New build, what have I got wrong!?

[Daneel]

I need something fast, quiet and expandable (quad core, next gen super power hungry gfx, more RAM) hence the large PSU.

Parts from old box:

X-fi music
Speakers
Dell 2405
3 x 250GB SATA 7200 RPM

New bits:

Core 2 Duo E6600 retail
Corsair 2 x 1GB PC2-6400 (4-4-4-12)
Seagate 7200.10 SATA 320GB
Corsair 620W
XFX 7950 GT 512MB (passive cooling)
Antec P180B
Motherboard Asus P5 varient?*
Heatsink#

I'll also be adding:

Mouse
Keyboard
DVD+RW
DVD-ROM
Cables


That lot comes to about £1,100 which I find quite astounding for a less than top end system with no monitor, but that's UK (and Christmas) prices for you. I'm considering waiting until after Christmas at which point hopefully RAM at least will fall in price and perhaps motherboards too.

*not sure what to go for here, suggestions welcome. I think I'll get a 965 based board. I don't need SLI / crossfire but I need something that is OCable, I'd like to get at least 3.0Ghz out of the E6600, preferably 3.3GHz.

#Not sure what to get here either. The case and gfx should be pretty quiet so I need something with good cooling (to allow the OC) but not extreme (to enable low noise). I'd prefer if the thing isn't monsterous.

The case I can't decide on. Most reviews are positive apart from the Hexus one! The cable routing sounds like a nightmare and the temps they achieved were poor. I'm considering the Antec Solo (black and updated P150) but am concerned it will be too small.

With the PSU I've also considered the 750W Xclio for £75 from Scan but haven't found much feedback on it.

All advice appreciated!

[Daneel]

Someone has suggested if I want cool and quiet water cooling is the way to go but I have no idea where to start. I'm trying not to make the large hole in my budget any bigger but at the same time I want to be happy with the end result.

[Chunkers]

#Not sure what to get here either. The case and gfx should be pretty quiet so I need something with good cooling (to allow the OC) but not extreme (to enable low noise). I'd prefer if the thing isn't monsterous.

You will need to reasonable size case to accommodate the 4 hard disks and substantial Gf card and still achieve good cooling! I have always liked Antec cases personally and almost bought a P180 last upgrade but instead went for Akasa Eclipse - is nice but quite wide though. Water cooling is not a requirement for low noise as long as you dont expect silence, with 4 hard disks humming away I can't imagine you do!

Overclocking shouldn't be problem as long as you get the cooling and components right - 3 Ghz from an E6600 seems almost a minimum these days - achieved this and higher myself with a very similar spec with almost no effort at all. Packing everything into a small(er) space might make it more of a challenge.

Chunks

[EtheAv8r]

ASUS P5B Deluxe if you don't want to run crossfire -which you won't with that GPU, but you won't be able to SLI either..

Both the Antec P180 and Akasa Eclipse (or now Mirage with front door) are excellent, Akasa is bigger (wider) and slightly better cooling on air, Antec is quieter and better looking.... pay money and take choice Antec 180 will be less money...

PSU should be quality from a known, proven reliable manufacturer my vote would be Seasonic S12-Energy+550 or 650, or M12, or S12-600.

Heatsink, air CPU cooler - Artic Cooling Freezer 7

[Daneel]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'll take a look at the Akasa case.

BTW, the Corsair PSU is made by Seasonic. My only concern about it is if the cables will be long enough in the P180B.

From reading reviews, I do seem to be heading towards a P5B Deluxe, although I'm wondering if the P5B-E will suffice. I can't see me running SLi / Crossifre but I can see a 8800 GTX / GTS or the ATI equivalent card going in at some point, along with an OCed Quad Core. That's why I'm going for a 600W+ PSU.

[EtheAv8r]

Yes Corsair PSU is made by Seasonic, but it is not as good as Seasonic and is quite a different spec...

Seasonic PSUs now all have 550mm 4/8/24 pin MB and SLI cables and will fit a 180 fine.

P5B-Deluxe appears to OC much better than the basic board.....

[shaithis]

If your overclocking, stay away from the P5B-E, it maxes out a lot earlier then the P5B-Deluxe.

[Daneel]

Yes Corsair PSU is made by Seasonic, but it is not as good as Seasonic and is quite a different spec...

Can you explain how you conclude the SeaSonic is better? I've read a lot of reviews about the Corsair unit now and it seems to be excellent all round. The only negative aspect is price and one review said it was loud when pushed to near maimum output.

The best review for compaing the Corsair to the SeaSonic appears to be this one which comes down in favour of the Corsair in the end.

I'm shocked at how much I'm spending on the PSU as it is (~£96 from Scan for the Corsair) and would rather not spend the £110 on the SeaSonic M12 (there is the option of the S12 I suppose at £90) unless I have to.