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I admit it. I need helps building a New System.

D

Deadtrees

Platinum Member
Back in those days when I was following hardware scenes, I could always come up with the right spec. whenever somebody asked a question at any given time. I even remember how I found it annoying whenever some newbs start asking questions about building a new computer right here on this forum. Now that I've been away from the hardware stuffs for more than 7 years, I'm just lost. I spent quite a lot of time doing the research but there're just some stuffs that I find it overwhelming to know all. Although I feel somewhat ashamed, I really need your help.


*I'll be using this computer for digital imaging such as Photoshop and RAW processing.


Here're the specs:
(I'm getting 'em from www.DirectCanada.com)

CPU: Q6600 $278

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit W/ LED. $160
(Wow! There're just way too many memory companies selling various RAMs! Anway, how about this RAM? Can it be overclocked well?


MB: Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R Atx LGA775 Conroe P35 DDR2/DDR3 1PCI-E16 Sata Raid Sound Gblan Motherboard $160
(I've never used Gigabyte motherboards and as far as know Gigabyte just sucked back in old days. Now that I read reviews, it seems like this is the one to get for P35 boards that supports penryn& ddr3, or am I right?)

GPU: I have no clue. $150
(I'm not into 3d games anymore and the only game I've been playing is 10 yrs. old Starcraft. I'd probably be fine with whatever is cheap but I just can't do it as a person who had been building computers for ages.
Hell, I think I may just playing some FPS games again just because I got a new system. Anyway, what I'm looking for is something that offers best bang for the price. Nvidia 8600GT seems like the one to get.
What would be the one to get for $150 range? Oh and, if I have to choose between no fan noise vs. loud fan+performance, I'd choose no fan noise. Basically, I'm looking for a GPU that performs okay without noise.)


DVD: Liteon LH-20A1L DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 8X SATA Lightscribe Black DVD Writer OEM $38
(Does it do what others do? Is there a better one in terms of whatever?)

POWER: Corsair VX550W 550W ATX 12V 41A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan
(I'll probably have 3 7200 RPM HDDs. Would 450W be enough to handle Q6600, 8600GT, 3HDD?)

HDD: Hitachi Deskstar T7K500 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.5MS 3.5IN Hard Drive Oem 3YR Mfr Warranty $125


Thanks for reading so far. Any kind of help or input would be greatly appriciated!




 
Originally posted by: Deadtrees
Here're the specs:
(I'm getting 'em from www.DirectCanada.com)

CPU: Q6600 $278

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC2-8500 2GB 2X1GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15 Dual Channel Memory Kit W/ LED. $160
(Wow! There're just way too many memory companies selling various RAMs! Anway, how about this RAM? Can it be overclocked well?


MB: Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R Atx LGA775 Conroe P35 DDR2/DDR3 1PCI-E16 Sata Raid Sound Gblan Motherboard $160
(I've never used Gigabyte motherboards and as far as know Gigabyte just sucked back in old days. Now that I read reviews, it seems like this is the one to get for P35 boards that supports penryn& ddr3, or am I right?)

GPU: I have no clue. $150
(I'm not into 3d games anymore and the only game I've been playing is 10 yrs. old Starcraft. I'd probably be fine with whatever is cheap but I just can't do it as a person who had been building computers for ages.
Hell, I think I may just playing some FPS games again just because I got a new system. Anyway, what I'm looking for is something that offers best bang for the price. Nvidia 8600GT seems like the one to get.
What would be the one to get for $150 range? Oh and, if I have to choose between no fan noise vs. loud fan+performance, I'd choose no fan noise. Basically, I'm looking for a GPU that performs okay without noise.)


DVD: Liteon LH-20A1L DVD+RW 20X8X16 DVD-RW 20X6X16 DL 8X SATA Lightscribe Black DVD Writer OEM $38
(Does it do what others do? Is there a better one in terms of whatever?)

POWER: Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX 12V 33A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan $72
(I'll probably have 3 7200 RPM HDDs. Would 450W be enough to handle Q6600, 8600GT, 3HDD?)

HDD: Hitachi Deskstar T7K500 500GB SATA2 7200RPM 16MB 8.5MS 3.5IN Hard Drive Oem 3YR Mfr Warranty $125
Click to expand...
CPU - Q6600, while very nice for video editing and heavy multitasking... The E4500 OCs to 3GHz very easily and is a huge bang for the buck.
RAM - There is no need for the PC2-8500. PC2-6400 will cover the FSB of the fastest CPU's out today. The Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 after rebate is the way to go.
MB - I've always know Gigabyte to have a reputation for quality (not every tweak known to man). Yes the P35C supports both DDR2 & DDR3, but save some $$ and get the GA-P35C-DS3R DDR2 version.
GPU - At $150ish, the ATI 2600XT looks like a good balance for all around performance.
DVD - Samsung 20X SATA.
Power - The Corsair 450W is a little on the thin side these days, the Corsair 620HX is a good solid pick.
HDD - Fast... 3YR warranty... The WD 500GB SE16 WD5000AAKS.




~ "The views and opinions expressed in this posting are those of the author who is solely responsible for the content.
The views expressed may not necessarily reflect the views of AnandTech." ~
 
Your research has done you well. Thats a good looking set-up. That RAM will OC very well, its pretty much the best you can get. Considering you do plan on OCing go with a Thermalright 120 Extreme for the best cooling performance. If you want to save some cash you could also go with a Scythe cooler, just get one that excepts a 120mm fan so you can keep you goal of low noise.

For you use that video card would be perfect.

For your use I would suggest you go with a 64bit operating system and stepping up to 4 gigs if RAM. That should give you a pretty big boost in Photoshop dealing with large RAW images.

As for you PSU I would step up to a 520. An OCed quad can eat up some serious power. The 450 will work but for piece of mind I would go with the larger unit, the price difference is only about $20-$30.
 
Originally posted by: boomhower
Your research has done you well. Thats a good looking set-up. That RAM will OC very well, its pretty much the best you can get. Considering you do plan on OCing go with a Thermalright 120 Extreme for the best cooling performance. If you want to save some cash you could also go with a Scythe cooler, just get one that excepts a 120mm fan so you can keep you goal of low noise.

For you use that video card would be perfect.

For your use I would suggest you go with a 64bit operating system and stepping up to 4 gigs if RAM. That should give you a pretty big boost in Photoshop dealing with large RAW images.

As for you PSU I would step up to a 520. An OCed quad can eat up some serious power. The 450 will work but for piece of mind I would go with the larger unit, the price difference is only about $20-$30.
Click to expand...


As you suggested, I was thinking about 64bit Vista but as some drivers and applications are not yet compatible with it, I'm staying with 32bit at this time.
I think, I'll make the move within a year as I really need to use that extra memory 64bit offers.

As for PSU, I just changed it to "Corsair VX550W 550W ATX 12V 41A 24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan."

Thanks for the great input!

 
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