Hi I'm new to this forum and am looking for some build help. I am currently running an Athlon 64 3700+ on an ASUS A8N-SLI with 2 GB DDR400. I have a 500 GB SATA drive and a 60 GB IDE drive that I will reuse. My video card is nVidia Geforce 6800 (GS?) which I will also reuse. My case is an Antec(can't remember the model, and its no longer on antec site) but its a full size tower, I do know that. I also have either a 450 W or 550 W Antec power supply, can't remember which, but I do remember it's SLI certified if that helps. I am looking to upgrade to join this century. I will use this system mostly for everyday type stuff (web surfing, iTunes, editing MP3 tags, etc) and occasionally for video encoding, audio encoding, streaming, and editing audio files. I don't game much, except for the occasional round with The Sims. I have never overclocked a system, although I have read about it quite a bit and have considered doing it. Here's a link to the wishlish of what I have put together: https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9693692 My questions are: 1. Is this a good proposed build? 2. Can I save on this build anywhere? 3. Is a 25% overclock to 3.0 GHz very stressful on the components? I have never OC'ed before because I've always been a bit worried about the life of the components. 4. Is my HSF adequate? I will also have 2 or 3 fans in the case. 5. For my use, should I just save $ and go with a dual core E8400 instead? I was at first consdering this processor until I decided to try OC'ing and read how awesome the Q6600 is for that. ETA: I forgot about my fans. I originally had a $100 mobo but switched because it only had 1 system fan, but I know i have at least 2 fans currently and I would like to use them. Can fans plug directly to the PS or do they have to use the mobo? I can save $15-$20 if I go back to one of the ones with only 1 system fan header. Thanks and I appreciate any responses.
That looks like a quality build to me, the q6600 is top notch and an overclock to 3ghz is ridiculously easy. The Freezer 7 should be able to handle the heat from the q6600, but it is starting to show its age alittle bit. I would strongly recommend getting a new graphics card for that rig, your current one will be a HUGE bottleneck for that system; even an upgrade to something like this would be great. The only place that springs to mind that might be cheaper is tigerdirect.com, they used to have kits they sold about once a month with 4 gigs of ram a motherboard and the q6600; but I don't think they run those deals anymore. As for the q6600/e8400 discussion, I personally like the q6600 just for the extra two cores; the e8400 can overclock higher and runs slightly cooler, but it all comes down to personal preference there. Keep in mind not all motherboard support 45nm CPU's, but I would wager yours will. Fans can plug directly into the power supply if you have the right connectors. For example, my fans run from molex connectors so they plug right in, but some fans have 3 or 4 pin connectors which will pretty much have to go through your motherboard.
Cool, thanks for the response. I will consider upgrading my video card. It's something I can put off though, so I probably will. I don't really have the budget to add another $80 up front. This is kind of an impulse build so I'm a little shy pulling the trigger if you know what I mean. As for the q6600/e8400, running cooler is good to me, but I probably wouldn't take advantage of its ability to overclock higher, so I guess I feel confident that the q6600 is the right choice for me. As for the fans, I wish I could remember the connectors on what I have (I'm not home to check and I want to order the system so it will be there when I get home in a few days). I can save myself $20 on the mobo if I switch back to the one with one less fan header (it also won't have firewire or esata, but I'm not sure if I'll even use it). I'm spending $400+ though, I guess $20 won't kill me, lol. Is there another HSF you would recommend, since you say the one I selected is showing its age a little bit?
For the heatsink the next step up that I would recommend is probably about $20-30 more so I think you'll be fine with what you have. Idk if you would be able to tell with a picture to help but the fans connectors will either be molex or 3-4 pin. If its molex you can save your money and get the cheaper board.
For everyone who can't see the list it is: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Q6600 Windows Vista 64 Bit G. Skill 2x2GB Cas 5 PC6400 Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro For a total of $477
Shoot for the OEM Q6600. It's $10 cheaper and the only difference is that it doesn't include the stock HSF (which you'd be tossing anyway). As for the HSF itself - try looking at this one from Xigmatec. It was one of the first coolers to get rid of the base and just have the heatpipes make direct contact with the CPU - and to this day it performs in the same league with coolers twice its price. And after rebate it's the same price as the Freezer 7. RAM - Newegg always, always has incredible rebate deals on 2x2GB kits of DDR2-800. Take this, for example. Lower latency than the G-Skill and $15 cheaper. Just search 2x2GB of DDR2-800 and sort by lowest price. The deals come and go, but rebates are your friend for RAM. And as for the video card - if all you're playing is The Sims (I would assume The Sims 2), even $80 is probably far over what you need. Thanks once again to the magic of rebates, this Radeon HD4670 can be yours for the low, low price of only $55! Or just keep the card you have if it's working for you now, whatever. - Diosjenin -
Thanks everyone! I don't know what happened to the list, it is public but it's not showing up. Thanks klutch4891 for sharing the list and thanks to everyone for the recommendations and suggestions. I originally had the OCZ RAM selected, but in general I try to avoid rebates if I can, or at least shop the budget on the before rebate price, just in case the rebate doesn't work. They always find some reason to deny the rebate! I'm going to check in that heatskink, thanks for that recommendation.
Xigmatec makes some excellent bang-for-the-buck coolers. If you don't trust the rebate on that one, they have a 92mm version that's the same price with no rebate. - Diosjenin -
Well thanks for the help everyone. I am home now to look inside my current system (which was gifted to me and why I don't know what all is in it). The ps is Dynex DX-PS500W. I thought it was Antec, but it's not. Is it ok for what I plan to do? The video card is 6800 GT. I will consider updating this next month when I have more money. The fans are molex, so I could have gotten the cheaper board. Oh well, I like the one I picked and it has firewire and eSATA (even though I probably won't use it ever...) I think I'm still going to go with the cooler I selected just because I don't plan to hard core overclock. I'd just like to go to probably 3.0 GHz (25% oc). I've read the guide in this thread and have read up on oc'ing over the years, but I just have one question. If I set clock to 333 MHz for 1333 FSB and 3.0 GHz cpu speed, will the mobo get the divider right to run the memory at DDR2-800?
PSU: It's gotten you this far, so it should suffice for the time being. You might even be able to safely perform your desired 25% OC on it. That being said, you should look to upgrade that fairly soon. I would put that as a priority ahead of the graphics card. Motherboard: If it doesn't set the memory divider automatically, you can set it yourself manually. - Diosjenin -
Alrighty then, sounds good. I guess I'll know if the ps sucks if i try the OC and the system crashes...LOL
Well we hope so. They can also fail by exploding and that might take everything in your computer with it... That's why you should never skimp on the PSU. But don't get afraid now, you can buy a new PSU at the same time you upgrade your GPU in next month.
I found the manual for this supply: +12V1 - 15 A +12V2 - 18 A +3.3V - 32 A +5V - 38 A -12V - 0.5 A +5 VSB - 2.5 A I compared that to an antec 500W supply and the amperages are very similar. Is there anything else I can glean from the manual to tell if supply is up to par?
Just wanted to thank everyone for the input and help. My new components arrived today and I put the system together, up and running vista now. I'm going to replace this power supply soon as well as the graphics card at some point. Nothing exploded when I turned it on thankfully, but I won't try oc'ing until I replace the supply.
I've been following this thread a bit and have been wondering why you'd want to upgrade considering your usage patterns. It's probably more the thrill of getting something new... Anyway, I had a great PSU with more than enough wattage, so I didn't think it would be necessary to upgrade. The problem is that in the last couple of years the focus has shifted away from high amperes on the 5V rail. These days it's all about how much the 12V rail(s) can cope with. Like my previous PSU (Antec TruePower series) yours is lacking a bit in the 12V department. I urge you to upgrade to a good quality branded PSU. Brandnames like Corsair, Seasonic and Enermax get thrown around a lot these days. Have a look at their respective products and pay attention to the 12V rails. Incidentally, I got a Corsair HX520W modular PSU, which I wholeheartedly can recommend.
Mostly entirely true. I will say though, things are noticeably faster with this build, so I don't regret my choice at all! Definitely upgrading the PSU like right now. I've already been looking at them and am probably going with the Corsair you mentioned or the one that is 550W, as it has a rebate right now on newegg.
