Advice for new build

Need some advice on my new system build. See screenshto below; i have a pci express gfx card but unsure if it works so will build without for time being then test when built, if it doesnt work il buy one.

Thoughts on choice of CPU, want a quad core ideally one of the 45nm series, also in terms of RAM i have put 4gb but am tempted to stay with xp 32bit - or is it worth having the extra gig and going for vista / xp 64 bit any advice helpful, thanks in advance!

http://xs432.xs.to/xs432/08424/system735.jpg

Well there is nothing wrong with it, first of all. Sure, lots of people will give opinions about 'B is better than C', but you are already in the right ballpark.
The Antec 900 is a serious case - are you sure you want such a monster, rather than something smaller?
Also i'd change the hard drive to a Western Dig 640 AAKS - slightly better all round, as well as a little larger capacity. Costs about another £4.

Ok good views thank you.

I picked the 500gb model as it has a 32mb cache rather than 16! only real reason, 500 should be large enough for now! In terms of the case, yes i am open to ideas possibly something smaller would be good ideally similar style bottom mounted PSU looks good etc.!

Maybe even the NZXT Hush? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129993

or the Tempest http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144802...oduct_overview

I am personally of the opinion that the are only 2 quad cores worth getting and they are the Q6600 and the Q9550, I just do not see the benefit you get from spending an extra £60 for a Q9300 when the Q6600 is such a proven overclocker (and has more cache) and the higher multiplier means that getting to speeds of ~3.5GHz is relatively easy, while with a 7.5x Multi you need to up the FSB to 467 which while not impossible is harder than the 389 needed for the Q6600. The only other advantages in favour of the Q9300 are potentially lower power consumption and SSE4.

I also would be looking at a better CPU cooler if you intend to overclock. Quads use a lot of power so a decent quiet cooler is important, the Xigmatek S1283 or the Scythe Mine are both good and can be found for less than £25.

Agree with MSIC the WD 640GB AAKS is a much better drive, and I would probably go for a Corsair HX520W power supply rather than the OCZ.

Feel free to ignore or take as much of my advice as you like :)

EDIT: Case wise perhaps the Hiper Osiris? http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144504

Ok well ive had a read around and the 16 - 32mb cache isnt really that noticeable so bang for buck i would go with the 640.

I have read many good things about the scythe mine so probably would opt for that one too.

in terms of PSU what is the main difference between the 520/550w as there is a jump in price, just the fact its modular and a newer model? Was also looking at the hiper PSUs - any opinions on those?

Im pretty sure to go for quad but ideally wanted to go for the 45nm newer versions?

decided on the nzxt hush as the tempest wont fit under my desk, very large lol

Did you see my edit about the Hiper Osiris? Very nice case :)

The HX520w is modular the VX550W is not that is about the only practical difference, in component terms they are made by different OEMs the HX520w is Seasonic the VX550w is CWT (I think) both are very good quality. If Modular is not an issue for you then get the cheaper one :)

Oh and if your set on a 45nm Quad perhaps consider the Q8200 and the Q9450 as alternatives (the Q9400 is priced to close to the Q9450 to be a good buy).

Bit-tech is quite a good site for a read. I've highlighted their PSU section to get you going:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/psus/

Oh and look at Scan as a possible place to buy from you qualify for free delivery after another 9 posts ;) make them constructive mind! And at the very least the CPU will be cheaper, have not checked all the other components.

is a very nice case your right, but another 20 pounds so think ill stick with the nzxt hush thanks!

Have looked at different Quad cores but i think for the extra 30 - 40 quid it may be worth it i want to run as stock for a bit before oc/ing may already be good enough for my needs anyway! for the extra cache and stock speed.

sadly scan do not have the nzxt hush case, or i would!
scan or ebuyer dont have the scythe mine cooler either! any good quiet equivelant ?

i will go with the modular 520w version, will this be enough juice to run this system? including my possibly working Geforce 7950gx2?

Also - Is it time for Vista or shall i go to 3gb of RAM and stick with XP?

eBuyer have the Scythe Ninja 2 for £26 (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148075) which is a very good price if you don't mind the size of the thing! Alternatively the Xigmatek S1283 is good available from Scan for £20 (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=700899)

The Q8200 (4MB), Q9300 (6MB) and Q9400 (MB) have less cache than the Q6600 (8MB) the first 45nm quad with the same or more cache is the Q9450 (12MB)

The modular will have more than enough power for that yes.

And finally both eBuyer (if you spend more than £50) and Scan (when you reach 20 posts here) offer free delivery so order from both if that saves you some money :) Scan will honour the full 5 year warranty on the corsair PSUs if you buy from them which is a real bonus as corsair are based in the states.

Ok, ebuyer are charging me 12 pound for delivery?!? Hey thoguht this was meant to be free lol!

I think the scythe ninja is the way to go! - Did the quote on scan and comes out a bit more on this occasion but they didnt have all the bits i wanted. :(

One thing though, do i go with 4gb of RAM on Vista or tone it down to 3g and stick with XP (as that is the most it can read)

I have also added a logitech G5 mouse and a fan controller - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/136403 :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coliflower88

Ok, ebuyer are charging me 12 pound for delivery?!? Hey thoguht this was meant to be free lol!

---

Select the 5 day super saver, it's £3.88 but it'll most likely come before that.

Its really up to you on the OS I would buy 4GB of RAM whichever you choose the cost is low enough that its not much more for 4GB over 3GB.

Saying that though with your 7950GX2 I guess that has 1GB of graphics ram which will mean that under XP you will not even get 3GB, with this in mind I would probably be moving to Vista 64 or maybe sticking with 2GB of Ram under XP.

going to have to be vista 64bit then me thinks, which version is best any recommendations?

got to be 4gb of ram for the price really!

ebuyer bit rude really, 12 quid for next day (friday) or 6 quid for super saver

anything else you can think of that i will need?

just as a slight side note that no-one else has mentioned..
will that motherboard come with any SATA cables for the OEM HD and OEM DVD drive?
if not.. maybe purchase some with your order?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Webby

And finally both eBuyer (if you spend more than £50) and Scan (when you reach 20 posts here) offer free delivery so order from both if that saves you some money :)

---

Ebuyer have scrapped their free delivery (note the influx of new users over the past few days ;))

http://forums.ebuyer.com/showthread.php?t=31767
http://forums.ebuyer.com/showthread.php?t=31764

(Moogle allready knows though :P)

i ahve got some sata cables but not right angled ones, worth the extra just in case the fit is tight?

The motherboard comes with 4 SATA cables.

And Home premium is the most suitable version of Vista to get.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coliflower88

i ahve got some sata cables but not right angled ones, worth the extra just in case the fit is tight?

---

i'd just buy them if you can't use the normal SATA ones.. not worth buying them if you're not gonna use them..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by matty-hodgson

just as a slight side note that no-one else has mentioned..
will that motherboard come with any SATA cables for the OEM HD and OEM DVD drive?
if not.. maybe purchase some with your order?

---

Of course it does, most ASUS boards come with 2 at least. In fact most motherboards nowadays come with 2 or more.

It never needs mentioning really unless someone has an absurd amount of drives and DVD drives.

All the boards I have bought recently come with enough cables for each of the ports accept maybe the £35 ASUS one.. can't remember. As moogle says though at least 2 :)

good good thanks guys! think i will order ready for tomorrow and get some build pics up once done!


no last bits needed far as i can see!?

As I said the manual states that it comes with 4.

and I think 2 of them are angled.

Not that it is such an issue on the P5Q-E as it has SATA ports that face front (at least 4) anyway.

ordered fingers crossed!! should be here tomorrow!