Q6600, 512mb 8800GTS build

[0gab0ga]

i thought about the exact same things you said too systemlord, but its not as simple as you say it is. other factors also apply. there is a reason for why they only supply 12V rails with 18A and above, if only 12,5 A was needed then why do this..? GPU's are the most powerconsuming parts in a build and may use more, especially in the future.
besides 425 @ 28A for the entire sytem will be at most one 12V 18A rail.....

 

[billiardicus]

I appreciate everyone's input. I ended getting the Antec Earthwatts EA500 based upon the JohnnyGuru thread and positive reviews from Newegg customers with a similar build as mine.

The hardware part is complete:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC
Antec earthwatts EA500
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
BFG Tech GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R

I scored all this for $824 after tax, shipping, and rebates (Fatwallet.com FTW!).

Now it's time for software. I've spent the last couple of hours reading XP vs Vista threads. I've gathered that it's generally not recommended to UPGRADE to Vista yet, but since I'll have to buy a new OS anyway, I might as well get Vista.

Seems like you can pick up Vista OEM basic ~$75. I can't find XP for less anyway....

 

[systemlord]

I appreciate everyone's input. I ended getting the Antec Earthwatts EA500 based upon the JohnnyGuru thread and positive reviews from Newegg customers with a similar build as mine.

The hardware part is complete:

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC
Antec earthwatts EA500
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
BFG Tech GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R

I scored all this for $824 after tax, shipping, and rebates (Fatwallet.com FTW!).

Now it's time for software. I've spent the last couple of hours reading XP vs Vista threads. I've gathered that it's generally not recommended to UPGRADE to Vista yet, but since I'll have to buy a new OS anyway, I might as well get Vista.

Seems like you can pick up Vista OEM basic ~$75. I can't find XP for less anyway....

One last thing, you don't need to run the Crucial's 4-4-4-12 800MHz 2.2v. I run mine @ 2.0v and have 24 hours Prime95 tested as well as many Memtests passes with no errors.

 

[billiardicus]

The parts are starting to arrive.

The DVD drive arrived just as a drive in a plastic bag. No cable. Which begs the dumb questoin: What cables/connectors should I expect to buy? I bought an OEM hard drive as well. Will I need to buy cables for it too?

 

[Mousemonkey]

Wait and see what's in the mobo box 😉

 

[billiardicus]

Well I put everything together last night. Booted up and installed Vista 32 bit (looking to upgrade to 64bit) with no problems. Ran Crysis on high, etc. Ran 3dMark06 and got a 11400. The CPU test killed me (I as at ~1 fps). Will start overclocking tonight.

Specs:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC
Antec earthwatts EA500
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
BFG Tech GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB
Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB
SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R
Windows Vista Home Basic 32 bit (OEM)
Acer 22" Widescreen
Logitech Z-5500

I'll keep updating this thread w/ my build info. Hopefully it will help others out.

 

[amd_fanboi]

nice work... enjoy

 

[spotless]

see any ghost in 5ms?

 

[billiardicus]

see any ghost in 5ms?

I'm still a noob, I don't know what you're talking about. I did see some screen tearing during Crysis cutsceens. Not sure what causes that. Is my 3dmark06 score normal?

 

[boonality]

It is lower than the highest out there but DARN good for the money you've invested. I'd say that's a good score.

 

[billiardicus]

I ran 3dMark06 again with everything else closed.
Stock: 11449

I overclocked the video card using the stickied "How To" on this forum:
70% fan speed
Core: 802 mhz
Shader: 1966 mhz
Memory: 972 mhz

The core temp is ~59C while running ATI tool artifact scanner for several minutes. Stock was 78C.

New 3dMark06 score: 11635

Question: Is it okay that I'm 20C below the stock temp? I set the fan at 70% because at that speed it makes the same noise as the other fans.


Now it's time to oc the Q6600.

 

[billiardicus]

OC'ed the Q6600 to 3.0ghz. 3dMark06 = 13528

I'm ocing on air, and I'm only at ~65C stressed stock fan, so there's more to be had....

For some reason, I'm having trouble with the Freezer Pro. Maybe I installed it wrong...twice...

 

[Mousemonkey]

The Freezer Pro is a great cooler for the price, but whilst it's OK for a mild OC @ 3ghz and above you really ought to start looking at the Scythe's and Tsunami types.

 

[billiardicus]

Yeah, I'm looking at better cooling options right now.

For the noobs: I was trying to save money, so I got a cheap HSF (Arctic Freezer Pro 7). I'm not saying it's bad yet, but my particular one is either defective or suck at installing it correctly. Either way, OCing is awesome performance/$, and the HSF is crucial. HSF may be the best bang/buck you can get.

 

[billiardicus]

Okay, I suck at installing the Freezer. Here's the link explaining that
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/248988-28-q6600-running#t1802082

Got it in correctly now. The Q6600 is running at 3.1ghz with all cores ~59 C. I've got the Vcore set at 1.3V. I haven't tried to lower it and test for stability yet. Gonna do some more tweeking....

 

[billiardicus]

Q6600 now OCed to 3.2 ghz. Still on 1.3v. Changed fan settings to 100% all the time. Cores are all at or below 50C.

The Q6600 is a monster!!