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Ready to order SFF build, any problems?

A

ajkates

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
67
I posted this in general hardware, but now I decided to go with a SFF case, so I put it here for the SFF experts to take a look at. Anyone see any problems? Comments appreciated.


Case: Microfly BX6
PSU: Included with case (600W modular)
Mobo: Asus PK5-VM G33 mATX ($96)
CPU: Q6600 ($195)
Heatsink: Help?
RAM: G.Skill DDR2 800 ($75, $5 off NE deal, free shipping)
GPU: Asus 4850 ($157 AR)
HDD: WD Caviar 640GB ($90)
Optical: Lite-on Blu-ray/DVD ROM ($130)
Fans: Do I need any more?
Paste: Arctic Silver 5
Audio: Onboard



Misc Notes:

1) This PC will be used for heavy excel modeling, Photoshop, gaming at 1920x1080, and watching blu-ray movies. I don't usually do FPS-type games, but more MMOs and such. I do really like Oblivion, Bioshock, and some other relatively GPU intensive stuff. May play Diablo 3 when it comes out, maybe LOTRO if time permits. Want to be sure that games that come out in the next year or so will be at least playable at 1920x, some AA would be nice, but I won't be doing so much gaming that I need perfection.

2) The accessories I have to go with it include:
37" 1080P westinghouse (you know the one)
Logitech DiNovo bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse
Windows Vista x64 (probably home premium)
Klipsh THX 2.1 200W speakers
250 GB WD Passport drive to back stuff up (since I'm not doing RAID-1)

4) Will be OC'ing for sure, maybe not to the max, but I'll be pushing my components a little bit. I don't see a reason not to.

5) Will probably leave the PC on 24/7 or close to it, and I sleep in the same room, so I don't want it obnoxiously bright, though a mild "inner glow" might be pleasant and even preferred.


Component Notes:


CPU : Was between Q6600 and e8500, chose the Q6600 because I plan to OC it to ~3.0Ghz, which should be enough that that the low clock won't be a bottleneck. Still not 100% sure.

GPU: Like the Price/performance of the 4850, but will change to 4870 if I can't game at 1920x. I'll let you guys be the judge, even after looking at several benchmarks, I'm still unsure if the $100 upgrade is worth it.

Audio: Is it worth taking my 3-year-old Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS out of my old PC and using it in this one? Some people say onboard audio is good these days and that PCI sound doesn't work with Vista. Others say that no onboard sound can match even older dedicated PCI sound because of mobo vibration, and that your CPU has to work harder for onboard. Is it worth it to move the card? Should I get a cheap sound card? I can't justify the $100 or so for a SB X-fi Xtremegamer I don't think.

Thanks in advance [H]ers.

Edit: Updated list.
 
Go for the 4870, or an nVidia card like the GTX260.

Taking your sound card out and putting it in the new computer isn't that tough if it doesn't work just take it out.
 
Thanks for your reply mrmylanman. Have another quick question:

If I'm new to PC-building (done some upgrades, but would be my first full build). Would it be a bad idea to use a case like the Microfly BX6? All the components I want to put into a case could fit in one that size, and I really like it. I'd be able to put it on a shelf under my TV instead of next to the TV stand.

If I did that, would I be able to overlock my CPU? Would I be better off with a cooler 45nm chip like an e8500?

Also, would you be able to help me out with picking a Heatsink (and others if the above wouldn't work for some reason). Thanks a bunch in advance. I'm looking to order very soon.
 
I wouldn't be a good source on heatsink info, as I primarily wanted a quiet one (so I got an NT06 which is fanless).

The E8500 would be better off overclocking as it is a dual core and generates less heat. The 45nm processors perform better in general though, and I have a Q9300. I think they go for around $260-280 and I am very pleased with its performance. There are better quad cores but they demand a much higher price point.

Depends on what you need it for, gaming will see 0 benefit from quad cores, and I don't know if Photoshop would either (although it runs very well with my computer).

A lot of people on these boards use the Microfly and I think they are happy with them. I'm sure there'll be more input on it later. There is also another case you may want to look in to, and that is the Silverstone SG01 and SG02, which are basically the same case with minor differences in look.
 
I'd be very very wary of using the included PSU. It's not a good quality unit since it's rated at peak rather than continuous, equals many 450W PSU in terms of power on the all-important +12V rail, made by Yue-Lin (makers of low-quality PSUs), etc. So with that many marks against it, I don't recommend using the included PSU. I recommend getting this PSU instead:
Corsair 450VX 450W PSU - $70

I recommend going quad-core. You sound like a heavy multi-tasker so a quad-core CPU will definitely be beneficial to you. So get the Q6600. Heatsink wise, just check the stickied SFF FAQ for the "Will It fit" link. Should tell which HSF works with your case.

Speaking of cases, you might want to check out this case:
Silverstone SUGO SG02W-F White mATX Case - $75

Also try out the onboard audio first and then use your old sound card. See which one is better.
 
Thanks Danny. I checked the FAQ but I think this version of the case is rather new.

Anyone know if the Zalman 7700 specifically fits? If so, I'll go with that.

I see your point about the PSU too. However, since it comes with the sytem, I might give it a shot and if it fails, I'll get a new one. The cords are meant for it apparently, and I'd want a modular one, so I'd probably have to spend $100+ more for the hx520, which isn't worth it unless the included one truly doesn't work at all. I'm gonna go with the 4850, so overall I don't think the system will draw too much power. If you could recommend a cheap modular one that's still good I'd be willing to possibly spring for that though.

Besides the heatsink (which isn't settled yet), everything else look ok?
 
The PSU is the biggest problem with your build IMO.

If a PSU fails, it can take out the rest of your system. And the Corsair 520HX is the cheapest modular PSU that I can recommend in good conscience:
Corsair 520HX 520W Modular PSU - $99

Other than the HSF and PSU, everything else looks ok.

The MX6 is exactly the same as the other Microfly cases, just with a different bezel. So yes the CNPS7700-CU will fit.
 
The problem with failing PSUs is when they fail there is a strong possibility of it taking your system out as well. It may not, but I wouldn't risk it. It actually happened to a buddy of mine a couple months ago. Fried is whole computer. That Zalman should fit, although I had an 8700. It cooled alright, and offered a mild glow that you said you liked.
 
Oh, I see. Do you guys know if the modular cables that come with the included PSU would work with the hx520? I guess that's not a big deal, but I know the hx520 cables are really long, which could make things messy.

Also, I'm still leaning toward the quad, but if I went with the e8500 would it be best to get 1000Mhz RAM because of the timings?

Lastly, does the 8700 cool much better than the 7700? It's considerably more expensive (like $18 more).

Well, I guess if I'm going to spring for a trustworthy Corsair PSU, I might as well upgrade to the 4870 as well since I know it won't be a problem, and probably the 8700 cooler. Sure, that will bring my total cost up about $220 (PSU/GPU/Cooler), but the total is still about $1100 which I don't think is too bad, all things considered.

Out of curiosity...since you PC-experts would know....what kind of (crappy) power supplies do companies like Dell and HP use in their machines? I'm just curious, because I've never seen them list brand names on their sites.
 
The modular cables with the included PSU will not work with the 502HX.

Get DDR2 1000 RAM only if you plan to overclock past 3.6Ghz with the E8500 or E8400.

Yes the 8700 does cool that much better than the 7700:
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2243 (You should see the 7700 in the last page)

Dell and HP and other OEMs like them use multiple PSU manufacturers for their PSUs. So it's a bit hard to trying to find out which company made their PSU. But IIRC, some of the XPS line of PCs come with FSP made PSUs.
 
The modular cables aren't that bad of an issue. You should be able to find a place to tuck the remaining cables away, and since there are not that many in the case, you should be able to tidy up pretty nicely. Remember, zip ties are your friend. I used about 7 in my build and it is a LOT cleaner as a result. Take your time and it'll work out nicely.

My power supply has some pretty long cables as well, but I was able to tuck them away pretty decently in my case.
 
OK, thanks again guys.

I'm worried that the q6600 will get to hot in my case. If I OC it to 3.0Ghz but no futher, would I be ok with the Zalman 8700 in the Microfly case? Or will my apartment burn down?

Also, what if I clock my e8500 "just" to 3.6Ghz but no further (that would be my plan), would I still need DDR2 1000 then? I'm just trying to balance cost and safety here :)

So wait, as I understand it, the e8500 is 333fsb x 9.5multi, right? So if I don't want to play with the voltage, but increase the fsb to 400, that would make 3.8 Ghz (400x9.5), right? So shouldn't I be able to clock it at 3.8Ghz and still be ok with the DDR2-800 RAM? Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm new at this stuff.

Errr...now I'm reading that this board doesn't support the wolfdale CPUs....well, I guess it's the Q6600 for me.
 
Yeah you'll be just fine with DDR2 800 RAM. Your math is correct. I was thinking of the E8400 and how it needs DDR2 1000 RAM to go past 3.6Ghz

And that motherboard does support Wolfdale CPUs.

Finally, the Zalman 8700 will be great with the Q6600.
 
i use the zalman 8700 myself,and its a great cooler.there will be no issues fitting it in the case.

as you can see here it will totally slide out with the motherboard tray.

100_0556.jpg
 
Wow, that's really helpful, thanks. If I remember correctly pharoah, you're the one who modded the case to fit your GTX 260, right? Very cool.

Guess the only question that remains is whether to choose the e8500 or q6600...the same question everyone has. XD.
 
yes i have a gtx 260 in mine.yeah i know what your saying about dual vs quad.it was the same thing basically when duals first came out.personally im getting a quad soon.:D
 
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