Mid-range built critique, <1k

[boberson]

Hello everyone, this is my first build here, and I need to keep it under 1000. I really just need to know if there are any compatibility issues or glaring bottlenecks in this setup. I am planning on overclocking this as much as is safely possible, as far as longevity is concerned. This computers sole purpose is gaming and light multitasking/etc. It is also important to note that I already have a case/display/peripherals.



Intel Core 2 Duo 6300 1.86ghz - $180.00 (considering going to the 6400)
2GB Geil value DDR2 667 4-4-4-12 - $189.00
Gigabyte P965 S3 - $115.99
Seagate 3GPS 320GB 7200RPM 16MB - $79.99
NEC 16x ND-3550A DVDR - $28.99
Radeon X1900 XT 512MB - $299.99
Fortron FSP400-60GLN - ~$40-45 (not sure on this, considering that I want
to OC the system as much as possible)

Total so far, $938.96

-is SFF an option with a setup similar to this, and similar in price?


Thanks in advance for your help, tis much appreciated.

 

[modestninja]

I don't think the x1900xt will fit in most SFF cases, also a good OC and SFF case are hard things to combine.

Anyway, I would advise a little bit better PSU and a better than stock heatsink since you're planning to OC this system. http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5140GH for a better quality 400W (the 500W version, the 5150gh, is ~$10 more so you might to consider it as well). But provide at least a little more juice on the 12V rail and are quieter and more efficient. It's about the best value you can find for that price. I've been running my OCed C2D rig (E6600 @ 3.3GHz, 1900xtx, etc...) that is similar, but probably draws more that yours, on the 5150gh and have had no problem with it.

Just in case you are wondering, Enhance generally only sells their PSU OEM. One of the companies that rebadges their PSUs is Silverstone (the STxxEF series).

Reviews at JonnyGuru:

ENHANCE ENP-5140GH 400W Review at JG

SILVERSTONE ELEMENT ST50EF-PLUS 500W Review at JG

 

[caberguy]

three things. 1) your ability to "OC the system as much as possible" will be hampered by DDR2 667 Value RAM, look 800 2) a 400w PSU is pretty skimpy for that set up 3) $300 is too much for that Video Card.... this is faster and cheaper http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103022

 

[boberson]

Hmm, I picked up the 667 Value RAM, because after reading that recent article in the memory section, it showed that the difference between performance memory and value stuff is very insignifigant. I was honestly just hoping to push the 667 to 800. If the memory is going to keep me from overclocking my processor though(not sure if it does) I guess that could be a problem.

I think that i probably will go ahead and get a 500w PSU, probably the one modestninja mentioned above.

About the video card...I could be reading these graphs wrong, but according to some benchmarks on this website, the X1950 pro is pretty inferior in comparison to the x 1900 XT. It seems to be trailing by ~30%. Again..I could be reading something wrong, which is why I posted this.

Thanks for the replies

 

[caberguy]

you may be right about the video card... I didn't read it that carefully

but as far as the RAM goes... if run your RAM at 800 the highest OC you can get on the e6300 is 2.8Ghz though the CPU should be capable of 3.2-3.3+ on that board.
currently I'm running the same Mobo and CPU at a 470FSB which is a CPU clock of 3.29 and a RAM clock of 940... and that's the lowest that the RAM can run at these speeds because the lowest ratio available is 1:1 which means that the RAM runs at 2x the FSB. So long story short, if you really want to "OC the system as much as possible" you need to find RAM that's capable of running your CPU at 440 FSB or thereabouts in order to get a 3Ghz clock, which means that to push your CPU anywhere near its limit (even with a below average chip) you need RAM that'll run at at least 880.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'd spent the extra $10 for the NEC bundled with a Nero Express CD unless you already have the full Nero.

 

[tcG]

You really should spend the extra $30 on the E6400 for the extra multiplier... it will really help the rigs OC abilities... with the x 8 multi and RAM that will hit DDR2 900+, you'll theoretically be able to hit 3.6GHz (I would consider 3.4GHz a moderate Allendale OC)...

This is the only $200 RAM I know of that will usually hit DDR2 900+....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211061

 

[caberguy]

I'm running this at 940 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098

 

[boberson]

Ok, so what it looks like is that you guys think i should bump up to a c2d 6400(+$35), take some better memory(+$5-20), improve the power supply(+$30-40), and get an aftermarket heatsink(dont know the cost, probably 30-40).

The next question is whether all of this will be worth pushing past my budget, and by how much? is all of it necessary? Is the good quality forton 400W PS not going to be enough to sustain the 6300/6400 OC'd to ~3ghz?. Has anyone tried using the stock heatsink to OC one of this procs to that point? Has anyone tried OCing the value GeIL stuff?

 

[caberguy]

With the e6400 the RAM becomes a bit less important. With the 8x multiplier on the e6400 you get a 3.2Ghz core clock with your RAM running at 800 or 3.0 @ 750. So you don't have to necessarily upgrade them both to get a solid OC. That PSU will probably run the system, but you'll be leaving yourself very little overhead for future upgrades. Checkout the wattage calculator: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp

 

[CurseTheSky]

Originally posted by: boberson
Ok, so what it looks like is that you guys think i should bump up to a c2d 6400(+$35), take some better memory(+$5-20), improve the power supply(+$30-40), and get an aftermarket heatsink(dont know the cost, probably 30-40).

The next question is whether all of this will be worth pushing past my budget, and by how much? is all of it necessary? Is the good quality forton 400W PS not going to be enough to sustain the 6300/6400 OC'd to ~3ghz?. Has anyone tried using the stock heatsink to OC one of this procs to that point? Has anyone tried OCing the value GeIL stuff?

Honestly, for everything you're running in there, you should be considering a $100+ power supply. I know it's an annoying area to spend cash, since you'll see the same frames per second with a $20 power supply that you would with a $500 (well, that is, if the $20 doesn't die...), but it is very important for system stability.

Aftermarket coolers are a must if you're considering a decent overclock. The Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pros are only $30 or so. Combine that with some Arctic Silver 5, and you'll be fine.

The E6300 and E6400, as well as all other Core 2 Duos, are overclocking BEASTS. If you want to get the best bang for your buck out of them, grab some decent memory. You don't have to break the bank, but try to avoid the value lines if you can. DDR2 800 would suit you best. Personally, I'd stick with the E6300 and spend the extra cash on the memory.