First Build... need suggestions.

[wrenbui]

Hello,

I'm building a computer. I'm getting a LIAN LI PC-S80A All Aluminum Silent Case and an Intel Core Duo E6600 CPU. I'm also planning on getting an ATI 512MB 1900 XTX video card. I don't plan on overclocking or running crossfire / SLI. I want to use this system for all purpose. Some gaming and everything else including watching HD Video. I plan on using it with the Westinghouse LVM-37W3 37" LCD Flat Panel TV. I already have a Raptor Hard Drive.

I need suggestions on Power Supply, Motherboard, and Memory (2 gig). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wrenbui]

Oh... and for P.S., My preference is towards low noise over power.

 

[melarcky]

Oh... and for P.S., My preference is towards low noise over power.

Well I am the opposite. I like more power.. and couldn't care much about the noise.

 

[Doughbuy]

That didn't answer his question at all LOL...

Mobo, Get a GA-965P-S3, probably the cheapest mid-range board.

PSU... with a X1900XTX and a C2D, I'm seeing 400W min... Antec Trio or NeoHE will be fine:

http://www.directron.com/neohe500.html

http://www.directron.com/tp3430.html

The 430W is not leaving you with much headroom however, I recommend at least a 500W if your going to add more stuff. The 430W will be fine if your just going to leave as is and don't plan on stressing things anymore than need be.

Memory... Any DDR2-533 should be fine since your not OC'ing.

Also, if your looking for a place to buy, I like Directron and recommend it to all my friends. Cheapest place while still has good service.

 

[godman]

what doughbuy said, 400w is good but i think 500w would leave you with room for the future, get dual (or more) 12v rails for psu remember higher current on these rails is what you should look out for, perhaps 18a-20a...

ocz modstream/gamextream series are good and so are the antec tripower ones.

either ds3 or s3, s3 if your low on money, though the only difference is with the capacitors theey use on the motherboard.

I wouldn't get an 1900xtx now get a 1900xt 256mb or 1950xtx (i dont know about the prices over in the us though, 1900xtxs are around the same price as 1950xtxs)

good choice of processor :mrgreen:

yeah ddr2 533 or 667 (lower the multi so its in sync with the fsb for more performance)

 

[Guest]

Seasonic are among the quietest PSu Ive tryed.

Those Antec HE are pretty silent too!

Im not 100% about the video card, I would make a post in the Vid Card section with your budget, I think there`s a better card for that price!

 

[wrenbui]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I think I'll go with the Antec NeoHE 500W PS. (I don't know what "dual or more" means and I don't know what rails are for psu. 18a-20a is greek to me).

What is ds3 or s3? Which part is this refering to?

For memory should I get 533 or 667 or faster?? I want to maximize the efficiency of the CPU (w/o ocing) with proper memory and motherboard. I also prefer good brand and stability in memory (willing to pay extra). Any suggestions to specific memory brand/type/speed?

I don't know what "lower the multi so its in sync with the fsb means.

Is the GA-965P-S3 motherboard going to get the most out of my CPU w/o ocing? This motherboard says it supports DDR2 800. What memory speeds should I get to max out this potential. Also on Chipset... what's the difference between 965 and 975? Which is better? Any more suggestions on MB?

I'm still deciding on Memory and MB.

I'll look into the 1950xtx if it is a better buy for your money than the 1900xtx.

Thanks again for all your inputs.

 

[godman]

sprry for not including the full product names 😳

gigabyte 965p-ds3
gigabyte 965p-s3
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/ga-965p-s3.html

the difference? The ds3 has solid capactitor, whereas the s3 doesn't - it has 'normal' ones, the review above shows not much difference between the two - especially in overclocking.

get a good brand of memory 533 mhz will do. The FSB works at 1066mhz quad pumped (266mhz actual), the memory, if at 533mhz is at half the speed of the quad pumped fsb. However if you have two sticks of memory you can run the memory at double the rated speed.
Therefore the 533mhz memory works at double the speed, 1066mhz thus is the same speed as the FSB or what i say, that it is in sync with the FSB.

cruical, corsair, gskill and ocz are all good ram makes.

here this is what mpilchfamily worte it shows the basics of PSUs read all of it to understand 😀
PSU 101

this is all a bit technical but over time you'll understand, if you stick at it 😀

 

[Guest]

You can read the sitcky up there for PSU, but this is a good choice and you dont really need to worry about that anyway, 18/22A is referring tho the amps.

Not an expert on gigabyte motherboard, I think the DS3 is the 'deluxe' version with more options. the S3 would be the bare motherboard. Check on the web site and see if you need any extra features. Since you dont mind about overclocking you can pretty much take any of these two.

For memory if you dont overclock, the DDRII-533 is a perfect match for this CPU. You can always go with DDRII-667 as future conroe will match this memory perfectly so that could be a wise investement for a future upgrade. The DDR2-800 wont really improve performance unless you overclock, your money will be better spedn elsewhere...

Stick with nicely priced 'value' ram from Corsair/Kingston/Geil/etc/known manufacturer.

Personnaly never had a single problem with kingston value ram and is perfect for non-overclocker!

I suggest going with 965 chipset they are cheaper and the 975 doesnt have any advantages you could need IMO. Unless you really like the features on the P5W-DH from asus(remote control and so on).

Video card, post in the videocard section with your price range and what you're looking for and ppl will be of great help =)

 

[wrenbui]

Thanks again g0dMan and labbbby for your quick responses.

Since 533 memory is a perfect match for 1066 fsb, than settings on motherboard should be set to default right. If I decide to get 667 (for possible future conroe upgrade), is there any tweaking required to match w/ the fsb?

My concern with 975 over 965 is for possible future upgrade paths. Would it be wise to choose 975 for this reason?

Also what do you guys think of these combos?

http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2006/10/27/20418.html

http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2006/10/27/20423.html

http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2006/10/27/20459.html

 

[Doughbuy]

If you get 667 memory, then the mobo will automatically change the memory divider options to accomadate it since most mobo's support 667 memory. Anything more though, and you have to OC your FSB to reach that high.

Don't like any of them since those mobo's are mediocre (Except for the first one, but you don't want a E6700)

However, since you said your not OC'ing, then the thrid one should work out fine for you, second one has onboard graphics which is totally useless and an added expense for nothing.

There is no real difference between 975 and 965 except for the southbridge, and the 965 is paired with ICH8R southbridge which is supposed to be designed for the "future"

No need to choose the 975, the 965 chipset works just fine.

 

[Guest]

There is no real difference between 975 and 965 except for the southbridge

Gues you meant northbridge...


@wrenbui
The 965 handle higher memory speed, especially when OCing(newer memory controller)

But the 975 is a tad faster clock for clock...nothing worth thr Xtra $$$

 

[godman]

Quote:
There is no real difference between 975 and 965 except for the southbridge

Gues you meant northbridge...


@wrenbui
The 965 handle higher memory speed, especially when OCing(newer memory controller)

But the 975 is a tad faster clock for clock...nothing worth thr Xtra $$$

Okay the 965p motherboard has two feaures that separate it from the 975x.
The 965p motherboard has the newer 965p notherbridge/memory controller.
The name of the cihpset is the name of the northbridge.
The 965p motherboard also has the new 'improved' ICH8/ICH8R southbridge, whereas the 975x has the older 975x northbridge+older ICH7 southbridge.

So the two motherboards have different southbridges + different northbridges.

doughbuy is right the 965p will do just fine, its also the newest of the two (only released last june or so when core 2 duo was released). I also aggree with him on the bundles, none of them are particulary attactive to me, accept for the E6700 one (with the gigabyte motherboard), though you dont want to be getting that....

Have a look into the cost of a E6600+gigabyte 965p-ds3, that shoudl do you fine, if you want something a bit cheaperthen get a E6400 😀

 

[wrenbui]

Thanks guys. I think I've got it all down now. I'm gonna get E6600+gigabyte 965p-ds3 with 2 gigs of 533 memory. Also getting the Antec NeoHE 500W PS. I will prolly shop at both new egg and directron for the best prices. Thanks again for the suggestions... I'm excited to start on my new rig.

8)

 

[godman]

GL 😀


ps. nice processor and motherboard choice...:mrgreen: