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Thread: First PC build, opinions?

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    First PC build, opinions?

    Hello

    I've already made a few posts about a few of the following components, but pretty much finalised. Was actually hoping to buy & build in Nov 08, but due to the 'credit crunch' Scan prices have been going up a bit, instead of down even with the approaching release of i7. It's my first time building, but knowledge of EMI/rails for PSU & gfx card is confusing, just posting for people's opinions/feedback if the components are sufficient for building & stability/maintanence.

    Thanks in advance


  2. #2
    Hexus.trombonist
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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    The P5Q Premium is completely OTT, and I'd go for a cheaper Corsair PSU. You might also want to stick with 800MHz RAM.
    Looks good apart from that.

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  4. #3
    Folding Flunkie Webby's Avatar
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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Hmm personally I wouldn't go for that motherboard either the

    DFI DK P45 plus or the P5Q Pro would be much better value for money and will offer everything that you could possibly need.

    Memory don't bother with the fan and dominator stuff go with the £76 XMS2 instead that is if your overclocking if your not then drop down to 800MHz and save yourself even more.

    The Corsair HX620W will be a decent PSU with a 5 year warranty back to Scan for the whole time, save yourself some money here as well.

    Finally CPU cooler, get a decent one! Scythe Mine, Scythe Ninja 2, Thermalright Ultima 90 (+fan) or Xigmatek 1283 will all cool better and be quieter, since I have saved you ~£100 already you can afford to spend a little more on the cooler

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    Folding Flunkie Webby's Avatar
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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    I would build something like this, saving you a total of ~£80



    I kept the case the same but unless you are planning on getting a load more hardrives/optical drives/fan controllers I would probably go for something smaller like the Coolermaster CM690, good and quite a bit cheaper at £65

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    I'd basically agree with Webby (stop reading my mind and posting first!)

    The BeQuiet PSU's are highly rated, but a little too pricey for my tastes, I'd agree with the Corsair HX620W instead

    Also on the motherboard, go for the cheaper P5Q Pro model (better layout for slightly less than the basic P5Q) the differnce is mainly 1 network point no rear pannel e-sata or Optical SPDIF, 1 fan header (only 5 on the Pro) and 1 pair USB header (only 2 on the Pro)
    Unless you really need 1 of thoes things which is generally very unlikely, should you go for the Preimum (that's a saveing of nearly £80, so if you really did need something like 2 network points it'd probably be cheaper to still go with the Pro and buy a network card)

    Memory, if you plan on a high overclock then ok, however the cheaper XMS2 will still work fine.
    If you're not planning on overclocking or a small overclock then 800mhz is even better (go for a cas4 memory for prefrence)
    2gbx2 XMS2 CAS4 £64.50
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=766626
    In theory that will still let you overclock the cpu to 3.4ghz before you have to start overclocking the memory.

    And again on the cooler, the Akasa 965x3 is a great cooler for c2d for a quad I'd get something better.
    the Scythe Mine is a great cooler for the cost, dead quiet, great performance, easy to upgrade the fan if you want something bigger. only down side is it's shear size can make it a bit tricky for a total novice to fit. (by total novice I mean never done anything like this before and a bit scared of breaking everything)

    I'd actually sudgest the Xigmatek 1283 and a bolt through kit. (I actually prefur a bolt through to push pins)
    Or expensive but good Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme and a 120mm fan

    Finally Case, (Ha Webby you missed my brain this time )
    While the Antec 1200 does look good, it is a monster for shear size, and that's why I'd say no.
    If you were thinking of watercooling or really stocking that case up with stuff, yes, But for the small amount and simple build you've planned I'd go for something a bit smaller as all you're bits are going to look a little lost in a big empty case.

    Cases do tend to be a bit personal for looks, so if you like the look of the 1200 I'd sudgest the 900 instead (don't worry you'll still going to have plenty of room in there)

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    I really appreciate all the feedback, I've managed to downsize a few things.



    Main uses will be photoshoping, web-browsing, file downloading, light gaming (GTA IV, Mass Effect, Dead Space, Crysis, GRID etc). May sound like a gimmick, but I fancy the EPU stuff, saving energy considering the costs of electricity going up & the amount of time that the pc is left on.

    I initially opted for the Antec 1200 because of option of having crossfire configuration (unlikely since I don't play so much, but you never know), passive cooling, dust filters & ease of fitting hard disks, but I suppose it's minor positives compared to the amount that I'd save.

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Looks really good.

    The 520W would be plenty though saving £15 or £20. The coolermaster CM-690 has the same cooling ponential with better drive and cable management and is £10 less

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Looks really good.

    The 520W would be plenty though saving £15 or £20. The coolermaster CM-690 has the same cooling ponential with better drive and cable management and is £10 less
    Just a quick question (not worth making a new thread for): for an 8800GT, a Q6600 and a couple of hard drives, would the 520W Corsair be sufficient and is it nice and quiet, or how Scan describes it: "whisper quiet"?

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Yep it will be as silent as you can imagine with a fan

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post

    Also on the motherboard, go for the cheaper P5Q Pro model (better layout for slightly less than the basic P5Q) the differnce is mainly 1 network point no rear pannel e-sata or Optical SPDIF, 1 fan header (only 5 on the Pro) and 1 pair USB header (only 2 on the Pro)
    I have the PRO, and it comes with 3 USB headers on the inside and 6 ports on the outside (total of 12 ports). It also come with an e-sata adaoptor for the rear pannel

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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Englander: Yes it would be ample.

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  17. #12
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    Re: First PC build, opinions?

    Quote Originally Posted by Will:) View Post
    I have the PRO, and it comes with 3 USB headers on the inside and 6 ports on the outside (total of 12 ports). It also come with an e-sata adaoptor for the rear pannel
    I stand corrected I was just going by the specs listed on Scan
    In fact it seems from Asus's website that the premium has no rear e-sata but instead has 10usb porst and 4 gigabit lan ports is it just me or does that seem a bit silly? if it was designed for a server maybe.

    also the 4 way crossfire is a bit odd as the speed drops to x4

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