My new system (maybe)

[akatsuki]

Well like a lot of people the new year means a new computer.

Im still not a 100% decided on the spec so some advice would be helpful.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 (118.08)
Cooler: Zalman CNPS9700-NT nVidia Tritium Super Aero Flower (43.93)
Motherboard: Asus Commando i965 (144.51)
RAM: CorsairTwinX XMS2 Dominator DDR2 PC2-6400 2GB (195.04)
HD: 400 Gb Seagate ST3400620AS Barracuda 7200.10 (82.24)
Graphics: Palit 8800 GTS 640MB (258.36)
DVD: Samsung SH-W183 18x18 DVD±RW (21.56)
Case: Silverstone TJ09B (173.9)
PSU: Corsair HX Series Modular PSU 620W (96.35)

Cost+p&p: 1,150.38 (scan)

I would be over clocking the CPU but im not sure what to.

Ive been waiting for a 8800 GTS with a different cooler and EVGA are just about to release the GeForce 8800 GTS KO ACS3 SILENT 640MB (340.74 from overclockers). I know its almost a £100 more but its over clocked to near the GTX.
(GTX: 575MHz Core, 768MB 1800MHz)
(OC GTS: 580MHz Core, 640MB 1700MHz)

Im also looking for a 20”+ monitor, my current faves are the NEC LCD20WGX2, Samsung 215TW and Viewsonic VX2025WM. Again if you have a suggestion that would be great.

[Flewis]

Good choices except for the cooler. The zalman is way overpriced and not that good. Get one of the scythe coolers, they will be much more effective for air cooling(or go water).

Also dont bother with pre overclocked graphics cards, ive heard lots of people have found them unstable and had to underclock them back to stock. Just overclock it yourself, they have some headroom.

[Jinx]

An Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro would also be a worth alternative....

[Flewis]

The arctic is a good budget cooler but does not compare to the scythe coolers.

The tuniq tower-120 is the best air cooler around but i dont think scan sell it.

[akatsuki]

Thanks for the advice on the cooler, now im going with the Scythe Ninja.

Dose anyone knows what I could overclock the CPU to but still keeps it quiet?

As for the graphics card I may just stick with a non over clocked card.

[IAmATeaf]

How about dropping down to the P5B wi/fi or even P5B Plus mobo and spending the diff on a E6300, this way if you decide to run at stock at some stage you'll have a pokier system.

[EtheAv8r]

How about dropping down to the P5B wi/fi or even P5B Plus mobo and spending the diff on a E6300, this way if you decide to run at stock at some stage you'll have a pokier system.

The ASUS Commando is effectively an updated P5B - a 965 Rev 2 board if you like - although early days it offers great promise, and I would stick with it - in fact I did!

Also the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro is a great cooler, absolutly fantastic for the price, and will allow significant overclocks - and very quiet at stock.

[DratUK]

I'd agree with the Zalman. If you are going for heavy overclocks than the Tuniq is the best. Mild to moderate overclocks the Artic can handle with ease as you also have a great case for cooling anyway.

I would question as others have done about the OC GTS its as you say £340 if you can strech to £385 this gives a bina-fide GTX
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...1&GroupID=1880
Buy the cheapest one you can find as it doesnt make any difference. The Corsair can easily handle the system with a GTX and overclocking.
Good luck.

[vicar]

Why don't you overclock the basic 8800gts and save yourself £100?

[EtheAv8r]

Not sure I agree re the Zalman. Custom PC have performed several Labs on this issue, their current 'Elite' recommended HSF is the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, and with good reason.

The Scyth Ninja was regarded as good passive cooling, but unable to adequately cool an overclocked P4 (which is hotter than a C2D). With a quiet 120mm fan it cooled the P4 to 6 degrees below the stock cooler under load. Results will vary with fan installed more airflow = cooler & noisier

The Zalman CNPS9500LED was noisy, expensive and performed very well cooling the P4 to 16 degrees below the stock cooler under load.

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro was quiet, with PWM controlled fan so only spinning as the temps demanded, cheap and cooled the P4 to 19 degrees below the stock cooler - puting it in the same league - performance wise - to the Turniq Towers

[akatsuki]

Ive read up on more coolers now and I now think that im going with the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (maybe).

Ive been reading that the E4300 will run cooler as standard, but is that compared to the E6300?

Also I would like to know if the Corsair HX Series Modular PSU 620W will be suitable for adding another 8800 GTS at some point.

[EtheAv8r]

Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro is a great choice - and is very low cost - it will cirtainly do the job for a good while and allow a substancial over clock.... I think that there may be a new super air cooling breed being launched sometime this year, better heatpipes, very efficient, very cool, but not the size (and weight) of a building!

I have installed Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on my E6700 on an ASUS Commando boaed with Corsair Dominator 8500 (my they are BIG!) and a Seasonic M12 Energy+ 650.

It has POSTed OK and I hope to install OS tonight.

The Corsair PSU should be fine - they are built by Seasonic.

[akatsuki]

ive just orderd it all. the only change to the system at the top is that ive orderd the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro, a NetGear DG834G and a samsung sm225bw monitor.