Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 20

Thread: Proposed Spec. - Critics Welcome!

  1. #1
    Network|Geek kidzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    1,732
    Thanks
    91
    Thanked
    47 times in 42 posts
    • kidzer's system
      • Motherboard:
      • $motherboard
      • CPU:
      • Intel Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 4GB
      • Storage:
      • 1TiB Samsung
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG 8800GTS OC
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower
      • Case:
      • Antec P160
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 20" Viewsonic
      • Internet:
      • ~3Mbps ADSL (TalkTalk Business)

    Proposed Spec. - Critics Welcome!

    Right, for the first time in about 4/5 years...it's new PC time!

    The budget is ~£1000, but subtract £317.23 for the following;

    Vista HP OEM; Samsung SM206BW; Saitek Eclipse II
    & Logitech MX Revolution (open to suggestions for cheaper mice, it's just that one is brilliant apparently.

    So we're left with £682.77 for the PC itself, and here's what I've come up with;

    Case: Antec P160 £70.49 - non-negotiable, I've wanted this case for years!
    Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R £83.43
    CPU: Core2 Duo E6750 £129.24
    CPU Cooler: Scythe Infinity £28.54 (should fit in the P160, I shall double check)
    RAM: 2GiB CorsairTwinX PC6400 £67.73
    GFx: BFG 8800GTS 320MiB £186.68 (or anyy 320Mib GTS I guess, they're all the same pretty much, right?)
    HD: Western Digital WD1600YS 160GiB £39.47 (I don't need much room, all my documents are on an external drive/any better drives around for the same sorta price?)
    DVD-RW: LiteOn SH-16A7S-01C £19.14 (SATA device, easier cabling! )
    PSU: Corsair HX520 £64.50
    (apologies if the links are wrong, but vBCode is hard to look at in a wee box!).

    All that comes to £689.22 + the £317.23 gives me £1,006.45 which is acceptable to me

    I'm not looking for stupidly high overclocking potential, but a solid machine that will last a few years with just minor upgrades (another 2GiB of RAM etc).

    I will perhaps do a bit of overclocking, but I dont know how good that motherboard is for it, so we'll see

    Reccomendations for fans are also welcome (2x120mm), preferably from Scan ofcourse - company loyalty and all that

    Any other suggestions also welcomed, fire away!
    Last edited by kidzer; 21-07-2007 at 08:28 PM.
    "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much room!"
    - me, 2005

  2. #2
    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Between Your Mum & Sister
    Posts
    6,310
    Thanks
    539
    Thanked
    382 times in 300 posts
    • Blitzen's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ABIT iX38 QuadGT
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz : 30 Degrees Idle - 41-46 Degrees Load
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 1GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoints - RAID 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 285
      • PSU:
      • Enermax MODU 82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • Antec Nine Hundred
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic Q22wb 22" Widescreen - 5ms
      • Internet:
      • O2 premium @ 17mb
    All looks good.
    Those Saitek keyboards arent that amazing though.

    Cooling:
    I just picked up the Scythe Mine and the performance is incredible (34-36 load). I went for it as its quite alot lighter than the Inifinty and wont stress the mobo as much.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    10
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    I'd go for the cheaper Arctic Freezer Pro 7 - less money, same effect, rather than the Scythe (and easier to fit); all GFx cards aren't quite the same - the BFG OC versions are better IMHO; again, IMHO, you'd be better off with the cheaper 250 Gb Samsung SP2504C for &#163;37.87 (Scan) - I don't trust the WD drives (Google for disappearing Caviar drives). The optical drive - there's a newer 20x version - the LH-20A1S-15C (which I purchased <g>).
    Cheers, Snapper

  4. #4
    DR
    DR is offline
    on ye old ship HEXUS DR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    HEXUS HQ, Elstree
    Posts
    13,412
    Thanks
    1,060
    Thanked
    841 times in 373 posts
    Go for a Quad - only 50 quid more apps are getting more and more threaded...

  5. #5
    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Between Your Mum & Sister
    Posts
    6,310
    Thanks
    539
    Thanked
    382 times in 300 posts
    • Blitzen's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ABIT iX38 QuadGT
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz : 30 Degrees Idle - 41-46 Degrees Load
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 1GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoints - RAID 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 285
      • PSU:
      • Enermax MODU 82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • Antec Nine Hundred
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic Q22wb 22" Widescreen - 5ms
      • Internet:
      • O2 premium @ 17mb
    the BFG OC versions are better IMHO
    The EVGA Superclocked 320mb 8800GTS can be had for around £180.
    In all the benchmarks its shown to be THE fastest in the category.
    I'd go for the cheaper Arctic Freezer Pro 7 - less money, same effect, rather than the Scythe (and easier to fit);
    - Scythe Mine will slap the Arctic Freezer Pro...thats why i bought it and replaced my Arctic Freezer. So it DEFINITELY WONT have the same effect.
    - Scythe Mine is the SAME fittings as the Artic Freezer Pro's so its as easy to fit.

    Your advice is strange as you are trying to tempt someone away from items you obviously know nothing about.
    Last edited by Blitzen; 21-07-2007 at 11:23 PM.

  6. #6
    Gentoo Ricer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Galway
    Posts
    11,048
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    944 times in 704 posts
    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Strix Z370-G
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    The EVGA Superclocked 320mb 8800GTS can be had for around £180.
    In all the benchmarks its shown to be THE fastest in the category.
    They're both identical cards with identical prices, I got a free t-shirt with my BFG though
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  7. #7
    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Between Your Mum & Sister
    Posts
    6,310
    Thanks
    539
    Thanked
    382 times in 300 posts
    • Blitzen's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ABIT iX38 QuadGT
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz : 30 Degrees Idle - 41-46 Degrees Load
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 1GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoints - RAID 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 285
      • PSU:
      • Enermax MODU 82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • Antec Nine Hundred
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic Q22wb 22" Widescreen - 5ms
      • Internet:
      • O2 premium @ 17mb
    Quote Originally Posted by aidanjt View Post
    They're both identical cards with identical prices, I got a free t-shirt with my BFG though

    The benches are old

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    748
    Thanks
    14
    Thanked
    25 times in 25 posts
    • DratUK's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P877-V Pro
      • CPU:
      • I5 3570K with Antec Kuhler 920
      • Memory:
      • 8Gb Corsair Vengance
      • Storage:
      • 120Gb OCZ Vertex 2 Sandforce, 1TB WD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Palit Jetstream 670
      • PSU:
      • Enermax 720
      • Case:
      • Lian Li A10B
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 24" 1900x1200
      • Internet:
      • VM 100
    If your keeping that 17 inch AOC it wont matter which GTS you get. BFG offers lifetime warranty and the TShirt, I got mine, EVGA step up prog within 90 days you can change to a higher spec card and just pay the diff.

    Mouse expensive for what u get and TBH probably not worth the money.

    I would look at the Logitech G5 or the Razer Death Adder both available from Scan at around &#163;39.00 from Scan.

    I would agree with Blitzen the Mine with the right airflow is a very good cooler, better than the Pro if you want a mid to higher range overclock. This is where the quad comes in, I would go for that as already suggested by DR. It does produce more heat therefore the Mine makes more sense. To take advantage of the games/apps forecast to use multi core cpu then quad makes sense.

    I would also look at the Abit P35 series as an option, if only for the support available. This isnt just if things go wrong, if you want to learn about the mobo and get the best out of it, Hexus Abit and the USA Abit forums are full of enthusiasts willing to lend a helping hand.

    Good Luck.
    Last edited by DratUK; 22-07-2007 at 12:13 AM.
    Space in my skull

  9. #9
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Neverneverland
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked
    93 times in 92 posts
    • Thorsson's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 2x8Gb Corsair Vengeance PC1866
      • Storage:
      • 256M4 SSD; 2Tb 7200RPM Barracuda; 2Tb Linkstation
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX970 SC
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX650
      • Case:
      • Antec 300
      • Operating System:
      • Win10 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2515H
      • Internet:
      • Fibre Optic 30Mb
    For DVD Samsung SH-S203 is on Today Only until Monday lunchtime and is very good.

    The Abit P35 is OK if you don't use the network capability, where it is 20-30&#37; slower than the other P35 boards.

    HSF: not the Arctic Freezer. Hard choice between the best Scythe. The Ninja+ rev B is good too. There are better but they cost a fair bit more.

  10. #10
    Network|Geek kidzer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Aberdeenshire
    Posts
    1,732
    Thanks
    91
    Thanked
    47 times in 42 posts
    • kidzer's system
      • Motherboard:
      • $motherboard
      • CPU:
      • Intel Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 4GB
      • Storage:
      • 1TiB Samsung
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG 8800GTS OC
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower
      • Case:
      • Antec P160
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 20" Viewsonic
      • Internet:
      • ~3Mbps ADSL (TalkTalk Business)
    A Q6600 was tempting, until I saw the price on the E6750 - which seems a better deal to me, having said that if Crysis/[insert upcoming game here]/BioShock etc are multithreaded, will a Quad-Core lead to a perceptible performance gain over a dual-core CPU?

    Abit IP-35E, decent enough board - or would the IP-35 be a better bet?

    I've updated my spreadsheet here with your suggestions, feel free to suggest more changes - bear in mind whatever I go for it will be a stupidly fast machine for me, given my current spec

    Cheers
    "If you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much room!"
    - me, 2005

  11. #11
    Resident abit mourner BUFF's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Sunny Glasgow
    Posts
    8,067
    Thanks
    7
    Thanked
    181 times in 171 posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Thorsson View Post
    The Abit P35 is OK if you don't use the network capability, where it is 20-30% slower than the other P35 boards..
    but still faster than any domestic BB or a single HDD (probably 2 or 3 RAIDEd too) can provide ...

    Anyway, assuming that the OP wants to stick with gigabyte i would spend the extra 3 pounds on the DS3P
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=598575

    or buy it from the Today Only! page over the weekend for less.

    MSI P55-GD80, i5 750
    abit A-S78H, Phenom 9750,

    My HEXUS.trust abit forums

  12. #12
    Senior Member Colossous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    The mountains of Wales
    Posts
    679
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked
    13 times in 12 posts
    • Colossous's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Ud4 Z68
      • CPU:
      • 2500k
      • Memory:
      • 2x4gb Corsair Vengence Black 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • Corsair 90gb sata3 ssd + Western Dig black sata 3 1tb Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte Soc Gtx570
      • PSU:
      • Nzxt Hale 850 watt
      • Case:
      • Custom Lian Li V1000
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 27"
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    All looks good.
    Those Saitek keyboards arent that amazing though.

    Cooling:
    I just picked up the Scythe Mine and the performance is incredible (34-36 load). I went for it as its quite alot lighter than the Inifinty and wont stress the mobo as much.
    I've been thinking of getting one of these Blitzen, is it really big ? I have two 8800GTS cards which i want to put Thermalright HR03's on and am starting to wonder if it will all fit in my Coolermaster wavemaster !!

    It might be worth considering the quad Kidzer if your going to be keeping the pc for a few years ?
    Hark the children of the Resolution !!

    http://trust.hexus.net/user_profile.php?user=7798

  13. #13
    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Between Your Mum & Sister
    Posts
    6,310
    Thanks
    539
    Thanked
    382 times in 300 posts
    • Blitzen's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ABIT iX38 QuadGT
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz : 30 Degrees Idle - 41-46 Degrees Load
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 1GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoints - RAID 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 285
      • PSU:
      • Enermax MODU 82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • Antec Nine Hundred
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic Q22wb 22" Widescreen - 5ms
      • Internet:
      • O2 premium @ 17mb
    Quote Originally Posted by Colossous View Post
    I've been thinking of getting one of these Blitzen, is it really big ? I have two 8800GTS cards which i want to put Thermalright HR03's on and am starting to wonder if it will all fit in my Coolermaster wavemaster !!

    It might be worth considering the quad Kidzer if your going to be keeping the pc for a few years ?
    It fits OK in my case.
    Its very tall so make sure you have the room.
    Take a look:



    I gotta say though.....the cooling vs performance vs noise is incredible for &#163;28. The best part is, no motherboard removal required

    (And YES...I know my cable management is shocking......thing is...i CBA to sort it out yet
    Last edited by Blitzen; 22-07-2007 at 12:03 PM.

  14. Received thanks from:

    Colossous (22-07-2007)

  15. #14
    Senior Member Colossous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    The mountains of Wales
    Posts
    679
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked
    13 times in 12 posts
    • Colossous's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Ud4 Z68
      • CPU:
      • 2500k
      • Memory:
      • 2x4gb Corsair Vengence Black 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • Corsair 90gb sata3 ssd + Western Dig black sata 3 1tb Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte Soc Gtx570
      • PSU:
      • Nzxt Hale 850 watt
      • Case:
      • Custom Lian Li V1000
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 27"
    Quote Originally Posted by Blitzen View Post
    It fits OK in my case.
    Its very tall so make sure you have the room.

    I gotta say though.....the cooling vs performance vs noise is incredible for £28. The best part is, no motherboard removal required
    I think it will be fine height wise, the waves not narrow. I'm more worried about the height of the HR03, its going onto a 680i mobo where the top and bottom PCI-E slots are the 16x so the bottom HR)3 will have to be above the card meaning the top one will have to be also and that will put it into HSF territory !!?
    Hark the children of the Resolution !!

    http://trust.hexus.net/user_profile.php?user=7798

  16. #15
    Lover & Fighter Blitzen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Between Your Mum & Sister
    Posts
    6,310
    Thanks
    539
    Thanked
    382 times in 300 posts
    • Blitzen's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ABIT iX38 QuadGT
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Q6600 @ 3.6Ghz : 30 Degrees Idle - 41-46 Degrees Load
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 1GB OCZ Platinum PC6400 @ 4-4-4-12
      • Storage:
      • 2 x 500GB Samsung Spinpoints - RAID 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 285
      • PSU:
      • Enermax MODU 82+ 625W
      • Case:
      • Antec Nine Hundred
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Viewsonic Q22wb 22" Widescreen - 5ms
      • Internet:
      • O2 premium @ 17mb
    I have just uploaded a pic of it in the case.
    As far as i know, this fan only has a problem with an El Cheapo ASUS and a few ASROCK mobos.

  17. #16
    Senior Member Colossous's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    The mountains of Wales
    Posts
    679
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked
    13 times in 12 posts
    • Colossous's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Ud4 Z68
      • CPU:
      • 2500k
      • Memory:
      • 2x4gb Corsair Vengence Black 1600mhz
      • Storage:
      • Corsair 90gb sata3 ssd + Western Dig black sata 3 1tb Storage
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte Soc Gtx570
      • PSU:
      • Nzxt Hale 850 watt
      • Case:
      • Custom Lian Li V1000
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 27"
    Cool dude, thanks for that !
    Hark the children of the Resolution !!

    http://trust.hexus.net/user_profile.php?user=7798

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Proposed buget upgrade spec, any thoughts?
    By user1453 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-05-2007, 11:53 PM
  2. Spec Check....
    By steveh2001 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 26-11-2006, 09:43 PM
  3. Director literally knocks out his critics
    By Bazzlad in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 27-09-2006, 07:46 PM
  4. PC Spec Comments
    By DaKid in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 20-03-2006, 02:31 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •