PC Rebuild

[barrybodgit]

Hi,

Not posted here much, but thought i'd give it a go!

I'm rebuilding my PC, so that i can have a low power consuming mATX system that can play games at decent framerates. I'm considering the following:

Selling my CM Elite 330 case for an Elite 340.
Selling 8800GT for an ATI HD4670 (Sapphire model)
Selling 520W Modular PSU for something less power consuming, considering a Silverstone 350W PSU?
Keeping 4GB of OCZ SLI Ready 800MHz Ram.
Keeping existing Intel E7200 (new anyway)
Running Windows Vista x64 Edition

However, I really don't know what motherboard to go with? I've been looking, and i would like one that supports the 4GB of Ram i have, my E7200 and preferably PCIe 2.0 although not essential, but that would mean spending about £75!

Any help would be much appreciated guys.

Cheers!

Ash

[Webby]

PSU wise as long as it is 80+ certified then the actual load it is drawing is not really an issue for example the Corsair HX series have efficiencies above 80% for all levels of load (at least in the UK using 240v) so in itself switching to a lower output PSU will not necessarily increase your power consumption.

Motherboard wise if you decide to not worry about PCIe2 then the G33 boards by either Asus or Gigabyte (my G33m-DS2R is a very good overclocker) will fit your bill. Also the Gigabyte GA-Q35m-s2 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=792507 will fit your bill costing ~£60

Ignore the Gigabyte G43 and G45 boards they only have PCIe 4x graphics interface (using a physical 16x slot)

If you want PCIe 2 then you need to get the DFI JR P45 board which will set you back £105 and even then if I remember correctly its only 8x per socket (which is equivalent bandwidth to 16x PCIe v1) but if you crossfire they both stay at 8x.

Personally I would be looking at the Asus/Gigabyte G33 or Gigabyte Q35 boards for about £60.

[McstylisT]

Nice components. The only thing i would consider looking at is the graphics. If going from a 8800GT whats not bad at all , look to go for a 4850 or a 4870 and you will get a very good improvement over the old nvidia card. Not sure the 4670 will give you a huge improvement thats all.

McT

[staffsMike]

Deffinatly keep the PSU, especially if it is a corsair 520W HX. It's efficency you need to worry about as Webby said.

In your situation I think the G33 works well. PCIe 2.0 isn't worth it, although if you are into heavy overclocking the DFI is certainly worth a look as it is most deffinatly awesome in that respect.

Why the graphics change. The HD4670 is worse afaik.

[barrybodgit]

Hmmm, thanks for the comments guys.

I think what i might do, is I have another PSU, a 460W Cooler Master PSU which came with the Elite 330. So i can use that, and i also think i'll stick with the 8800GT.

I reckon, that the Gigabyte motherboard linked to above would be more than adequate.

Thank you!

Deffinatly keep the PSU, especially if it is a corsair 520W HX. It's efficency you need to worry about as Webby said.

In your situation I think the G33 works well. PCIe 2.0 isn't worth it, although if you are into heavy overclocking the DFI is certainly worth a look as it is most deffinatly awesome in that respect.

Why the graphics change. The HD4670 is worse afaik.

Yeah, my PSU is a Cooler Master 520W modular, which i do like. So, i'm a little short knowledged on PSU's, does the 80% efficiency mean it will only use the power it requires for the components?

Yeah, i reckon i'll keep most components, just drop to mATX, because as well as anything, my desk is a little on the small side

[Webby]

Guessing the drop in graphics card is to reduce power consumption, and a 8800GT is better than a 4670 no doubt, the 3850 is better than it and the 8800GT was always a step above that.

EDIT: Posted as you did Barrybodgit,

So my thoughts on the Elite 340 its a case and its uATX and its cheap compared to some and probably is perfectly good. My personal preference would be for a Silverstone TJ08 but that will cost you £60 (often on Scan today only for £50) looks the business though and is nice and cool inside. It has to be said though that I am addicted to Silverstone cases have 3 . Linkage to TJ08 on scan

Oh and I say again its not power supply max wattage that is important it is efficiency, by moving from your 520W to the 480W your power consumption may go up it all depends on the efficiencies.

[staffsMike]

But again if the corsair (which I assume it is?) is more efficent.. then there really is not point.

Unless you have a particular problem with the case I wouldn't bother with that either.

[McstylisT]

Hmmm, thanks for the comments guys.

I think what i might do, is I have another PSU, a 460W Cooler Master PSU which came with the Elite 330. So i can use that, and i also think i'll stick with the 8800GT.

I reckon, that the Gigabyte motherboard linked to above would be more than adequate.

Thank you!


Yeah, my PSU is a Cooler Master 520W modular, which i do like. So, i'm a little short knowledged on PSU's, does the 80% efficiency mean it will only use the power it requires for the components?

Yeah, i reckon i'll keep most components, just drop to mATX, because as well as anything, my desk is a little on the small side

As staffsmike mentioned i would also keep the 520w PSU personally. Not that much difference between the two and you want the power for your components.

The 330. ?? A nice case its pretty small though. Check you would be able to fit your 8800GT in it with your hard drives as its a tight fit given the size of the 8800GT.

[barrybodgit]

As staffsmike mentioned i would also keep the 520w PSU personally. Not that much difference between the two and you want the power for your components.

The 340. ?? A nice case its pretty small though. Check you would be able to fit your 8800GT in it with your hard drives as its a tight fit given the size of the 8800GT.

I've already checked, and people have fitted 3870X2's into them, so that shouldn't be a problem .

Thanks again guys.

Also, i think i'll keep the psu, as it reduces cables, and in a mATX case should help a lot.

[staffsMike]

Well he already has the 330 so I doubt that's a problem. uATX towers tend to have masses of room from graphics cards as the HDD's are up out of the way.

[McstylisT]

I've already checked, and people have fitted 3870X2's into them, so that shouldn't be a problem .

Thanks again guys.

Also, i think i'll keep the psu, as it reduces cables, and in a mATX case should help a lot.

You've done your homework. Good stuff.

3870x2 's thats good going. I was not sure if this case had the side mounted HD area or standard slip in's. Guess it will be up to the task then.

McT

[McstylisT]

Well he already has the 330 so I doubt that's a problem. uATX towers tend to have masses of room from graphics cards as the HDD's are up out of the way.

I dont know why i overlooked that. Good point m8. With the HD's out of the way then he will have not problem. Thanks for clearing that up , I was not sure of the cases layout.

Thanks.

McT

[Webby]

*Webby runs off to find his obligatory picture of a TJ08 with a 3870 in*



And the 340 is slightly longer so I can't see anything being a problem.

[barrybodgit]

Thanks again guys!

[McstylisT]

Great pic Webby. There is ample room down that end of the case. You could probably fit any card in there.

Thanx for the pic.

McT

[barrybodgit]

Hey again,

I've been looking at this motherboard http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=848059

I'm going to be running with 4GB of OCZ SLI Ready 800MHz ram (2*2GB Modules).

Do you know/think the memory will work correctly, at full capacity and in dual channel with this board, or would i be better funding into the Q35 chipset mobo you linked earlier or even an ig43 ASUS board i've seen with PCIe 2.0 support for about £75?

Cheers.