Feedback Req. on new build

[NimitzHarrington]

Hi all,

This is my first build since a long long time (8+ years), so looking for feedback as to suitability and cost. The PC will be mainly used for running VMs, video encoding and gaming. I'm located in Melbourne, Australia and will most likely be buying from the following shops:
http://msy.arpatubes.net/
http://www.centrecom.com.au

Budget of $2500AUD (1AUD~= .65USD)

Intel Core2Quad Q9550 E0 stepping
Noctua NH-U12P Cooler + Noctua NF-P12 (push-pull config)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
Corsair DDR2 4GB (2x2GB) PC-8500/1066 TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
Gigabyte R487-1GH-B RADEON HD4870, 1GB
Seagate 640GB 7200.11 32MB cache (ST3640323AS) [or WD 640GB 16MB cache] x 2
Pioneer 216D SATA DVD
Antec P182
Corsair HX-620
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Total cost ~2300AUD at the moment...prices keep going up!!! :-(

I may try my hand at overclocking, but not hardcore (perhaps just FSB multiplier increases).

I'm pretty much settled on everything based on reviews + user feedback on forums, except the RAM. Not sure if I should go Corsair, G.Skill or Kingston. Price is a factor with Corsair being the most expensive. Looking for reliability in the parts mainly.

TIA

 

[Cogman]

All of those brands of ram are pretty good. Corsair is usually excellent, and G.Skill and Kingston are about par. They should all last and eternity though.

You might consider going with G.Skill and getting 8gb of ram instead of 4. (4x2GB) If there is anything I can guarantee its that 4 gb will soon not be enough.

 

[NimitzHarrington]

Hi Cogman,

I was considering 8GB until I read on the Corsair forums that populating all 4 DIMM slots puts a lot of stress on the NB, and therefore the RAM can't run at higher speeds? Suggestion was to drop the RAM down one level (1066 -> 800). Will that affect performance much?

 

[Cogman]

It shouldn't effect performance all that much. There are some applications where there will be some difference (video encoding) but for the most part you aren't going to see much of a difference going from 800 -> 1066. You may not have to drop the speeds down at all as well, I believe they where referring to the ability to overclock the CPU and not the ability of the nb to handle the ram.

 

[DSF]

I wouldn't worry about the drop going from 1066 to 800, it's just not that big.

As far as overclocking though, you can't increase the multiplier of a standard Core2 chip. The maximum multiplier is locked. All you can do is up the FSB itself.

 

[NimitzHarrington]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I will settle with this config then. Probably be getting the parts today.

 

[NimitzHarrington]

Went to get the components yesterday, and accidentally got given the green power (Caviar Green) version of the WD 640GB drive (WD6400AACS) instead of the AAKS (Caviar Blue). Are they going to hamper performance much? Not looking at raiding at the moment.

Thanks.

 

[disports]

It won't be as fast but then again it won't use as much power.