System Specs Check Please :)

[xfactor]

Hi there

I'm planning on building a new pc and I would like to get your views on the components I'm going to use. I'm a casual gamer who only like to try out new games ~ but I hardly get addicted to games as I used to be in the past. Also, I will be running Windows XP. My current pc is a P4 HT 3.2GHz Prescott, Asus P4P800E Deluxe WiFi, 3GB Kingston DDR, 1x80GB IDE, 1x120GB IDE, 2x160GB SATA, 1x300GB IDE, Sapphire Radeon AGP 9600XT 256MB, CoolerMaster WaveMaster, Thermaltake XaserIII 560W and the usual Pioneer DVD-R/W DL...

The new pc I'm planning to put together should look like this:

M/B: ASUS P5K Deluxe WiFi or INTEL D975XBX2KR BAD AXE ~ really can't decide on which.
CPU: Intel E6600
COOLER: CoolerMaster Gemini II Heatsink
RAM: GEIL 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 ~ I don't think that Windows XP is going to use 4GB
GFX: ASUS GeForce 8600 GT 256MB GDDR3 (PCI-E) or ASUS GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 (PCI-E)
HDD: 2x74GB Raptor X 10K RPM, 2x500GB BARRACUDA SATA II 7200RPM
CASE: CoolerMaster Stacker 830
PSU: Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 PSU

I cannot give a budget. As a rule of thumb I don't what to spend a lot, but I will definitely look for quality components. Moreover, I'm not in the UK so I'll be getting my components in Asia.

The thing is that I would really like to see a big improvement on my current box, which will more probably run Linux (Debian or Ubuntu).

Your views and recommendations are much appreciated

Cheers

[Clunk]

Hi there

I'm planning on building a new pc and I would like to get your views on the components I'm going to use. I'm a casual gamer who only like to try out new games ~ but I hardly get addicted to games as I used to be in the past. Also, I will be running Windows XP. My current pc is a P4 HT 3.2GHz Prescott, Asus P4P800E Deluxe WiFi, 3GB Kingston DDR, 1x80GB IDE, 1x120GB IDE, 2x160GB SATA, 1x300GB IDE, Sapphire Radeon AGP 9600XT 256MB, CoolerMaster WaveMaster, Thermaltake XaserIII 560W and the usual Pioneer DVD-R/W DL...

The new pc I'm planning to put together should look like this:

M/B: ASUS P5K Deluxe WiFi or INTEL D975XBX2KR BAD AXE ~ really can't decide on which. If you are going to be overclocking, get the P5K.
CPU: Intel E6600 Great.
COOLER: CoolerMaster Gemini II Heatsink. Not sure if this will fit on the P5K or not.
RAM: GEIL 2GB DDR2 PC2-6400 ~ I don't think that Windows XP is going to use 4GB. OK.
GFX: ASUS GeForce 8600 GT 256MB GDDR3 (PCI-E) or ASUS GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 (PCI-E) Fine
HDD: 2x74GB Raptor X 10K RPM, 2x500GB BARRACUDA SATA II 7200RPM. If you value a quiet system, you might want to drop the raptors, but f speed is your only concern, then they are excellent.
CASE: CoolerMaster Stacker 830 Fine
PSU: Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 PSU Excellent.

I cannot give a budget. As a rule of thumb I don't what to spend a lot, but I will definitely look for quality components. Moreover, I'm not in the UK so I'll be getting my components in Asia.

The thing is that I would really like to see a big improvement on my current box, which will more probably run Linux (Debian or Ubuntu).

Your views and recommendations are much appreciated

Cheers

[xfactor]

Thanks for your comments Clunk

Could you recommend a good cooler instead of the Gemini? I already got a Raptor X which is not being used. My plan was to purchase another one and create a RAID1 with both Raptors for my OS. I might get the ASUS P5K Deluxe since all the ASUS boards I've used were pretty good

Cheers

[Clunk]

Will you be overclocking then? If not, and you arent bothered about complete silence, the stock cooler will do fine, otherwise, have a look at offerings from Thermalright, Scythe, etc.

[xfactor]

Well, I don't plan to overclock the E6600 very much. I'm going to check for a quiet cooler which will allow this little bit of overclocking Thanks for the help.

So, if I'm not going to overclock you would recommend to Intel Bad Axe II instread of the P5K Deluxe?

[roorooroo]

All looks good to me xfactor.

[Clunk]

P5K would be more futureproof as it has the newer P35 chipset.

[staffsMike]

get a skythe ninja, quiet if not silent and runs an e6600 stock around 20 degrees

[Clunk]

get a skythe ninja, quiet if not silent and runs an e6600 stock around 20 degrees

20c? Is that in an igloo?

I think the bloke is living somewhere hot

[xfactor]

Yes I do live a place where the temp is quite... errr... hot. It's the beginning of winter and temp is still 26C lol

[Thorsson]

Get the 8800 if you play games. Get the 8600 if you don't, but watch DVDs on your PC.

[xfactor]

How would you rate the combination? Good? Very good? ... ?

If not, what should I look for to make it good or awesome

[Clunk]

The only thing that I would change, would be the brand of RAM, a lot of people like it, but I know of quite a lot of people, who have had one stick DOA, or dead within hours.

Everything looks spot on, once you get a cooler sorted, youll have a top notch system.

[xfactor]

Thanks Clunk. I was thinking of getting Corsair's ... I might just do that. Unless you could point me to the right brand

What kind of DDR2 would be the best option for the setup?

Cheers

[Thorsson]

Everyone says Ballistix are the badger's nadgers.

[Clunk]

Everyone says Ballistix are the badger's nadgers.

^^ What he said

They are currently my favourite RAM.