Almost time to start buying parts for the new rig

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Few questions about new build

Parts I am thinking about buying:
E6400
Nvidia 7800GTX
Silverstone SST-ST75ZF 750W PSU

Parts I am using from current rig:
74gb WD raptor
300gb maxtor sata
lite-on 52x cd burner
pioneer dvr-106
CM Stacker II case

I've been lurking around here reading up almost daily as people post up their specs and oc's that they have reached...and I am still totally up in the air.

I plan on oc'ing

I don't see myself running sli, instead once more dx10 cards are out I will upgrade the video card

Main thing I need help with is choosing a motherboard and then what memory kit to use with it.

I had been eyeing the P5B for a while but I had also been waiting to see what the 680i chipset has to offer. As the new boards are coming out I'm less certain which would be best for me.

If I don't plan on running sli do I even need a board that supports it? As far as ram I'm figuring a 2gb (2 x 1gb) kit should do the trick.

Mainly use my machine to game and also some video encoding.
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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I left out that I will also be getting some kind of aftermarket hsf for this system, just not sure which one yet.
 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
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E6300-E6400-E6600 are all good. Decision of which is a budget thing.
7800 GTX? :confused: Unless you're getting some killer deal, look at the X1950 Pro/7900 GT/7950 GT/X1900 XT, etc.
750W PSU & you don't plan on SLI/CF? No need. Get the Corsair HX520/620. Virtually silent, & will keep things running well for a while.
As for mobo, P5B-E would be my suggestion. Incredibly easy to OC (unlike overpriced 680i), & it's relatively cheap.
RAM? Check the guide Yoxxy wrote up, but IMO, this is likely the best option right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026
That Super Talent or the Buffalo Firestix.
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Well the E6400 seems like a good bang for the buck, with the oc's I see people posting on here I don't think I need to spend the money on the E6600 and can use those funds elsewhere

One of the gt cards should be all that I need (no idea what I was looking at when I posted the gtx one. Anything should be a nice jump from the 6800gt agp I have now

With the silverstone psu I figured it would be more than I needed but would also leave me room to grow. You really think that is just overkill for a single card system?

 

customcoms

Senior member
Dec 31, 2004
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Those evga boards are often flaky, and the only real advantage they bring to the table is independent memory dividers, allowing for cheaper ram-go with an intel chipset for an intel processor right now if you want to avoid headaches. yes, I know the potential for the ATI and nVidia chipsets, I am not knocking them at all-especially since the ATI chipset is paired with DFI-but, at this point, P965/ 975X will give you the least amount of headaches and the best bang for the buck.
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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So you think I'm better off just getting the asus board? I have to do some research between the P5B-E and the P5B deluxe

Main thing is that I want the new system to be an easy build, plus I have had my current rig oc'd for so long, that I haven't really had to mess with setting for a while now. I'm sure my oc'ing skills are going to be rusty

Also does anyone know if the silverstone psu I listed or the corsair that was recommended has pretty long cables? I have a cm stacker II and for keeping things clean I like long cables to be able to hide things
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Originally posted by: n7

As for mobo, P5B-E would be my suggestion. Incredibly easy to OC (unlike overpriced 680i), & it's relatively cheap.
RAM? Check the guide Yoxxy wrote up, but IMO, this is likely the best option right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820609026
That Super Talent or the Buffalo Firestix.

n7- Would you suggest the P5B-E over the P5B Deluxe? This is the only part of the system where I can't make up my mind

 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
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Extreme OCing - P5B Deluxe
Just below that - P5B-E

Personally, if i was buying a system now, i'd go with the P5B-E, as it's cheap & still allows for awesome overclocks like the P5B-D, but for a lot less.
(Not that i don't like my Deluxe; i just feel the P5B-E is a better deal).

And yes, the cabling on the Corsairs is nice & long.
 

Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
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I picked up a P5B Deluxe with wifi for 155shipped....

I dont like how cheap looking the p5b-e looks...Look like the p5b plain jane one. I like the heatsinks on the power modulators. I am going to try my QX6700 with it...

I also cannot be assured I will get a rev 1.02 version therefore 2.1v is the max vdimm and a bit low for me......
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Originally posted by: Duvie
I picked up a P5B Deluxe with wifi for 155shipped....

I dont like how cheap looking the p5b-e looks...Look like the p5b plain jane one. I like the heatsinks on the power modulators. I am going to try my QX6700 with it...

I also cannot be assured I will get a rev 1.02 version therefore 2.1v is the max vdimm and a bit low for me......


My biggest hesitation with the p5b-e is the rev # as well. I really don't want to go thru getting a board and having to try and rma it for the newer rev.

 

3NF

Golden Member
Feb 5, 2005
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I have the Corsair HX620 and it's a very nice unit (modular cabling). I don't think you'd be disappointed with that.
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Ahh well I just pulled the trigger and ordered everything..

E6400
P5B Deluxe
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Corsair 620HX
BFG Tech GeForce 7950GT 512MB

and I think I am going to get the Scythe SCINF-1000 INFINITY for this. I have a ebay gift card from xmas so I figure if I can find one there at least it's 50 bucks less that I have to spend

 

n7

Elite Member
Jan 4, 2004
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Originally posted by: loki5667
Ahh well I just pulled the trigger and ordered everything..

E6400
P5B Deluxe
SUPER TALENT 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Corsair 620HX
BFG Tech GeForce 7950GT 512MB

and I think I am going to get the Scythe SCINF-1000 INFINITY for this. I have a ebay gift card from xmas so I figure if I can find one there at least it's 50 bucks less that I have to spend

:thumbsup:

I foresee 8x425 potential in your future :)
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Thanks again for the suggestions on my build!

I'm sure there are the same kind of questions asked over and over from guys like me that aren't sure exactly what they want.

 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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Got everything put put together for the most part yesterday. Have to go back and clean up some wiring here and there, but I mainly wanted to get the system up and running before I got anal over wires.

I haven't even started trying to oc the system yet. Actually have a few questions...


1. The psu is super silent, to the point where I was shocked when I powered the system up the first time. But, there sounds like a slight ticking sound that sounds like it's from the fan. It's not really that loud, but I wasn't sure if it was normal.

2. What are average idle temps for a E6400. Sitting here only playing around on the internet I show temps as: Core Temp= 35/34 TAT= 36/37. I wasn't sure if these were too high. I'm not sold on this Scythe Infinity. I just don't like how it mounts. I'm thinking about getting the Zalman CNPS9700.

^ As far as air movement in the case I have a CM Stacker II. I have two of the hd cages in the front of the case, each one has a 120mm fan drawing air into the case. I also have a 120mm yate loon exhaust fan in the rear. The fan located at the top of the case isn't running. I have also previously covered the holes on the right side of the case (where the cross flow fan would be)

Otherwise no issues with the install. The 7950gt seems hot, so an aftermarket cooler will be next on the list. I also flashed the bios to the 0804 and made sure to check for any other updates that have been released for the board.
 

orion23

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2003
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Temperatures are OK, but you will get a better picture once you start to overclock the CPU.

Myself, I don't like the infinity because of the mounting system (not safe IMO)

And, I used to be a Zalman fan until I tried the Tuniq Tower 120 and the Thermalright Ultra 120.
 

loki5667

Member
Dec 11, 2006
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n7- I'm going to start playing with the oc tonight. Any tips/suggestions before I start? The bios isn't anything like my old p4c800 so I have been checking out threads where people are posting bios settings and screenshots to get an idea of where I can start
 

nyker96

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
5,630
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Here's a nice setup that's easy and cheap and OCable:
DS3/S3 for mb (115)
E6400 (200)
7900GS (150 and below)
PS you don't need that 750W just a Enhance 5150GH will do nicely for this. (75)
RAM (200 for 2gb, choose from the RAM FAQ recommendations, D9 etc)

below 750. and you can Oc up you 6400 to 3.2+.
 

loki5667

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Dec 11, 2006
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nyker96- I already got all my parts, they are listed a few posts down from my first post

n7 (or anyone else that is nice enough to help me out)-

Right now I feel lost with all the bios settings. Nothing like my old setups where you only had to play with a few things.

I was reading the post where yoxxy was giving some info on oc'ing and different setups. Would this be a good starting point for me?

(copied from his thread)
For the 965Pand E6400 You should be able to easily hit 3.2 ghz using the 8.0 ratio.
First go into the bios and change overclocking to manual. Slowly raising these settings is best in the overclocking, but if you are lazy you can start at the top. Let stability be your key.

# vCore: 1.375
# vFSB: 1.300 (Auto)
# vNB: 1.3 (Auto)
# vMem: 1.8 - 2.45 on ASUS Boards. Default on DS3 is 1.8 and moves in +.1v increments. Find the maximum your warranty will allow.
# Configured FSB: 400 x 8 = 3.2ghz, May be less or more depending on processor.
# Memory Ratio should be 2.0 on DS-3, DDR2-800 on P5B
# Configured Ratio: 7 (E6300), 8 (E6400), 9 (E6600), 10 (E6700), 11-50 (X6800)
# Configured Memory Timings: 5-5-5-15/4-4-4-12 (Configured under Chipset)
# C1E and SpeedStep off, Locked PCI Express Frequency locked at 100, PCI Sync Mode at 33.33.
 

loki5667

Member
Dec 11, 2006
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Ok I'm thinking I am being too aggressive???? Clueless to memory timing when overclocking....

Failed memtest86 after test #5





IDE configuration:
SATA Config Enhanced
Configure SATA as AHCI
HD Write Protect Disabled

Jumperfree
AI Tuning.......................Manual
CPU External Frequency..375
DRAM Freguency.............ddr2 750mhz (pretty sure that gives me 1:1)
PCI-E Frequency.............100
PCI Clock.......................33.33
Spread Spectrum.............Disabled
Memory Voltage...............2.10
CPU VCore Voltage..........1.375
FSB Termination Voltage...1.40
Northbridge VCore...........1.45
Southbridge VCore...........1.5
ICH Chipset Voltage.........1.057

CPU configure
Modify Ratio Support........Disabled
C1E Support....................Disabled
Max CPUID Value Limit.....Disabled
Vanderpool Technology.....Disabled
CPU TM function...............Disabled
Execute Disable Bit...........Disabled
PECI...............................Disabled

Chipset
Northbridge Memory Remap Feature....Disabled
CAS latency (CL)...............5
RAS to CAS delay (tRCD)...5
RAS precharge (tRP)..........5
Activate to Precharge............12
Wrire Recovery time ........6
DRAM TRFC.....................42
DRAM Act to Act Delay TRRD....10
Rank Write to Read Delay.....10
Read to Precharge Delay......10
Write to Precharge Delay......10
Static Read Control..........Disabled