Ready to buy - Rate this Kit

[pardal51]

hi all,

Can you guys comment on this kit? To run vmware lab and flight sim X

Case:
- Zalman GS1000
- Akasa Infinity AK-BKINF-0

Mobo
- asus P5Q pro
- Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3

CPU
- Q6600 retail 8Mb 65nm
- Q9450 retail 12Mb 45nm

Cooler
- TBA

PSU
- 520W corsair
- coolermaster real power 520W

HDD
- 500Gb ST3500320AS -system/apps (raid 0+1)
- 1TB WD10EACS - data

RAM
- 4GB corsair 5-5-5-18

Graphics
- HD3870
- 8800GTS

I've noticed that prices have been rising, i.e., not helping us buyers to keep the economy going...

cheers

[staffsMike]

hi all,

Can you guys comment on this kit? To run vmware lab and flight sim X

Case:

- Akasa Infinity AK-BKINF-0
perhaps a coolermaster CM-690

Mobo
- asus P5Q pro
DFI lanparty P45 £94 in the supersavers scan today only

CPU
- Q6600 retail 8Mb 65nm
- Q9450 retail 12Mb 45nm
Both good really, Q6600 overpriced now though

Cooler
Xigmatec, Thermalright ultra/ultima or a Scythe Ninja II

PSU
- 520W corsair
-Enermax 425W Modu82+ will happily power it and save on money as the corsair seems overpirced beyond belief now.


HDD
get 640GB sammy's or WD's
- 1TB WD10EACS - data

RAM
- 4GB corsair 5-5-5-18

Graphics
Yours were old, 9800GT or HD4850 for around £100

I've noticed that prices have been rising, i.e., not helping us buyers to keep the economy going...

cheers

My thoughts in bold, options I didn't like deleted.

[pardal51]

staffs,
thanks for your reply...and the tips
I think everything is a bit overpriced at the moment TBH
hard to find a HD4850 for £100

[staffsMike]

Well the 9800GT will be better than the 8800GTS or HD3870. That said if you are picking up a 3870 on the cheap then it's not a bad card at all.

[Zsev]

what mike recommended, but i'd go with a 500w and above PSU, never know when you'll wanna upgrade to that shining new gen graphics card.

[Pob255]

Well the 9800GT will be better than the 8800GTS or HD3870. That said if you are picking up a 3870 on the cheap then it's not a bad card at all.

Well seeing as how Asus got rid of there old stock of 8800gts 512mb by overclocking the pants off it and rebranding it as "9800gt ultimate" and the reviews were getting performance just shy of the 9800gtx+
the 8800gts 512 is still a great card (remember that the 9800gt is still basically a 8800gt, even with a shrunk core)

However finding a 8800gts 512mb at a reasonable price is next to impossible, so I do agree with the 9088gt/4850 around £125 now

Oh and for coolers there's the still very good, Scythe Ninja for £26 on ebuyer
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148075
And finally Arctic Cooling have released the Freezer Xtreme, which is looking very good so far. £30
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150981

[pardal51]

Well the 9800GT will be better than the 8800GTS or HD3870. That said if you are picking up a 3870 on the cheap then it's not a bad card at all.

is this any good

what about an EVGA 8800

Forgot to mention guys, I am trying to build a rig as silent as possible

[staffsMike]

For a silent rig absolutely not. It's a hair drier. I have heard of one guy running it essentially passive (you need to disable the fan) and it still stay at decent temps. That's odd though and certainly ill advised. If you were to invest in an arctic cooling accelero for it though, that might run passive or strapped with a silent 120mm fan (they are about £15).

The GTS certainly was/is a great card if you can find them. I'd actually forgetten the 512mb was competely different to the 640mb in a moment of madness lol

[pardal51]

For a silent rig absolutely not. It's a hair drier. I have heard of one guy running it essentially passive (you need to disable the fan) and it still stay at decent temps. That's odd though and certainly ill advised. If you were to invest in an arctic cooling accelero for it though, that might run passive or strapped with a silent 120mm fan (they are about £15).

The GTS certainly was/is a great card if you can find them. I'd actually forgetten the 512mb was competely different to the 640mb in a moment of madness lol

Mike, thanks again I may look into make some savings to get a 4850...What annoys me is that I've set up a spreadsheet and the prices have gone up

[staffsMike]

Well my PSU and case suggestions are a good start for both a silent and more cost effective solution

[Will404]

For a silent rig absolutely not. It's a hair drier. I have heard of one guy running it essentially passive (you need to disable the fan) and it still stay at decent temps. That's odd though and certainly ill advised. If you were to invest in an arctic cooling accelero for it though, that might run passive or strapped with a silent 120mm fan (they are about £15).

The GTS certainly was/is a great card if you can find them. I'd actually forgetten the 512mb was competely different to the 640mb in a moment of madness lol

Why not plug it into a fan controller??

[Webby]

For the graphics card see my thread on what your money will buy you http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-car...-x-thread.html (newly stickied ) I would consider the 4830 for £95 (check eBuyer for a good price as Microdirect are out of stock) they overclock easily to 4850 speeds obviously 4850s OC as well though to go faster! And with the P45 board you can add another later if you want crossfire goodness. If the extra £20 is there to spend then the 4850 is really the best card available in the £90-£120 bracket.

As for PSU I'm with Mike a decent 425W+ PSU will do you fine and the Enermax is well priced if you want more power then still look at the Enermax the Corsair has been priced to high now in my opinion. From Blitzen's accounts the Enermax is the superior unit when the was £15 difference the Corsair was easy to recommend now with only a couple of pounds difference its a lot harder.

[pardal51]

For the graphics card see my thread on what your money will buy you http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-car...-x-thread.html (newly stickied ) I would consider the 4830 for £95 (check eBuyer for a good price as Microdirect are out of stock) they overclock easily to 4850 speeds obviously 4850s OC as well though to go faster! And with the P45 board you can add another later if you want crossfire goodness. If the extra £20 is there to spend then the 4850 is really the best card available in the £90-£120 bracket.

As for PSU I'm with Mike a decent 425W+ PSU will do you fine and the Enermax is well priced if you want more power then still look at the Enermax the Corsair has been priced to high now in my opinion. From Blitzen's accounts the Enermax is the superior unit when the was £15 difference the Corsair was easy to recommend now with only a couple of pounds difference its a lot harder.

I dont mind spending a bit more as long as it is silent

[Webby]

If silence is your objective then the Enermax is the way to go either the 425W for £56 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777994 or the 525W for £75 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777991 if you do not need modular cables (which are a benefit in my opinion as they can make a case less cluttered improving airflow and potentially reducing fan noise by allowing the fans to run slower) then you can save a bit of money the 525W Pro82+ is only £61 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777992.

Graphics card wise the Powercolor 4850 PCS+ is very quiet its pre-overclocked and is available from eBuyer for £132 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148952 or Scan for £137 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=860601

Edit: Here is a review of the graphics card Fan Noise 4850 PCS as you can see its very very quiet even under load.

[pardal51]

If silence is your objective then the Enermax is the way to go either the 425W for £56 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777994 or the 525W for £75 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777991 if you do not need modular cables (which are a benefit in my opinion as they can make a case less cluttered improving airflow and potentially reducing fan noise by allowing the fans to run slower) then you can save a bit of money the 525W Pro82+ is only £61 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777992.

Graphics card wise the Powercolor 4850 PCS+ is very quiet its pre-overclocked and is available from eBuyer for £132 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148952 or Scan for £137 http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=860601

Edit: Here is a review of the graphics card Fan Noise 4850 PCS as you can see its very very quiet even under load.

Thanks for the link Webby. I will def. go modular.

BTW the new intel i7 920 is same price or cheaper than Q9450 or Q9550. Would it be worth it?

* Spoke to few sales guys at office and prices are up cos of sterling falling, i.e., exchange rates aren't favorable against USD. Prices are indexed on USD

[pardal51]

I have put this quote together. I am now getting the prices from Scan as I tend to prefer them when ordering. Comments???