Budget pc advice

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The X2 545 like the X2 550 BOTH can be potentially unlocked. The X2 550 however has an unlocked multiplier making it easier to overclock though.

[no_numb]

Easier unlocking sounds good to me. Ideally I'd like something that I can put in have a play around with some settings and then if it is stable just leave it as it is for the next couple of years.

I guess I'll wait till tomorrow and see what the new day only offers are. I guess I could be waiting for ages though so if nothing comes up tomorrow I'll just order anyway. Should've ordered when they were all on oh well.

[Pob255]

Beware of lapping direct contact heat pipe coolers, it's very easy to rupture the heat pipe there by knackering the cooler.

It can be done but you need to be very carefull and gental with it.

The only good reason I've seen it done with direct contact heat pipe coolers is when the aluminium frame between the heat pipes is sticking down too far proventing good contact.

EDIT: Here's the now infamous pic of a lapping gone wrong
http://www.evga.com/forums/upfiles/2...A4F32710AF.jpg

[UseItNow]

...
Edit: Here's the now infamous pic of a lapping gone wrong
http://www.evga.com/forums/upfiles/2...a4f32710af.jpg

wth?

[no_numb]

OK so I've now bought everything phenom 2 550, gigabyte motherboard and the hard disk arrived today.Everything except the graphics card, and no one seems to have the one I wanted in stock! I was looking at the 4670 ultimate from sapphire.

I need a graphics card for under £60 which is either passively cooled or silent in that I would not be able to hear it over other components which are also very quiet (basicly a quieter than average pc).

Any recommendations? Sorry to keep asking new things but I really want to get this computer right.

[Vimeous]

Sapphire 4670 Ultimate (fanless) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512Mb...PCI-E-VGA-Card

or

the 1Gb version with fan http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-S...I-I-D-Sub-HDMI

[no_numb]

Sapphire 4670 Ultimate (fanless) http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/512Mb...PCI-E-VGA-Card

or

the 1Gb version with fan http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-S...I-I-D-Sub-HDMI

The fanless one was the one I was going to order but its out of stock unfortunately and seems to be all over the internet.

[Vimeous]

The fanless one was the one I was going to order but its out of stock unfortunately and seems to be all over the internet.

Have you asked Scan when they expect stock?

[no_numb]

Yeah unfortunately they said they have no eta could be a few days could be a couple of weeks.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Novatech have it in stock:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...tml?SAP-4670UL

It is pricey though.

[no_numb]

Yeah I saw that only thing is I dont really want to fork out over £60 as my £250 budget has gone to £280 without the graphics card.

I gather then that this is the best card for my criteria and its worth waiting for/maybe paying a little bit extra for? I guess I'll probably wait to see when scan are getting it back in stock. I've got another card I can use untill I buy this one. A local computer shop was selling it for £80

Another question as well. When I am installing everything can I leave my old hard disk in (with xp on) and then use the computer to download linux or windows 7 onto the other hard disk then once done remove the original hard disk?

[Vimeous]

Another question as well. When I am installing everything can I leave my old hard disk in (with xp on) and then use the computer to download linux or windows 7 onto the other hard disk then once done remove the original hard disk?

Yes you can use your current hard disc to boot the new setup and download your new OS be it a Linux variant or Win7 RC.

Do you plan to dual-boot your XP with whichever new OS you choose?
If not I suggest you put the installation files for your new OS on a DVD or memory stick (if your m/board will boot from it), remove the old drive and perform the install.
This avoids potential confusion when setting up the OS and which drive is active in your system when the old drive is removed.

[no_numb]

Excellent thats exactly what I wanted to know whether it would confuse it. I think I'll just write to a dvd.

All arrived today so will build it and see how I get on.

[no_numb]

Well I have installed everything and windows 7 rc is installing.

My fan on the xigmatek heatsink does not appear to be working though which is a bit of a pain. Luckily though the one on the stock HSF is working so I can use that for the moment. Not sure whether to RMA the thing to ebuyer or just buy a noctua fan from scan. Some serious specs on those fans and I read a review where this was done and it had good results.

Everything is quiet including the old graphics card (which I'm a bit suprised about). I'm almost tempted to look into other graphics cards if this one is anything to go by.

[Domestic_Ginger]

I would RMA ASAP; it should be free. Ebuyer are apparently excellent and should send a replacement very quickly. A 120mm (I think that is the size) quality fan is £5+; why fork out for a new one when you have already paid for one.

How many cores did you get?!?

[no_numb]

yeah its been RMA'd now.

I have not tried to unlock any of the other cores yet I thought I'd wait untill I had the proper heatsink. Can someone tell me exactly the settings I'm supposed to be using to get the other cores?

oops just read post on previous page.