New System Build

[CEV]

I'm about ready to order my new parts. I have a question about the MB and Memory being compatible.

ASUS P5B Deluxe
CORSAIR TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Core2Duo E6600
XFX GeForce 7600GT
Thermaltake 700W Power Supply

The page on the MB states "Notice: Only DDR2-800 memory supporting JEDEC approved 1.8V operation with timings of 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 is supported on Intel Desktop Boards based on Intel 965 Express Chipsets". Does that mean the memory I selected will not work? I'm planning on using 4GB. If it will not work is there a better MB or Memory option? I don't do any gaming but like to do a lot of muli-tasking and burning DVD movies. I would also like to play around with virtual PC's. Other than those questions, I would like anyones opinion on the build itself. I already have HD's, a case, and DVD drives.

Thanks,

CEV

 

[engiNURD]

They'll work (on any board that can support 2.1v), but that board is overpriced. If you don't need the features of the deluxe, look at the P5B-E, P5N-E SLI, or GA-965P-DS3 if you want to save money.

 

[GoCobbers1]

Id look at your PSU choice again...

$170
SLI Ready (you wont utilize as non gamer)
700W is huge for that system

 

[alimoalem]

get 2x1gb for now and see if you need another 2gb later on

700w is overkill. get a ~450w fortron, seasonic, enermax liberty, seasonic. do not get more than 520w.

don't get a 7600GT if you're not gaming. get a $50 card or get a decent graphics card (7900GT or equivalent).

are you going to be overclocking? if not, why are you getting DDR2-800 ram?

 

[Operandi]

The 7600GT is a complete waste if you won't be gaming. I would go with this Gigabyte X1650 Pro for it's passive heatsink and dual DVI outputs. If you don't need dual DVI are cheaper passive solutions such as the X1300.

Your PSU is also way out of proportion with your power draw. At most your looking at 150 watts under load; thats barely 20% of 700 watts. Thermaltake is also not a name I would recommend when it comes to power supplies. The Seasonic S12 is one of the best PSUs available -- the 330 model would be a good match for your hardware and needs.

 

[jkresh]

while I agree that thermaltake might note make the best power supplies (go with antec, seasonic, pc power&cooling) its always a good idea to buy the best powersupply you can justify (if you have a 1000watt supply and are only using 200wats it will just draw 200wats form the wall (based on its efficiency) so outside of the upfront cost there is no reason not to). Also most power supplies run at much higher efficiency when they are well below there max (so after a year or two a high quality 600 watt may be cheaper then a 300wat even if you are only using 200-300watts).

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: jkresh
while I agree that thermaltake might note make the best power supplies (go with antec, seasonic, pc power&cooling) its always a good idea to buy the best powersupply you can justify (if you have a 1000watt supply and are only using 200wats it will just draw 200wats form the wall (based on its efficiency) so outside of the upfront cost there is no reason not to). Also most power supplies run at much higher efficiency when they are well below there max (so after a year or two a high quality 600 watt may be cheaper then a 300wat even if you are only using 200-300watts).

while what you say is true to an extent, that does not justify passing up a GPU/CPU upgrade o get a $300+ PSU. that was somewhat the reason i recommended him get a 450w psu. he wouldn't be stressing the PSU and if he did decide to do some gaming and overclocking, he would still be well within limits of his psu.

 

[Operandi]

Efficiency suffers at both low load and high load and its at it's peak is always somwherein the middle. With the OPs hardware a 700 watt PSU will never reach peak Efficiency even under full load, and will be even worse when it's running idle.

The 330 watt S12 features the same quality as the 600 watt version. Same circuit design, same high quality Japanese caps, same ball bearing Adda fan. The only difference is the components (caps and heatsinks) are smaller to deal with the lower power capacity and heat output. For someone that won?t be running power hungry graphics card/s or pushing extreme overclocks I can?t think of a better PSU choice.

 

[CEV]

I would like to thank everyone that responded. Based on your opinions and comments, here is what I have come up with. I am also going to give OCing a try. One thing I'm not sure on though is the Ram I have selected. I have read some reviews of it not working very well with OCing. Should I stick with it or is there something else more reliable? I'm also unsure if I should go with a 3rd party cooling unit for the CPU.

Gigabyte 965P-DS3
Core 2 Duo E6400
Corsair XMS 2GB PC2 6400
Gigabyte Radeon X1650 PRO
SeaSonic M12 SS-500HM

Would greatly appreciate any additional comments.

Thanks,

CEV

 

[CEV]

I think this should do the trick for OCing:

Artic Cooling

What do you think? I'm also still looking for opinions on which memory I should get.

Thanks,

CEV

 

[Thegonagle]

This 500W Seasonic M12 (same as S12 except Modular!) for $125 should do the trick. (EDIT: I must have forgotten to read part of this thread. )

Also, there are fanless (noiseless) 7600GT cards available. You might be happier with one of those. (I know I would be. EDIT: But if you're thinking of overclocking, by all means, get a card with a fan.)

 

[Alone]

I'm strongly against ATi cards, so if you were to get an nVidia card, make sure it's eVGA (stepup).

 

[CEV]

I'll probably ne ordering this today and want to sure if the video card and memory I have selected will work when I try OCing the CPU? This memory went up about $70 in price last night for some reason, so if there is a better option for me please let me know.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[trOver]

wow your right that memory did shoot up last night. IF your not going to be overclocking, get some cheap ddr2-800 with some good reviews.

 

[Alone]

800 when not overclocking?
667.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: CEV
I'll probably ne ordering this today and want to sure if the video card and memory I have selected will work when I try OCing the CPU? This memory went up about $70 in price last night for some reason, so if there is a better option for me please let me know.

Thanks,

Chad

This DDR2 800 2GB Geil comes in at just under $200. Geil is one of the names I personally turn to for RAM, I consider them to be just as good as the Crucial, Corsairs, and Mushkins out there.

For CPU cooling I would go with the Zalman CNPS-9500AT. It is more expensive then the Artic Cooling unit but the performance is also better and it dosn't use the stock Intel mounting system (which sucks hard) so it will install easier and should be compatible with future CPU sockets in the future.

Other then the fact that your buying way more PSU then you need (the 330 or 380 watt S12 would be fine) your hardware looks great.