Building a new PC 965? 975? 680?

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nacheeze

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2001
20
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Hi Guys

My DFI Lanparty 250GB died. In order to wait for upgrading i bought an EP-8NA which gave me so much trouble that i decided to return it. Now i am donating my Athlon 64 3000+ to my brother and planning on building my first Intel system. I have been reading for a week and completely confused as to what i should buy. Its easy to pick C2D E6600 because of its price/performance ratio. The Graphic card i bought 2 weeks ago for Epox, BFG 7600GT will do but i can't decided on motherboard. Everytime i think i have decided on 975x i read something better about 965x and then there is 680i from nvidia.

I am a casual user. I almost never play games and don't really need the most powerful system but i would like something close to it. I do a lot of multitasking and use a lot of Divx and Winrar. I will be doing some Video editing too. I have never overclocked but would not mind trying after all i have read about the E6600. I have built a wishlist and need some thumbs up or thumbs down on my component list:

ASUS P5B-E
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400C4)
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
BFG 7600GT 256MB (already own)
74GB WD Raptor SATA (already own)
3x 250GB SATA-II Hitachi (already own)
Audigy 2 (already own)

I don't care for RAID but would like SATA drivers to be natively built into windows without the need to install drivers during windows installation (i think ICH8 has that problem). Also my current case (CHENMING CMUI-601AEB-W) has a 400W PSU... do i need a new one? Some people have said that something like a 600W PSU is needed for C2D and these components.

I know these questions have been asked many times before but with the bitter experience of Epox i want to hear from someone who has built a similar system. All your input will be really appreciated.

Thank you all for reading.

PS: as for the todays released Mobos from nVidia... i don't think i am ready to be the beta tester for the chipset. And even though cost isn't a consideration i think paying $260+ for a motherboard should be a sin. I don't mind paying 100-200.

PSS: for the P5B-E people on newegg say to get the newer 1.02 revision. Does it matter? Do i really need to go over the 2.1V mark (version 1.01 is limited to 2.1V) for memory? How do i ensure i get the 1.02 version... since newegg does not post the revision numbers.
 
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nacheeze

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2001
20
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Is everyone completely burnout from Elections to answer? Or was it the nVidia launch?

Thanks
 
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tempoct

Senior member
May 1, 2006
246
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Hi,
I have posted and read similar threads earlier. Seems like P965 chipset is already proven. 975x has more dated SB and 680i is still so new.
I was on the same boat a while ago and decide to get Asus P5B Deluxe instead of P5B-E. The 2.1v limitation will hinder your overclocking capability. P5B Deluxe is about $30 more expensive. I don't see good evidence that v1.02G is actually shipping now.
Overall your selection seems fine. E6600 is a good step up with extra cache that will benefit in certain apps. For CPU cooler, I will look at the Thermalright Ultra-120 too. Most reviews favor that cooler instead of the Zalman.
As far as the PSU, I think 400W is plenty (of course, if you don't plan to put super-duper video card in the future. However, I would get better (name brand) to ensure reliable of your system like Antec or Seasonic.
Here's watt calculator for PSU;
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp
 
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nacheeze

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2001
20
0
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OK! good suggestion. It works better because i wanted a serial port and the deluxe version has it. So there is no limitation on overclocking voltage on memory in deluxe? I think i am gonna stick with my 400 PSU because i don't care for a big graphic card or SLi because i don't play games. That link you provided is very useful.

Thank you.
 
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tempoct

Senior member
May 1, 2006
246
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AFAIK (coz mine is still with UPS) the Deluxe Vdimm goes up to 2.4v which is sufficient for all DDR2 in the market right now for OC'ing.
If your PSU is reliable, it's OK. I've just don't wanna risk myself! If you wanna improve efficiency and noise level, look at Seasonic S12-430. Virtually silent.
 
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tpalik

Member
Nov 3, 2006
25
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tempoct, I have the Antec True Power Trio 430 which is the Seasonic S12-430 under the skin. It has the 4pin +12v and the P5B Deluxe has 8 pins in that location. I downloaded the manual and it wasn't clear to me whether one could just connect on the four pins that are visible (before removing the cap) or an adapter is required.
 
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tpalik

Member
Nov 3, 2006
25
0
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nacheeze, the efficiency of this PSU is rated at 70% which is not so hot. I found the following article quite helpful : http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page1.html

After listening to my current machine whining away nearby, I decided I was ready for something cooler and quieter so better efficiency is a must. I live in South Florida and don't need another source of heat (except may for a few days in January).
 
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nacheeze

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2001
20
0
0
Originally posted by: tpalik
nacheeze, the efficiency of this PSU is rated at 70% which is not so hot. I found the following article quite helpful : http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page1.html

After listening to my current machine whining away nearby, I decided I was ready for something cooler and quieter so better efficiency is a must. I live in South Florida and don't need another source of heat (except may for a few days in January).
Click to expand...

That is some intense article. I think i need a PhD before i can fully understand this. So is my system is as i built it the calculation shows that it would need about 275W but if i overclock it would need 400W. So... time to upgrade to 600W? or 500W? Also the reason i choose Roswell because i like the modular wiring. Plug what you want and don't plug what you don't need.

Thanks
 
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tempoct

Senior member
May 1, 2006
246
0
0
If you like modular, try Seasonic M12. It's the same as S12 but with modular. Also Antec NeoHE is good too with modular. Make sure you get rev A3 or above (which most of them are OK now. There were some compatibility issue earlier this year)
 
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nacheeze

Junior Member
Aug 7, 2001
20
0
0
The Seasonic M12 is pretty expensive... but i do like the modular design. Let me ask this... my current PSU (400W) on has the 12pin connector. Do i need a PSU with a 4 pin connector as well for Asus P5E Deluxe motherboard? Cuz i would not mind keeping it if it works.

Thanks
 
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tempoct

Senior member
May 1, 2006
246
0
0
oh cr@p,
just check my PSU. It's also has only one 4-pin connector!
I think we can modify another molex connector for another one.
 
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