New Build - Assembling Components - Comments Please

[Fun Guy]

So much has changed since I built a computer....busses (SATA is new to me), processors (last build was a single core), memory (DDR2 was barely out)...you get the picture.

Anyway, here is my new rig setup, will be used for video editing and other power uses, dual boot. First I will share the items I have picked out, and welcome comments on my choices thus far:

Monitor
Dell 30" Flat Panel

Case
Antec P180

Motherboard
Asus P5WDG2-WS PRO

Processor
E6750 2.66Ghz Conroe

Primary/Boot HDD
WD Raptor 150GB

DVD +/- RW Drives (2)
Samsung 18X

Power Supply
PC Power & Cooling 610W EPS12V


Now I need some help on the following items:

Video
Need something that will do dual-link DVI to support the 2560 x 1600 resolution
Don't want hot or loud - Won't play many (if any) games, so don't need serious power
Here are the suggestions I've received thus far:
Sapphire Radeon X1950 PRO
ATI FireGL V3300
XFX GeForce 8600GT

RAM
HELP!!! I have no clue here!!!
In addition to brand recommendations, I would like max RAM without issues.
Some have recommended 4GB (4 x 1GB), others have recommended 3GB (2 x 1GB + 2 x 512MB)
Will having different sizes affect performance? Will having too much RAM affect performance?

OS
Was going to go XP, but is there any reason for me to jump on the Vista bandwagon?

Wireless KB/Mouse
???

Speakers
Only need 2.1, cheap but good is fine with me.

Thanks guys.

 

[xitshsif]

I'd say 4GB of RAM. You can never have too much. You will need a 64-bit OS though. 64-bit Vista is the way to go; XP-64 is notorious for instability.

If you're doing a lot of video editing, a quad core CPU would give a definite bonus. Link

 

[trOver]

Agree on the quad. Get the q6600, its only ~300 now after the price cuts. 4gb is good for vid. editing, but again you will need a 64bit o/s to recognize it all. Speakers: klipsch promedia 2.1 is the way to go imo. Keyboard/mouse: I dispise of wireless here, but if it is required, i would just get a good logitech kit.

as for vid card, ask someone else, I dont know much about videoediting cards..

 

[Fun Guy]

I've heard the quad has issues with heat; is that true?

 

[Fun Guy]

Anyone else?

 

[coldmeat]

do you plan to overclock? if not then you will have no issues with heat

 

[Fun Guy]

How about RAM....anyone have any ideas?

 

[KoolDrew]

I'd also go for a quad core. Any reason you're going with a $284.99 motherboard? Perhaps considering this instead? Also, have you considered going with two smaller monitors (say 24"?) as opposed to one large one? Could consider looking at the SilverStone Olympia OP750 750W or SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM as well. The PC P&C would definitely get the job done and is a quality supply, but those may interest you as well. Also, definitely go with 4GB of DDR2-800 considering RAM is so cheap nowadays. I'd probably go with 64-bit Vista as well.

 

[Fun Guy]

Thanks Kool. Anyone else have input, on any part of my build?

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, PSU is heavy overkill. Enermax Liberty 400w would be plenty for you. I have no earthly idea why KoolDrew suggested something even more powerful than what you have in the OP.

I would also recommend you go with a P35 based motherboard instead of the 975X.

Are you going to OC that cpu? I'd definitely go with the Q6600.

This memory is cheap and tried and true...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...6408926a96118a35eac116

Another option if you feel more comfortable with Corsair...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=85016-16

With memory so cheap, I'd go ahead and do 4GB, even if you go with a 32bit OS. It is just not a good idea to invest in 512MB modules right now.

 

[Fun Guy]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Yeah, PSU is heavy overkill. Enermax Liberty 400w would be plenty for you. I have no earthly idea why KoolDrew suggested something even more powerful than what you have in the OP.

Enermax Liberty 400W is quiet? That's my main concern.

Originally posted by: bamacreI would also recommend you go with a P35 based motherboard instead of the 975X.

Any suggestions on a P35 MB?

Originally posted by: bamacreAre you going to OC that cpu? I'd definitely go with the Q6600.

How are these inter-related? What if I want to overclock, are you recommending to not get a quad? Not clear on what you are are recommending here.

Originally posted by: bamacreThis memory is cheap and tried and true...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...6408926a96118a35eac116

Another option if you feel more comfortable with Corsair...
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=85016-16

Wouldn't I want DDR2 800 RAM and not 667 RAM?

Originally posted by: bamacreWith memory so cheap, I'd go ahead and do 4GB, even if you go with a 32bit OS. It is just not a good idea to invest in 512MB modules right now.

[/quote]
There is no penalty at all for having more than the max addressible? Are you sure about this?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Fun Guy
Enermax Liberty 400W is quiet? That's my main concern.

You may want to reseach that, as I have never used it personally. My concern was the price and power output. You don't need that much wattage. A quality 400W is all you need, especially since you aren't running a high-end video card.

Any suggestions on a P35 MB?

Really depends on what all you need in a motherboard. The P35 chipset is new, 975X is one generation old.

Anything from this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128050
to this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131182

How are these inter-related? What if I want to overclock, are you recommending to not get a quad? Not clear on what you are are recommending here.

Wouldn't I want DDR2 800 RAM and not 667 RAM?

I would get a quad either way. Even at stock speeds the Q6600 is very fast, and quad core will definitely help with video editing, as encoding and decoding video are almost always multi-threaded.

The FSB of the Q6600 is 1066mhz, so at stock speeds you would only need 533mhz memory. The two sets of 667mhz memory I linked to will definitely allow you to get the Q6600 up to 3Ghz easily.

If you think however that you would end up upgrading to a new cpu with a 1333mhz FSB, and want to OC that, then you may want to consider spending a little more for 800mhz memory. But really a 3Ghz quad core cpu is going to last you a long while.

There is no penalty at all for having more than the max addressible? Are you sure about this?

No, no penalty. The BIOS will recognize all 4GB, Windows 32bit will recognize ~3.25GB. But no, there are no penalties for runnning 4GB, performance-wise at least. Just spending a little money on memory that you won't be currently using. If you do jump to a 64bit version of Windows, you'll have the 4GB already. Again, I am really only recommending this because memory is still quite cheap. Earlier this year, 2GB kits of DDR2 were running $200+, and that was for Value stuff.

 

[Fun Guy]

Cool, thanks.

Any other opinions or input appreciated.