My Core 2 build

[Firebert05]

Please let me know if this seems unbalanced or over/under-kill in some areas. I've been racking my brain on this for weeks now. I do plan on overclocking my rig once i'm done.

CPU: Intel core 2 Duo 6400
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
RAM: PQi Turbo 2GB kit DDR2667
Video: eVGA 7900GT
Cooling: Scythe Ninja for CPU, Zalman VF900cu for video
Case: Antec p180
Sound: Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Power: Antec TPII-550w

 

[stevty2889]

Looks good, although onboard sound is pretty decent, so do you really need the audigy?

 

[Firebert05]

Do you think the 6400 is justified in this setup? Do you think a 6300 will do just as well, or will a 6600 make a big difference?

 

[Zinthar]

Originally posted by: Firebert05
Do you think the 6400 is justified in this setup? Do you think a 6300 will do just as well, or will a 6600 make a big difference?

I think the 6400 is fully justified in this setup, as its clock multiplier is one better (8:1 instead of 7:1) than the 6300 and the Allendales (6300 & 6400) have proven to be excellent overclockers on the Gigabyte 965 mobos.

I would drop the sound card though unless you have an ultra high-end sound setup to connect it to.

 

[1N0V471V]

Looks good though I don't like the Antecs. Get something of similar wattage from Enermax, FSP, etc.

 

[tbalon]

You should add prices to all your equipment, if you have them, and where you find the best deals!!!

 

[Firebert05]

CPU: Intel core 2 Duo 6400 $250 depending on the hour of day
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 $149
RAM: PQi Turbo 2GB kit DDR2667 I already own this RAM
Video: eVGA 7900GT I already own the 7900gt
Cooling: Scythe Ninja for CPU, Zalman VF900cu for video $45 for scythe, I already own the Zalman VGA cooler
Case: Antec p180 $130 (the black version)
Sound: Creative Audigy 2 ZS I already own this card, but I'm thinking about leaving it out of the new build and keeping it in my current pc
Power: Antec TPII-550w $83 if I buy Antec: I'll consider a few future-resistant alternatives

That makes the total (for today anyways) $657, but this depends on the PSU. Any suggestions on PSU models?

 

[Firebert05]

Any suggestions on a good power supply for this rig?

 

[1N0V471V]

It's way overkill, but the 600w OCZ GameXStream has served my well... and for only ~$130

It's basically a re-badged Fortron with a black paint job and sleeved cables, but it costs less than the Fortron variant.

But that's only for future proofing.

 

[Zinthar]

I'm not sure that future-proofing will buy you much in this case since the DX10 video cards are rumored to need 1.0-1.2 kW PSU's, or their own internal or external PSU. I don't think any modern PSU could future-proof you for that scenario.

If 1.0 kW PSU's start to become a commonplace as 500W ones are now in a year or two, then prices will come down quickly and the extra you spent on 'future-proofing' now will be lost.

A high-quality 500W unit (at 80+% efficiency, or 400W effective under load) is more than enough for any modern system with one video card and a Conroe/Athlon CPU.

 

[Firebert05]

1000+watts for DX10? Holy crap! If that's the case, i'll stick with a quality 400-500w supply. From a little research, the Enermax Liberty, OCZ, and Seasonic all look to be clean and stable. I just have to search around and get a good deal on one.

 

[Bobthelost]

If i were you i'd ditch the P180, it's a great case, but do you need it? Think about the P150 instead if you're after low noise, plus it comes with a decent PSU (only antec line i like) for around the same price.

If you don't need the seperate airflow of the P180 and you don't need the extra drive bays, why get it? (The looks of course, if so enjoy )

 

[Firebert05]

There's a few reasons i'm going after the p180...I really want good front to back airflow and all those 120mm fans will do the trick. The sleek look is nice, (i'm not too into the LED's and cold cathodes) and low noise is definitely a plus. Do you think the p150 or any other case does this for under $125?

 

[Firebert05]

And that was a honest question...I just read what I wrote and it looked kind of stuffy. Just wanted to make that clear

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Firebert05
There's a few reasons i'm going after the p180...I really want good front to back airflow and all those 120mm fans will do the trick. The sleek look is nice, (i'm not too into the LED's and cold cathodes) and low noise is definitely a plus. Do you think the p150 or any other case does this for under $125?

Check out the write ups on it, SPCR like it and it got a good (but uneconomical) write up here too http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2670&p=2

While the P150's look will definitely grab some people's attention enough to warrant them getting that case, we really find the price a little steep, considering the lack of a door, screen, window, or anything else that would truly add that much to the cost of the product. If a user really cares about simple, elegant aesthetics, then perhaps they'll feel otherwise though.

A single 120mm fan is enough for a Core 2 / 7900GT rig with ease. If you want/need more then you can always take a hacksaw to it and make room for another one