Suggestions On Build

The Phantom

Weaksauce
Joined
May 28, 2005
Messages
66
I know these threads have been done to death. But I'm curious as to other peoples suggestions. I've been using AMD's lineup of cpu's since the p3 550 era. I'm looking to do a Intel build so here's what I got lined up
CPU = Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
MOBO = Asus P5E DELUXE X48
Ram = Mushkin XP PC2-8000 Redline 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1000 CL5-5-5-12
Video Card = Either Ati 4850 or 4870 one for now and then another later down the road.
P/S = Was thinking the Silverstone DA750
Case = currently have a Silverstone TJ10 so powersupply cables need to be long.
HDD = 2xSeagate 500gb 7200.11 in Raid 0
SC = either use my existing SB Audigy 2zs or upgrade to like the X-FI Prelude if deemed better.
O/S = Was going to give Vista Home Prem. 64 a whirl and leave XP behind.

*Edit Forgot to mention Monitor = Currently still have a 19 Viewsonic CRT
but looking at the Samsung 245T 24" LCD. Is there problems using that monitor for gaming.
General feedback or alternatives greatly appreciated.
 
What is the planned use for this computer? Gaming? General Office Work?

I'd be careful about putting the drives in raid 0. If one dies, all your data's gone. Might want to buy a separate drive for your OS. However, if you've done this before, by all means, go ahead.
 
Ditch the 7200.10 drives and go with this much faster drive:
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $85

Also, even with overclocking in mind, don't bother with DDR2 1000 RAM for the Q6600. All you need is DDR2 800 RAM:

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

So any cheap set of CAS5 DDR2 800 RAM will be enough.
 
The Samsung 245T lcd is a good monitor with great image quality but, it suffers input lag like the Dell 2408WFP. Although these LCDs are TN panels, they are more ideal for gaming.

BenQ G2400WD
BenQ V2400W
Samsung 2493HM
Samsung 245BW


*Edit Forgot to mention Monitor = Currently still have a 19 Viewsonic CRT
but looking at the Samsung 245T 24" LCD. Is there problems using that monitor for gaming.
General feedback or alternatives greatly appreciated.
 
What is the planned use for this computer? Gaming? General Office Work?

I'd be careful about putting the drives in raid 0. If one dies, all your data's gone. Might want to buy a separate drive for your OS. However, if you've done this before, by all means, go ahead.

Gaming, Photo/Video Editing, Programming, Web design.
I've done a Raid 0 before, and lost data, but it's not like it can't be replaced. Besides the odds of it failing are slim. I always build the array, then test it out for a couple weeks before I move important data to the drives.

Ditch the 7200.10 drives and go with this much faster drive:
Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $85

Also, even with overclocking in mind, don't bother with DDR2 1000 RAM for the Q6600. All you need is DDR2 800 RAM:

Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

Q6600:
Multi x Actual FSB, Stated FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
9 x 266Mhz, 1066Mhz, DDR2 533 RAM = 2.4Ghz <== Stock Speeds
9 x 333Mhz, 1333Mhz, DDR2 667 RAM = 3.0Ghz <== Good OC
9 x 400Mhz, 1600Mhz, DDR2 800 RAM = 3.6Ghz <== Excellent OC, About the Max

So any cheap set of CAS5 DDR2 800 RAM will be enough.

I've looked at both drives, but I haven't found a nice comparison showing that it is faster, do you happen to have any links?
As for the ram, I just figured that at the DDR2 1000 I'd have the additional headroom. and the mushkins were on sale, and supposed to be very good ram. I've personally used Kingston, Corsair, and OCZ. Kingston were great just higher priced, same with the corsair, but I had problems with OCZ and one of my boards. That said I replaced the board and they work great now. Course they are DDR 1 sticks.

The Samsung 245T lcd is a good monitor with great image quality but, it suffers input lag like the Dell 2408WFP. Although these LCDs are TN panels, they are more ideal for gaming.

BenQ G2400WD
BenQ V2400W
Samsung 2493HM
Samsung 245BW

I'm more interested in Color reproduction, view angle and image quality, that you get from the PVA panels. Is the input lag terrible. I've been reading reviews but nothing specifically said the 245T had input lag. And how noticeable is it.
 
Any more suggestions?
* edit
Also I currently have a Scythe Katana 2 on my AMD S939, I know the bracket is here for the LGA775, but would it cool the CPU effectively or should I look for something better. I'd like to OC the chip to 3.0ghz
 
Man since you mentioned photo editing and video, take the chance on the Samsung 245T. There is talk on input lag as most S-PVA, PVA panels have input lag but, that 245T has very good image quality. Also, right off the box it's already good uncalibrated. Just hope you are not a hardcore gamer though. Hehe
 
That Scythe Katana 2 heatsink is not soo great. But, if you're looking at just 3ghz O/C you should be fine. However, if you push your cpu at full load quite often, I would suggest you look at a better cooler. It would not cool it as effectively as other coolers.

Any more suggestions?
* edit
Also I currently have a Scythe Katana 2 on my AMD S939, I know the bracket is here for the LGA775, but would it cool the CPU effectively or should I look for something better. I'd like to OC the chip to 3.0ghz
 
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