Scrutinize My Build.

[Menard666]

This PC will be used for pretty much everything. No online gaming, but LAN gaming for sure. I tried to keep longevity in mind. If you see something you would change, or something that will cause a conflict, please let me know. I'm moving to this from a P4 3.0ghz that I built about 3 years ago. I've noticed a lot has changed since then. I also would like to know, will this run most current games at max grapichs without issues?

Specs:

Motherboard: Abit IP-35 Pro

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Graphics: ATI Sapphire HD3870 512MB GDDR4 PCI-E

Harddrive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 32MB Cache

Memory: 4GB (4x1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 4-4-4-12

Case: Antec 900

Power Supply: Corsair HX 620w

Soundcard: Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer

DVD Drive: Samsung SH-S203N

Mouse: Logitech G5 Laser Mouse

Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse II Wired Keyboard

[staffsMike]

520W HX would be more than enough.

I like the ATi Cards.. I dare say the 8800GT is better though.

It would be nice if someone bought the ATi though so we could get a hexites view on them

I prefer Western Digital hard drives, especially the AAKS version but each to their own.

Otherwise it's very good

[Menard666]

I prefer ATI, and am giving them one more chance after my X1950 Pro AGP experience. If this card gives me balls like the last, then I will be an Nvidia convert.

I'm going with the higher wattage to support SLI or Crossfire in the future.

I have no allegiance to hard drive manufacturers, so if there is a reason to swap it for another brand, so be it.

Here's a question. I've never had SATA optical drives, and I see that the Samsung requires a sata power connector. Will I need to purchase this separately?

I have read on this forum and others, so the parts I chose have somewhat been researched. Not to the point that I know everything about them though.

Thanks for the input so far.

[staffsMike]

The HX comes with sata power cables, it's fine.

Given the low power consumption of the 3870.. the 520W would probably run crossfire cards but 620w will be more comfortable.

[Lucio]

So you decided to steal my build and try to get away with it by changing the graphics card huh??

If you're dead set on having the possibility of Crossfire, well, the X38 QuadGT might be a better board for about the same cash as the second card won't be limited to PCIe x4 and it's more likely to be a test platform for ATi's driver teams compared to the P35.

[Menard666]

Is it the same? Well I guess that means I'm on the right track. I read a little on the X38's and got the general idea that they were not worth it right now, not to mention the bios issues and stability problems some boards were having.

[Blitzen]

1. Power supply is a bit overkill. If you are intent on getting Corsair then use the 520W version.

2. Q6600.....if you are building now then its alright. If you are planning this in the next 3-4 weeks then go for the newer Quads. They will be quicker, cheaper and cooler.

Everything else looks good. I gotta say, although the ATI cards are a little slower than the nVidia's they do look great and perform amazingly for their price.
It is the only thing ATI (or AMD for that matter) have go right for 2 years imho.

[Mossy]

i would stick with the Ip35 over the X38, X38 will give little if any extra performance and the 35 is far more stable and reliable.

[Blitzen]

i would stick with the Ip35 over the X38, X38 will give little if any extra performance and the 35 is far more stable and reliable.

The IP35 seems stable enough but i just did a build using it and the board layout is awful.
I put it in an Antec 900 and it was very awkward.

As for the X38. I know its got big issues but, if getting it stable via the bios updates (if possible), its a really good board.
Dont think its worth £130 though as it stands.

[staffsMike]

The IP35 seems stable enough but i just did a build using it and the board layout is awful.
I put it in an Antec 900 and it was very awkward.

I think the IP-35 layout is next to perfect.

What do you find wrong with it?

[Blitzen]

I think the IP-35 layout is next to perfect.

What do you find wrong with it?

I put it in an Antec 900 and is was THE most fiddly build i have ever done.

Problems:
1. I put a Scythe Mine in. If i fitted it with mobo out, it ws incredibly difficult to get the last screw into the mobo. If i did it inside the case, it was near on impossible to fit the cooler and the 8pin connector was near on impossible. It was just too near the edge of the board.

2. The leads were JUST long enough to connector the USB/Firewire header. This could be seen as the case being too big but i fitted my mobo in a 900 and had zero problems with this.

3. The 24pin connector was too near the PCI-E slot and made fitting that awkward aswell.


If i didnt have the 900 myself i wouldve put it down to the case but i do and my AW9D-MAX fitted with no problems at all (and i have more in my case than the recent build).

Saying this, is there different revisions of the ANtec 900? Reason i ask this is because the fitting of the HDD's seemed easier on mine aswell. There was a definite problem with the lining up of holes.

This is weird as i have never had any problems with any builds before until this one.

(Maybe i am just getting old and crotchety)

[staffsMike]

When I put mine into the P182 it was a doddle other than that slightly difficult 8pin connector but that was the same with the asus board I used before.

fitting the ninja had to be done with the mobo out but I find thats the best way to do it regardless of the motherboard or case it's going into since it's a bit fiddly.

[Mossy]

The IP35 seems stable enough but i just did a build using it and the board layout is awful.
I put it in an Antec 900 and it was very awkward.

As for the X38. I know its got big issues but, if getting it stable via the bios updates (if possible), its a really good board.
Dont think its worth £130 though as it stands.

Ironically enough I have the Ip35Pro and an Antec 900 and I had no issues one of the reasons I went with Abit over Asus was becasue of the board layout which is better than the layout on the Asus equivelent regarding the SATA port positions.

[JIggggg]

Looks good, couldn't really suggest changing much if anything at all.