Building a PC

[tpfoster]

Hey, I am looking at putting together some parts and building a new PC over the next couple of weeks or so.
Any thoughts on the following?

Case: Antec 900
PSU: OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU
RAM: OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 Gold Memory
CPU: Intel Q9550 (will try on stock cooler at first)
Motherboard: Not 100% sure yet ()- probably one of the ASUS P5Q range or maybe the Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3R- can anyone find a review for that?
Graphics: 1GB XFX 4870 XXX edition
HDD- Samsung Spinpoint 750gb from current pc.

Thanks for any help

[dfour]

Nice setup , if your not bothered with overclocking then the stock cooler will do but a bigger and better one is always welcome for noise and heat levels over the stock.

Is this going to be a mainly gaming pc ??

If it is it might be worth looking at this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...56&subcat=1403

[tpfoster]

Yeah- mainly gaming, although I will use it for other stuff...word processing, etc. Nothing too complicated.

I was planning on using the stock cooler at first, see how it is and then maybe think about replacing it and then OCing at a later date.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

An alternate build spec:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...em-please.html

I would look at getting an HD4890 too for around £145:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-X...-DL-DVI-I-HDTV

I would look at getting a modular PSU too as there will be less mess with cables in the case.

[tpfoster]

I was thinking about a Q6700 and a 4890 at first but then I decided to use a bit more money on the processor and go for the 4870 which I think is better value for money (see the hexus bang.4buck or whatever it is called is lower as far as I remember). I thought this because GPUs will be much easier and cheaper to upgrade in the future compared to CPUs, motherboards, etc. so I thought I would squeeze as much as possible out of socket 775 at my budget.

Oh and about the PSU- I don't care too much about messy cables. Hopefully I will be looking at the monitor more than inside the case (all things going well that is anyway ).

Thanks for the advice though. I'm thinking of going with the Gigabyte board I mentioned earlier- thoughts on that?

[Grymdawg]

Hi there,

Yeah your first initial post sums up pretty much what youre aiming for and your going to use it for gaming, so that should do the job. I would probably look at a different cooler though, you may decide you want a bit more out of the processor after a while.

Just a thought anyway.

i also agree with cat at getting a modular PSU, if the cables are in the way they will make the temp in the case alot hotter.

Then again i am a freak for being tidy when it comes to wires

[tpfoster]

Hmmm, just realised something...I will actually need all the cables and so I wouldn't gain anything from having a modular PSU.
Oh well, suppose that will save some money
Thanks for the suggestions though

Cables:
* Sleeved Cable 1: Unit > 24 Pin (20+4) Motherboard Connector - 16ins (40cm).
* Sleeved Cable 2: Unit > 2 x 4 Pin CPU Connectors – 16ins (40cm).
* Sleeved Cable 3: Unit > 2 x 6 Pin PCI-E Connector – 16ins (40cm).
* Sleeved Cable 4: Unit > 4 Pin Molex – 16ins (40cm) > 4 Pin Molex – 8ins (20cm) > FDD – 8ins (20cm).
* Sleeved Cable 5: Unit > 4 Pin Molex – 16ins (40cm) > 4 Pin Molex – 8ins (20cm) > 4 Pin Molex – 8ins (20cm).
* Sleeved Cable 6: Unit > SATA – 16ins (40cm) > SATA – 8ins (20cm) – SATA 8ins (20cm).

[staffsMike]

Modular still has cabling benefits especially should you break any or are particularly anal about tidying them (not naming any names..).

The OCZ modxstreams come it at around the same price I think (ebuyer, ocuk) and they have a larger quieter fan than the stealths.

[tpfoster]

Does anyone know if that RAM will work with the Gigabyte motherboard?
It's not on the QVL but that doesnt mean it wont work- tried google but couldnt find anything

[staffsMike]

Not heard in a RAM compatability issue in so long I can't see it being a problem.

[tpfoster]

Ok thanks- I just saw some RAM compatibility problems with the ASUS P5Q PRO I think it was and was wondering whether this was part of a wider problem or not? Thanks for clearing that up though

[tpfoster]

This is quite a specific question but does anyone know if a OCZ Stealth XStream 600w psu will have cables long enough for an Asus P5Q-E when in an Antec 900 case? I know this might not be easy to answer but I hope someone will be able to help me

[Terbinator]

id recommend a UD3 series board form gigabyte tbh, also is the Antec 900 necessary or is that just your preference

On the graphics front, why not a GTX 260? PhsyX as well as CUDA acceleration and lower power consumption than a 4870/90

[tpfoster]

I was looking for a motherboard that I would be capable of crossfiring with at a later date if necessary and so the UD3 would not be suitable, right?
I picked the 4870 over the 260 due to it being significantly cheaper and having similar performance

The Antec 900 was just because I am planning on keeping this PC for a while- don't upgrade too often (I have an AMD Sempron 3100+ at the moment-lol!) and I want it to be good and solid as well as having room to upgrade. The 900 offers good cooling, space, etc. and so I am prepared to pay a little more for it than a cheaper case.

Anyone know if the cable lengths will be OK?

[Terbinator]

I was looking for a motherboard that I would be capable of crossfiring with at a later date if necessary and so the UD3 would not be suitable, right?

I think the UD3R has crossfire support.

Also on your cable query, i know some power supplies have struggled to reach the connectors on the motherboard in that particular case - but i presume you should be fine with a respectable make such as OCZ. If not cable extensions can be picked up for very little cash

[tpfoster]

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/mot...ga-ep45-ud3r/2
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigab...-SATA-RAID-ATX

Seems to have one PCI-E 2.0 (x16) and 3 PCI-E (x1).

I know cable extensions aren't too expensive but if I needed one I would prefer to get one when I ordered to save on delivery