View Full Version : Opinions wanted (Core 2 build)
I have put together this build and after changing a bunch of things, I feel I am ready to buy it... but it is a considerible amount of money to spend so I want to make sure I am not wasting money by buying something I will replace the week I build it. Without further ado:
PSU: $135 - OCZ PowerStream 520W (ty batboy)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817711002
CPU: $500 - C2D E6800
Got from a friend who works for Intel
Mobo: $250 - P5W DH
http://www.tankguys.biz/deluxe-socke...dy-p-1675.html
Ram: $240 - G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231065
HDD: $220 - 2x 36GB Raptors RAID 0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136054
Storage HDD - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140
GPU: $326 - MSI RX1900XTX-VT2D512E x1900xt (ty KJSatz)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127205
Water Cooling: $260.00
Pump: $85 Swiftech MCP655
Waterblock: $85 Swiftech Storm
Chipset: $30 Swiftech MCW30
http://www.swiftnets.com/
Rad: $60 Blackice Extreme 3
http://www.dangerdenstore.com/produc...&cat=85&page=1
Total $2,017.00
Looks good. I would personally get the OCZ Powerstream 520W instead. It has a single 12v rail with 33 amps. If you wanted to save a few bucks, you could get the X1900XT like I did and flash it to the XTX BIOS. The XTX does seem to O/C a little higher than the XT, so that's your choice.
Hey, thank you for your quick response :-D
The PSU and GPU are changed ty.
Overall looks like a great setup. If your watercooling is good enough you have a shot at 4ghz even.
Probably want to also look at a Zalman gpu cooler. Especially if you are going to re-flash and OC. The XT's run hot and the stock coolers not the best.
The X1950XT is also close to realease at $399 I think. It has much improved memory performance pushing up the numbers nicely.
The TeamXtream ram may be a better choice also. I'm happy with my HZ, though I haven't found my limit yet. Waiting on the rest of my cooling supplies to get here.
Actually, the stock X1900 cooler does pretty good... if you run it at 100% speed. However, the screaming loud noise will make your ears bleed. ;) I have a Zalman cooler on my card. Not a lot cooler, maybe a couple degrees, but wow, so much quieter. That alone was worth it for me. Guess you could add a GPU block if you wanted.
Brute Force
08-13-06, 12:38 PM
Here is the question, what do you want it for?
Because if you plan on overclocking it there are a few minor changes I would make. If you are putting this as a home media center then you are missing a HDCP card.
I am still doubtful on the p5w dh vs p5b-deluxe but it is only based on my tests with an e6400 which shows the p5b-d is the best of the current bunch IMHO.
What i don't know is how well the boards compare with the conroes vs my allandale since i still don't have a 6600 to try :bang head:
Brute Force
08-13-06, 01:51 PM
I am still doubtful on the p5w dh vs p5b-deluxe but it is only based on my tests with an e6400 which shows the p5b-d is the best of the current bunch IMHO.
What i don't know is how well the boards compare with the conroes vs my allandale since i still don't have a 6600 to try :bang head:
Well the Gigabyte DS3 series have been achieving insane FSB rates of over 530, so I guess for overclocking budget they are the kings right now.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109415ref=
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=49743&stc=1&d=1154403655
Well the Gigabyte DS3 series have been achieving insane FSB rates of over 530, so I guess for overclocking budget they are the kings right now.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109415ref=
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=49743&stc=1&d=1154403655
yeah i know ... but look at my thread on the ds3 vs p5b-d and even tho the fsb is higher on the ds3, the p5b-d beats it by over 11% in my real workload tests ... and also by 2% on the superpi 1M. Of course, benchies aren't my main workload.
... and i believe there is a p5b-d thread over there as well with a very high fsb :)
Certainly tho , the ds3 is more budget friendly than the p5b-d.
Looks pretty nice. I don't really see the point of the Raptors when the 16MB SATA HDDs are almost as fast...but I'd imagine the RAID 0 Raptors are pretty badass. But that would be an easy cost-cutting measure.
Opposite cost cutting, also look at the PCP&C Silencer 610---a whopping 49A on the +12v. Excessive? Yes. It also costs a fair amount more than the Powerstream at $159 AFAIR.
I'm not sure which XTX you had in there before, but here's one at MWave for $325.90 after a rebate.
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=AA48870
You may also want to wait on the RD600-based motherboards to come out. It's supposed to be at the end of this month, and they're supposed to be better and cheaper than i975X boards.
Overclocking, then gaming is what I am going to do with it.
Wait for:
X1950XT
RD600
and ty for the link to the video card, originally I had
GPU: $400 - Sapphire 100150SR x1900xtx
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102672
Now I will get
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127205
M Diddy
08-13-06, 06:32 PM
Personally, I wouldn't go with the RD600. It's to new of a board to say wether or not it's going to be a good OC'r.
Eberything else looks good though! :thup: :thup: :thup: Definitly a system I would build for myself if I had the funds. Close to what I have now, short of the 6800 and Raptors.
shadowfire1
08-13-06, 08:45 PM
if you want to save yourself a hundred bucks , and get 2 of the seagates for raid 0, their performance is compared to the raptors here
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=467102&page=5
seagates accully outperform raptors in that test , and their a boatload cheeper
Another option would be get a 1800xt and wait till winter for ati's unified shader modeling cardes (2xxx), they will be far better.The 1900xtx it by no means a bad card, I just cant see paying that much for something that will be well outperformed in 6 months.
Also Because your allready watercooling everything , it would be easy to make your computer silent, just get a seagate s-12psu, 500 or 600 watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=seasonic+s-12&Submit=ENE&Ntk=all&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0
and drop the rapters for the seagates, rapters are loud.
If noise dosent matter , then stick with the OCZ.
just my 2 cents
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