Catastrophe strikes!!!

[Phrozt]

I swear I didn't make this up...

Last night, I noticed my 120mm exhaust fan was wobbly, so I tapped (lightly) on the back of my comp. It fell off it's post and hit the fan in my zalman CPU cooling unit. It broke a blade off of the zalman fan, so now my CPU fan is off-balanced!!!

What should I do? Can it function that way? I think I'm going to replace it.. but I was wondering how urgent of a problem this is...


With that being said, I think my computer is telling me that it's time to build a new computer.... so..... recommend away!!!! I think I'm going pretty no-holds-barred on this computer, because I'm going to include my tax return as part of the funding.

Let your imagination run wild!!! (a.k.a., it's been a long time since I've done any hardware reviews, so I'm out of the game as to the latest and greatest...)


A few things I think I've decided on:
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
- I'm sticking to the seagate w/PR drives. I have a 320 right now and it's wonderful. I'd be choosing from these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148138
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148134

What I really need help with is:
- Mobo
- Memory
- Vid card


I'll probably be asking about the vid card in the graphics section, but I posted this here because, after being "out of the game" for awhile, I've noticed that mobos have become almost as complicated to choose as a processor, what with the differences in bridges these days. Also, I know almost next to nothing about timings with memory anymore...


Something to keep in mind:
I'd like to do a small to moderate amount of overclocking with this new system. However, I'd also like the rig to last... so I'm talking about sustainable overclocking that could last 5 years or more.


Thanks for all your ideas!

 

[g-paw]

If the CPU fan is damaged, I wouldn't start the computer until I replaced because heat could cause serious damage. I'd also replace the case fan, they're really cheap. I'll let someone else spec a computer, I usually only spec low to middle cost non gaming machines.

 

[mrmez]

Hey broz

Depending on how the fan blades are configured, if there is an even number u can SOMETIMES break off a blade on the other side to balance it. Either way it is time to replace it. Also depending on the vibrations u get, it could be anything from harmless to V dangerous. Use common sense to judge.

As for your new PC....

6600 iz good
Mobo... do u wanna OC like mad? I hear Asus p5B-Deluxe is good
Mem, depending on your OC, 667-800 should be fine. But DEF get 2Gb mkay?
Vid card. What do u do? Can wait for R600, or get 8800. Ive got 1950XT @ 12x10 with a 9xx intel and it runs most games inc oblivion at pretty much max.
Get some good cooling too. Ive got water, its can be very fiddly, otherwise a good HSF will be fine.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Oh i believe most Intel chips have a safety feature (unless u turn it off in bios???) which 'SHOULD' shutdown your pc should temps exceed limits. On my 8xx and 9xx its done it a few times, and they seem to survive just fine

 

[Phrozt]

I'm not sure I want to drop the money on the r600, but I am currently looking at the 8800 gtx. I'm trying to figure out what sort of mobo and memory setup to get to run it efficiently.

I would plan on doing some moderate OCing to the proc, but at a rate where it's not going to drastically cut the lifespan of the proc... maybe even stick some water cooling in there for added lifetime insurance. The 6600 is good, because it starts decently high, has the 4MB cache, and is $200 less than the 6700.

What would be a good mobo if I want to possibly do SLI w/the 8800 GTX, and what would be a good mobo if I *don't* plan to do SLI w/the 8800 GTX?

Thanks for your replies!

And g-paw, yeah I'm working on a solution w/that

 

[Bache]

I swear I didn't make this up...

Last night, I noticed my 120mm exhaust fan was wobbly, so I tapped (lightly) on the back of my comp. It fell off it's post and hit the fan in my zalman CPU cooling unit. It broke a blade off of the zalman fan, so now my CPU fan is off-balanced!!!

What should I do? Can it function that way? I think I'm going to replace it.. but I was wondering how urgent of a problem this is...


With that being said, I think my computer is telling me that it's time to build a new computer.... so..... recommend away!!!! I think I'm going pretty no-holds-barred on this computer, because I'm going to include my tax return as part of the funding.

Let your imagination run wild!!! (a.k.a., it's been a long time since I've done any hardware reviews, so I'm out of the game as to the latest and greatest...)


A few things I think I've decided on:
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
- I'm sticking to the seagate w/PR drives. I have a 320 right now and it's wonderful. I'd be choosing from these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148138
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148134

What I really need help with is:
- Mobo
- Memory
- Vid card


I'll probably be asking about the vid card in the graphics section, but I posted this here because, after being "out of the game" for awhile, I've noticed that mobos have become almost as complicated to choose as a processor, what with the differences in bridges these days. Also, I know almost next to nothing about timings with memory anymore...


Something to keep in mind:
I'd like to do a small to moderate amount of overclocking with this new system. However, I'd also like the rig to last... so I'm talking about sustainable overclocking that could last 5 years or more.


Thanks for all your ideas!

Replace fan or build new PC if financial

 

[mrmez]

Unless u got cashish to burn, i wouldnt bother with SLI using an 8800. I mean if u find an awesome board and its got sli, thats ok, but dont get something less than waht u want just cos its got sli... IMHO.

Main thing u gotta figure out is chipset. Prob ur main/only options are Intel 965/975 or NForce 6. Maybe sum1 who knows about these 3 can tell u more abt the proz and conz.

As for the whole RAM/CPU 1:1, OC thingo... it can get a bit complicated so an easy way is to aks sum1 hehehe

Here goes... E6600 =1066Mhz Q(uad)D(ata)R(ate) = 266Mhz FSB. 266x9(multiplier) = ~2.4Ghz!!!
Ram: 800Mhz is D(ouble)DR = 400Mhz
Therefore... to run 800Mhz ram 1:1 with that cpu, u need to OC that 266 to 400.
So... CPU at 400Mhz x 9 = 3.6Ghz A SERIOUS OC there.

U can use 667Mhz ram = 333Mhz
CPU 266 to 333 x 9 = 3.0Ghz.

Moral of the story... unless u plan to OC much more than 3.0Ghz... 667Mhz ram will be fine.

Please sum1 correct me if ive ballsed this up

As for water... dont waste your time with an 'off the shelf sys'. U gotta go custom. I went to danger den, built myself, was fairly time consuming and risky, so unless u REALLY need... just go good HSF.

 

[Phrozt]

that math lesson was precisely what I needed to understand in order to make an educated memory purchase decision... and the more I look into water cooling.. the less I want to.. lol. Especially with all of the good air cooling systems that are already available.

Thank you very much for your input!