Last minute checks?

[Janston]

Hi All,

In the morning I'm buying parts for my first build - I've already been given an Antec P182 case & Asus P5Q Pro mobo, I've got the HDDs (3), DVD Writer, OS and Monitors. I'm hopefully also getting a Corsair 650W TX PSU supplied for cheap too.

The other bits I'm planning on buying unless anything is wrong with my choices:

Intel Q9550 + Noctua NH-U12P CPU Heatpipe Heatsink
896MB Gainward GTX 260 GS
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
2x 120mm Noctua NF-S12 1200 RPM Quiet Case Fan
= ~£400

Before buying any bits I just wanted to check everything will fit (e.g. powersupply/noctua cooler/3 hdds/260 gtx fit in the case without problems?), that it's all compatible and I'm not missing anything, since it's my first build I'm still unsure. I'm also concerned about noise, so I've tried to pick components that have been reviewed as 'quiet'.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[staffsMike]

That's all fine. Graphics are a touch outdated now though. can do better

HD4890 or GTX275

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The HD4890 can be had for under £150 from both Scan and OcUK:

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

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-124-XF

[Janston]

Thanks for the quick replies, good to hear everything looks okay!

I'm working on some projects which involve CUDA at the moment so I've got to stick with nVidia for now, is the GTX 275 worth ~£50 extra compared to the GTX 260?

[staffsMike]

From what I remember reading it's generally worth about 10 -20fps in current games. Depends I suppose but both are very capable.

[jim]

Bear in mind that the graphics card will easily out-noise the Noctuas - I would advise you get it up and running, and fiddle around with the fan settings on the card to make sure that it is quiet - obviously bearing in mind it needs to be fast enough so it won't overheat.

If it's too loud for you, then maybe consider getting an Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme cooler to fit onto it as a replacement. Try the stock cooler first though - it may not be a problem.

[Janston]

Yeah, I'm very concerned about how loud the graphics card is going to be since I'm quite bothered by noise.

I just read that the Gainward versions of the card use a non-standard pcb layout which don't allow the fitting of 3rd party coolers so so I may have to choose a different one (because I was planning on fitting a 3rd party cooler if I can't stand the noise)

[staffsMike]

Actually the 260 was supposed to be brilliant for noise