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aka1nas

Diamond Member
Aug 30, 2001
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There's actually an auxiliary ATX 4 pin connector that might be on your current PSU. Modern CPUs need more juice so they have extra specialized power connections other than the main 24-pin ATX connector.

If you want to look at a beefier PSU , get an ATX 2.0 model that already has all those extra connectors as well as PCI-E connectors in case you ever need a higher-end PCI-E video card.

You can usually find the Antec NeoHE 550w on sale for something like 50% off it's $100 MSRP if you look around. Fortron also has some decent quality units in the $50-$75 price bracket.

www.jonnyguru.com/ has detailed PSU reviews. I'd feel pretty comfortable with any unit he gives an 8+ point review on.
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
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Thanks for the Power Supply info.

I had another question about IDE drives. I see that the board has 1 IDE, and 4 SATA. I have a combination of both types of drives. Could a Hard Drive and a CD Burner run on the same IDE channel? Or would they get thrown off?

How do those SATA/IDE converters work? Do they slow transfers and effectiveness down a lot? Something like this: SATA-IDE Converter
 
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SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
3,517
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Originally posted by: itakey
I am not sure if it has an extra 4-pin cpu power connector or not. Do you mean, an extra standard plug, like one that goes into a HD? If so, yes, there are tons extra, I am not using as many as it has.

If this power supply won't cut it, is there one that you recommend that will definitely work well, but won't break the bank? Just thinking ahead since I am almost considering upgrading my machine, and then maybe building a complete new system out of the same hardware.

Any power supply info will be helpful.

SERP-If you can suggest an upgrade heat sink to fit the E2180 that will also be helpful incase I go that route.

THANKS AGAIN! YOU GUYS ROCK!
Click to expand...

Try your old PSU. You have nothing to lose. I think it will boot okay. Antec Earthwatts 430 was on sale @ NewEgg for $30 AR.

The E2160 is my 1st choice since it can easily hit 2.8GHz with zero fuss. It also comes with a stock CPU cooler (good up to 3.0GHz).

IP35-E will support up to two IDE devices...one optical drive and one HDD drive on the same IDE channel. Set the HDD as Master, and optical drive as Slave.

You can also use an IDE to SATA converter. Any speed drop will be minimal (less than 5% for HDD and 0% for optical drive).
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
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71
Thanks SerpentRoyal.

You've summed up a lot of my questions right there.

So if I did need an aftermarket heat sink/fan combo, is the Arctic Freezer Pro the recommended one? Seems like people LOVE it all over the place, especially at that price.

If I did want to go with a new power supply, think the Earthwatts 430 @ $39.99 after rebate is a decent enough deal? It probably won't come down in price in the next few days so I would just buy it if you guys think this is a good enough power supply. Antec's have never done me wrong yet.

Feedback on the aftermarket heat sink and power supply will be great!



 
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SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
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Freezer isn't my 1st choice for 3.0GHz oveclock. I would rather stick with the stock cooler since it can also cool the NB and MOSFET heat sinks (low-profit down-draft design).
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
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So this has gone from an upgrade to a complete new system I think.

I have my CPU, Motherboard, Video Card, and case chosen I think. Still trying to figure out which DVD combo drive is best and if it is compatible with Vista.


I am also thinking that the Antec Earthwatts 380 is the power supply I am going to go with since it is in stock, the 430 is not.

Will I need extra SATA cables? Does the IP35-E come with some, or should I get a few extras?
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
So I will plan to get 1 or 2 extra SATA cables. Should I be getting SATA, or SATA II cables?
SATA
SATA II
Which is best for regular hard drives and such?


Can you let me know what you think of these 2 video cards. The first is the one suggested in this thread, and the second is one that I found that looks almost exact, but doesn't have a fan which might be nice.


Card from NewEgg suggested in this thread

Card from Buy.com $35 after Rebate

Any preference between these 2?
 
S

SerpentRoyal

Banned
May 20, 2007
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I like passively-cooled heat sink since I'm not a gamer. A basic EVGA 7100 will also work. I've seen them FREE AR.
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
I edited and asked about the SATA cables.

So does that Buy.com card look the exact same as the NewEgg one, just a different heatsink setup?
 
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aka1nas

Diamond Member
Aug 30, 2001
4,335
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Nothing wrong with a passive model. The main advantage of the 8400 over something even more basic like the 7100 is that it has HD acceleration capability and enough video memory to run two displays of resolution greater than 1280x1024 in Aero. It also has token Dx10 compliance, not that it's fast enough to handle any real Dx10 games.
 
Denithor

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
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I would suggest this factory overclocked GeForce 8500GT for $60 (after $20MIR) instead of the 8400GS. Significantly faster card for about the same price just makes sense even if you aren't gaming with it. Plus it has two DVI outputs so you can use dual LCDs both on digital feed for better picture quality.

Also, remember that if you have to use a 64-bit operating system in order to gain any benefit from 4GB RAM. XP will only use about 3.2GB if you put in 4 sticks.
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
Ok,
So it seems like either of the 2- 8400GS cards or the 8500GT are ideal cards.

Here is one more 8400GS that has a passive heat sink:
Any Good at $39.99 after rebate?

Does the 8500GT have dual DVI? From the pic it looks like DVI and VGA to me. Is this card that much better or should I just stick with the passive cooled 8400GS?
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
I'll definitely be getting that for the heck of it at that price:) Will this fit on nicely, or will it also need mods? You mentioned you like the stock one since it cools differently and doesn't need hacking. Will this need the hacking?

Any feedback on that other 8400GS video card? I am hoping to get everything from NewEgg since just about everything there is in stock I want. Is that video card as good as the other 2?
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
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71
Originally posted by: SerpentRoyal
You may need to do some trimming of the heat sink. Just ordered three so I'll know in several days.

Another similar card with fan for $30 AR.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006383
Click to expand...

So this is the exact same card that NewEgg has, but for $10 cheaper after rebate.


Same Card at NewEgg

PS - Both Cards are Fanless

At Newegg, it says 1DVI and I D-Sub/VGA. At ZipZoomFly it says 2 DVI.

So does the NewEgg one definitely have 1 and 1, or is that a typo since they are the exact same mode? Anyone know?
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
Last thing I am trying to do now is decide on a case.....

I am shopping Newegg for Rosewill cases:
R6A5S
R6A5S - about $80 shipped

Rosewill R5605
5605 - about $70 shipped

Rosewill R5604
5604 - about $60 shipped

Anyone prefer one of these over the other, or have experience with them?
 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
Hmm, Good Suggestions. I do know that Antec makes cases that are considered "Silent" so I like that idea. Just not sure if I want to go for a super plain case, or keep a little style. The SKL3000B seems like it is an older case and not readily available.

Anyone else have feedback on the cases I listed above and the ones SerpentRoyal posted?


 
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itakey

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
537
0
71
So I ordered everything!!!

Rosewill R5604
HP RAM 1GBX4
Abit IP35-E
Intel E2160
Antec Earthwatts EA380
Samsung DVD 20X writer with lightscribe
CoolMaster CPU Heatsink deal for $1 after rebate
IDE to SATA converter

All that leaves is a new SATA drive to hunt down. Going to wait to see if any deals arise.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME PIECE THIS TOGETHER!!!
 
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