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Thoughts on new build

S

skittles15

n00b
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
22
Ok, after not getting the funding I originally thought I rebuilt my system to stay under 1000 bucks. I have a monitor and XP Pro. I need a computer that will run 3dStudio Max, after effects etc... without a problem. Here's what i came up with. Any suggestions or anything would be great. I've never built a system before, so I'm a bit new on exactly what to throw into the package. Mods if this is in the wrong forum, please move, thanks. ;) Planning on overclocking to somewhere around 3.2 ghz with help of a friend who's done it before etc...


Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DVR-115DBK - OEM
Item #: N82E16827129018
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

$29.99

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119068
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


$49.99


Western Digital Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136054
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$89.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD4000AAKS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136076
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy



$69.99

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150229
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$79.99
$69.99


G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231122
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy

$84.99

ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813127030
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

$179.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9300 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115043
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy



$274.99
 
Drop the Raptor and the 400GB and get two of the WD AAKS 320GB drives instead. They'll be far faster, and probably a bit cheaper too.

Save $60 or so and drop the Q9300 to a Q6600. You won't notice the difference.

Drop the Pioneer DVDRW drive -- there's nothing special about it, and you can get a nice Samsung for $5 less.

Get the Gigabyte P35-DS3L and save ~$70 over the Abit IP35-Pro. (rebates take forever, so this saves you a lot in the shorter term)

Consider the Coolermaster RC-590 instead of that Centurian. A few dollars more, but a much nicer case over all.

Pick up a 9600 GT or 8800 GT 512MB with the cash saved elsewhere, instead of the horribly aenemic 8600.

Spend some cash on an aftermarket HSF if you intend to OC the quad -- the Xigmatech S1283 is a very good option at ~$40 and the Kingwin clone of it for a bit less, as is the Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 at ~$50 ($40 AR).
 
skittles15 said:
reason i picked the 9300 is the higher fsb rating, am i missing something?
Click to expand...

Yeah -- higher FSB rating does little to nothing for performance, and makes overclocking more difficult / require faster RAM. Higher FSB at stock but only slightly higher operating frequency means the chip has a lower multiplier.

Q6600 = 1066Mhz quad pumped stock FSB (266.5Mhz real)
2400 / 266.5 = 9 multiplier chip
Q9300 = 1333Mhz quad pumped stock FSB (333.25Mhz real)
2500 / 333.25 = 7.5 multiplier chip

Following this in to an overclocked situation, and assuming you're going for a 1:1 ratio, FSB to RAM speed (which is ideal on the current Intel platform) and you have DDR2-800 rated RAM, you want 400Mhz FSB, as DDR2 is rated at 2x its actual operating frequency.

Q6600 - 400Mhz FSB * 9 chip multiplier = 3.6Ghz
Q9300 - 400Mhz FSB * 7.5 chip multiplier = 3.0Ghz

To get 3.6Ghz out of a Q6600 you only need DDR2-800. To get 3.6Ghz out of a Q9300 you need DDR2-1000, since "DDR2-960" (3600 / 7.5 = 480, 480 x 2 = 960) does not exist and is outside the realistic overclocking potential for most DDR2-800 rated modules.

With your fairly modest OC goal of 3.2Ghz you'd have to OC your RAM to ~DDR2-850, which is doable with most quality DDR2-800, but why spend more when you are clearly on a very limited budget now?
 
Save $60 or so and drop the Q9300 to a Q6600. You won't notice the difference.
Click to expand...

But remember that the Q6600 runs a lot hotter and that those $60 saved will be lost on the energy bill, running up at lot faster due to its higher wattage. Personally I think it´s a bad decision not going for the 45nm, when you have the option.
 
nakedhand said:
But remember that the Q6600 runs a lot hotter and that those $60 saved will be lost on the energy bill, running up at lot faster due to its higher wattage. Personally I think it´s a bad decision not going for the 45nm, when you have the option.
Click to expand...

The power draw difference amounts to ~15 watts at load, less at idle, and the gap closes even further once overclocked. It also doesn't run that much hotter; you're going to need an aftermarket HSF with either. It's not like running the Q9300 will save you any money or allow you to skimp there.
 
silent-circuit said:
Apparently someone lied to me and I should STFU. Nothing new there.
Click to expand...

Never said STFU. That's a bit rude.

Yeah nothing new, we all got proved wrong once in a while. Hell been proved wrong twice today.........
 
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