System Builder Marathon: $625 Gaming PC

[mbroda1978]

its surprising Tomshardware did recall that SBM $ 625 overclocked to 4.3 ghz outperformed SBM $ 1250 for example in iTunes v.7.7. In article about SBM $625 is clearly stated that at 4.3 Ghz SBM$625 had 0:47 against 0:49 SBM$1250

 

[pauldh]

[citation][nom]mbroda1978[/nom]its surprising Tomshardware did recall that SBM $ 625 overclocked to 4.3 ghz outperformed SBM $ 1250 for example in iTunes v.7.7. In article about SBM $625 is clearly stated that at 4.3 Ghz SBM$625 had 0:47 against 0:49 SBM$1250[/citation]
Keep in mind, it's not a fair comparison when only one system was confirmed to pass stress testing. It was as a higher voltage than the $1250 OC settings, too high a voltage to stress test it. The $1250 PC could have gone higher too if stress test temps were not a limitation. That wasn't meant to be a comparison with the $1250 system but rather with itself at 4.0GHz.

If you want more info just for fun, at 4.3GHz the $625 won in Photoshop 1:09, and tied in Lame 1:30. Lost in Winzip 1:36, and 3DSMax 0:46. The $1250 was running higher mem speeds but relaxed Cas 5 timings, but the $625 at 4.3GHz was running the same mem at 824MHz still with 4-4-4-12 timings (2.0V).

 

[pauldh]

[citation][nom]randomizer[/nom]They gave the explanation a while ago but I can't remember it. Besides, you don't always buy an OS with every new rig.[/citation]
Yep, that's basically it. Many enthusiasts already own all the software they need including the OS. Others may just use Linux and have no additional OS cost. Same goes for monitor, KB, mouse and speakers that may be upgraded far less often than the system itself. Maybe the first SBM article each month should briefly explain this.

 

[somuchh8]

So... I'm checking newegg for PSU's that have been mentioned here ( earthwatt 500, NeoPower 650 ) and they are no where near the price that was either posted in the original article or that others have said they found them for ( $50 - $75 ) respectively. Also, if OC'ing is the way I want to go to save some money verses buying a newer CPU I'm guessing I should choose decent memory. I checked newegg for the memory and vid card mentioned in this article but they are both out of stock on newegg. I guess I don't know how long it takes for things to be back in stock but I had newegg send me a notification when they are in.

I was hoping to build a new PC for myself before Christmas, my current PC is showing signs that any day it could just crap out. I'm worried about data loss so I'm pretty much not using my desktop PC at all until I finalize my new PC's parts and order them. I have a laptop so I can do pretty much anything except games for the time being. I also was thinking of going RAID 1 for this go around to have something along the lines of a backup solution. I don't really want to worry about a software solution so I thought RAID 1 would be good for the redundancy and HD's being as cheap as they are.

So.. I guess if anyone has some time can they comment on my questions about RAM, prices for a PSU, and anything else that I've mentioned about I would really appreciate it. You can also email me at somuchh8@gmail.com if you find that easier. Thanks,

-Andy

 

[Onus]

You will get a wealth of helpful advice on your new build if you post your own thread in the forumz.

 

[cjaynes]

Hi,
I know that no two rigs are exactly the same, even with the same specs, but: I built this system exactly as spec'd (even bought from New Egg), and I can not overclock it at all. If I make any changes to the clock speed, at all, it won't take. After a delayed boot, and going back into MIT, I get the message that the system experienced boot failure.... and it defaults back to a low ratio/speed.
This is BIOS F5. I don't think I saw the BIOS version of your build. I've read some reports of BIOS upgrade problems with this board, so I thought I'd ask before for suggestions before I upgraded. Admittedly, I have not OC'd in a long time, and this BIOS setup/MIT is pretty foreign to me. thanks!

 

[Onus]

Once again, if you post your own thread in the forumZ I am sure you will get lots of good suggestions.

 

[Richeemxx]

This is a nice read and a decent build for the price, however as someone pointed out to me the other day on a similar budget build you left out the cost of the OS and while you don't deduct MIR's you failed to include tax and shipping. I know tax isn't applicable to everyone but the need for an OS and shipping is. So you need to tack on at least $50 (from what I see) for shipping alone. As for the OS I know Linux is an option but that is left out of the article.

 

[evlmomo23]

Created pretty much the same setup but with G.Skill 4gb and a e6400...Love its speed/money ratio

 

[joetheoverclocker]

How about a step by step BIOS setting guide for this system??
I am new to overclocking and reading everything I can find.
I built this system using the same parts as in the article and am having problems figuring out what to change in the BIOS.

 

[yvg240]

I too have just assembled a system using the exact same parts from this build. I do not know enough about overclocking. There are so many options in the bios regarding cpu voltage. I cannot seem to find a 1.296 option in vCore or any of the others. Everything I try results in the system bios reverting settings after failed boot.

 

[Guest]

I've got e5200 paired with foxconn p45a-s and it worx great @ 3.5 GHz, 1.2v. Crucial ballistix tracer 1066 is RAM. It's 24h stable in orthos

Just heads up!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186148
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152

670-75# MIR from newegg, shipped new xfire 4850 system

 

[yvg240]

joetheoverclocker, I found some information that helped me. This is what I have so far that is working and is Prime95 stable. This gets me to 3.06 ghz. I really wish we could get the details for the settings that were used for the faster speeds.

CPU Clock Ratio: 11 X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio: +0.5
CPU Host Frequency: 266MHz
(G)MCH Frequency Latch: 266MHz
System Memory Multiplier: 3.00A
CPU Vcore: 1.3V
CPU Termination: 1.260V
MCH Core: 1.3V

I'm really bumed because I was thinking that the build doc has exactly what we needed to set but it does not.

 

[joetheoverclocker]

I'v got 3.5 GHz with
333 FSB
10.5 Multiplier
Frequency latch 333
memory multiplier 2.4 timings set to 4-4-4-12
All voltages on auto
VCore = 1.28 in cpuz

I am actually building two of these, one for each of my kids.
One makes it to 3.5 GHz, The other only 3.3GHz
They freeze if I go any higher.

I have no idea what to do with the voltages, left them on auto for now.

How did you come up with the numbers for CPU Termination: 1.260V and
MCH Core: 1.3V ????