New Build Questions

[Guppy]

Hi all,
i will be looking to build a new PC next month and was looking at a Asus Maximus Formula SE iX38 motherboard, what are peoples opinions on this board? Is the there something that would be better? cheaper would be nice don't really want to spend more than 150 quid on a motherboard.

Next the ram. The asus maximus takes ram speeds upto 1066 which i found here: Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 XMS2 Dominator Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5(5-5-5-15) E.P.P. & DHX Technology Heat Sink Lifetime Warranty - Ebuyer
My question is, is it worth buying that ram over something like OCZ platinum 800MHz? Does the speed make that much difference?

My last question was opinions on the PSU i was looking at: Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
It has all the cables im looking for and im not bothered if it doesnt have a modular design, but is it a reliable psu?

Thanks,
Guppy.

[staffsMike]

Hi all,
i will be looking to build a new PC next month and was looking at a Asus Maximus Formula SE iX38 motherboard, what are peoples opinions on this board? Is the there something that would be better? cheaper would be nice don't really want to spend more than 150 quid on a motherboard.

Asus X38's have problems apparently. I'd stick with P35. Abit Ip-35pro or even a dark raider at £60 will do a really good job

Next the ram. The asus maximus takes ram speeds upto 1066 which i found here: Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 XMS2 Dominator Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5(5-5-5-15) E.P.P. & DHX Technology Heat Sink Lifetime Warranty - Ebuyer
My question is, is it worth buying that ram over something like OCZ platinum 800MHz? Does the speed make that much difference?

Depends whether you are overclocking a 1333MHz FSB chip. If you get a Q6600 just get PC6400

My last question was opinions on the PSU i was looking at: Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
It has all the cables im looking for and im not bothered if it doesnt have a modular design, but is it a reliable psu?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, hiper suck!!

Get a corsair or enermax

Thanks,
Guppy.

My thoughts in bold.

[DontDoIt]

The speed of memory can make a difference, but what i have noticed from system building it is amount of memory makes more difference but i suppose it all depends what what it would be doing!!

PSU i was going to go for a hiper, but a mate changed my mind, i went for a corsair and i love it, it does the job fine with no problems!!

[Guppy]

Cheers Guys,

I think this asus would do the job?
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

I will be getting a Q6600 (with a sycthe mine cooler), i was planning on trying overclocking for the first time once i built this system. Would it help if i got faster ram?

I thought i was being abit cheap on the PSU . Which do you guys prefer, i dont know if it makes a difference but ill be it in a antec p182 case so i assume there wont be a size issue?:
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
OR
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[DontDoIt]

Woah! Good choice on Mobo as long as you dont ever plan on SLI...But yeah that is my mobo, i love all the features its awesome!! And i have the Q6600 with the scythe miné cooler!!

That 620w corsair should handle anything you want to put through it!!

What case you planning?

[staffsMike]

PC6400 is enough to take a q6600 to 3.6GHz before its even overclocked itself.

I'd go with the corsair in antec P182 but the 520w is more than enough. If you do get an enermax go for the new modu82+ range but the corsair is the way to go imo.

The asus board is ok, but doesn't seem to do anything special compared to the abit IP-35 dark raider and costs more than the far better IP-35pro.

[Guppy]

Looking to get a Antec P182. my mate has the p180 and i love it.

nah im not planning to sli. i wil be getting a 8800gts and that will sort me out until i remortgage my house for a gx2!

lol my next question was acutally going to be will the scythe mine fit on the motherboard as it looked abit crowded around the cpu slot

[staffsMike]

fits on the abit

Certainly wont need more than the 520w for the GTS and it would almost certainly handle the GX2 as well.

[Guppy]

lol i know the guys on the hexus forums are big proponents of the abit, and i suppose for good reason. ill take a closer look at it.

thanks for the psu advice, i didnt think 520w would handle it, i was just thinking you cant go wrong with more power.

it would seem that after talking to you guys the price of my build has just shot down

[Guppy]

Just so you lot can reduce the price of (ie scrutanise) the rest of my soon to be system here it is:

Antec P182 Case
Optiarc DVD burner
Zalman Thermal grease
Western Digital WD5000AAKS
512MB asus 8800gts
Arctic Silver articlean
Intel Q6600
Scythe Mine
Microsoft Natural keyboard
Vista Home Preiumum 32bit
Abit IP-35pro OR Asus P5K Premium
Corsair HX Series 520W PSU
OCZ 2GB platinum 800mhz
Philips media center remote


And the three components i already have:

razer diamondback
Logitech Z4 Speakers
Dell 2208wfp Monitor (coming this week!! )

[Pob255]

For a good basic wired keyboard: Logitech Deluxe 250
One of the nicest keyboards I've used, not frills or fancy extra buttons but very nice keys
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Arctic Silver articlean, try going to your local chemist and asking for some isopropanol instead

Vista 64bit & 4gb of memory or 2gb and install XP (if you have a copy you can use)

Apart from that it looks good

[Blitzen]

I'd go with the corsair in antec P182 but the 520w is more than enough. If you do get an enermax go for the new modu82+ range but the corsair is the way to go imo.

I read this comment 10 times a day and no-one ever explains why.
Yes its a decent PSU. Yes i know the power delivered is decent aswell. I just cant get my head around why people think its the best. Its just not.
(Please dont give me the 5 year warranty bit, its pointless. No-one that is serious about PC's keeps a unit that long).

The only thing i can think of where it may be better than most of the competition is the price. For what you get (and imho it does show to a certain extent), is that its cheaper than most of the rivals.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

What about this mobo for abit of future proof ie pci e 2.0 Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[staffsMike]

I read this comment 10 times a day and no-one ever explains why.
Yes its a decent PSU. Yes i know the power delivered is decent aswell. I just cant get my head around why people think its the best. Its just not.
(Please dont give me the 5 year warranty bit, its pointless. No-one that is serious about PC's keeps a unit that long).

The only thing i can think of where it may be better than most of the competition is the price. For what you get (and imho it does show to a certain extent), is that its cheaper than most of the rivals.

I recommend them because I'm very happy with them.

It's quiet to the point of silent
It's reliable and seemingly built like a brick ****house inside
Modular, making cabling simple (even if you dont like the cables, but I do)
A fair price

Finally there is a lot of buyers confidence since so many other people have bought them and aren't having problems. I don't hear about problems with them anyway.

[Guppy]

I read this comment 10 times a day and no-one ever explains why.
Yes its a decent PSU. Yes i know the power delivered is decent aswell. I just cant get my head around why people think its the best. Its just not.
(Please dont give me the 5 year warranty bit, its pointless. No-one that is serious about PC's keeps a unit that long).

The only thing i can think of where it may be better than most of the competition is the price. For what you get (and imho it does show to a certain extent), is that its cheaper than most of the rivals.

Fair enough but what PSU's would you reccommend over it blitzen?

[Guppy]

For a good basic wired keyboard: Logitech Deluxe 250
One of the nicest keyboards I've used, not frills or fancy extra buttons but very nice keys
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Arctic Silver articlean, try going to your local chemist and asking for some isopropanol instead

Vista 64bit & 4gb of memory or 2gb and install XP (if you have a copy you can use)

Apart from that it looks good

Seems like the most bogstandard keyboard ever which is good but im a big fan of the natural keyboards.

I was going to go for some isopropanol but its about 4 quid in the chemist and the arcticlean is only like 3quid from ebuyer so i thought f***-it

I was thinking of 64bit vista do many people have problems with compatability and drivers? and can you still play older games on it?

What about this mobo for abit of future proof ie pci e 2.0 Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Whats the benefit of pci-e 2.0? what cards use that now?