New mid range system

[rapid]

Hi guys. I've been busy compiling a list of components this past week for a new system, so this is another of those 'new build' type threads. Its been a couple of years since I last assembled a pc and I'm a bit rusty on pretty much everything, so I was hoping a more up-to-date forum member or two could peruse this list for me.

A few points of note:

1. My budget is around £450 so I'm looking for a mid range system, its primary use will be web browsing, gaming at a max of 1280×1024, and word doc type work.
2. The requirements are a case and all the internal components, but I can exclude the monitor, KB/M, speakers and OS.
3. The system will be running XP (student version), so a dx10 graphics card isn't necessary at the moment.
4. The cpu can use the retail HSF and will probably be running at stock speed.

Components list, the prices are from ebuyer:

• Antec Sonata III Piano Black, 500W PSU : £74.01
• Intel E4400 Retail : £86.79
• Asus P5N-E SLi nForce 650 : £69.94
• Crucial 2GB (1GBx2) PC2-5300 DDR2-667 CL=5 : £44.43
• Sapphire X1950 XT 256MB : £114.96
• Seagate 160GB 7200.10 SATA II : £35.28
• NEC Optiarc 18x DVD RW SATA : £19.50
• Antec TriCool 120mm Case Fan : £7.21
  Total : £452.12

My questions are:

1. Do these components look alright, does anyone have any further comments they might like to add?
2. Would the PSU with the case be able to provide enough juice?

Thanks all!
rapid

[Queelis]

Someone in these forums had a P5N and was very disappointed. I suggest you switch to Asus P5B/P5K or Gigabyte's P35-DS3/DS3R/DS4. And with that DDR2-667 RAM you'll even be able to reach 3.3GHz if you ever want

And the PSU will be plenty for sure.

[rapid]

Hi there, I've been pondering over the motherboard, my current mobo is an older nforce so I thought I'd start off my list on familiar ground.
Ive noticed for mid range systems the Intel P965 chipset seems to be more popular than the nforce 650. Both are in the same price bracket and from what I've read the P965 offers a greater peformance advantage over the 650, but the nforce offers a greater feature set? Is that correct, or maybe I'm missing something, it seems a close decision.


thanks!

[Jud666]

Is it just the asus model people are worried about? cant he just get the bfg/xfx version O.O?

[Queelis]

No, the nForce chipsets are regarded as worse than Intel's P965/P35 at both stability and overclocking.

rapid, I suppose you will find the kind of mobo with an Intel chipset that will have all the features you need, there are plenty of different models to choose from. Besides, what's good of features if the thing's not stable?

[NightshadowUK]

I second what Queelis said, go with something like this:

- Asus P5B-E ~ £79.63

If you're after 3.3GHz it's worth buying a better cooler too:

- Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro

As for case fans, I can't recommend these enough:

- 120mm Sharkoon 1000 ~ £6.90

[Max Tractor]

Personally, I would have probably taken a punt on some form of gigabyte d3, but I required 4xIDE, between the asus P5N-E sli or the MSI P6N SLI-FI, I went for the msi, 4300@3.2, 3xoptical/4xsata HD, 88gts/6200(3 monitors), audigy zs,2x1024 ocz I am very impressed with the board, it also supports quad



edit

I replaced the NB with a Thermalright HR-05-SLI/akasa amber 80mm, and just some AS5 on the SB

[rapid]

Thanks for your feedback guys, much appreciated

I've been going through various P965 reviews and I'm now leaning toward the Asus P5B-E as suggested. But I do have one question: Does anyone know the main differences between the P5B-E and the P5B? I couldnt really find much that compared the two boards.

I had a bit of a search around for case fans and the sharkoon looks like a good (and cheaper) choice than the antec, so I'll swap that in too.

So, this is my current list, hows it looking?

• Antec Sonata III Piano Black, 500W PSU : £74.01
• Intel E4400 Retail : £86.79
• Asus P5B-E : £79.63
• Crucial 2GB (1GBx2) PC2-5300 DDR2-667 CL=5 : £44.43
• Sapphire X1950 XT 256MB : £114.96
• Seagate 160GB 7200.10 SATA II : £35.28
• NEC Optiarc 18x DVD RW SATA : £19.50
• 120mm Sharkoon 1000 : £6.90
  Total : £462

thanks,
rapid

[NightshadowUK]

Does anyone know the main differences between the P5B-E and the P5B?

The P5B-E was the follow up to the P5B, it's basically a better overclocker.

If you really need to save the £15 the P5B should be okay as Asus have recently improved the BIOS, but if I were you I'd consider it £15 well spent and play it safe with the P5B-E.

[Queelis]

They are really similar.
The P5B and P5B-E have yellow PCB, and then there's the P5B-E Plus, which has a black PCB.

They have different LAN controllers, don't know whether ones are better than others, P5B has 4 SATA ports, P5B-E and E Plus have 6.

The P5B-E and Plus have a IEEE1394a port on the back, the P5B doesn't.

The P5B-E Plus doesn't have a parallel port, but god knows who uses those anymore; it has 3 chassis fan connectors, whereas P5B and P5B-E have 2; it also has two 4-pin EATX 12V power connectors, don't know what they are used for (I use a laptop).

Everything's in the product compare

[frazered]

I had a bit of a search around for case fans and the sharkoon looks like a good (and cheaper) choice than the antec, so I'll swap that in too.

you do know the sonata comes with a case fan tricool as standard ? is the extra fan for mounting on the intenal hdd cage as an intake?

[rapid]

Yeah apparently the case has an empty spot internally for an extra 120mm fan, dont really know how necessary it is but I may aswell make the most of whats available. I'll probably still go with the P5B-E given the info on the other mobo's in the series so thanks for that guys

So, I suppose the list in post #8 is now my final list. Does it still look ok to everyone? If so then its time to start ordering!

[NightshadowUK]

Looks awesome to me although don't forget, if you start overclocking buy an aftermarket cooler.

[rapid]

yep I'll make sure I remember, thanks for the help

[Pob255]

If you need to shave a few quid off to add on a better hs&f, how about a Abit AB9 i965 for £69.90

it seems to be the same as the Abit AB9 Pro i965 but lacking a couple of minor features, namely 1 lan instead of 2, 6 sata intead of 9 and no external sata
The Hexus review though the Pro version was very good just a little pricey.

What do poeple think of that? or should I just take my coat and go now?

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/c...ec-sonata-iii/ review of case Antec Sonata III
http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/p...rthwatts-500w/ review of Antec 500 earthwatts

[rapid]

Actually I've already ordered now, the delivery was supposed to come today but didnt! Thanks for the review links though