Core i7 920 system: MB, GPU and RAM questions

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juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
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Building a new system and am unclear on a few choices... I hope you can help. I'm in the UK so prices are in GBP, mostly from scan.co.uk. The budget is around 1000 GBP but really I just want decent price/performance.

Goals: fast, quiet system for software development and multitasking. I run a lot of software at once and some accesses huge local databases, others are CPU intensive. Therefore, I decided I need a Core i7 920 based system.

I do some gaming but it is not a priority so graphics wise I'd just like to get something with decent price/performance.

My system is on most of the time so noise is a big issue. My current setup (Athlon Mobile XP 2500+ based, slightly o/c) is terrible in that regard.

I don't plan to do a lot of overclocking, only as much as I can while keeping noise levels down.

I intend to run Windows XP Professional x64 Edition initially if drivers let me, then probably move to Windows 7 skipping Vista.


Things I'm pretty much decided on:
CPU: i7 920 OEM, 225 GBP
CPU cooler: Ultra-120-1366RT eXtreme, 52 GBP
PSU: Enermax MODU82+ EMD625AWT, 98 GBP (good noise ratings)
HDD: 300 GB WD3000HLFS, 197 GBP (decided that SSD is immature); might need a HDD slieve/smth for it as the stock one is loud and 2.5''
GPU cooler: Accelero S1 v2, 18 GBP (to keep noise down)


MB: Very unclear on which one to get. I've decided on either Asus or Gigabyte but I cannot decide between:
P6T, 193 GBP
GA-EX58-UD4P, 207 GBP
GA-EX58-UD5, 218 GBP
P6T Deluxe (V2), 233 GBP

Are they all passively cooled and won't require a fan? Leaning towards GA-EX58-UD4P at the moment as I think its power consumption is lower than the P6T or GA-EX58-UD5 but it's not missing any important features.

GPU: Probably decided on getting the HD4850 or HD4870, but not sure which one, whether 512MB or 1GB RAM and which brand:
Gigabyte HD4850 512MB, 124 GBP
Gigabyte HD4850 1024MB, 143 GBP
Gigabyte HD4870 1024MB, 158 GBP

Leaning towards HD4850 1024MB at the moment as someone recommended it but not sure why really.

RAM: I think I need 3x2GB but I'm not sure if I need 1600 or 1333 Mhz RAM and how much I need lower latency:
Corsair 1333 LC9, 64 GBP
Corsair 1600 LC9, 90 GBP
OCZ 1600 LC8, 99 GBP

Leaning towards Corsair 1600 LC9 at the moment as I didn't find the OCZ on most UK sites.



I'm carrying over 2 of my old SATA drives to run them in RAID1 setup for the important data. I'm carrying over my old case (Compucase 6A21). And I'm carrying over my two 30'' and 20'' monitors and need to run them in dual-DVI mode. I'm carrying over my keyboard/mouse/speakers.


I haven't built a system since 2005 so kind of struggling with all this. Any comments will be appreciated.
 
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masteryoda34

Golden Member
Dec 17, 2007
1,399
3
81
If you don't have a high priority for gaming and want price/performance for video card, then I would say get the HD4850 512MB.

For RAM, i7 920 natively supports only 1066MHz DDR3. The only time you will want faster ram is if you overclock the CPU (which in turn overclocks the ram of course.) From your description of how much you want to overclock, sounds like 1333MHz RAM should be good.

RAM timings have a very small impact on real performance. Like 1-3% at the most. If you can get lower timings for a small increase in price then I would. If not, then forget it.

For the MB, those are all good choices. Since you said you're not overclocking a lot I would go with one of the cheaper two.
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
Thanks, master yoda. I'll get the 1333 Mhz RAM CL9 as per your suggestion. For the MB I read more and I now fear the LAN issues on Gigabyte boards. I'll get the P6T.

The price difference between the video cards is so small though that I wonder if I shouldn't just get the 4870 one. Would it run hotter than 4850 though? What do you think?
 
M

masteryoda34

Golden Member
Dec 17, 2007
1,399
3
81
The 4870 will run a little warmer, but it has double-slot cooler that also vents out the back of the case.
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
I planned on installing Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 v2 for passive cooling to replace the stock fan.
 
S

specialk90

Member
Apr 14, 2009
38
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0
" I planned on installing Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 v2 for passive cooling to replace the stock fan. "
Is this for the video card? If so, this will only increase the temp inside the case which means you would need more and/or bigger case fans. For the video card, I would just use the program, I can't remember the name, designed for ATI cards which allows you to adjust clock speeds AND fan speeds. I cannot hear my ATI x1950xtx inside P180 case and this is a dual-slot card. If you only game a little, then use this program to reduce the speeds and fan speeds, which will keep the case temps and noise down; and it will keep your video card from overheating.

For noise, you really should look at insulated cases. The Antec P182 is very quiet and some Lian-Li cases are too. My first build was with a cheap $60 case and I couldn't stand the noise as it ran 24/7. Then I needed a HTPC, which really had to be quiet, and I found the Antec P180(98% identical to P182). My P180 with 4 Raptors(10k rpm) in Raid 10 can barely be heard inside this case. That's quite good considering those 4 drives are all moving at the same time. I also have a Lian-Li case which I got because I needed a case that could hold 12 drives and not be loud. The 3-speed Antec fans that came with the P180 are so nice that I bought 4 of them for the Lian-Li case. There is a Lian-Li case that is extremely quiet but costs $300 US.

POWER SUPPLY: for low noise, you can't go wrong with the PC Power & Cooling Silencer. (I have the 750) Not only is it quiet, it is one of the best, if not the best power supply around.
 
mpilchfamily

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
3,559
1
0
I would advise against XP 64. You would be better off with Vista. There is all sorts of driver and support issues with XP 64. So you may want to run Win 7 beta till the final release is out if you want to keep from purchasing Vista right now.
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
specialk90: Yes, the Accelero S1 v2 is for the video card. You make a good point in that it doesn't eliminate heat and the case fans need to remove it so it could turn out I need a better case. Mine has 12cm fans back and front though and a (IMHO) decent layout so I want to give it a try and get a better one later if needed. Very bad idea?

I chose the PSU from here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article699-page1.html


mpilchfamily: I checked my components and all had XP x64 drivers on their websites. That doesn't prove they are quality drivers though :(. Maybe I'll just run XP 32bit then :(
 
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specialk90

Member
Apr 14, 2009
38
0
0
Maybe its my cases or something else but I cannot hear my PC Power & Cooling 750w Silencer in my Lian-Li or even the Thermaltake TruePower 650 in my P182(the Thermaltake was before I knew much about PSUs). Your 120mm fans and hard drives will be louder/easier to hear than the PSU. What do you prefer, a couple unnoticeable decibels lower PSU or a higher quality PSU?
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
OK, (nearly) final system review before I buy.

CPU: Intel i7 920 + Thermalright Ultra-120-1366RT eXtreme
MB: Asus P6T
RAM: Corsair TR3X6G1333C9
HDD: 300 GB WD3000HLFS (not going to use the IcePack, just gonna suspend it in some sewing rubber or smth)
PSU: Enermax MODU82+ EMD625AWT
GPU: Gigabyte GV-R485MC-1GI (fanless)
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
Although the OCZ Vertex Series SATA II 2.5" 60GB SSD for 168.76 is very tempting. 120GB is 307.99 GBP.
 
J

juu

Junior Member
Apr 21, 2009
15
0
0
OK, thanks everyone. Ordered it. BTW Vertex 60GB is out of stock in most places, barely found it.
 
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