Yet another new build-P35, 8400, 8800gt512-is this good?

[WolfeMan101]

Please help is this a pretty solid build? I would like to use it for gaming etc. Also, I would like to OC it to 4Ghz. I already have optical drives, PSU, Case, Sound Card, etc. Thank You!

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$64.99

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$192.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
$149.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$109.99




Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
$198.99

Subtotal: $716.95

Grand Total:* $716.95

 

[KyleSTL]

I would go for an EVGA or XFX cards and a WD hard drive, but that's just personal preference. It would help to know the computer's use and resolution to make judgements on it.

 

[Maziar]

Yep its a solid build mate and those RAMs are CL4 right? (if they are then keep it,but if they arent then go for a RAM which has 4-4-4-x or lower timings)


Also whats your PSU? its an important factor too

 

[Zenthar]

I would also go for 2x2GB instead of 2x1GB (or 4x1GB if you never intend to go beyond 4GB).

 

[WolfeMan101]

I will use this for Gaming, Web, Ripping dvd's. 1680 x 1050 Res. and yes to the 4-4-4-4-12 Timings. I normally wouldn't spend this much on RAM, However this has the Micron D9 Modules. Not too sure if the D9 is worth the extra$ though. PSU is a Thermaltake 430Watt PurePower (Output +3.3V@20A, +5V@30A, +12V@18A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A) with a single 12 Volt rail. Thanks again for all the help!

 

[WolfeMan101]

Oh yeah, I will use XP Pro, thats why 2GB vs. 4GB. I read in the Memory forums that XP 32-bit doesn't work well with over 2GB, however I have no experience with this.

 

[Zenthar]

IMO, if you are to buy a new XP Pro license, might as well go for Vista x64 and 4GB. I have a system very similar to what you are trying to build and didn't even bother installing XP even tho the disk was partitioned for it and everything ...

 

[skizzo]

$149 for 2gb G.skill wat??? I just bought G.skill 4GB DDR1000 for $89

 

[p3r0p4tj]

Hey man, the system looks good...
In the mail today came.. and 8400, an 8800gts 512, 4 gigs of ram...
I have one concer for my computer and yours... the power supply. I have a Forton 500W and i am wondering if you have looked into power concerns on yours?

 

[KyleSTL]

I second the concerns about the PSU. Corsair, Enermax, Antec, Silverstone (most), and Seasonic would be the brands that I would buy (and XClio Greatpowers which are cheap, modular, Channel Well-built and Tier 2).

 

[WolfeMan101]

I have the XP Pro disc already or I would for sure upgrade to Vista with DX-10. I have a total budget of $750 USD. I am going to buy Crysis and do the Mod where you can get DX-10 results with XP. In response to skizzo, $149 fpr the RAM because of the Micron D9 memory modules, as stated before I am not sure if they are worth it. Does anyone have the link to the power needs Calculator? If not I need to go dig for it. Thank you all! Good stuff!

 

[KyleSTL]

In response to skizzo, $149 fpr the RAM because of the Micron D9 memory modules, as stated before I am not sure if they are worth it.

One word: no.

Does anyone have the link to the power needs Calculator? If not I need to go dig for it. Thank you all! Good stuff!

99% of power supply calculators are crap. If you're staying with a single GPU 30A (combined) on the 12V rail is enough. If you're going multi-GPU you should get more (someone else would have to pipe in for the actual need).

 

[WolfeMan101]

Thanks KyleSTL! I will look into less expensive Ram, but still a good fit to overclock the E8400 to 4Ghz., and also get a better PSU with at leaset 30A on the 12V Rail(s). Any suggestions would be welcomed on the RAM, the XClio's on newegg look pretty good and affordable as far as PSU's go. Guess I have more homework to do.

 

[3Ball]

Please help is this a pretty solid build? I would like to use it for gaming etc. Also, I would like to OC it to 4Ghz. I already have optical drives, PSU, Case, Sound Card, etc. Thank You!

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$64.99

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$192.99

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
$149.99

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$109.99




Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
$198.99

Subtotal: $716.95

Grand Total:* $716.95

Everything looks good, but I would change the memory to this, because it will allow you more head room on your OC (in order to hit 4ghz you will need 9x445 on the FSB which with a 1:1 ratio will give you 890mhz on your memory and not all 6400 memory can hit that) and it is 4gb instead of 2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146755

Keep the MSI because it has the best stock cooler of all the 8800GT's and the hard drive is just fine. I am actually going to be picking one of those up myself in the near future. Also, what are you doing about cooling the CPU at 4ghz?

On the power supply concerns. Here are some inexpensive ones (imo) that should get the job done.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012&Tpk=OCZ%2bOCZ500SXS%2b500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010&Tpk=OCZ%2bOCZ600SXS%2b600W

Best,

3Ball

 

[rsetter1]

I was only WD only untill recently installing a Seagate ES.2 250GB. $79.99
I don't have bench marks to spout off but mine is Quiet and Fast. Complete install XP Pro including format 28min. from F10 out of BIOS to Welcome screen.
I also installed 2x2gb G-SKILL. The RAM LIST thats going around says it uses Micron D9 chips. I would give you the link but mine dosent work? Right now they are $84.99. $149.99 for 2x1gb think not.
Also I have GA-P35DS3L, Great board.
The GA-P35-DS3L is being replaced by GA- EP35-DS3L. There is said to be some differences. I have not tested one personally so I will not tell you what someone else said. You should look into any changes there might be unless you are sure you are getting the GA-P35-DS3L.
A Corsair 550 watt PSU will be plenty for your system. 41amp.
Over all your system looks good even if you went with what you have.

 

[WolfeMan101]

Just two more questions will 2x2Gb be a problem in XP Pro 32 bit, and are the GA-EP35-DSL3L boards not as good as the GA-P35-DS3L? I will switch the Mobo if the EP35 is not up to snuff. Thank you in advance for all of your help!

 

[rsetter1]

2x2GB DDR800 will be fine with XP 32 bit. Only use 1 module when
installing windows. After windows is installed add the other stick.

Here is a Quote about the EP35-DS3L:

This board's CPU voltage cannot be changed beyond the standard default of the CPU that it detects. I was able to overclock the E8200 to 3.1ghz, couldn't get to 3.2ghz at all. No matter what voltage you input in, the BIOS will not update. Clear CMOS, you can adjust it beyond default value and it will retain. Overnight or after an extended shut off time, of 2 hours, the voltage will reset back to default when you power up the system. Tried Gigabyte overclock software, same thing.

Like I said, I have not personally R&D this board. If this is true it puts a big fly in the pudding.

 

[KyleSTL]

The E in the Gigabyte naming scheme means that it has a special energy saving function that in no way affects performance and it's mechanically identical to the P35-DS3L.

 

[rsetter1]

CAUTION!- WILL ROBINSON

 

[WolfeMan101]

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148262
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$64.99

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate

$192.99

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817341010
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate

$99.99
$79.99

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231145


-$40.00 Instant


$129.99
$89.99


Open Box: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128059R
Return Policy: Open Box Item Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant


$74.99
$69.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037

$198.99

Grand Total: $707.16

Thank you all so much! This is how I am leaning now after your input. If I get the open box Mobo I can get the "non E version"

 

[WolfeMan101]

Is this the best bang for the buck air cooler? It looks pretty good to me. I will also get 2x40mm fans for the nb, and sb. My case has 2 front 80's blowing in, a top 80 output, an 80 with an input channel for the cpu, and a rear 120mm output.

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186134

Also I have Arctic Silver 5 Thermal compound.

You guys rock!

 

[jitpublisher]

My 2 cents....dump the 8800GT and get an 8800GTS (G92) 512.
They are faster, and have better cooling, and can be bought depending on brand from ~$169-$225 US.

 

[KyleSTL]

Bang/buck definitely goes to Xigmatek S963 or S1283

XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $15 after $10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233001&Tpk=s963

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - $37 w/ free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003&Tpk=S1283

IMO, even the CM Hyper TX2 is better than the Freezer 7 Pro (since they're about equal in price).

Don't waste money on NB and SB fans. Their noise and expense will yield no advantages.

 

[WolfeMan101]

Thanks Kyle I will go with the s963. This is going to be my best build ever. I am glad I got the input from this forum, there is so much misinformation and shady marketing of products that it really pays to ask.

 

[KyleSTL]

np, enjoy it.