store. If you don't have a lint-free cloth, use a coffee filter. You can also use q-tips if you have to, but make sure to wipe it with the coffee filter afterwards. If you need to scrape anything, use the edge of a credit card; clean it with alcohol first.

If all you need is firewire, then the Asus P5K is a good alternative. Also, the IP35 non-pro is another good alternative.