New core 2 duo system - comments please

[simsim]

I'm putting together my first self-build in ages - Core 2 Duo is too much to resist! This is the package I've been thinking about - I'd welcome your advice. I'm looking to spend as little as possible, so gone for the Scan case and psu - if you've got any experience with them I'd welcome it.

Would probably want to do a little light overclocking, but nothing more than the stock hsf could deal with.

Usage is a business machine for editing volumes of photographs, plus general business use and occasional games when I'm really bored.

I'd probably go for the E6400 but Scan are out of stock.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300, Socket 775, 1.86 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Allendale Core, 2MB Cache, Retail
ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP iP965, S775, PCI-E (x16), DDR2 533/667/800, SATA II, SATA RAID, ATX
2Gb (2X1Gb) Corsair Value Select, DDR2 PC5300 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-15
Scan 8024-C34 Black Midi-Tower Case 400W Quiet PSU
2x250 Gb Seagate ST3250620AS Barracuda 7200.10, SATA300, 7200 rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.5 ms, NCQ
256MB ScanFX 7600GT PCI-E(x16), Mem 1400MHz, GPU 560MHz, 12Pipes, Dual DVI/HDTV SLi Fan Cooling
NEC ND-5170A-0B Black x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer DVD-Writer OEM UK

Many thanks

Simon

[simsim]

I should add, that lot comes in at £650 if that's useful to know.

[vaio]

Seems like an expensive board for "mild overclocking".
Nice lil rig though

[DavidA]

I just spent a few hours looking at a similar setup. Looks good to me. I could perhaps help more if the items were priced individually.

Dabs.com have the 6400 in stock for the same price as Scan.

As vaio says, your P5B might be overspecced. Have you looked at the other P5Bs?

[BlindMelon7]

I agree with vaio. I dont think that processor deserves that motherboard. You could spend the money you save on some better RAM.

[Clunk]

That processor will LOVE that motherboard. The ram is the limiting factor there, if you can stretch to some pc2-6400 stuff or better, you will be flying

[simsim]

Thanks everyone - David, I'm just looking at the other P5Bs, nice idea.

Any thoughts on the case and PSU?

[jimborae]

I'd suggest a better psu, cos I have a feeling that that quiet 400w psu is a ColorsIT one. If it is you want to avoid it like the plague, unless of course you like seeing flames coming out the back of your PC.You'd be much better off investing more money in a decent psu such as a Seasonic, FSP, Tagan etc.

Rest of the spec is good and will satisfy your needs.

[Clunk]

What budget for case and psu?

[starbuck]

To be honest, I would go with an OEM e6300 or 6400(only diff is it doesn't come with a stock hsf) and get a decent heatsink(like the artic cooler pro) for about £10-15. It would cost about the same overall(as oem is about £10-15 cheaper) but the better heatsink would make a vast improvement over the stock one(ie quieter, better airflow, can generally cool 2+ deg cooler than stock) and will be up to the task of any overclocking you would want to do.

[simsim]

Excellent suggestion starbuck, sounds like I'd be silly not to. Thanks.

[amjedm]

I'd suggest a better psu, cos I have a feeling that that quiet 400w psu is a ColorsIT one. If it is you want to avoid it like the plague, unless of course you like seeing flames coming out the back of your PC.You'd be much better off investing more money in a decent psu such as a Seasonic, FSP, Tagan etc.

Rest of the spec is good and will satisfy your needs.

I second jimborae's recommendation.

Choose a different case and a decent psu. You're spending hundreds on other components and £30 on case and psu!

[simsim]

But isn't it just a box? It only sits under the desk, I don't really care what it looks like too much - I'd prefer black to beige, but that's about it. As long as the case isn't a PITA to get open is there anything else it does for me?

Again with the PSU, I guess there's a minimum quality level that you rightly raise, but, as long as it gives me enough power to run all the kit, and is quiet, should I care?

Or am I wrong? (Happy to be!)

[Clunk]

Again with the PSU, I guess there's a minimum quality level that you rightly raise, but, as long as it gives me enough power to run all the kit, and is quiet, should I care?

Or am I wrong? (Happy to be!)

You should care. A cheap PSU can damage pretty much all of your expensive components. Some people run systems for a long time with cheap PSUs and have no problems, but when they go, they really go and often take other things with them. In my opinion, the PSU is THE most important part of the pc and is the most overlooked as well. Grab a decent PSU now and it will last you for a couple of years or maybe longer.

[simsim]

OK, sold on the PSU, but what about the 'box' :-)

And what PSU would you recommend for the system detailed in the OP?

[mi9tchy]

Antec NeoHE 430W
Corsair HX 520W
Seasonic S12 430W