Some advice for a new build

[tomhigs]

Hi guys,

I’m wondering if some of you experts here can just have a quick look at a new build I’m pricing up and let me know if you think I should change anything. I used to build PCs quite a bit a while back but didn’t keep my hand in since my last build about 4 years ago and appreciate how quickly things move on.

My current machine is starting to feel the strain now and I’m worried about some temps it’s getting up to and the noise a few of the fans are making lol.

I’m currently running:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 @ 2.66GHz
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5W DH Deluxe (LGA 775)
RAM: 8.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 333MHz (5-6-6-18)
Case: NZXT Lexa
Gfx: 320MB GeForce 8800 GTS (BFG Tech) (Running at 72 °C idle! :\)
HDD1: 120GB Maxtor Maxtor 6Y120M0 ATA Device
HDD2: 244GB Seagate ST3250620AS ATA Device
DVD: BENQ DVD DD DW1650 ATA
PSU: Colourbit 550w

Monitors: Running x2 - DELL 2009W @ 1680x1050

My Proposed Build:

CPU: Intel CPU Core i7 950 Quad Core Processor (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel...io-130w-retail)

Mobo: Asus P6X58D-E Intel X58 1366 Motherboard (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...-sata-raid-atx)

Ram: Corsair Memory XMS3 Classic 6GB DDR3 1600 Mhz CAS 8 Triple Channel CAS 8-8-8-24, 1.65V (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-%...-8-8-8-24-165v)

Cooler: Corsair H70 Hydro Series CPU Cooler (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...66-775-am2-am3)

Case: Corsair 600T Graphite Series Mid Tower Case (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...g-case-w-o-psu)

Boot Drive: 60GB SSD Corsair Force Series Solid State Drive (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/60gb-...mb-s-w-bracket)

Secondary Drive: 1TB (1000 GB) Western Digital Caviar Black Hard Drive - HDD (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1tb-w...4mb-cache-8-ms)

PSU: Coolermaster RS-850-AMBA Silent Pro M 850W Modular Power Supply (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-...-12v-135mm-fan)

GFX: x2 - 1GB EVGA NVIDIA GTX 460 SC Graphics Card in SLI (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-e...dvi-i-minihdmi) - Been reading this can be a little loud so not so sure

I’m going to be using my current DVD Writer in any new build as well as my copy of Windows 7 (64) and my current monitors as I can’t afford to upgrade them as well.

Primarily this is going to be a gaming machine and one that I want to last for about 5 years)

If anyone can give me some feedback about the above items I would be very grateful as all I need to do now is negotiate with the Mrs about getting it all

Many thanks guys.

Cheers,

Tom

[Pob255]

Very nice, however first things first.

Have you cleaned out your fans and heatsinks recently? that's probably the cause of the temp rises and noise increase.

Overclocking, one of the main big reasons to go with intel has been the ease and amount of overclocking you can get out of their cpu's (since the core2)
You should be able to easily push your current e6750 to 3-3.2ghz and you'll see a good jump in performance.
The gts8800 320mb is the other major weak point in your current build, 320mb just will not cut it past 1280x1024 or 1440x900 resolutions on most current games (this is due to a big jump in texture sizes)

On your build, Corsair 600T Graphite, it is a very nice case, but personally speaking it's just too expensive.

[tomhigs]

Hi Pob, thanks for the reply. I cleaned out my whole pc about 2 weeks ago; I tend to do it every so often. But the temps, especial the gfx card, CPU and from time to time on of my HDDs get really hot under load. I have tried ocing the CPU a few times but it always makes my system unstable. Not sure if it’s down to my RAM, or PSU (neither are really the best make)

I have been wanting to upgrade my gfx card for a while but if I’m spending money I wanted to get the most out of it and I’m not confident in my PSU to keep the pace.

I would be keeping my 2 monitors and use 1680 x 1050 on both though when in game only one monitor is utilised. Would SLI improve gaming quality over a single 460 or would I be better off just leaving them and cutting back elsewhere to allow me to go for a GTX 580 or the ATI equivalent?

Thanks for the feedback, it’s really helpful as I’ve not kept my hand in with the latest stuff since my last build

[PC4Free]

As i mentioned yesterday the Noctua DH-14 cools better then the H70 and is cheaper.
It is however very big.

Otherwise that will be one beast

[Pob255]

A single gtx460 768mb will be fine to run a single 1680x1050, I don't have any issues at 1680x1050 on a gtx260 512mb.
Granted I don't play the most demanding games but STALKER ran smoothly, heck I normally have to play everything with Vsync on to avoid tareing, which I hate more than slowdowns, not that I get them.

[Savas]

Hey tomhigs, if you're like me and trying to cut costs as much as possible, go with a better cooling like PC4Free suggested rather than the H70. Possibly even use the stock-cooler till you feel it's necessary to actually get the H70.

[tomhigs]

yeah, I was thinking of that and will probably go with the stock cooler until I work out the space I have left for the DH-14

My next conundrum is if I should cut back a little elsewhere and go for a single GTX580 or get the GTX 460s in SLI :S

Also need to read up on the Sandybrige chip to see if I should wait for it, only problem with that is going to be the VAT increas

Arrrrrrrg!

[Savas]

Ahh, yes. IMO, if you have the time to wait, just wait. It's only just one month that's exactly why I would. I would then purchase a decent compatible motherboard for Sandy-bridge and work from there. I think the 6900 should be released soon too so you can get an affect from that, or even get that instead.

The increase in VAT is only going to be 3%, it's not going to be the end of the world! WTH Tory's! In what way is it beneficial to scare people into not spending! Because it's obvious after the VAT increase people will definitely be wary of it.

Sorry to go off-topic.

[tomhigs]

hmm well, I now have my case, HDD, SSD & PSU.

Leaving me with the need for a MOBO, GPU, Ram and CPU.

I’ve been doing some thinking and am edging towards a GTX 570 after reading about them, my bigger dilemma is going to be the CPU and I know Sandy bridge is out soon (5th Jan?) but from what I’ve been reading these are not going to be the high end units on the 2011 socket but the 1155 socket versions.

I’m trying to decide if I should just get an i7 950 on a 1366 board at the prices they are at the moment or does anyone know if the mainstream sandy bridge (1155 pin processors) are slated to outperform the current 1366 i7 950s?

Gerrrg!